spd1303
Member
I just bought my first 1911 today. It is a rock island 45acp. what problems if any should I be worried about and what modifications should I do to it
rock island 1911 45acp. any problems
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Quoheleth
Member
Generally, Rock Islands are well respected. Check at the m1911 forums - their company rep hangs out there.
I own a Rock Island Compact (i.e. Officer-size) that is stone-cold reliable and as accurate in my hands as my Gov't-size Springer Loaded -- and for 1/2 the price.
As this is your first 1911, I would suggest shooting it for a while. If it's the GI version, down the road you might look at a beavertail grip safety and commander-style (rounded) hammer. Be advised: if you want to do that you might be better off selling your GI and buying the Tactical version. The tactical version comes with those things plus an ambi thumb safety for about $50 more. One part alone plus installation will easil eat up that $50. Other mods frequently seen are grips (lots of choices), sights (will have to be milled by a 'smith), and perhaps finish. I suggest shooting it for a while to see what works and what you want.
Congrats on your new 1911.
Q
I own a Rock Island Compact (i.e. Officer-size) that is stone-cold reliable and as accurate in my hands as my Gov't-size Springer Loaded -- and for 1/2 the price.
As this is your first 1911, I would suggest shooting it for a while. If it's the GI version, down the road you might look at a beavertail grip safety and commander-style (rounded) hammer. Be advised: if you want to do that you might be better off selling your GI and buying the Tactical version. The tactical version comes with those things plus an ambi thumb safety for about $50 more. One part alone plus installation will easil eat up that $50. Other mods frequently seen are grips (lots of choices), sights (will have to be milled by a 'smith), and perhaps finish. I suggest shooting it for a while to see what works and what you want.
Congrats on your new 1911.
Q
rbernie
Contributing Member
Best thing you can do is get a stock of proper magazines and shoot the snot outta it before you do anything.
Plenty of threads here on magazine choices.
Plenty of threads here on magazine choices.
spd1303
Member
thank you. my 1911 is the tactical version
The Wiry Irishman
Member
The best 1911 accessory is a reloading press.
mljdeckard
Member
I wouldn't anticipate any problems. Use your savings to buy some ammo and some Wilson 47 Ds.
spd1303
Member
What are Wilson 47 Ds
Good choice! You're gonna like it! Parkerized finish or the new brushed nickel plate?
I took my first RIA GI model and made a Tactical out of it, then had it blued. Also used Novak tritium night sights, which the slide had to be milled for. This is the expensive way to do it. I wish I'd just bought a stock Tactical, but I LOVE that blued finish! These photos just don't do it justice.
RIA's are fine pistols, you did good. I have three, and there's thousands of happy owners out there, many with a dozen or more.
Same pistol, when I first bought it....
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JBB
Member
I've had a Rock Island for a couple of years now and it has been a great gun. Shoots everything you load in it and is a good shooter. It will bite the web of your hand but that is about the only complaint I have.
Detachment Charlie
Member
+1 what everyone else has said, but ++1 on the "shoot the snot out of it."
mljdeckard
Member
j21blackjack
Member
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- Jan 10, 2009
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Big +1 on the reloading press. I went the cheap way and got a Lee Hand Press Kit. I've reloaded about 1000 rounds with it. Works great for my once a month range trips.
powwowell
Member
The sights on the GI model are really small. They are the main reason I picked up a tactical model. Both pistols have been great. The tactical model is one of the best buys in the firearm world.
Wilson 47Ds are
8 round 1911 magazines. They will run about $30 each but they are worth it. If you can't find those at your local gun shop and you can get Kimber mags, you will be just as happy. I know some guys love the Chip McCormick mags but I have trouble witht three that I have.
8 round 1911 magazines. They will run about $30 each but they are worth it. If you can't find those at your local gun shop and you can get Kimber mags, you will be just as happy. I know some guys love the Chip McCormick mags but I have trouble witht three that I have.
I absolutely love the blueing job on that RIA. I like Parkerized pistols, but the two-tone park on the RIA has always looked a little strange to my eye. The blue job just really sets it off in my opinion...that would look great even in regular GI configuration, too.
Mind if I ask what it cost you to have done?
Mind if I ask what it cost you to have done?
ol' scratch
Member
Watch the Kimber Mags. Neither my Kimber nor my Rock Island like the mags. Stick with the Wilson mags. They are the only mags I have used that don't cause stopages.
MICHAEL T
Member
I agree My Kimber did like Kimber mags I use chip and wolff mags neither been any trouble
Mr.Revolverguy
Member
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- 1,882
Who blued that RIA? I agree I really like that finish very very nice.
Captain33036
Member
Hello
After a long debate with myself, I too switched from a 9mm SIG and 9mm Beretta Cougar to the RIA 1911 tactical. I could not be happier. I shot a lot of different guns, but kept coming back to the 1911. Several friends let me shoot theirs and no matter which I shot (several different models from Taurus to Colt), I was always much better, much more accurate than the other non-1911's side arms I tried. So....I decided to take the plunge, and glad I did.
Was at a gun show yesterday and had the opportunity to look over several, from Kimber, SA, Taurus, Colt and a couple RIA's. I felt that the RIA had just as good a fit as the higher priced SA's and Colts, and quite a bit better than the Taurus. It seems to be well accepted by shops and smiths.
The tactical was exactly what I was looking for, right down to the fat, smooth, light hardwood grips. These were my personal preference and it was very nice that I did not have to purchase these in addition to the gun.
Have only had enough time to put 200 rounds through. No failures of any kind. Very smooth operation. Shot it against a friends gunsmith accurized Colt....the RIA shot as well, as accurately or better. To me, it shoots a bit more smoothly than a 9mm (I guess short barreled 9mm).
The parkerized finish does not wow me, but I felt it was the easiest finish to either touch up or redo. I really liked the blued finish someone posted above. details on that would be good to read.
ACT mag (Italy) seems to be excellent. 8 rounds.
To me, the 1911 seems to be one of those brilliant designs. Purposefully slim, naturally balanced, naturally accurate. I would certainly enjoy having a collection of guns. The SIG and the Beretta were both terrific to own. I really would have loved to have been able to buy the SA Loaded in Stainless, but I simply can only afford to have one, modestly priced. So, after owning and shooting several, the RIA 1911 seems to be the one for me.
My best to all.
J
After a long debate with myself, I too switched from a 9mm SIG and 9mm Beretta Cougar to the RIA 1911 tactical. I could not be happier. I shot a lot of different guns, but kept coming back to the 1911. Several friends let me shoot theirs and no matter which I shot (several different models from Taurus to Colt), I was always much better, much more accurate than the other non-1911's side arms I tried. So....I decided to take the plunge, and glad I did.
Was at a gun show yesterday and had the opportunity to look over several, from Kimber, SA, Taurus, Colt and a couple RIA's. I felt that the RIA had just as good a fit as the higher priced SA's and Colts, and quite a bit better than the Taurus. It seems to be well accepted by shops and smiths.
The tactical was exactly what I was looking for, right down to the fat, smooth, light hardwood grips. These were my personal preference and it was very nice that I did not have to purchase these in addition to the gun.
Have only had enough time to put 200 rounds through. No failures of any kind. Very smooth operation. Shot it against a friends gunsmith accurized Colt....the RIA shot as well, as accurately or better. To me, it shoots a bit more smoothly than a 9mm (I guess short barreled 9mm).
The parkerized finish does not wow me, but I felt it was the easiest finish to either touch up or redo. I really liked the blued finish someone posted above. details on that would be good to read.
ACT mag (Italy) seems to be excellent. 8 rounds.
To me, the 1911 seems to be one of those brilliant designs. Purposefully slim, naturally balanced, naturally accurate. I would certainly enjoy having a collection of guns. The SIG and the Beretta were both terrific to own. I really would have loved to have been able to buy the SA Loaded in Stainless, but I simply can only afford to have one, modestly priced. So, after owning and shooting several, the RIA 1911 seems to be the one for me.
My best to all.
J
Thanks! I'm very happy with it. Cost me $250, done at TJ's Firing Line Gunsmithing in Aurora, CO. I really like those grips too. Those are my "garage sale grips", I bought those cheap from somebody on another gun forum who was selling off several sets of grips. I think they match the pistol perfectly.
The Colt Custom Shop also does a Royal Blue finish that's just phenomenal. I have photos from another board of someone's Colt WWI repro 01911 that the Custom Shop blued, and it's just stunningly beautiful, IMO.
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