Rock Island Armory 1911 experiences?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Rock Island Armory 1911 experiences?

Posted: 11/13/2007 8:40:31 AM EDT

Has anyone had personal experience with Rock Island Armory 1911?

A thread on another board got me looking into them, and I found a lot of info praising them but also some dismissing them because of their origin. So enough with internet rumors, can anyone personally vouch for or against them?

Thanks!

Posted: 11/13/2007 10:08:01 AM EDT

[#1]

try a search, LOTS of topics on it, inlcuding:

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=49122
www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=48337

i had one; traded it off for a G19

it worked, fit and finish were rough, but for the $300 i paid for it, i thought it was worth it

if you get one, consider changning/having spare parts on hand--such as FP spring, other springs, etc

Posted: 11/13/2007 11:17:48 AM EDT

[#2]

Thanks, my first search didn't turn up too many results. I'll check out those links.

Posted: 11/13/2007 3:44:37 PM EDT

[#3]

I like mine.

Posted: 11/13/2007 3:53:16 PM EDT

[#4]

So far so good with mine. As was mentioned the fit and finish can been seen as rough. I did not buy it as a show piece. So far I only have a few hundred rds though it w/o a single stoppage, did have a few fail to lock back that I blamed on a mag. I have yet to try Wolf in it but I want to.

Posted: 11/13/2007 4:37:05 PM EDT

[#5]

I am well into my second thousand rounds with mine and have had no problems. I bought it as a range toy and plinker and it fills that job perfectly. No hiccups at all as of yet with ball ammo.

Posted: 11/13/2007 4:40:15 PM EDT

[#6]

I am happy with my tactical. Look here for more info:

forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Posted: 11/13/2007 5:19:16 PM EDT

[#7]

I'm excited that this thread has gone several steps without blanket remarks and hearsay. It's great to hear people reporting their ACTUAL EXPERIENCES. Is this really Arfcom?

Posted: 11/14/2007 3:37:40 AM EDT

[#8]

I've shot my Dad's on several occasions. We've fed it all ball ammo, including Wolf, and have had no problems that weren't mag related. The Novack mag that came with it has been flawless though.

Posted: 11/14/2007 5:48:51 AM EDT

[#9]

I own a High Standard 1911 which is the same gun. With ball ammunition the firearm has run perfect. The only gripes I have about it have nothing to do with the gun but everything to do with the way John Browning designed the gun. Which are gripes most people have about GI guns; crappy sights, hammer bite, and it doesnt feed HP reliably. But those were expected. I would purchase the gun again for $350.

Posted: 11/14/2007 3:09:48 PM EDT

[#10]

I picked up an RIA about 3 years ago and have put close to 2k trouble free ball rounds down the pipe. Their marketing stinks though, to get a better share of today's firearms buyers they should change the name to "Black Ninja Operator" or "Night Falcon Death Bird".

Posted: 11/14/2007 5:34:10 PM EDT

[#11]

I love mine. Got it cheap didn't expect much from it. But i love it. I have shot all kinds of HP's through it with no problems either. 1200rds so far.

Posted: 11/14/2007 5:48:31 PM EDT

[#12]

I ownED a compact model. I had to buff the feed ramp to get it to feed and even then it had an issue with the noses of bullets, especially hollowpoints, snagging the slide catch and locking open prematurely. I sold it.

Posted: 11/14/2007 6:39:09 PM EDT

[#13]

I had a RIA I bought used on another forum.
Not one malfunction.
YMMV

Posted: 11/14/2007 7:15:47 PM EDT

[#14]

Mine runs fine. It's a range toy so it only gets fed ball. Don't know if it will or won't feed hollow points but don't care either :)

Posted: 11/14/2007 8:09:09 PM EDT

[#15]

The only ammo mine will not eat is Speer lawman 200grn

Posted: 11/16/2007 5:21:38 AM EDT

[#16]

Had my gi model for about a year, approx 1000 rounds. Only problem so far was the slide stop getting pushed up when the ammo moved up, fixed that with a few swipes of a file.

Loves ball ammo, I found wolf works best, go figure. will do hp ammo when clean.

Fit is good, no noise when you shake it. Finish a little rough but it's a gi model, you not getting it for looks.

Posted: 11/16/2007 9:27:00 AM EDT

[#17]

I have a RIA Tactical and have put 2,000 rounds of WW hardball and Federal Hydra-Shok through it without a single malfunction. I shot the first 8 rounds through it offhand at 15 yards into one ragged hole. It's almost as accurate as my Les Baer!

Posted: 11/16/2007 1:32:43 PM EDT

[#18]

Got a GI model and LOVE it. I feed mine crappy re-loads (made up on Lee press and dies...it's a wonder they haven't blown up like an A Bomb

) and so far, the only hiccups can be attributed to oversized rounds, craptastic gunshow mags, and Amerc ammo. It even feeds LSWC's. The chamber is tighter than my M1991 and the 1951 GI barrel that I picked up at a yard sale.

I like it, I'm currently looking for a tactical and a compact to carry. I guess what I'm saying is that I'll trust my life to a Rock after a suitable breakin period.

ka

Posted: 11/30/2007 8:19:24 AM EDT

[#19]

I like mine a lot. This one started out as a GI model, but ran head on into my Brownell's catalog. Check this link for other owners. forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=17
They are happy with the guns and the customer service.

Posted: 11/30/2007 12:03:52 PM EDT

[#20]

I had to replace the barrel link that snapped on one that broke on the owners second Magazine. Fit and Finish was rough and overall quality was low. After I replaced the barrel link the owner finished his 100 rounds without any other problems.

Posted: 11/30/2007 12:55:44 PM EDT

[#21]

I almost bought one last night. I decided to wait till I did a little research on them first. Thanks for saving me the trouble.

Posted: 11/30/2007 4:23:10 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
I almost bought one last night. I decided to wait till I did a little research on them first. Thanks for saving me the trouble.

Trouble? It is a great range gun.

Fun cheap blaster

Posted: 12/1/2007 6:13:31 AM EDT

[#23]

Had my tactical for about 3 weeks now and I like it so far. Its a range and plinker gun that will see plenty of range time. No major problems..a few FTF's from the first time i took her out but none since then..but over all good gun..Only complaint from me are and the sights

Posted: 12/1/2007 9:17:55 PM EDT

[#24]

I had one that I put 300 or so rounds through before I sold it to a friend and upgraded to a Springfield Loaded. I had no problems in those 300 rounds, it fed Winchester Silvertip HP's fine. I think my friend has put well over 2 thousand through it, he had to replace the extractor at some point but its given him no other problems.

I liked it so much it even influenced my board name here.

Posted: 12/2/2007 8:12:02 AM EDT

[#25]

I have the Tactical & really like it. It's my woods/hunting companion which means I bet on it w/ my life. I replaced the FLGR w/ USGI one & would like to put a pair of night sights on it.

Posted: 12/2/2007 8:38:58 AM EDT

[#26]

I love mine. I got it at the beginning of the year and it works excellent. You will NEVER find better customer service. I posted on the m1911 forums and about 5 minutes later the customer service rep responded and told me he would replace it. Fit and finish are fine on these pistols also.. i have no idea where people think they arnt.

Posted: 12/2/2007 6:56:04 PM EDT

[#27]

I have one, love it, shoots every bit as good as my friends fancy Springfield, and my custom build ups with a cost that is a third of the price. I did drop in a Chip McCormick hammer and sear, and changed out the grips, but other than that, it is factory. Kinda makes him mad sometimes, and I don't really consider myself a better or more frequent shooter. I have fired everything from Wolf to Corbon through my RIA and never a hiccup. Am I the lucky one? I'm thinking no. Good gun at an excellent price, and like every 1911, you can change out anything you want to make it work for you.

Posted: 12/3/2007 7:03:38 PM EDT

[#28]

I bought one of the Tactical models last week and finally got to shoot it today. I am very happy with it. I put about 100 rounds through it without any problems and I am happy with the accuracy.

Posted: 12/4/2007 3:26:13 PM EDT

[#29]

I thought the stock spring in mine was a little weak so I put in a new one. Very low cost item. Other than that it runs great. I paid a little more but I live in NY. Great gun to beat the crap out of at the range. I trust this gun enough to carry it...

Posted: 12/4/2007 4:18:35 PM EDT

[#30]

I would take one of these over a Taurus but if you think a $300 RIA is equal to one of the big names you're sorely mistaken.
Fit and finish IS rough, but hey it's a $300 gun that's what I would expect.
I may pick one up someday just for fun, we'll see...

Posted: 12/4/2007 5:51:09 PM EDT

[#31]

Where are these $300 ones I keep hearing about? If they were... I would buy one just for grins.

Posted: 12/4/2007 5:52:53 PM EDT

[#32]

My main complaint is the shape of the triggerguard. It bugs me.

Posted: 12/6/2007 8:15:56 AM EDT

[#33]

I had an RIA in .45 that I liked quite well. Shot everything I fed it, and the trigger was pretty decent. On a whim, I traded it for another RIA in .38 Super to another board member. Called the outfit that imports them and ordered a spare barrel in 9mm for about sixty bucks. After some careful fitting, I took the piece to the range with both barrels. Fires .38 Super and 9mm out of the Super mags without a problem. The only thing I dislike about the gun is the small sights. For the price, they're tough to beat.

Posted: 12/7/2007 1:55:41 AM EDT

[#34]

Sarco

Posted: 12/7/2007 9:58:10 AM EDT

[#35]

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i77/ETriggs/CopyofDSCN1094-1.jpg

I have owned a Colt 1991A1 and have used everything from Remington Rand custom target pistols to Colt Commanders. I prefer my Rock Island to all except the Remington Rand custom.

Posted: 12/7/2007 11:47:46 AM EDT

[#36]

I have had very limited experience with the pistols. I have worked on a few for the local pawn shop that sells the majority of them in my area when they come back in. Usually minor tweaks- radiusing the extractor a little etc.....and they are up and running.

One gun came back with a sheared barrel link- it looked like a cheap, crummy, casting with a void in it. Put in a decent link and haven't heard from the guy since. Have had a few traded back into the pawn shop with very few round fired, I can buy them for $300 or so used very lightly. Probably should buy one.

Posted: 12/7/2007 12:33:51 PM EDT

[#37]

Here is my RIA tactical..200 down the pipe a few FTF's but changed out the novak mag with a chip McCormick..no problems at all so far...

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Rod357/191111.jpg

Posted: 12/7/2007 1:42:43 PM EDT

[#38]

2500rds + down range through my GI. No problems yet. Feeds everything.

Posted: 12/8/2007 8:18:20 PM EDT

[#39]

I don't understand the concern with trigger guard shape. It seems to me to be standard 1911.

Posted: 12/9/2007 3:45:31 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
I'm excited that this thread has gone several steps without blanket remarks and hearsay. It's great to hear people reporting their ACTUAL EXPERIENCES. Is this really Arfcom?

No, it isn't! This is "Bizarro Arfcom" where things are more than just a little off.

Posted: 12/9/2007 4:09:08 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I don't understand the concern with trigger guard shape. It seems to me to be standard 1911.

It's not, it's a bit off from a 1911 spec forged frame. I've noticed most cast 1911s have and odd radius somewhere on the trigger guard, there's even a noticeable difference in that area between the cast and forged STI frames.

Posted: 12/9/2007 4:56:44 AM EDT

[#42]

I've had mine for a couple years, made a few mods to it. Tastes great, less filling!

Posted: 12/9/2007 9:31:35 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I don't understand the concern with trigger guard shape. It seems to me to be standard 1911.

It's not, it's a bit off from a 1911 spec forged frame. I've noticed most cast 1911s have and odd radius somewhere on the trigger guard, there's even a noticeable difference in that area between the cast and forged STI frames.

So I'm clear, we're talking about the radius of the front curve of the tigger guard? Or the radius of the contour of the guard itself? I'm trying to go by photos and I don't get it.

What other guns have cast frames?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Rock Island Armory 1911 experiences?

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