Reporting back on jamming RIA

[Horvath819]

I made a thread about a week ago about help for my jamming RIA 1911 GI model. The gun was jamming about 2 rounds of every mag I put through it . I was recommended to try a new recoil spring and a new mag. I purchased a Wolff 18.5lb recoil spring and a Wilson Combat elite mag from MidwayUSA.com. However when I got the parts the mag didn't seem to work right in my gun, it will not let the slide release at all . So I at least got to try the gun today with the new recoil spring and the old Novak mag I have. Out of 6 mags it only jammed one time on the very last round, so I was pretty happy with the improvement. Only thing I need to do now is call MidwayUSA and find out why the Wilson Combat elite mag didn't work.

 

[Mad Magyar]

why the Wilson Combat elite mag didn't work.

There are some that have a distain toward Philippine guns due to fit-finish, and QC issues. I found most to be okay. On the Midway mag, just return it for a refund....No point in having something that doesn't work in your situation.

 

[bang_bang]

I bought a 7 round GI mag (one of the $8 ones in brown paper) that functions perfectly in my RIA.

I'm not spending $25 on a magazine that's supposed to be better when something basic works just as well.

 

[harmon rabb]

I bought of the bottom of the line cheapie Chip McCormick mags from midway for like $10/ea, and they work great in both of my 1911's.

Anyway, why don't you contact RIA? They're known for having great customer service. They'll make it right, and pay shipping both ways.

 

[bannockburn]

Horvath819

Sometimes the specs on some of the M1911s coming out of the Phillipines are not quite the same as the guns built here in the U.S. A little while back I modified a friends stock RIA with some aftermarket parts (beavertail grip safety, mainspring housing, mag well, and extended thumb safety). Some of the parts took a little more fitting than I normally encounter while working on a Colt or a Kimber. But nowhere nearly as bad as when I worked on an AMT Hardballer!

 

[HisSoldier]

I exchange all my 1911 mags with Checkmate mags. There are good reasons for it. Checkmate is the only mag maker that comes close to JMB's original design.

 

[harmon rabb]

I exchange all my 1911 mags with Checkmate mags. There are good reasons for it. Checkmate is the only mag maker that comes close to JMB's original design.

I have used ACT, Wilson Combat, and Chip McCormick mags in my RIA (and Dan Wesson). Have had zero problems with any of them.

While JMB was the man, I'm pretty sure magazine technology has advanced since his time.

 

[DonRon]

I bought of the bottom of the line cheapie Chip McCormick mags from miday for like $10/ea, and they work great in both of my 1911's.

Anyway, why don't you contact RIA? They're known for having great customer service. They'll make it right, and pay shipping both ways.

This is the best advise on the whole subject. Ivan and Arnel are super nice guys to deal with.

http://www.advancedtactical.com/

Give them a call or email.

Regards Ron

 

[Onmilo]

RIA guns are great baseline pistols.
The internal parts are not the greatest and can stand a bit of upgrading.

A new and properly tensioned extractor along with a light polish on the barrel feed ramp will likely solve the jamming issues.

If the jams occur during the eject cycle, the ejector may be too short, too long, battered, or the angles are cut incorrectly.

99.5% of 1911 jamming issues are correctable without too much problem.

 

[KyJim]

Checkmate is the only mag maker that comes close to JMB's original design.

RIA only warrants their 1911s to work with Checkmate mags.

 

[Horvath819]

^Where can I get those? I'm calling Midway tomorrow to talk to them about returning the Wilson Combat that didn't fit. Hopefully once I get a fresh mag in there it will completely fix the jamming. The gun only jams trying to feed the round in between shots. But like I said with the new recoil spring I only had 1 jam out of 6 mags(it was the very last round I shot lol), when before I had a jam or two every mag. If the problem still persists I will take the gun to a Smith and have him work on it.

 

[rellascout]

I have always had success with the following 1911 mags.

Wilson
Chip McCormick Shooting stars & Power Mags
Les Baer
Metalform
Colt
Mec-Gar

Something is not right with the gun IMHO. You need to get a mag which you know works 100% in another 1911 and run it in your RIA. If you have issues IMHO its the gun not the mag. Send it back to RIA and make them make it right.

If you want checkmates you can get them at Brownells. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31845/Product/1911_AUTO_MAGAZINES IMHO they are only ok. I have not had issues with them but the ones I have I got for free. I would not pay for them vs other brands and I do not use them for defense.

 

[viking499]

Check with Advanced Tactical for mags.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I just bought a new RIA tactical also. The only mag it did not like was the Wilson Combat. As you said it will not let the slide forward when not loaded. I just took that one back and got Chip McCormicks. Also what type of ammo are you using? FMJ ball or Hollow Points? Lastly are you limp wristing the gun causing failures?

 

[Horvath819]

I have been using Windchester 230 FMJ. I don't think I'm limp wristing it, I hold the gun with a pretty firm grip. I do notice sometimes after shooting I will have a small red mark on my hand from slide bite I guess, but I don't have an extended beavertail.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

When you say jamming is it, Failing to feed, failure to eject, double feeds, or failure to return to battery?

 

[ol' scratch]

From original post I do notice sometimes after shooting I will have a small red mark on my hand from slide bite I guess, but I don't have an extended beavertail.

That's not slide bite, but hammer bite. It is caused when the hammer comes back and hits the webbing of your hand. It can happen with 1911's, Hi Powers and some others.

Sorry to hear about your problem. My Rock Island has worked perfectly. Every company drops a 'turd' once in a while. I would contact Rock Island and have them fix it.

I have used Wilson mags and they work in all my 1911's and my father-in-laws AMT Hardballer. That pistol is very picky. It will even eat hollow points if fed with Wilson Mags. It still hates Semi Wadcutters, even with Wilson Mags. My pistols, Rock Island included, will feed semi wads.

 

[Horvath819]

I would say it's failure to return to battery.

 

[DonRon]

RIA only warrants their 1911s to work with Checkmate mags.

I disagree with that statement. Never had that problem with Advanced Tactical at anytime. I will say that tolerances on current magazines and the 1911 clones are way out of original JMB specs. There is no base line tolerance anymore.