RIA 1911

[Crazy Horse]

All,

I have a RIA 1911 that I has always frustrated me until today. I made adjustments to both the front and rear sights and it shoots almost at the point of aim. It shoots low, but if I aim the front dot a bit higher than the rear dots, it hits dead on. This indicates to me that the front sight is too long. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to fix the problem? Should I file the front sight? or would that create more problems. I could leave it as is, but it would require a different aim point than all my other firearms.

All in all, I was happy to finally enjoy shooting my 1911. RIA 1911's are a great firearm for the money. Once I get the high impact, it'll definitely be in consideration to rotate the pistol on my bedside safe.

TIA

CrazyHorse

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you do file the front sight go very slow, a little does a lot.

You could always change the front sight too if it's removable.

 

[Crazy Horse]

ArchAngelCD,
Thanks for the info, I'll make sure to go slow, maybe a couple of scrapes with the filer at a time. It is removable, but I think I'll try filing it down first since the sight is a truglo. If I go too far I have the original to replace it with.

 

[1KPerDay]

I assume the front sight is staked rather than dovetailed? My RIA tactical shot very low and required a Dawson replacement but my GI shoots close to POA

Edit: you say replaceable so I assume dovetail. Go to dawson precision’s website and they have a handy calculator to help you determine how much lower or higher your front sight needs to be to hit to your desired POA.

 

[Slamfire]

Mine shot low, so I sent it back to the factory. It cost me nothing other than the price of a box.



I complained about the barrel leading, even though they only make the thing for 230 FMJ's. They replaced the barrel, and I forgot my lead ammunition when I went out to the range. I am hopeful. I think they replaced the rear sight, but they did send along a target

 

[Crazy Horse]

Yes it's dovetailed. I replaced the front sight with a truglo. unfortunately the rear sight was not the correct size and was loose when on the gun, so I put the original rear sight. Talked to a gunsmith who stated they could either shim the rear sight or add a thin layer of metal to the rear sight. Either way the cost would be >100. Love the RIA 1911, but at that price I could have purchased a 1911 with an adjustable rear sight. I was super frustrated with shot groups being right of the target. Finally, I re-centered the rear sight and adjusted the front sight instead. Lo and behold, I can now hit the target. Of course, I have to align the sights so the front sight is a tad higher. I know it's not the right way to aim, but it made me like my RIA again. I just filed the front sight a tiny bit today. I'll be taking it to the range tomorrow. If I would have known, I would have sent it to the factory right after purchase, but I wasn't sure about RIA's customer support, especially for the cost being so low. Nonetheless, I enjoy shooting it again. I'll just keep filing a little at a time until I get it right. THX

 

[HisSoldier]

Since buying two sight pushers and making a third this is the kind of thing I won't pay to have done. If you have many pistols it may be time to buy one.
That said, I find the RIA pistols to be exceptional values, equal in quality to domestic pistols costing twice as much.
I should mention the different philosophy some have about sight pictures, some people believe the top of the front post should be right below, just below, the point of impact, while some believe the top should be at 6 o'clock, several inches low at 10 yards.
I'm not an accomplished target shooter but I like the top edge of the post only barely just below the point of impact.
I was taken aback to learn some like air between the POI and POA, but many do I guess.

 

[Slamfire]

Since buying two sight pushers and making a third this is the kind of thing I won't pay to have done. If you have many pistols it may be time to buy one.
That said, I find the RIA pistols to be exceptional values, equal in quality to domestic pistols costing twice as much.
I should mention the different philosophy some have about sight pictures, some people believe the top of the front post should be right below, just below, the point of impact, while some believe the top should be at 6 o'clock, several inches low at 10 yards.
I'm not an accomplished target shooter but I like the top edge of the post only barely just below the point of impact.
I was taken aback to learn some like air between the POI and POA, but many do I guess.

When you are dealing with fixed sight guns, sometimes the point of aim is well away from point of impact



The OP is lucky that the rear sight is adjustable on a RIA, because he can correct for windage, but elevation, 6 OC, center hold, it depends on the pistol and the ammunition. It is better in my opinion to go with center hold. Everything is just easier, center the sights, center the post on target, yank trigger!

 

[CapnMac]

Are you using a 6 o'clock hold?
Some RIA, perversely, seem to be regulated for a dead-center POA.