Ria 1911

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TimM

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Does anyone have any experience with a Rock Island Armory 1911? The compact 45 really interest me and I would like to have some first hand knowledge/opinions on whether or not this is a decent pistol for the price.

thanks
 
RIA makes and exceptionally good gun for the money, about the best bang/buck on the market. They also have very good customer service and support so you can buy with confidence should you be one of the few unlucky ones with a lemon.

Use the search, they have been discussed a lot.
 
Yes, they're very good pistols! I carry a RIA Compact every day.

There's at least three versions of them, I call them the basic GI style, a semi-Tactical, and the full-Tactical. I highly recommend that you try the find the full-Tactical model that has the Novak-style sights along with the beavertail and combat hammer. It's the same exact pistol as the full-size RIA Tactical, except in the 3.5 barrel Officers ACP size. Might have to go to Centerfire Systems to find them. My Compact is the semi-Tactical, has the beavertail and combat hammer, but GI sights. The better sights are worth the effort to find.

And I live in Parker, CO too!
 
I just got a full size tactical the other day, looks pretty slick and well-built:
DSC_1018.jpg

can't wait to actually go shoot it!
 
Yeah, for the price, you really can't go wrong, especially given the reputation of their customer service.

I may pick up a RIA compact one of these days. I kind of want to try carrying a 1911.
 
I've had the 1911A1 for about three years now, it was my first 1911 and I still love this thing.

Also if you want to look into purchasing one I'd suggest looking in Sarco, they have exceptionally good deals with RIA (I got mine for around $340 out the door).
 
I just bought the 1911 tactical also. I took it to the rande and shot Winshester white box FMJ (100rnds) and JHP (50rnds). It did great with the FMJ. No failures at all. The JHP failed to feed about 6 out of 50. I hope this clears up after the the gun is broke in. Also note I was using the factory Novac mag and 2 CMC Shooting Star mags. I bought 3 CMC Power mags from a guy on THR. I will be getting them tomorrow and will test them latter this week. So far very pleased. I bought it mainly for a range gun and maybe som compititions so the failures with JHP do not bother me. It will be nice if that prob clears up but if not no biggy. I'v heard of others having probs like this as well. So I hope if you use it for carry you will break it in first and also polish the feed ramp. This may help with shooting JHP.
 
My RIA GI model likes Wolff mags, Nighthawk mags and my personal favorite the Mecgar 7 round flat bottom. They look like the original GI mag, but have modern internals.
 
The "Tactical" is the best buy at about $400. Improved sights, trigger, hammer. Get the Parkerized finish if you can find it. The black ones are just paint. Grips are kinda cheesy but you will be changing them anyway probably. I really like the Hogue wrap-around grip I put on mine.

They are amazing shooters for the price. I am constantly amazed by the out-of-the-box accuracy of this inexpensive pistol.
 
I have a RIA two tone tactical. It is very reliable and accurate. I did a lot of research before I bought mine. There are a lot of happy RIA owners out there.:)
 
I have two...

Got 2 for $800.00 (including shipping) and the $15.00 transfer fee.

They are the 1911 GI model and I love them. I have put 300 rounds through each of them since I got them two weeks ago and not a hiccup or problem.

Just got my spare Chip McCormick spare magazines for them (I bought 4 total from Midway at $13.99 each.)

Mine are great! Plus, they are consecutively numbered for anyone that cares about that.
 
I called Sarco and for the 3.5 45acp it is $364.95 out the door. If you had to replace some springs or even larger parts that is a deal hard to beat.
 
Yeah the photo in post #4 is a 5" full-size Tactical. They also make a 3.5" Compact that looks just like that. Not sure who carries them, at one time I "think" Centerfire Systems were the only place that had them.

They also now offer a full-size Tactical in 9mm Luger. I must resist......
 
I read an article on here a while ago about the Philipino pistols being top notch for the low price. Apparently shooting sports over there are VERY popular and the 1911 is the weapon of choice. I bought a 1911 about a month ago from MetroArms (also a Philipino company) and have about 400 rounds down range and not a single FTF or FTE. Out of the box it shoots about 2" low at 30' but that's a simple sight adjustment when I get to it. Other than that it has a 4.5# trigger and a very smooth action.

Long story short: I love the Philipino 1911s :cool:
 
I love my Tactical full size. Wouldn't trade it for any Kimber on earth.
Click to expand...

I would then I'd sell it and turn around and buy another RIA .:neener:

The reviews on RIA seem to be overwhelmingly positive.
 
Every time I shoot mine I realize again what a great gun it is for the money. The finish on some of the internal parts is nowhere near up to DW standards but the price is 1/3 as much.

I wish I could convert my IRA into RIA's, that would be a more substantial investment. :D
 
Every time I shoot mine I realize again what a great gun it is for the money. The finish on some of the internal parts is nowhere near up to DW standards but the price is 1/3 as much.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone here is trying to say they're on par with a Nighthawk or Les Baer. Just that for the money, as you say, they're amazingly good. I would have no issues trusting my life to mine.
 
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