Tell me about Rock Island

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f4t9r

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Trying to find out a little history and how good is Rock Island 1911 stuff.
I am interested in a 1911 style Rock Island 38 super. Anybody help me out ?
 
Made in Phillipines, and I think in the same factory as Charles Daley (sp?)

That's all you will get people to agree on. People either swear by them or swear at them. They're about $300, so make your own conclusions.
 
The album came out in 1989 I think. It's not as good as Tull's earlier stuff but some of it still........

Oh....

Never mind......

:evil:
 
I've had 2 good gunsmiths comment that while they are not exceptional weapons they are perfectly adequate defensive .45s.
 
Mine has been good for 1k rounds or so, using factory ball from Winchester and Wolf, and many 230 gr. RNL handloads. It was a little tight for about the first 100 rounds, but after that brief break in it has functioned flawlessly. I have not tried any HP ammo in it so cannot offer and opinion on it. The gun has worked well with the original mag and with several surplus GI mags. Machining was clean on mine, much more so than most of the photos I have seen of these pistols.

Over at this site Here under the "Other 1911's" section, there are many comments on the Rocks. The user blackdragon works for RIA and is quick to offer any help needed.

This is not my only 1911. I have currently have 3.75 pistols of this type, The RIA, a SA Mil Spec stainless, a Kimber Pro Carry HD and a Firestorm. Had a Colt many years ago. For someone who wants an inexpensive 1911 for a first gun or a project, I would recommend it.
 
I have a compact .45, like the Officer's Model I guess, looks good, shoots good with the right ammo, like any gun. Had problems with the dual recoil spring, maddening. Problem getting replacement for spring/spring guide bushing which cracked. Finally replaced spring and guide with Ed Brown unit from Brownell's $35 IIRC. Cat's meow!!!!!!!!! Been told lot's of guys like the frames for builders, good metal! Shouldn't have any problems with full size. I prefer a smooth trigger and a larger gap on rear sight than my compact had, but won't the first match I shot with it, a night match on "Main Street"! McCormick makes a 6 rd officer's mag that holds 7 rds!

Stay safe.
Bob
 
If you are looking for a really good 1911 style pistol in the Rock Island price range consider a Norinco. They are Chinese made 1911s that are made to the identical specs of a Colt 1911 (meaning almost all 1911 parts are interchangeable), are made from solid forged steel not a cheeper alloy frame, come out of the box with a very accurate (many say match grade) barrel and run about $350. However, I don't know if they make a 38-super model.

I should note that I have a Norinco 1911 .45acp that I picked up for $350 and it has been a great range gun. It is very accurate and hasn't given me any problems what so ever.
 
They're good guns.




I've been tempted to buy one in .38 super to go with my .45, I just don't know why I would need it though. :eek: Don't see much ammo around here. 9mm would be nice. ;)
 
I would recomend lookin at the 1911forum.com. They have an ongoing discussion about RIA. The company rep is a regular contributer.
 
Davidsons has or had exclusive rights to the caliber .38 Super pistols and they have a marketing agreement where they will not sell to certain districts.

Illinois is, unfortunately, one of those districts, so we can't order any of the guns though we could sell plenty if we could.

As stated above, the RIA 1911 won't win a beauty contest but they are decent pistols for the money.
 
I am very fond of mine...My buddy compares it favorably to his Kimber.

fbcb70a1.jpg
 
They're decent but not stellar pistols.

Armscor uses investment cast frames for their RIA/CD pistols, and some folks poo-poo them for that. On the other hand, I had a RIA 4" that swallowed a bit over 10,000 rounds without a hitch and with no discernable wear.

They certainly do not have the level of quality in their build nor the fit-n-finish of more expensive 1911 pattern pistols. For example, my RIA had a slight misalignment of the hammer pin hole and the sear pin hole; they were not exactly perpendicular across the frame. This was nothing that affected the functioning of the pistol, but something from which my Springfields and Kimbers and Colts do not suffer.

My biggest issue with them is that they've become almost $400 guns in many markets. For another $50, I can buy a Springer GI that will be better made and better fitted. But for $325, they're a solid bargain and worth the money.
 
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My biggest issue with them is that they've become almost $400 guns in many markets. For another $50, I can buy a Springer GI that will be better made and better fitted. But for $325, they're a solid bargain and worth the money
Click to expand...

+1. When they first came out, they were $300. At that price you buy it, run out the door and don't ask no questions. You had a great gun for the money. When you get past $400, you're competing with Springfield and I've even seen used Colts in the $400-$500 range.
 
I am interested in purchasing a RIA 1911. Does anyone know if they sell them with the fired shell casing? I am from one of those places (MD) that requires each new gun to have this included.
 
Just bought mine from Classic Arms - $285. Roughly finished, but reliable, fairly well put together and perfectly adequate for defense or (as in my case) project gun use.

Find me another functional and reliable NIB 1911 for even 50% more than that!
 
I'm happy with mine. The barell link broke after about 75 rounds and they mailed me a new one. No problems since then. The fit/finsh are just as good as Kimber (IMHO). The factory grips are ugly, but I replaced mine with some walnut checkered grips I bought from E-bay. It looks great now.
 
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