RIA $180 Difference

[Ripon83]

Family members that like to visit me know I carry a RIA on our property and at least 5 have asked over the years why get the "tactical" over the GI. The $50 difference I said was worth it on trigger, hammer and sites so get the tactical. So I'm shopping and thinking about a new one and know RIS has a Match grade / model bit it's $180 more. It doesn't seem worth it?

http://www.riflegear.com/p-3662-rock-island-armory-1911-a1-fs-45acp-match-5-8rd.aspx

Anyone think it's worth that much more?

[shafferds]

Try getting slide work, beaver tail and ambi safety done by a gunsmith right and tell me how much that is . . .

[350skylark]

Thats getting close to a used springer loaded price. which in my opinion is worth the extra over the ria. I have an RIA for a while and eventually sold it for a Loaded and have no regrets.

[Steve_In_29]

OP, if it doesn't seem worth it to you then don't buy it. Now as to whether or not it is actually worth the asking price in general...yes it is.

350skylark

Did you have the RIA Match? If not your example isn't a valid comparison.

[RR.44]

That is the same as a Citadel which is also made by RIA but distributed by Citadel, they are nice guns and very accurate.

[5ZS]

$180 FO front, target rears, and upgraded wood grips, anything else from Tactical to Match?

If you want target sights, that is the cheapest 1911 on roster with target sights.
Springfield does not make the Loaded Target anymore, next closest I think would be a Kimber Custom Target at 800-900.

Personally I do not prefer Armscor's FO rod at 0.060" compared to aftermarket Dawson's 0.040" rod. Their steel trigger gets swapped with aluminum for me as well. Just my preference and more out of pocket.

If you are happy with your Tactical, than this just comes down to if you want target rears.

[Steve_In_29]

$180 FO front, target rears, and upgraded wood grips, anything else from Tactical to Match?

If you want target sights, that is the cheapest 1911 on roster with target sights.
Springfield does not make the Loaded Target anymore, next closest I think would be a Kimber Custom Target at 800-900.

Personally I do not prefer Armscor's FO rod at 0.060" compared to aftermarket Dawson's 0.040" rod. Their steel trigger gets swapped with aluminum for me as well. Just my preference and more out of pocket.

If you are happy with your Tactical, than this just comes down to if you want target rears.

Better barrel as well as slide to frame fitment. I believe the trigger has also been worked on a bit.

*On edit* The best way to find out exactly what has been done to the Match would be to contact RIA via the Manufacturers Forum.

[CAGLS]

The slide has the LPA dovetail which has the adjustable target sight sit very low into the slide as opposed to the standard Novak dovetail.

[JackRydden224]

There is a detailed review on this gun when you search for it. The trigger is tuned so it's going to be better than the tactical. I've been thinking about getting one as well since my Les Baer is so picky on ammo (too tight, unnecessarily tight).

[neeks619]

I have the RIA match and im very happy with it. The trigger is very light & smooth right out of the box and barrel/Slide fit is tight. So far, approx. 200 rounds of reloads shot through it with no jams/issues.

[4DMASTR]

I don't have a match, but I have a TacII and I can honestly tell the difference in my Tactical and the TacII. The TacII has a much tighter fit and is very smooth compared to the Tactical. I imagine they put a little more finish work into the match, you would probably have to get your hands on one to decide if you can tell the difference or not.

[Bullitt01]

That is the same as a Citadel which is also made by RIA but distributed by Citadel, they are nice guns and very accurate.

Are you saying that the Citadel has all of the same improvments as the ones on a RIA Match?

[JackRydden224]

Are you saying that the Citadel has all of the same improvments as the ones on a RIA Match?

I'm sure he had mistaken the normal tactical model for the match, after all most RIA guns you see on the shelf is the tactical model. A lot of people don't even know the match model exists. The match is probably the best bang for the buck 1911 that nobody knows of.

[Bullitt01]

Yes, i agree.

[crufflers]

$180 FO front, target rears, and upgraded wood grips, anything else from Tactical to Match?

If you want target sights, that is the cheapest 1911 on roster with target sights.
Springfield does not make the Loaded Target anymore, next closest I think would be a Kimber Custom Target at 800-900.

Personally I do not prefer Armscor's FO rod at 0.060" compared to aftermarket Dawson's 0.040" rod. Their steel trigger gets swapped with aluminum for me as well. Just my preference and more out of pocket.

If you are happy with your Tactical, than this just comes down to if you want target rears.

The Match that I got doesn't come with wood grips. They are the same as the Target (rubber panels). The real differences are the sights, match barrel, and hand fitting in the Armscor Custom Shop. To me it seemed like a good deal. They go for $465/$630 here (Tactical/Match). Closest SAI Loaded Target is $900 + here.