RIA 9mm 1911?

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Kiln

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Anybody got any first hand experience with these? Am I better off saving another $200+ and getting something else?

I'm looking at them in 9mm just to have another cheap 9 to shoot at the range. This won't be a defensive pistol so no worries there as I have plenty of other options for that.

Basically I'm wondering about quality, durability, and if they're a good value for the money?
 
Ive never heard anyone who felt like a Rock Island Armory 1911 wasnt money well spent in 9mm or 45. Unless you have to have a Colt. I just think you would have to shoot the Colt a lot to justify buying it to save money.
 
I've had extensive experience with Rock Island Armory 1911s. I very nearly bought a 9mm model awhile back. Overall, they're good guns though generally the RIAs need a bit of tender love here and there with a polishing cloth (go carefully with it). I currently carry a RIA full size in .45ACP daily and I'm pleased with it.

*Edit to add: camsdaddy: have you ever shot a Colt 1911? I own one, and there is a WORLD of difference in the way the Colt shoots vs. the RIA. It's like saying a Toyota MR2 is just as good as a Porsche 911 just because they're both 2 seat mid-engine coupes.
 
RIA or ATI are great starter 1911 models. I have fired both in .45 acp and was pleasantly surprised by both. I've been told, and have read here and other sites like 1911 forum that the RIA 9mm Tactical is a good pistol and well worth the cash. And with a lifetime warranty from RIA, why not?
 
Obviously not. I've dry fired a few and I admit there is a reason they are the 1911 that all others are compared to. I'm just saying you would have to shoot a lot to justify buying a colt to save money. Just think there are good choices that don't cost an arm and a leg.
 
I shoot pretty often, something like 5-6k rounds per year not including rimfires. Am I going to be sending one of these back to the factory often or will they hold up well to frequent use?
 
I'd get it, or a Colt.. anything in the middle is a waste of money IMHO
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Ridiculous. Spending top dollar on a pistol so you can shoot cheap ammo makes little sense to me.

My 9mm Armscor/RIA 1911-A2 "widebody" (Para P18 clone) has over 15,000 rounds through it, my RIA 9mm "Tactical" is at about 4000 and is a fantastic pistol at a very nice price!
I've replaced nothing on either pistol and even take them apart to clean them once in a awhile, mostly I wipe them down, run a bore snake through them, and put 'em back in the safe for next time.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1334373507.157258.jpg

I've only had my RIA 9mm for 3 months and I shoot about 100 rounds of wwb or Remington every other week. But even with this limited use, I have no reason to doubt it's durability. No FTF. I enjoy shooting it. I also don't think twice about the money I'm sending down range.
 
I have one in 45 ACP and it has been solid. I really don't see the point of owning a 9mm 1911, but it will be your gun.
 
I had a RIA CS in .45. It would feed winchester PDX1 230gr reliably. That particular load has a pretty rounded profile to the bullet.

I carried it for a year or so, but had to sell it. (Life)

My friends who are more knowledgeable than I in the 1911 were very impressed with the workmanship. It was a pretty tight gun. Though the GI sights SUCK.

I thought about getting a 9mm, but it would just be a play gun, and I don't play that much right now.

But my experience with RIA was a good one. Their customer service is awesome too.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
My RIA 1911 .45acp tactical is 4+ years old, had to replace the slide stop in the first month. Since then it's been flawless. Mine feeds every type and weight bullet I've tried.I'm not a 1911 expert but my feeling is the $400 price tag doesn't accurately reflect the value. The extra $ spent on the Tactical model is well worth it.

I'd like one in 9mm.
 
I have an RIA 38 super and it needed a little work at first. Overall I am happy with it, but had to spend a few solid days cleaning up the insides and fitting the extractor properly. Now it shoots just fine.

I have heard complaints about RIA metallurgy. However, when you ask the same complainers about which specific alloy RIA uses, or how they heat treat it, or what alloy SA or Colt uses, or where they (the complainers) studied metallurgy, they get mad and switch to personal insults. Hmmm.

Low end Springfield Armory guns are probably a better overall investment. If you want to upgrade, or trade up, you will do better with a Springer. Any money you pour into an RIA on upgrade parts will not increase the value of the gun the way they would on an SA, Colt, etc.

I do not think there are any secret bargains out there. Buy the level of gun you can afford, and you will do OK. I would not pass on a good price on an RIA, but go in eyes open that you are buying a budget gun that will never be anything else.
 
I have heard complaints about RIA metallurgy. However, when you ask the same complainers about which specific alloy RIA uses, or how they heat treat it, or what alloy SA or Colt uses, or where they (the complainers) studied metallurgy, they get mad and switch to personal insults. Hmmm.
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RIA are Cast Steel, Colts are Forged. Colt also has better materials used in the small parts- (Especially high stress parts like slide stops and extractors.)

An RIA is an Ok gun but it is in no way equal to a Colt... I showed a buddy how to detail strip his (New) RIA and the hammer hooks were cut VERY unevenly.

Never judge a book by its cover-
 
Id get an FM or FEG Hi Power if I wanted another 9mm range toy on a budget. 9mm 1911s make me queasy.
 
I've already got a CZ75B that is awesome but I was just considering another full size, steel framed pistol for range use and figured I might see what all of this 1911 love was all about.
 
Nothing more to add other than I carry a Armscor/RIA 1911 CS daily with a spring change to handle +P ammo, Novak Trijicon night sights and a tune by Armscor Precision in Nevada. All work is now under their life time warranty too. I've put 5000 rounds though the gun with out a single failure due to the gun, though have had some factory ammo fail.
 
I have a RIA .45 Match. Overall, I am happy with it, but it took a little tweaking to get it running right. Replaced the recoil spring with I think, an 18# one. Mine is picky about magazines. It does not like McCormick or CProd mags. It likes the ACT Mags, which is good, because they are not expensive.

As far as ammo, mine was a little picky about hollow points. With all the rounds shot through it, it is probably not as picky now. It has always fed Rem Golden Saber rounds with no problems. I was a bit disappointed in it at first. Now that I have it running like I want, it has grown on me.

I think they make a good gun for the $. It ain't an Ed Brown, but it does not cost like an Ed Brown.
 
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I've got the GI, with about 2,000 rounds through it, the only thing I replaced were the grips, the mainspring housing [I like the arched Colt better than the stock flat one..] and the slide stop. And the neat thing is....Colt parts drop right in.
 
I think that all of the sub $700 guns are about the same, make your choice and pay your money....I went with the remington and could not be more happy. When I was shopping the price was RIA GI $485 Remington $600.....and tho it may be shallow the main reason I went with the remington was to not get that bill board on the side of the slide.

Used guns bring a different catagory into this talk, but with so many bacemant gun smiths I wanted a NIB gun.

So far I have only about 300 rounds in the thing, but no problems yet.
 
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