RIA 1911 for $279 is a heck of a bargain!

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Hi there,

First, congradulations on your new pistol!

I have heard a lot of good things about RIA's and had a neighbor who recently purchased one. It is a great shooter and I believe that it will hold its own against another good, but banned from importation pistol, the Norinco.

If it shoots good, who care's whose name is roll marked on the slide!

Chris
 
Navy87Guy said:
3006mv -

What mods have you done to the gun - sights, beavertail? Anything else?

Thanks!

Jim
Click to expand...

According to the picture, I see the sights, beavertail safety, slide catch, safety, hammer, mag well, magazine catch, and checkering on the front of the grip strap. Did I miss anything or get anything wrong?
 
www.southernohiogun.com had a run of them for $279 with free shipping for a while. I don't know if they are still doing that offer or not. Rock Island makes a government model sized gun or a commander sized I think.

The big one is just called Rock Island Armory government model 1911
 
Well, I broke down and ordered my RIA from Gun Broker. It was $310 delivered. I talked to my local FFL, who has had some bad experiences ordering from Sarco. He recommended against it, so for the small extra charge I took his advice. Once all the paper-swapping takes place, it should be here next week!!

Jim
 
georgeduz said:
where are these 1911s made
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They are made in the Philippines. Don't let that not want to buy one thogh as they generally get positive reviews and the Philippines has a long history of using and appreciating the 1911 design.

After all, even the communist Chinese managed to make a decent 1911 clone!
 
Just got back from the range...

Just got back from the range after putting another 50 rounds through my RIA Compact. I sure love that little pistol, but still doesn't stop me from dreaming of a SA Loaded SS Fullsize, though.
 
Moonclip said:
They are made in the Philippines. Don't let that not want to buy one thogh as they generally get positive reviews and the Philippines has a long history of using and appreciating the 1911 design.
Click to expand...


New slogan for 1911's:

Designed for Filipinos. Made by Filipinos
;)
 
Snowdog said:
I received my Rock Island 1911 yesterday morning from my local friendly pawn shop ($10 fee for use of his FFL, regardless of item or price) and stripped it down to give it a good look over. I will say that it's not quite the looker that my Kimber Classic has become, but it definately proved itself a solid specimen.

I took it and the Kimber to a buddy's house (lucky dog's fortunate enough to have several acres of land and neighbors who shoot) to run a few rounds of plated 200gr SWCs shipped in from Georgia Arms through each.

Here's what I found:

The RIA 1911 shoots every bit as tight a group as my Kimber despite having a slightly heavier trigger.

Though I only had time to put one "bag" of fifty G-A SWCs through each 1911, the Kimber hung up twice with failures to feed while the RIA fed without a hitch.

I did notice however that the Kimber was generally more "pleasant" to shoot. Though the recoil from relatively mild load was nothing even approaching uncomfortable, I did notice the recoil was perceivably milder with the Kimber.
I'm going to assume the recoil spring in the RIA is a bit lighter than the Kimber (both stock) which should be a relatively easy fix. I also plan to replace the rather chunky wood grips on the RIA.

I still need to run a few more rounds through this pistol, but so far I'm quite impressed with this pistol (and did I mention it cost me all of $279? NIB :D )!
Click to expand...

I think that you did quite well. I hope that it lasts for many years and shoots as does the proverbial "house afire".

Scott
 
Moonclip said:
They are made in the Philippines. Don't let that not want to buy one thogh as they generally get positive reviews and the Philippines has a long history of using and appreciating the 1911 design.

After all, even the communist Chinese managed to make a decent 1911 clone!
Click to expand...


The Norinco is a much better 1911 than the RIA even though made in china on a 1911 is just plain wrong.;)

I've handled and repaired several RIA and while they make ok plinkers I would never trust my life to one.

YMMV
 
After reading all these posts, I realize that I got a bargain on my RIA 1911. Paid $200.00 for a very slightly used one and it shoots like a dream! I can even shoot off hand with one hand and hit a good group. I didn't know much about RIA but you all have made me feel much better about my purchase.
Thanks!!!!
 
I also purchased one of these last week. We did a little work to it. First we did a ramp job and then cleaned up the trigger well. Replaced the springs with a set of Wolf 18.5# and got some cocobolo grips. Added a Wilson Combat extended slide release and a new trigger. Grouping was amazing. Maybe 1.5 inch at 20 yards and I destroyed the plate machine. 150 rounds without one malfunction. In fact it was the only Auto out there there had zero issues. I am waiting on a Wilson Full length guide rod now. But I doubt it can get any better. Best $300 I have ever spent.......
 

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Woe to me to rain on your parade, but after all that surely you spent a little more than $300 with parts. Still nice mods.

Tex
 
Well to be technical I spent about $400 or a few bucks over if I include the Wilson Combat guide rod that is on it's way. SO I recant... Best $400 - $425 that I have ever spent. :)
 
Helstrm said:
I also purchased one of these last week. We did a little work to it. First we did a ramp job and then cleaned up the trigger well. Replaced the springs with a set of Wolf 18.5# and got some cocobolo grips. Added a Wilson Combat extended slide release and a new trigger. Grouping was amazing. Maybe 1.5 inch at 20 yards and I destroyed the plate machine. 150 rounds without one malfunction. In fact it was the only Auto out there there had zero issues. I am waiting on a Wilson Full length guide rod now. But I doubt it can get any better. Best $300 I have ever spent.......
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It looks like you put the Wilson Competition Match trigger in, too. How did you like it? Mine seems to have some exessive pull to it (not as nice as the factory was) and it feels like there's too much play between the trigger bow and the grooves (too much vertical movement).

Here's mine:
RIA-left-modified.png

I need to clean up the frame a little and do some polishing on the sear, disconnector and hammer. I like the look of my new trigger, but its performance wasn't what I had hoped for.

Jim
 
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The trigger has too much travel feels great other than that. We lapped the trigger into the well and it is smooth but I just ordered a CHIP McCORMICK trigger that should be here this week. Hopefully that one will resolve the issue.
 

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I am also going to add a commander hammer but I don't want a beavertail safety so after my CWP class Sat. (No more mods until after I qualify) We are going to put the grip safety on the mill and remove enough metal for the hammer to funtion. I just want to stop getting bit when I shoot her. Only twice in 150 rounds but it still hurts. :rolleyes:
 
RIA rocks

I bought a RIA 1911(I will pick it up on the 6th) for $500. However, I just met someone at work that has the same one and he loves it. For being a non expensive gun, he says he likes it better than his other guns.
 
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