Rock Island M1911-A1 .45 ACP?

[ReggiesFree]

Hey Studs,

Got an ad today from our semi-local Dunhams's Sports for a Rock Island M1911-A1 .45 ACP for $399.
Been thinking about a .45 off & on for while now. Mostly as home defense or when I'm ultra-deep in the thickets shooting hard cast ammo at burly 4 legged beasts !

I know Rock Island is on the economical end for .45 auto's, but what has been you guys' experience or review of this gun?

Thanks,

Reg

 

[mjsdwash]

I had one years ago that wasn't so great. In that price range I would look at Auto Ordnance. Better finish, better made, US made. I have been very happy with mine.
The do cost more, but only about $50 more.
If you have another 100 or so budgeted, Sprinfield is good too.

I'll add, I can't find an AO at the moment

Looks like prices are up. Maybe not as easy to justify $170 more, but I'll post if here anyway. I got my 9mm for around $440 about 3 years ago.

https://shootingstore.dunhamssports...-5-71-brown-polymer-grip-black#product_detail

 

[ReggiesFree]

I had one years ago that wasn't so great. In that price range I would look at Auto Ordnance. Better finish, better made, US made. I have been very happy with mine.
The do cost more, but only about $50 more.
If you have another 100 or so budgeted, Sprinfield is good too.

I'll add, I can't find an AO at the moment

Looks like prices are up. Maybe not as easy to justify $170 more, but I'll post if here anyway. I got my 9mm for around $440 about 3 years ago.

https://shootingstore.dunhamssports...-5-71-brown-polymer-grip-black#product_detail

Appreciate the feedback.
I feel comfortable going up $200-300 tops and would rather have something nice & dependable as opposed to bargain-basement with potential issues.

 

[kje54]

Hey Studs,

Got an ad today from our semi-local Dunhams's Sports for a Rock Island M1911-A1 .45 ACP for $399.
Been thinking about a .45 off & on for while now. Mostly as home defense or when I'm ultra-deep in the thickets shooting hard cast ammo at burly 4 legged beastsView attachment 1062795 !

I know Rock Island is on the economical end for .45 auto's, but what has been you guys' experience or review of this gun?

Thanks,

Reg
View attachment 1062795

Having handled RI 1911s I've found the grip safety doesn't stick out as much as it should making me have to grip the handle rather firmly, more so than I normally would. There are aftermarket upgrades you can get to resolve that issue if it is an issue for you. I have been looking at the SDS (Tisas) 1911A1 WWII clone which is typically less expensive than the RI however the Tisas is made in Turkey if that's a problem for you. The reviews I've read and seen have all been very positive. It might be a better option for you, just another option to explore if you choose to.

 

[dickydalton]

I bought one last year. The better one with better sights. After about 150 rounds it now has never had a problem with about 7 different magazines and hits as well as I shoot.5 and a half bills is reasonable.

 

[botofogo]

I have the Rock Island GI 1911 and the Commander size "ultra" 1911. Love them both. The GI model has the standard 1911 iron sights, but the CS Ultra Tac has a fiber optic front sight which is way better. I think they're good pistols for the money.

 

[Tallball]

I had a Tisas GI model. It worked great. I "had" to trade it towards something else and replaced it with an RIA.

The RIA has good fit and finish - better finish than the Turkish one, which wore easily.

My 45acp RIA 1911 has never malfunctioned.

I have three RIA 1911's, as well as a few 1911's. The RIA's all work fine and are better pistols than you would expect for the price.

The main reason that my RIA 45acp is waaaay better than the Turkish one is that the Turkish one was a GI model with little tiny sights.

I paid $50 or so extra to get the RIA with better sights and a bigger "beaver tail".

Paying a little extra for larger sights is well worth it. Even with my middle-aged eyes I can shoot a 1911 surprisingly well... as long as it has decent-sized sights.

RIA 1911 45acp

• Tallball
• Jun 26, 2019

 

[LeftyRed]

Really liked my RIA 1911. Had one in 45 and in 38 Super. Divorce caused me to get rid of them.

I knew of two Viet Nam vets that carried one every day. My closet friend’s father thought it was just like his Remington Rand he was issued. In fact, he carried the RIA because he didn’t want to get his Clot rebuilt for the third time! The man shot a lot and knew his 1911s. I take his word with a lot of weight.

I did a “fluff and buff” on both of mine when I got them home. Also just used cheap red bearing grease and heavy weight oil from the automotive section for lube.

ETA: like others, I would put a few more dollars toward it and get the better sights and and two tone. I also think it’s was only slightly easier to install an ambi safety on than a Kimber, which IMHO are dead shot simple.

 

[Stefan A]

I recently bought the Rock series RIA full size standard. Very happy with it. But, I only have 200 rounds through it and it’s my only 1911. So, not much to compare. Still, I am surprisingly accurate with it and I like the feel. Good purchase.

Stefan

 

[dieselchief]

i shoot two ria's one in 9 , one in 45. played the AO game and tried the various springfield versions including the loaded specials.
...sorry no comparison RIA's hands down better built, tighter clearances and more accurate...
.... the AO was fitted up about as good as the worn out GI 45s we had aboard ship 48 years ago. I promise my llama 45 (which resembles a 1911 but is not really) out shot all of the springfields... only a colt delta elite i had in the eighties out shot my RIA's. just saying...dc

 

[jag1954]

For the money it's a great shooter. Never had any issues with mine.

 

[375supermag]

I bought a Rock Island 1911 in .45ACP last year. IIRC, it was about $550.
So far, it has been quite reliable and accurate with about 200 rounds through it.
I haven't yet put enough rounds through it to consider it properly broken in, so it remains a test gun and range toy. Doubtful it will ever replace my Springfield Armory 1911 primary carry gun or my Colt Combat Commander back up gun, but it seems a well made handgun.
I may well eventually by another in .38Super, mainly because I don't have a .38Super and this would be a relatively inexpensive way to get a decent platform in that caliber.

 

[1KPerDay]

Love mine. It's just about my favorite range gun. Video overview if interested

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 8 RIA'S. Love them all.

 

[CapnMac]

I know Rock Island is on the economical end for .45 auto's, but what has been you guys' experience or review of this gun?

That's an odd photo for having a 10 round magazine in it (I've yet to ever come across a 10 rounder that worked more than once).

One problem with your question is that RI makes many models of 1911A1, from a straight-up military to fancy target, to "tactical." Also, from your OP, I think we can presume "full size"-as RIA has three different sizes. Each one of those has its pros and cons. The Tactical and Target have better sights. From memory, those two also have "memory lumps" on the grip safety. The Tactical, IIRC, has an ambi safety. I can't remember which of those has the extended levers. Whether you need/want extended levers is subjective, not objective.

RIA makes a very solid product. If they have a weakness, it's in making so many versions. Are they $2000 firearms, no, but they don't need to be, either. The RIA automatics have been far more successful than their revolvers.

 

[wcwhitey]

You guys are bad, a very bad influence. Read this and went online researching their Lineup. All my 1911’s are full sized I have been on the lookout for a nice Compact.

 

[3Crows]

Hey Studs,

Got an ad today from our semi-local Dunhams's Sports for a Rock Island M1911-A1 .45 ACP for $399.
Been thinking about a .45 off & on for while now. Mostly as home defense or when I'm ultra-deep in the thickets shooting hard cast ammo at burly 4 legged beastsView attachment 1062795 !

I know Rock Island is on the economical end for .45 auto's, but what has been you guys' experience or review of this gun?

Thanks,

Reg
View attachment 1062795

Love mine. It started out as a GI and I got it for $379. It is tightly built, accurate and functions perfectly. I bought it to learn a little more about working on the 1911 platform so now it looks like this:





It now has the WC stainless extended mag release, WC sear, WC skeleton hammer, WC trigger, WC stainless spring cap, WC drop-in grip safety beavertail, some eBay G10 grips and a Wolf spring. It did not need any of that as it was great out of the box including the trigger but of course it is better now with the WC parts . And I just wanted to because I could.

That's an odd photo for having a 10 round magazine in it (I've yet to ever come across a 10 rounder that worked more than once).

I have a few of the WC 10 round magazines and they work fine in my RIA and my Kimbers.

3C

 

[ReggiesFree]

Love mine. It started out as a GI and I got it for $379. It is tightly built, accurate and functions perfectly. I bought it to learn a little more about working on the 1911 platform so now it looks like this:

View attachment 1062958

View attachment 1062959

It now has the WC stainless extended mag release, WC sear, WC skeleton hammer, WC trigger, WC stainless spring cap, WC drop-in grip safety beavertail, some eBay G10 grips and a Wolf spring. It did not need any of that as it was great out of the box including the trigger but of course it is better now with the WC parts . And I just wanted to because I could.


I have a few of the WC 10 round magazines and they work fine in my RIA and my Kimbers.

3C

SWEET INDEED!
BTW...is that a manual safety?

 

[Lo-Profile]

I've got 4 RIA 1911's in 4 different calibers.
Solid guns, haven't had a problem with any of them. Picture was a GI 9mm I swapped to 38 Super. With a bunch of other upgrades.

 

[3Crows]

SWEET INDEED!
BTW...is that a manual safety?

Thanks. I am not sure what is meant by manual safety. It has a standard GI type slide safety and the GI grip safety was changed out for a WC drop in beavertail. I only did the beavertail because the GI type did not actuate cleanly with my big hands, I need that speed bump .

3C

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I had a bad experience with a RIA GI and a RIA parts kit. I won't likely buy another RIA 1911.

At that price range, I'd look at a Turkish import like Tisas or Girsan. Or spend a little more on a Springfield.

 

[ReggiesFree]

Thanks. I am not sure what is meant by manual safety. It has a standard GI type slide safety and the GI grip safety was changed out for a WC drop in beavertail. I only did the beavertail because the GI type did not actuate cleanly with my big hands, I need that speed bump .

3C

I meant like a thumb safety...
I did a little research on it.

 

[bangswitch]

Hey Studs,

Got an ad today from our semi-local Dunhams's Sports for a Rock Island M1911-A1 .45 ACP for $399.
Been thinking about a .45 off & on for while now. Mostly as home defense or when I'm ultra-deep in the thickets shooting hard cast ammo at burly 4 legged beastsView attachment 1062795 !

I know Rock Island is on the economical end for .45 auto's, but what has been you guys' experience or review of this gun?

I think it's money well spent, especially if you're getting a discount on an already low-priced gun. I bout a GI model RIA a couple of months ago in .38 Super Auto; it's every bit as well made as my SA 1911A1 in .45 Auto, or my Ruger SR1911 in 10mm Auto. If it has a shortcoming, it's the sorta-cheesy plain jane grips, but that is easily remedied. I changed mine out to a set of low profile Altamont grips that really helped the appearance.

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

Are they still $399 ? My local store shows them for $499

 

[Up North]

Got one at fleet farm this week for 399 they had a sale and we're well stocked