Rock Island M1911 GI Standard Pistol

[thunderbyrd]

a local dealer's website says they have one. i could go tomorrow and plunk down 4 bills and some change and bring it home, but they are the bottom dollar 1911 i've seen and that makes me skittish.

so does anybody here have one or has previously had one and can talk about their reliability and value?

thanks for any advice!

 

[JTQ]

RIA 1911's have a good reputation.

If you're not a "1911 guy", the two things I always tell prospective 1911 buyers to decide,

1. Do you want/need adjustable sights

2. Do you want/need a beavertail grip safety.

Choosing wrong on either of these in your initial purchase, will usually require somebody to grind/file/weld on your gun to fix your choice.

The RIA GI comes with very small fixed GI sights. I personally like fixed sights, but the RIA GI sights are very small. If you don't have good vision they may be an issue.

Most folks new to 1911's don't realize not all 1911 sight dovetails are the same. This Kensight page will show some common 1911 sight dovetails. https://stores.kensight.com/common-1911-sight-dovetails/ The RIA GI rear dovetail will be similar to the Colt Government dovetail. There are some options for that dovetail if you want to replace them.

The RIA GI comes with a GI grip safety. There are many folks that like that grip safety. However, it is not a beavertail grip safety that is preferred by many 1911 shooters. You generally can't just swap from one to the other without some gunsmithing skills. If you like the GI grip safety, you should be fine.

 

[JTQ]

Let me clarify #1 above. Many times folks choose a 1911 with adjustable sights - they typically fit in a BoMar or LPA dovetail as depicted on the Kensight page. Those sights typically have sharp edges, don't come with white dots or available as night sights.

Many of these folks decide they don't like adjustable sights because of this and look for a night sight replacement or a rear sight with smoother edges. There are a couple options for these people, but they would have been much better served choosing a gun with a Novak dovetail if they wanted tritium or a more rounded sight since there are many more options.

Conversely, if you want adjustable sights, choosing the GI dovetail will limit your options.

 

[ontarget]

I picked up a RIA at the beginning of summer. So far so good. No malfunctions of any kind. The sights are small but work well for me even with glasses. I do recommend a good cleaning before your first range trip if you get it . And in today's market $4**.00 isn't a bad price. I gave 500 plus tax for mine and was happy. I hated the orange tint of the grip panels so I darkened them.

 

[243winxb]

Designed for 230 gr ball ammo. Brass case mouth gets bent on ejection. More work if reloading.

 

[1KPerDay]

I like mine quite a bit. It’s the 1911 I shoot the most actually, including my Dan Wesson. The DW is amazing, but the “1911 experience” is represented better by the RIA GI IMO.

only thing I don’t like is the non-GI profile grip safety tang and the incorrect milling around the top and rear of the trigger guard. Most people don’t notice or care.
Here’s an overview and shooting video if interested.

 

[1KPerDay]

Here it is in a 3-gun competition if interested.

 

[lee n. field]

a local dealer's website says they have one. i could go tomorrow and plunk down 4 bills and some change and bring it home, but they are the bottom dollar 1911 i've seen and that makes me skittish.

so does anybody here have one or has previously had one and can talk about their reliability and value?

thanks for any advice!

Have one. Had minor problem with slide stop. Got a replacement from Midway, was a drop in.

Absolutely no other problems with the thing, ever. Sights are slightly better than standard GI nubbins.

"4 and change" was about what mine was, 4 or 5 years ago.

If you want a GI style 1911, go for it.

"Four and a half stars. Would buy again".

 

[whisler]

I have an RIA GI or at least it started as one. Bought from my son when he needed money. I couldn't use the tiny sights (I'm 79 y.o.) I sent the slide to Dawson and had fiber optic front sights installed and a combat rear sight. It wears Packmere (spl.) wraparound grips. I love it and shoot it well.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

I've had mine for around 8 years, love it, never any problems worth complaining about...


Heres my officer with a few changes...

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 8 RIA 1911's. Been very happy with them. I have one in a GI model 38 super. It's a nice shooter too. If you need their CS it's outstanding. My avatar is my 10mm and baby rock .380

 

[12Bravo20]

I own several Rock Island 1911 pistols. They have all been good to go for me.

If the GI grip safety and GI sights are not to your liking, then I suggest stepping up to the Rock Island Tactical versions. It is always cheaper to by a 1911 with everything you want installed at the factory versus buying/hand fitting replacement parts later.

 

[film495]

my neighbor has one. I shot it a few weeks ago and it felt to me like it had a lot of muzzle flip to it. he did some things and put new springs in etc. it really felt to me like shooting a full size 9mm this time. think it was the same ammo

 

[Jimster]

Love my Rock! My favorite cartridge pistol I’ve ever had.

 

[LiveLife]

Rock Island M1911 GI Standard ... i could go tomorrow and plunk down 4 bills and some change and bring it home, but they are the bottom dollar 1911 i've seen and that makes me skittish.

so does anybody here have one or has previously had one and can talk about their reliability and value?

If you just want a "GI" model with small rear blade sight and no extended beaver tail grip safety, I would go for it.

But if you want better sights and extended beaver tail grip safety or other upgrades (Most people do) then I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND you buy the TACTICAL model for a little bit more (You WILL thank me later as upgrades will cost more than difference in price). If you can, get the fiber optic front sight model.

I consider RIA "Glock" of 1911s due to enlarged chamber mouth that will reliably feed even sloppy reloads. When my range received several RIA Tactical models to be used as range rentals, I got to shoot all of them right out of the box. I was pleasantly surprised how accurate they were (They kept up with my railed Sig 1911 to 10-15 yards producing similar groups and only opened up slightly at 25 yards where my Sig produced 2" groups but it could have been me not wanting RIA to keep up with the Sig ).

I was impressed enough when my friend waned to buy 1911 and M1A for his retirement present, I suggested he buy the Tactical model over several other make 1911s.

Over 10,000 rounds later, only thing his RIA needed was replacement recoil springs and reliably fed lead SWC reloads from Chip McCormick and Wilson Combat 47D magazines even after 500 round range session (My tighter chamber Sig would slow down after 300 rounds).

 

[mjsdwash]

mine was crap. cus service was worse. detailed here a few times. still have Arnells letter. Get an AO, or Springfield. just my opinion.

 

[Roverguy]

The guns are not badly made and have a reputation for being reliable but the finish is rather ugly and most of the edges are quite sharp. GI sights are a hard no for me but that's up to you. They have a good reputation for feeding almost anything. With prices generally still high, the price you mention is quite low.

 

[LiveLife]

mine was crap. cus service was worse. detailed here a few times. still have Arnells letter. Get an AO, or Springfield. just my opinion.

I was happy to see Kahr buy Auto Ordnance as 1911 quality and finish vastly improved after the purchase. I have not shot AO 1911 after Kahr purchase so I can't comment.

My BIL has a SA 1911 and I have been happy with and currently thinking about SA 1911 in 9mm.

This was relatively early in RIA's presence, around 2008 or so, so maybe they had some issues to work out, and it does seem people think they have.

As to your experience with RIA back in 2008, yes it was their early days and they did have some growing pains.

I think since their introduction, especially in recent years, member experience have been overwhelmingly positive with report of very good customer service.

I bought my railed Sig 1911 as a consolation prize after missing out on buying a DW PM7. After shooting over 10K rounds through Sig 1911 and participated in friend's RIA 1911 Tactical, I no longer have the desire to buy a DW PM7 and would happily buy another RIA 1911 Tactical (But currently holding out for new Colt/Walther 1911 22LR to go on CA roster).

 

[Tallball]

I have three RIA's. They all work fine.

I previously had a GI model 1911. After I traded it towards something else I replaced it with an RIA that had larger sights. I am getting too old for those tiny GI sights.

This is my RIA in 45acp. I paid a little more (it really wasn't much) for the larger sights and beavertail. It's accurate and has a good trigger. I'm very pleased with it.

RIA 1911 45acp

• Tallball
• Jun 26, 2019

 

[bikerdoc]

I have both the full size and the officers model. Nary A problem!

 

[rust collector]

Rock Island (Armscor) has a good reputation in these parts. I went with ATI (Shooter's Arms Mfg), another Philippines supplier, due to a slightly different configuration. Beavertail, better sights and better trigger for a few dollars more. Mine has been reliable and has hooked my brother and others on 1911s. Still dents the brass, though.

 

[mjsdwash]

I was happy to see Kahr buy Auto Ordnance as 1911 quality and finish vastly improved after the purchase. I have not shot AO 1911 after Kahr purchase so I can't comment.

My BIL has a SA 1911 and I have been happy with and currently thinking about SA 1911 in 9mm.


As to your experience with RIA back in 2008, yes it was their early days and they did have some growing pains.

I think since their introduction, especially in recent years, member experience have been overwhelmingly positive with report of very good customer service.

I bought my railed Sig 1911 as a consolation prize after missing out on buying a DW PM7. After shooting over 10K rounds through Sig 1911 and participated in friend's RIA 1911 Tactical, I no longer have the desire to buy a DW PM7 and would happily buy another RIA 1911 Tactical (But currently holding out for new Colt/Walther 1911 22LR to go on CA roster).

I bought a current production (2017) AO 9mm GI pattern 1911 on the advise of a THR member, $500, US made, Very tight, Extremely reliable -most reliable 1911 I have ever used. Now at 3K or so, never a malfunction, except in load development, trying to get recoil down to 22lr level.
Accuracy out of the box is excellent as well.
Only complaint was a broken ejector at 1,300 rounds, and factory doesn't pay shipping on warranty. Paid $110 to fix that. Still a good value though.

 

[AlexanderA]

If you want a WW2 clone, the Kahr/Thompson would be a better starting point than the RIA, given that they are close to the same price. The Kahr/Thompson has a Series 80 firing pin safety (internal) but the RIA has some more visible external changes, such as a beveled ejection port and taller sights. I converted two of each to proper WW2 clones, and the RIA's required replacement of the slides while the Kahr/Thompson's required removal of the Series 80 parts. Of course, practically all the small parts (triggers, hammers, grips, etc.) had to be replaced in each.

These clones still ended up far cheaper than original WW2 guns.

If you're not concerned with historical authenticity, either one of these will serve you just fine. They are quality products.

 

[Jim Watson]

I converted two of each to proper WW2 clones, and the RIA's required replacement of the slides

Sounds like a lot of trouble to me, but then I have a real Colt to fondle. Not much fun to shoot with microscopic sights; although the trigger pull is good and I am not subject to hammer bite.

There is a guy in Canada who uses Armscor frames to "clone" real 1911A1s, including Singer. I have to think he leaves the serial number alone. Putting on a "S" number 1 to 500 would be illegal in the US and fraud anywhere.

A lot of people buy the Cheap Imitation Army Surplus and conclude they need "upgrades" such as were common when you could buy Cheap Real Army Surplus but are now expensive modifications. They would have been better off to buy something with the stuff they wanted. As my gunsmith says, "If the factory will do it, LET the factory do it."

I know a guy with a Tisas and a RIA who learned about the shortcomings of 1945 configuration for shooting by presbyopic retirees. He wants better sights but doesn't want to pay much and he doesn't want to disfigure his slides with cross dovetail front sights and he doesn't even like the way a local shop installs stake-on.

 

[Jimbo80]

An RIA was my first 1911 and I was very happy with it. I sold it when I got a Colt Combat Government and in hindsight wish I kept it.