bikerdoc
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Highly recommend. I have 3 and they have been flawless despite heavy use.
A good value for the money and great customer service.
A good value for the money and great customer service.
Thoughts on RIA 1911's
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AlexanderA
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I recently bought two of the RIA/Armscor guns, for the purpose of recreating WW2 GI .45's (I already had the GI slides and barrels). So I was primarily interested in the RIA frames.
The good news is that the RIA frames will accept GI parts with no problem. The bad news is that nearly all of the RIA parts have significant differences from the equivalent GI parts. (These remarks apply to the basic parkerized RIA gun.)
-- Frame -- close, except that the RIA has a chamfered magazine well.
-- Slide -- the RIA slide has an enlarged ejection port, and taller sights. Not a problem for a shooter, but visibly not authentic for a WW2 gun.
-- Mainspring housing -- flat, grooved, and with no lanyard ring. Not GI.
-- Trigger -- long, and grooved. Not GI.
-- Hammer -- clunky profile. Not to be confused with a GI hammer.
-- Grip safety -- does not resemble the GI part. The tang is too long, even in comparison with the "long" GI grip safety. There is also a strange internal difference.
-- Grips -- the RIA gun has very thick, smooth-surfaced wooden grips. (Made of some Oriental wood. Certainly not walnut.) No resemblance to GI grips.
-- Thumb safety -- late type. Not correct for a WW2 gun.
-- Recoil spring plug -- the knurling is too coarse, and crude. Not dimpled for spring retention.
-- Ejector -- postwar, aftermarket type.
-- Sear and disconnector -- visibly delicate castings, as compared to the more robust GI parts.
-- Magazine -- not a GI-type magazine.
The parts of the RIA gun that are usable in making a true GI clone are: the springs and pins, grip screws and bushings, magazine catch, slide stop, recoil spring guide, and barrel bushing.
Bottom line: If you want to make a true GI clone out of an RIA/Armscor "clone," figure on at least doubling the price. (Still much cheaper than an actual GI gun in equivalent condition.)
At the last gun show I went to, I saw a (used) Auto Ordnance/Kahr Arms .45 clone that was much closer to a GI-issue WW2 gun. And the price was only a little higher than an RIA gun. But these Kahr guns don't seem to be as available as the RIA guns.
The good news is that the RIA frames will accept GI parts with no problem. The bad news is that nearly all of the RIA parts have significant differences from the equivalent GI parts. (These remarks apply to the basic parkerized RIA gun.)
-- Frame -- close, except that the RIA has a chamfered magazine well.
-- Slide -- the RIA slide has an enlarged ejection port, and taller sights. Not a problem for a shooter, but visibly not authentic for a WW2 gun.
-- Mainspring housing -- flat, grooved, and with no lanyard ring. Not GI.
-- Trigger -- long, and grooved. Not GI.
-- Hammer -- clunky profile. Not to be confused with a GI hammer.
-- Grip safety -- does not resemble the GI part. The tang is too long, even in comparison with the "long" GI grip safety. There is also a strange internal difference.
-- Grips -- the RIA gun has very thick, smooth-surfaced wooden grips. (Made of some Oriental wood. Certainly not walnut.) No resemblance to GI grips.
-- Thumb safety -- late type. Not correct for a WW2 gun.
-- Recoil spring plug -- the knurling is too coarse, and crude. Not dimpled for spring retention.
-- Ejector -- postwar, aftermarket type.
-- Sear and disconnector -- visibly delicate castings, as compared to the more robust GI parts.
-- Magazine -- not a GI-type magazine.
The parts of the RIA gun that are usable in making a true GI clone are: the springs and pins, grip screws and bushings, magazine catch, slide stop, recoil spring guide, and barrel bushing.
Bottom line: If you want to make a true GI clone out of an RIA/Armscor "clone," figure on at least doubling the price. (Still much cheaper than an actual GI gun in equivalent condition.)
At the last gun show I went to, I saw a (used) Auto Ordnance/Kahr Arms .45 clone that was much closer to a GI-issue WW2 gun. And the price was only a little higher than an RIA gun. But these Kahr guns don't seem to be as available as the RIA guns.
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Ed Ames
Member
The AO "GI" uses a firing pin safety - not GI.
Furncliff
Member
I bought a .45 tactical eight years ago as a practice 1911 planning to buy a Colt Gold Cup later. Fast forward and I own three more RIA's and have yet to buy a Gold Cup. My guns are range toys and I'm less concerned with how they look than how accurate and reliable they are.
There are numerous threads on THR about the RIA 1911s, now going back nearly a decade. Plenty of data there if you choose to seek it out.
I have owned and shot one since 2006; it has functionally been as fine a shooter as the Colts and Springfields I also own and shoot.
Excellent value for the money, even today. In fact, the base model GI is still selling at roughly the same price today (when on sale, at least) as it was when it first came out in the early-mid '00s.
I have owned and shot one since 2006; it has functionally been as fine a shooter as the Colts and Springfields I also own and shoot.
Excellent value for the money, even today. In fact, the base model GI is still selling at roughly the same price today (when on sale, at least) as it was when it first came out in the early-mid '00s.
Cocked & Locked
Member
I've owned five RIA's (now just one). Two .45 Officer models, and three 5" .38 Supers. Four were great and one (.38 Super) went through self destruction each time it was fired. RIA replaced that gun with a new one.
parkerized 1911 was replaced by RIA with this nickel one
parkerized 1911 was replaced by RIA with this nickel one
Looks nice there in nickel.
I remember when ClassicArms was offering chroming of just about everything under the sun in the mid '00s, and they sold a bunch of RIA GIs that they'd chromed. At the time RIA did not offer any factory nickel, and I thought they looked pretty good.
I remember when ClassicArms was offering chroming of just about everything under the sun in the mid '00s, and they sold a bunch of RIA GIs that they'd chromed. At the time RIA did not offer any factory nickel, and I thought they looked pretty good.
Catpop
Member
I just bought a used 3.5 compact last week at the gun show for 350 (incl leather thumb break holster). Only one range session so far, all looks good to go with both my 230 LRN and 200 LSWC reloads. Cant afford factory ammo to try. Haha. Poi dead on at 50'.
I am happy as a new born piglet! Well made. Great price. Shoots great. Handles my reloads without choking. BUY ONE!
Good luck, Catpop
I am happy as a new born piglet! Well made. Great price. Shoots great. Handles my reloads without choking. BUY ONE!
Good luck, Catpop
I bought a used compact. No idea what happened to it before I got it, but it went full auto on me when I went to the range.
The good news is that their customer service is top notch. I sent the pistol back not being the original owner, and when I received it from RIA they'd replaced most of the pistol and given it a very good tuning. It's run perfectly ever since.
The good news is that their customer service is top notch. I sent the pistol back not being the original owner, and when I received it from RIA they'd replaced most of the pistol and given it a very good tuning. It's run perfectly ever since.
Stripesdude
Member
I have a RIA Tactical 5" in 45, and a Citadel 5" in 9mm. Both are Armscor guns.
I haven't had any issues with either. Changed the recoil spring on the 45 after about 1000 rds - it was about an inch too short.
Both guns are every bit as accurate as my Colt XSE.
I haven't had any issues with either. Changed the recoil spring on the 45 after about 1000 rds - it was about an inch too short.
Both guns are every bit as accurate as my Colt XSE.
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