RIA 1911 45-A1-FS question
- Thread starter ncairman
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I have a RIA GI-FS. I got it for $379 at a local farm store NIB. It was a a shooter out of the box but I installed a WC trigger, combat skeleton hammer, sear, extended mag release and drop in beaver tail and the front spring cap. I also added some G10 grips.
There is nothing wrong with a RIA. Mine was very tightly built. No, it is not a Kimber and it certainly is not a WC or other high end 1911 but it shoots good, is accurate and has yet to have a single failure to function. You will probably need a new magazine though, not especially impressed with mine.
3C
There is nothing wrong with a RIA. Mine was very tightly built. No, it is not a Kimber and it certainly is not a WC or other high end 1911 but it shoots good, is accurate and has yet to have a single failure to function. You will probably need a new magazine though, not especially impressed with mine.
3C
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I'm not sure the current price, but in the middle of 2020 I got a Springfield defender 1911 for 425 or so. Just something to check out for similar money since you like your other Springer. It's the parkerized version. I really like the white dot sites and lowered flared ejection port. Runs very well never an issue.
I had a gi RIA that would choke occasionally. I had a tactical that broke several parts early on (ria mailed me replacements), and I had a custom tactical a fellow at RIA called Ivan worked on... Smooth-fiber optic sites... Most accurate gun I've ever shot. Never shouldve sold that one!
You can't really go wrong.
I had a gi RIA that would choke occasionally. I had a tactical that broke several parts early on (ria mailed me replacements), and I had a custom tactical a fellow at RIA called Ivan worked on... Smooth-fiber optic sites... Most accurate gun I've ever shot. Never shouldve sold that one!
You can't really go wrong.
The second one on your post is the current one I am looking at and it is the same price. I am stopping by Friday to see if they have it in stock so I can look at one.
1KPerDay
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Mine have been great. Here’s a video overview/intro of the GI and FS Tactical models if interested. I had to file down the sharp outer edges of the ambi safety but that was no big deal. I also installed a fiber optic front sight to correct the POI issue.
bannockburn
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Worked on one for a friend of mine. It was nickel plated and they did a nice job of getting the plating on very evenly with full coverage. Few if any tool marks were found on the inner parts of the gun. He wanted a beavertail grip safety, ring hammer, and an extended safety and slide release. I used stainless steel parts which my friend polished with Mother's Mag Polish so everything looked nice and shiny. The parts he had were mainly from Wilson and Ed Brown and required little in the way of fitting. Overall I was impressed with the quality and fit and finish of the gun.
I cannot find the video but there was a 1911 guy, expert pistol smith, who measured critical surfaces and fit of the RIA of recent manufacture and found it to be very good if not better than some "custom" type guns in terms of parts fit for optimal function. The cuts snd lines of the cast frame are not as clean as those from a forged and milled frame, that is one of the differences between cast and forged. But they are good, just not as crisp and clean. I see similarities to other 1911 cast frames costing much more. I have complete faith the RIA 4140 cast frame will hold up. Mine, and others of newer manufacture I have looked at, has no flaws or casting lines, it is very nice.
Lo-Profile
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I've got 3 RIA guns currently. Reliable and good shooters.
The favorite one I have is a CCO which is a Commander slide on a Officer frame in 9mm. It's offered in 45 as well.
But they're pretty rare to find.
The favorite one I have is a CCO which is a Commander slide on a Officer frame in 9mm. It's offered in 45 as well.
But they're pretty rare to find.
md7
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Not sure on current Mil Spec prices, but agree with your assessment. My Mil Spec is not a “good gun for the money”….. it’s just a plain good gun.
gotboostvr
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I had an officers sized 45acp RIA. That thing was one of the smoothest, easiest shooting guns I've had the pleasure of handling. Picked it up as a novelty on the cheap and it needed a little fixing up. Just a new recoil spring and grip bushings as the previous owner did a hack job of installing a set of Houge finger groove grips.
I could roll one of those 4" orange rubber cubes around a field all day easily with that. Shot much better than its diminutive size would let on.
Sold it to a buddy who had to have it so I could buy some other toy, he still carries it and has had zero issues long term with it.
I could roll one of those 4" orange rubber cubes around a field all day easily with that. Shot much better than its diminutive size would let on.
Sold it to a buddy who had to have it so I could buy some other toy, he still carries it and has had zero issues long term with it.
bangswitch
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Those grips have developed a nice patina from use, it looks. Either that, or yours were darker than mine from the git-go. I've got a set of low-profile grips coming from Altamont to replace my plain grips; I think I'm going to practice my wood carving and checkering skills (or lack of same
) on the originals.
ontarget
Member
Those grips have developed a nice patina from use, it looks. Either that, or yours were darker than mine from the git-go. I've got a set of low-profile grips coming from Altamont to replace my plain grips; I think I'm going to practice my wood carving and checkering skills (or lack of same
They are the factory grips. I only wish I could shoot it enough to age them naturally. I stripped them and then aged them with a torch. Then applied some stain and polyurethane.
AlexanderA
Member
I have 2 RIA's, that I got with the intention of rebuilding into WW2 clones. Well, I ended up replacing almost everything except the frames. RIA parts are serviceable, but they don't compare to genuine GI parts.
If you want a budget GI clone, the Thompson / Kahr is a better starting point.
If you want a budget GI clone, the Thompson / Kahr is a better starting point.
Tallball
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I used to have a Turkish 1911, a "GI model". It was a good pistol, but my aging eyes started having trouble with the small sights. I traded the GI model towards a revolver I really wanted, and replaced it with an RIA with larger sights. Wow. I can shoot a 1911 much better if it has decent-sized sights. Good sights alone are well worth an extra $100, not to mention the extended beavertail (which I also like).
I think I got this 9mm before I got the 45acp version in my post above. "Citadel" is one of RIA's labels. It was inexpensive used at my LGS. It has the sights and other features I prefer. I have a Star Super B that is a good shooter and feels just like shooting a 9mm 1911, but since I got the Citadel I don't shoot the Super B much anymore, due to its smaller sights.
Probably my favorite 9mm pistol to shoot.
I think I got this 9mm before I got the 45acp version in my post above. "Citadel" is one of RIA's labels. It was inexpensive used at my LGS. It has the sights and other features I prefer. I have a Star Super B that is a good shooter and feels just like shooting a 9mm 1911, but since I got the Citadel I don't shoot the Super B much anymore, due to its smaller sights.
Probably my favorite 9mm pistol to shoot.
jag1954
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This is mine with the Pearce grip. It's a very good shooter. A no frills no bs 1911 and excellent value for the money spent.
lee n. field
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Full sized Rock Island GI .45 -- mine's been fine. The one and only minor problem I resolved by getting a new slide catch from Midway, drop in replacement.
I could wish the sights were better. The grips are "not to my taste", but replacing factory grip panels is almost a given.
"4.5 stars out of 5, would buy again."
nofendertom
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I have heard that if you widen the rear notch you can get a better (?) sight picture. Remember though, when you buy a GI styled 1911, you get GI sights.
Well I have located a RIA Ultra FS and it is local, but I have not been able to see it yet. It is listed at $629 and I do not know if I want to spend that much for a basic range, truck and possible carry gun? I do not want the ambi safety or an extended safety as I have that already on the SA, so I would switch it out if I got it. It has the other upgraded parts that I wanted but it has the fiber optic front sight and not sure if that would hold up or not. The upgraded G10 grips may be an overkill as well for me? The GI version sights and grip safety are the only things holding me back from ordering it. I am planning on visiting the local shop tomorrow to look at this one but its a little high for my budget.
nofendertom
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If I was going to order one, I would be looking at a RIA A1 FS Tactical like the one in hawg's post (#20).
It has an extended ambi safety but all the good stuff for range sessions and more.
It has an extended ambi safety but all the good stuff for range sessions and more.
Well Academy got one in stock of the tactical like I wanted, but after reading the CS from the M206 post in general, now I have my doubts again. I thought their CS has been great lately, am I wrong? I might have to look at Shield 45 instead? Any help would be appreciated.
I wouldn't worry too much about the RIA 1911 pistols. And as I posted in that thread, my personal experience is opposite of that OP's experience with RIA customer service. I had a 9mm 1911 that had issues. RIA tried fixing it twice before sending me a brand new 1911 that hasn't had any issues.
Thank you for that, I expected more comments on the CS, but that is ok. With the way my day job is going it maybe sold out before I can get there. It is a concern though as I have never had to send a long gun or a pistol back to anyone yet...that is the key word yet
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