Rock Island Tactical 1911

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Big_Dogg

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Feb 16, 2011
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Hi there,

New to the forums.

I was wondering...has anyone had problems with the RIA Tactical? I have read around online, and it seems that all the online people love them and have nothing bad to say about them. (but I also realize that the number of people involved in any hobby that participate in online forums is a minute minority)

So, I went into a local gun shop today to check one out, and the guy there advised against it. He said his customers had had problems with them, mainly having to do with the trigger/sear/beavertail.

I have to believe what he said, because he didn't try to upsell me to a more expensive model. The opposite actually. He told me he'd recommend the GI model instead.

So I guess my question is aimed more at dealers. Have your customers had a lot of problems with these, & have you experienced a lot of returns?

Thanks!
 
I have a RIA tactical bi-tone. The only problem I have had was the dove tail slot on the ambi safety needed tweaking so both pieces would mate better. Now the safety sweeps off really smooth. Still breaking this one in but so far so good. It has a sweet trigger and I never thought I would say this, but the trigger is better than the one on a TRP I own:confused:
 
I have the RIA Tactical and I have never had a problem with it. When I bought it I was looking at getting a Springfield but was talked into the RIA, and I love it.
 
The original mag was junk, didn't even make through 8 rounds and had a FTF. Put in a Wilson and can't get it to mess up.
 
I bought my first RIA CS Tactical about 3 weeks ago. I've had 2 FTFs in 500 rounds after 3 range sessions. I'm pretty happy with it. The gun shop owner had one on him as his carry gun. When I went to the range, the cashier in the shop had one behind the counter. I bought it because my friend has had good luck with his. I'm shopping around for a 9mm version now since it's cheaper to shoot.
 
Mine had some accuracy issues when I first got it, although I primarily blame the flat mainspring housing it came with that allowed the gun to twist left in my grip. I replaced it with a Wilson humped mainspring housing and that fixed it. The included mag is fine, although it's very bulky and ugly. I replaced it with some stainless flush-fitting Colt mags. I've yet to have it jam on me, though.

The only thing I can truly complain about on this pistol, considering its value for the price point, are the parts colors. Even on the nickel version, there's just a few too many black parts for it to really look good. Swapping out a couple of parts for stainless ones make it look much better. The mainspring housing is the big one, and you'll probably want to replace that anyway. The stock one is plastic, and flat. Just buy a Wilson one, swap the parts into it, and don't look back.
 
I'm with all the previous posters. My bi-tone tactical has been great from day one. I too am looking for a 9mm tactical as a possible next purchase.
 
I have 3 RIAs currently. 2 in the USGI configuration, and 1 in the Compact version. I use Chip McCormick mags for all three. I have a total of about 1800 rounds through all three combined (probably 700 through the GIs each and 4oo through the Compact) and there has not been a hiccup in the least. They all have standard GI sites, so accuracy is (and the gun is usually better than I am) about par for the course. I did not measure groups, but I shoot the Remington Bulk pack ammo from Wal-Mart.
 
I bet he also just happened to have something "better" at twice the price in stock ....

My oldest RIA is over 15,000 rounds through it.
 
i have a Ria Tactical with 1500 rounds throu it, and it's reliable even with the cheap $6.00 mags from CDT it always go bang and hit what i aim for.

only problem: i need more ammmmmoooo!!!!
 
well i have had to send my RIA tactical to the manufacturer twice to have the feed ramp recut, breech face recut, and a new barrel installed. they damaged the slide when that recut the breech face and now it is gone back again to see if they can fix it(even thogh they failed the first time). i am hoping they will replace it. when i got it, it wouldnd chamber a round because of nosediving. now that they recut the feed ramp, there is no gap between the barrel and feed ramp and i am getting stem binds because of it and i still get some nosedives. i have put nearly $700 in that gun including ammo to see if it works, magzines to see if it was a mag issue and shipping costs plus it's spent more time at the shop more than it has spent at home. i am not satisfied with it. it still doesn't work. it's the worst 1911 i have ever owned.
 
I have had the tactical for about three years. Mine had some problems initially, but I got them worked out, no big problems. Accuracy is first rate with cheap ammo. The out -of- the- box trigger is amazing on mine. I have Chip McCormack mags in it now. I don't carry, mine's a fun/range gun, and I'm considering another in 9mm. If you are going to carry or assign it to HD have a smith do a reliability job on it, after you've spent some time shooting it. I would recommend that for any gun used that way.
 
Mine had problems returning to battery. I tried several things but swapping out the slide release lever cured it. The original magazine didn't work too well either but I find that shooting star and wilson 47d mags are fine. Overall I'm pleased with mine.
 
I've owned 3 RIA's. 2 tacticals and a GI. The extractors were on the tight side in all three. After adjusting the tension they were all flawless with the checkmate mags that I use. There is a reason why we all rave about them. David
 
Thanks for all the info! As cheap as it is, I think I'm just going to "pull the trigger" and pick one up to give it a go.

So, second question;

Which online store has them for the lowest price?

(stores that also sell mags for various guns, particularly EAA imported guns, is a big plus)

I tried to order from Prairie Arms, but they ended up being sold out.
 
Only problem I've ever encountered with the (Armscor) Rock Island Armory 1911 Tactical had to deal with the magazines. Use Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick magazines and it'll run like a champ.

IMO...
The (Armscor) Rock Island Armory 1911 Tactical is the best stock 1911 you can get for under $800.
 
Big Dog, did you buy the RIA? And if so where are the pictures and range report?
 
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