This ROCK Rocks!

[trigger945]

I recently bought a Rock Island GI 1911 via PPT and picked it up today after the 10-day wait. I went home to field strip it and noticed that it had not been cleaned since the last time it was fired by the previous owner. I decided not to clean it and headed to the range with 100 rounds of ammo and my standard gear. Call it laziness or whatever - I call it efficiency

When I got to the range, I just oiled the rails and the barrel hood. Then, I put a 2" Shoot N C sticker on a small piece of paper to see how it shot and what hold I needed to have. At between 7 and 8 yards, POA was POI. I was kind of hoping it was a 6 o'clock hold as the GI sights were tiny, but oh well.

Below are pics of the Rock and one of the targets (you can't see the 2" Shoot N C anymore, lol!)







Then things got interesting... I decided to shoot at the standard NRA B-2 target just for fun. Holy smokes! I don't think I have ever gotten a better 5-shot group from any gun. And this is from a Rock Island GI 1911! The only "upgrade" from an off-the-shelf version was the grip (and yes, the rollmarks now look different). Here are some additional details:

Distance: Between 7 and 8 yards, indoor range
Ammo: Bulletman reloads (yep, not even factory)
Total # of shots: 5
Time between each shot: 5 - 10 seconds (estimate)
Other: Unsupported, Two hands, Both eyes open, Isosceles stance

OK, OK, here are the pics...















How do you measure the group size in inches? Using the pic below, does that mean that the group size is 5/8 of an inch?




Anyways, I just wanted to share as I was literally in awe (and felt happy, of course) with the gun. It performed well beyond my expectation. Granted, I don't know how reliable this gun will be when used for IDPA and/or IPSC competitions or any other types of competition. And I don't plan to.

Peace CalGunners!

[jimmyjam47]

Nice Shooting!

[VegasND]

I'm not surprised; I've always been pleased with the performance of mine.

Enjoy it

[Ant45]

Damn fine shooting, congrats on the new pistol.

RIA, the next CZ??

[roc_my_tims]

Amazing shooting, i know there capable of that accuracy. Judt wish i shot that well. I do time

[BHP FAN]

sweet. you can pay a lot more money, and still not get as good of a gun.

[sfbay]

Great trigger control.

Looks awesome.

[Erion929]

Great shooting, L.....now you can sell me your Model 27 and 586 that you won't have any uses for

**

[trigger945]

Thanks for the kind words CalGunners! This gun has been quite a pleasant surprise to say the least. I have shot many other handguns that are well more than twice, three times or four times (heck, even around eight times) the price and was not able to achieve the group that I achieved with this Rock Island. Shaking my head in a pleasant way on this one...

This Rock is mechanically capable of the accuracy I showed via pics above. Its slide-to-frame fit may not be the tightest; its barrel-to-barrel bushing fit may not be the tightest; its slide-to-barrel bushing fit may not be the tightest; it may have the rollmarks that some may consider hideous; it may not be the best looking 1911; it may not be that "heirloom quality" gun... but hey, it is one fine shooting 1911. And if one considers its price on top of that, then it is just an amazing buy... Wow!

I would be hard-pressed not to recommend a Rock Island to someone who is in the market for a 1911. Sure it has its weaknesses. It is not the best thing since sliced bread. It has got a lot of good things going for it, however.

Oh, @Ant45, no RIA is not the next CZ as far as being a fad (I imagine that's what you meant). At least I don't think so.

Those Filipino 1911 builders sure know how to build them well!


PS: I have had the privilege to own a few 1911's from well-known companies, though I sold off most of them for a variety of reasons. I got this Rock Island for the simple reason that it is made in the Philippines (yeah, I know, maybe lame). Philippines is where I grew up and spent the first 19 years of my life. Acquiring the Rock Island is sort of like a simple tribute, as a proud gun owner, to my roots. Not every country makes a gun; and not every country makes a 1911. Philippines, my motherland, does. The Rock Island is like a wonderful blend of American history and Pilipino pride. Imagine the joy I felt when it shot the way it did!

[trigger945]

Great shooting, L.....now you can sell me your Model 27 and 586 that you won't have any uses for

**

LOL! The 27 is long gone, brother. The 586, well, I'll let you know when I decide to part with it.

[CAGLS]

Nice shooting, looks like my CZ targets. I plan on getting one myself.

[iluvmycolt]

Excellent shooting, OP.

[fritztkatt]

I only hear good things about the rocks. I just wish they were american. Yours looks very nice, OP. Maybe one day I'll get one. I think my next gun will be a shield, then a euro air gun, then whatever.

One of my coworkers got a ria gi, he's not a very good pistol shooter but says the thing definitely puts them where his sights are. He's very pleased with it.

[NOTABIKER]

I just got my RIA tac 5 in 45 ACP and could not be more pleased. I got every feature you would wish for in a 1911 at a bargain price.
1. CNC machining
2. polished feed ramp
3. beaver tail grip safety
4. skeletenized trigger and hammer
5. very crisp 4-4 1/2 lb trigger break
6. nice external metal finish and nice parkerizing
7. dove tail adjustable ft & rear sight
8. both wood and rubberized tactical grips
9. very nice lockable hard case
10. ambidextrous thumb safty
I am very proud of it and feel i gave up nothing to more expensive 1911s. This was in my budget range.
put 60 rounds threw it without a problem.

[Ant45]

Thanks for the kind words CalGunners! This gun has been quite a pleasant surprise to say the least. I have shot many other handguns that are well more than twice, three times or four times (heck, even around eight times) the price and was not able to achieve the group that I achieved with this Rock Island. Shaking my head in a pleasant way on this one...

This Rock is mechanically capable of the accuracy I showed via pics above. Its slide-to-frame fit may not be the tightest; its barrel-to-barrel bushing fit may not be the tightest; its slide-to-barrel bushing fit may not be the tightest; it may have the rollmarks that some may consider hideous; it may not be the best looking 1911; it may not be that "heirloom quality" gun... but hey, it is one fine shooting 1911. And if one considers its price on top of that, then it is just an amazing buy... Wow!

I would be hard-pressed not to recommend a Rock Island to someone who is in the market for a 1911. Sure it has its weaknesses. It is not the best thing since sliced bread. It has got a lot of good things going for it, however.

Oh, @Ant45, no RIA is not the next CZ as far as being a fad (I imagine that's what you meant). At least I don't think so.

Those Filipino 1911 builders sure know how to build them well!


PS: I have had the privilege to own a few 1911's from well-known companies, though I sold off most of them for a variety of reasons. I got this Rock Island for the simple reason that it is made in the Philippines (yeah, I know, maybe lame). Philippines is where I grew up and spent the first 19 years of my life. Acquiring the Rock Island is sort of like a simple tribute, as a proud gun owner, to my roots. Not every country makes a gun; and not every country makes a 1911. Philippines, my motherland, does. The Rock Island is like a wonderful blend of American history and Pilipino pride. Imagine the joy I felt when it shot the way it did!

Even cooler that you have something built from your homeland, not lame in the slightest!