Rock Island Armory 1911

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Adam123

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High Capacity Rock Island Armory 1911

I am seriously considering purchasing a RIA Hi-Cap 1911 after talking to a bunch of guys and handling a few. To me it really seems like a quality firearm and I've heard nothing but good about them. I am impressed with the fit and finish and they really seem solid. What are your thoughts on the RIA 1911s? More specifically, I would really like to hear from owners of the High Capacity Rock Island models. I always love the diverse opinions that I see on here and look forward to hearing your thoughts. I am ready to press the "order button" so let's hear it. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 
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My Rock Island is flawless with nearly a thousand rounds down the pipe. A great buy (compact version)
 
I've got one of the standard GI models, and it's excellent. Haven't had any experience with the high-cap versions though, but you can check out my video review on my show (see sig line).
 
Over 13,000 rounds through my oldest RIA. About 10,000 of it was Wolf ball (the good old days when it was ~$110/1000) so if Wolf is hard on guns the RIA is robust!

The high cap models are going to be dependent on finding good Para Ordnance mags. The Mec-Gars and ACT mags have worked well for me if you are willing to give up a round in capacity.

I've the Armscor labeled versions of the RIA widebody 1911s in 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP. They work well once you get good mags. 0ver 12000 rounds (mostly Blazer aluminum back when it was $89/1000) through the 9mm.
 
The RIA compact tactical is the newest piece in my house. I've only got 85 rounds down the tube. (only had it a week, and been working 55-60 hrs.) I am quite happy with it. Some of the fit and finish isn't quite as nice as my springfield, but it's an awfully nice piece nonetheless. Hope to get more trigger time this weekend as long as it doesn't rain.

I would certainly say it's worth the price.
 
Thanks for the input, guys. When I first became interested in pistols, I read a few dodgy things about RIA and was instantly turned away from their product. It's amazing how the complainers always seem to have so much influence. Nonetheless, I read a lot of threads on here after handling a bunch of them and was pleasantly surprised with all of the positive comments that I found. From everything I've gathered, this is one of the best deals out there for the money. I'm looking forward to getting it.

Wally, I got some Para mags to go with it.

Question: Where can I find the best prices on grips/accessories? The only thing that I'd like to swap out on my 1911 are the grips. I'm really liking the hogue grips for the 1911s, but doubt they are available for the hi-cap versions. If they are available, do let me know. Any info would be awesome.
 
adam I have been able to find everything I need at Brownells - No issues with service or delivery on 2 different occassions. great selection of 1911 parts.
 
All of the "hi-cap" 1911s I've seen have been junk. Rock Island makes a great 1911, but their "hi-caps" are no different, from what I've seen. Stick with the original design
 
Strahley said:
All of the "hi-cap" 1911s I've seen have been junk. Rock Island makes a great 1911, but their "hi-caps" are no different, from what I've seen. Stick with the original design
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... junk in what way?... junk as in made with junky material?... junk as in FTFs/FTEs? I can't imagine why it would be so difficult to get a double-stack configuration to function as well as a single-stack.
 
All the hi-cap 1911s that use Para mag tubes have the same problem -- the mags have rather short spring life and are prone to miss-feeds after a little dirt/fouling gets into the body.

Your happiness will be utterly dependent on your luck with the magazines. Perhaps you can't imagine why, but it seems it is, the reliable "double stack" .45ACP pistols stop at 12 or 13 rounds (HK, Taurus, Springfield XD etc.), or have a much longer grip and a mag that protrudes -- the FNP-45 for example. They don't try to be 1911s either.

Houge makes a wrap around finger groove grip for the Para P-14, I've these on my 9mm and .40S&W Armscor 1911-A2 widebodies.
 
Adam123 said:
... junk in what way?... junk as in made with junky material?... junk as in FTFs/FTEs? I can't imagine why it would be so difficult to get a double-stack configuration to function as well as a single-stack.
Click to expand...

Junk as in quirky, unreliable, etc. I've had friends buy various brands (Para, Rock Island, Springfield, etc) of "hi-cap" 1911s, and they were all the same. Not a single one of them still have them any longer. They either sold or traded them off for standard capacity 1911s and couldn't be happier. I don't recommend them to anyone
 
I am in agreement with the others that the magazines are going to be your weak link in the chain. Your choices are limited and quality is variable. In general, it is asking a lot of any magazine spring to push up the heavy cartridges in time.
 
Well, I've been warned about other purchases, went against the advice, and ended up being very happy. If I get the pistol and dislike it, it won't be the first firearm that I bought and sold because I was unhappy. I have yet to lose money on any of these endeavors and if I do, it'll be worth it in terms of experience. If I never try one out, I'll forever be wondering. There is always the option of getting aftermarket magazine springs. As far as functionality, I can only figure that the mag. spring has to be the main issue in terms of FTFs. I'll let you guys know the results of my purchase.
 
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In general, it is asking a lot of any magazine spring to push up the heavy cartridges in time
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That and the extreme side by side stack of the Para mag tubes to cram 14 rounds in without extending the 1911 grip length. It greatly increases the friction on the sides of the mag thus making them more sensitive to dirt/fouling.

The 9mm and .40 S&W versions are much less problematic here because the rounds slide along a couple of crimps in the tube leaving lots of room to push crude aside. Unfortunately the shorter rounds in the longer mag can cause other issues with the rounds not being in proper feed position generally giving nose down jams. Tweaking the feed lips in a bit at the front has so far worked for me. This is the opposite of single stack 1911 adjustments -- open the lips if feeding low, close them if feeding high. This is because you are using the 9mm & .40S&W case taper to hit the narrower lips and rotate the nose up a bit to solve the problem.


The Wolf extra power "custom fit" Para springs are what you will need.
 
Go over to Gunbroker.com and look at the auctions, they can not give any Armscor guns away (Armscor = RIA, Charles Daly, etc). On the other hand US made 1911's are bid through the roof! You really do get what you pay for, and a self defense weapon is not the place to settle for third or fourth class.:fire:
































ria
 
Aminyard, I went to GB a few days ago and saw one used RIA out of the 80 or so .45 ACPs listed. Nearly all of them were new. I am guessing that the dealers are having trouble selling them because they are trying to make a profit when there's not really a market for that profit. I mean, why in the world would I buy a RIA on GB for $470.00 + S&H when I can get it for $440.00 with free S&H from a online site that I trust?

As for sellers not being able to give them away (I've already sort of addressed that), I would have to say that you sound misinformed. Have you ever owned one? Out of 40-50 comments that I read (from RIA owners) regarding RIA's standard 1911s, I would honestly say that I might see one negative comment. Now, the high-cap models (from any manufacturer) seem to be a different story. I am reading/hearing mixed reviews. On other forums, I am hearing a lot more positives about the hi-cap 1911s.... on here, not so much. I really do have reservations regarding ANY hi-cap 1911, but would not hesitate to carry and depend on Rock Island's standard 1911.
 
Adam123 - you're on the right track. Only listen to the opinions of those who've owned them, shot them, etc. A while back I proposed that if you've never held one or even seen one, you shouldn't get an opinion on them. Tons of "I heard they were crap..." opinions, but I see as many complaints about Kimber, Springfield, etc. My opinion - for the price point of the gun, which was around $450, I am very pleased with mine. I do not expect it to match an Ed Brown custom that costs north of $2000. Yet I find it remarkable that a gun for $450 is accurate, feeds anything, has great sights and a great trigger.
 
I have a RIA Match .45 and love it. Great gun for the $$$. Mine is very picky about magazines, mine seems to only like the ACT mags. So don't buy a bunch of mags until you are sure the gun will work with them. I tried C-Prod mags, Chip McCormic, and another brand I don't remember. The slide locked back on the second shot and almost every shot after that. The ACT ones work properly.

Sometime this summer, I am trying to meet up with some 1911 shooters who have some very high $ Ed Browns and such. Will be interesting to see how mine shoots compared to some high dollar guns.
 
Thanks Liberty. I try to be as objective and open-minded as possible when looking at these things. Wanting to hear from actual owners only makes sense.

Speaking of which, are there any RIA HI-CAP owners that could weight in on this? I would love to hear from actual owners.

Also, I just ordered some Wolff springs. I am going to try a bunch of mags with the stock springs before I jump on the Wolff bandwagon.

Fred, did you get the RIA Match with the 5" or 6" barrel? I've been looking long and hard at the 6" Match.
 
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just have a regular ria tactical, but it's a good gun. has never had a failure, no matter what cheap mag i use, no matter what ammo i use.
 
I just bought an RIA tactical and have run only about 100 rounds through it, so I'm not claiming any profound knowledge. But it has been flawless and it shoots nicely. I researched the brand heavily before I bought and the comments from owners were overwhelmingly positive.

Aminyard needs to provide some evidence because that post reads like empty, opinionated rhetoric without it.
 
Huh, learn something new every day. I was thinking my 8+1 was a high cap 1911. After reading this thread, I see that it is a 14+1 wide body gun. Interesting. I would be a bit hesitant about buying one. Defiantly see how the people that own one like them.

Please excuse my ignorance. :)

My gun has the 5" barrel Adam.
 
My RIA compact version runs like a sewing machine and as far as high cap mags. Well I keep a second standard clip in my pocket and have only needed it at the range, hope it stays that way.
 
I own a full size and compact RIA 1911 and both run like champs. Don't listen to any gun snobs they feed Full metal jacket, hollow point and even semi wad cutter reloads. I have put 1000's of rounds through each without issue and I would not hesitate to purchase another. I am interested in finding out where you are going to get your double stack RIA from. I was looking for them a little while back and couldn't find any in stock.
 
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