Advice on a RIA 1911 in 9x19 Luger

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Mr. Mosin

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Everything I’ve read on em says they make a decent 1911 for the price. I like the parkerized finish, and I picked 9mm so I can actually afford to shoot it and learn it. One day I’ll have a Colt Gov’t in .45 Auto; but for now; what say y’all concerning the RIA GI ?
 
I have been thinking a while now for a entry level 1911 in 45.cal. I have seen these perform well at my range and good price. Seems to get very good reviews every where.

One model is $355.00 at Buds. Or maybe just go for the Remington.

 
I like the RIA offerings and if you like them out of the box I think they are a good buy. I mention the out of the box thing though due to the fact that if you're going to mod it much you may be better off buying a different pistol from the start that is more to your liking.

If you want a different, classic, SA 9mm give the Hi Power clones out there a look also.
 
OP Rock Island makes a fine 1911, if there's a problem they will take care of it. And the caliber debate is a dead horse that's been beat time and time again, in reality there isn't enough difference in them to make any difference. You need a high powered rifle of varying cartridge chambering to see any appreciable difference in terminal performance.

I will say this a 9mm HP can fail to expand, but a .45acp never shrinks.
 
I have 1911s in both 9 and 45, and am happy with both. With 9 you pick up 1-2 rounds in a single stack. I also like the recoil impulse of the 9mm, though mine has a rail to minimize muzzle flip. While I don't own an RIA, they seem pretty decent for the money.

Be prepared to learn about how 1911s work and learn to do some of your own work if you want to modify it. Most parts are not necessarily drop in, but with some light tools and care, you can fit parts in.
 
I have both an RIA GI model in .45acp and an FS Tactical in 10mm. Both are great. If there was a model of 1911 I wanted and RIA had one in something priced right, I wouldn't hesitate to own a 3rd RIA 1911.
 
RIA 1911 ... I picked 9mm so I can actually afford to shoot it ... One day I’ll have a Colt Gov’t in .45 Auto ... what say y’all concerning the RIA GI
OP already decided on 9mm and question was quality of RIA 1911.

Let's not turn this thread into 9mm vs 45ACP caliber war.

Advice on a RIA 1911 in 9x19 Luger ... Everything I’ve read on em says they make a decent 1911 for the price.
They sure do make decent 1911s for the price. I started out shooting USPSA with 1911 and got to shoot various 1911s, including higher end/race 1911s. When the LGS I shot at got several 45ACP RIA Tacticals, I got to shoot them right out of the box. I was skeptical of the low priced RIA at first but after shooting them, I was impressed.

Slide to frame fit and smoothness of cycling was on par if not better than many brand 1911s. When a friend was looking for an entry level 1911, I suggested the RIA Tactical and he asked me to change the front sight to fiber optic so I got to spend a lot of time detail stripping for close examination of the pistol and shooting the pistol. The internal finishes were not as finished as my Sig 1911 but you won't see them anyways. I found chamber mouth was flared and fed even sloppy SWC reloads that I now consider RIA "Glock" of 1911s.

Accuracy wise, RIA kept same groupings as my Sig 1911 (Which produces 2" groups at 25 yards) to 15 yards but opened up to slightly larger groups at 25 yards compared to my Sig, which is still pretty good. Many complained about the factory magazines but friend's factory magazines fed SWC reloads reliably and subsequently with Chip McCormick Power Mags which I recommended. I have 10,000+ rounds on my Sig and friend has 7,000+ rounds on his RIA Tactical and neither has experienced any parts breakage other than normal replacement of recoil springs. For an entry level 1911, I would not hesitate to recommend the RIA Tactical and considered buying one myself.

For same reasons as you, to save on reloading/shooting cost, I considered buying a 1911 9mm but since I live in CA, my choices were limited. I considered buying a RIA 1911 9mm kit to finish on 80% frame and even considered buying a RIA 1911 in 38 Super and doing the conversion to 9mm.

Had Brownells not offered Fusion Firearms complete 1911 slide in 9mm for $344 to convert my Sig 1911, I probably would have gone the RIA 1911 in 38 Super to 9mm conversion route.
 
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@Garandimal 9x19 Luger expands just as well (and probably more reliably), and holds more rounds in any given platform. What next ?

@bds do you think the GI version to have the same quality as the Tactical version ?
 
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I own four RIA's. They are various versions of the 1911. I won a brand-new two-toned 45acp version for a $412 bid on Gunbroker recently.

IMHO, RIA makes a decent 1911, and it's hard to beat the price.

The only thing I would warn the OP about is that "GI" sights are tiny... and increasingly hard to see as you get older. It's well worth the extra few dollars to buy a version with larger (possibly adjustable) sights.

Here is my 9mm RIA, sold under the "Citadel" label. I got it used for $300.

Here is the 45acp I got a month or two ago. IIRC, it is the most basic version, other than the two-tone finish and the improved sights.
 
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@bds do you think the GI version to have the same quality as the Tactical version?
Armscor RIA Tactical is GI version with most common upgrades people like (Beavertail grip safety, better sights, skeletonized hammer, etc.). If you plan to upgrade your GI with these features, I would suggest you go with Tactical over GI.

Bud's has RIA 9mm GI for $408 - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/35189/rock+island+51615+gi+standard+fs+single+9mm+luger+5+10+1+wood+grip+black+parke

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And RIA 9mm Tactical "Ultra" with adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight (Two upgrades I highly recommend, even on the Tactical) along with magwell and better grips (I like MagPul 1911 grips with thumb cutout) among other Tactical features for $551 and well worth the money for me - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/35200/rock+island+51623+rock+ultra+fs+single+9mm+luger+5+9+1+gray+g10+grip+black+par

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Armscor Citadel is $527 "Target" version of RIA with tighter chamber barrel with shorter leade and tighter tolerances than RIA GI/Tactical (better internal finish metal work). While my Citadel actually produced slightly smaller groups than my Sig 1911, if you reload, your finished rounds would need to be precisely within specs or they won't feed reliably - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/89750/Firearms/Handguns/Citadel/Citadel+CIT9MMFSP+1911+Full+Size+8+1+9mm+5

89750_2.jpg

If you reload and want Glock-like reliability, I would suggest RIA GI or Tactical/Ultra (For me, I would definitely choose Tactical/Ultra over GI).

If you plan to shoot factory and/or can produce consistent reloads and want greater accuracy, you could consider Citadel. Armscor Citadel is an underrated 1911 that often can be picked up used for good price - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rmrs-own-line-of-thick-plated-bullets.761471/

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FWIW, you can get RIA Tactical Ultra chambered in both 9mm and 22TCM for $563 - https://www.classicfirearms.com/rock-island-armory-tcm-rock-ultra-22tcm-9mm-pistol-51962/

ria_51962_2.jpg
 
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If you shoot a lot, cost of firearm becomes small compared to cost of ammunition.

Let's say you shoot 500 rounds a month, just in one year, ammunition cost difference could be significant:

45ACP: $239/1000 x 6 = $1,500 - https://www.sgammo.com/product/arms...-grain-fmj-brass-case-armscor-ammo-fac45a-12n

9mm: $85/500 x 12 = $1,000 - https://palmettostatearmory.com/fiocchi-shooting-dynamics-9mm-115gr-fmj-50rds-9ap.html

That's $500 (Around the cost of pistol) savings a year for shooting 9mm over 45ACP with reloadable brass cased ammunition.

Over 20 years, cost savings would be over $10,000+.
 
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I have a RIA Tactical II in .45 ACP and a GI in 9mm. Both are reliable shooters and I recommend them highly. The 9mm is very enjoyable to shot, even with the small GI sights. Big bangs for the buck.
 
Modern ammo has changed the competition in recent years. They more than ever are on equal footing. No handgun is the best answer for self defense. The war for power was clearly led by big revolvers and still is,if you like the 9mm get it. I have looked at them myself. The ria is prolly the best budget 1911 to be had. From all I’ve read they are dialed in enough to be trustworthy. I will also add that practice makes the hits count more. While I’m a fan of cooper as much as the next guy, he left us in 2006 so his opinion on things developed after then seems to be missing. Do what you feel.
 
... what say y’all concerning the RIA GI ?


The only thing I would warn the OP about is that "GI" sights are tiny... and increasingly hard to see as you get older. It's well worth the extra few dollars to buy a version with larger (possibly adjustable) sights.

Armscor RIA Tactical is GI version with most common upgrades people like (Beavertail grip safety, better sights, skeletonized hammer, etc.). If you plan to upgrade your GI with these features, I would suggest you go with Tactical over GI.

As commented by Tallball and bds, there is a big difference in sights and features between the RIA GI and the Tactical versions (or whatever other RIA version you're looking at).

I spend a bunch of time in these "what 1911 should I get" threads. The two things I always tell prospective buyers to decide on before they buy it...

1. Do you want/need a GI or beavertail grip safety (they are not the same)

2. Do you want/need fixed or adjustable sights.

Choose wrong on either and you can expect to have a professional either grinding or welding on your gun in order to fix your initial choice.

Another concern with a 9mm 1911 is be prepared for some effort finding magazines that work with your gun. The 1911 in .45 Auto is pretty well sorted out, but you can still spend multiple hours reading through our threads on what mags work, and don't work, in various 1911's. The 9mm 1911 is much less sorted out. The 9mm round is shorter than the .45 Auto and requires a spacer of some type in the mag to allow the round to feed properly. Some use a spacer in the front, most use a spacer in the back. Some work well, some don't.

Finally, the 1911 is not like a Glock or AR. Replacement parts are typically not going to snap in, and there are a bunch of different standards for sight dovetails, so while there may be sight set you like, that is available for 1911's, but it may not be available for your 1911.
 
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I have 3 RIA's, a 10mm FS Tac2, a 9mm FS, and a Baby Roc. I enjoy them all but they were not without problems to begin with. The 10mm, when fired would drop the magazine about a half inch fairly consistently. I tried several mags without success so I sent it back to the factory and now it runs great. The 9mm FS was a trade. I had a lot of problems with FTE's. It appears someone bubbaed up the extractor a little too much. So I had a Wilson Combat extractor installed. Though not perfect it runs a whole lot better. Maybe 1 round in 4 or 5 mags produces a FTE. But this is just a fun gun so I am pleased with it. Haven't shot the Baby Roc enough to speak about but after about 75 rounds so far I have no complaints. I would like to get the 9mm/22tcm although I don't know how long the 22tcm will be around as Armscorps is the only manufacturer of 22tcm if I am not mistaken. RIA is good to go.
 
Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be a lot more interest in 45. lately. I like Paul Harrells Youtube where he compared it to the 10mm and how well it did on just Remington
fmj..(Not trying to start a caliber war, just thinking of cost and practicality). Also have been reading how the LAPD Swat only use 45.cal. which makes me wonder why more home owners do not use it. Just something to think about,

 
Actually picked up a couple NIB on line for $488.
Happy days are here again for sure! :)

Have never seen such low prices and extensive availability of gun stuff in decades.

I am in the process of revamping/updating all of my ARs and converting Sig 1911 to Fusion Firearms 9mm 1911 as purchasing a good 45ACP 1911 at low price is still very doable even for CA. I may even do a 1911 80% kit build.

Life is good! :thumbup:
 
@NorthBorder i saw the Baby Rock. What do you think of it ? Debating semi auto (RIA 1911 vs Baby Rock) vs revolver (S&W 442, vs Ruger SP101 vs Ruger LCR) for a first handgun (and an optimistic “do-all” gun).
 
@NorthBorder i saw the Baby Rock. What do you think of it ? Debating semi auto (RIA 1911 vs Baby Rock) vs revolver (S&W 442, vs Ruger SP101 vs Ruger LCR) for a first handgun (and an optimistic “do-all” gun).
I'm kinda on a 1911 kick recently. That's pretty much why I got it. I really can't comment on its reliability yet. As a first handgun and do all gun l would suggest a revolver ( sp101) first or, alternatively, a 9mm. 380 ain't cheap to shoot.
 
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