Rock Island 2011

[Divehobo]

Last month while at FrontSight, RO was using a double stack 9mm Rock Island 2011. Not sure if any mods were done but he stated having over 10k rounds through pistol and run like clock, no issues what so ever.

Since I started with USPSA, I have wanted a 2011. I know Rock Island and STI, Wilson Combat are completely different animals but it seriously has me thinking, why wait to find one on exchange and pay huge mark up for pistol that has thousands of rounds through it when I can buy a brand new one, unmodified pistol and build off the foundation?

Anyone have first hand experience with RI 2011? I have a RI 1911 and before I even shot it, replaced barrel, had trigger job done and polished up internals, pistol shoots great. Everyone says RI can be a hit or a miss regarding quality of pistol but i figure that goes along with the low price.

Is it worth buying one, dropping $400-$500 on upgrades and trying to make it a shooter that i can use in competition? or is it throwing good money after bad?

[nn21]

I held one a few weeks back when drosing something else and am probably going to buy it once I have enough cc points to make it free. It felt and pointed nicely. The two things I noticed more than anything were the trigger and beavertail.

The trigger was very odd and not like any 1911 I've tried before. It had a very noticeable amount of takeup, maybe 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch before hitting the wall. The break felt like a lower end 1911 trigger, shocking. It was odd and the single stack RIA triggers fell way better. That being said, trigger can be changed. Not having handled any other 2011's I cant comment if theres a difference between them, I would hope there is. My only curiosity is whether or not the trigger is directly compatible with, say, the sti double stack bows.

The beavertail was, by far, the weirdest thing I've seen. It was basically a 1/4 inch wide bar sticking out the back of the gun. Looked weird, felt weird, was weird. But, again, thats an easy change.

Everything else with the gun felt fine and on par with a lower tier 1911.

My biggest issue with buying one and sinking a bunch of money in it, since I presume you wouldnt be shooting 45 in USPSA, is the price. There are people on here that occasionally post up 2011 frames or will offer one if you post in WTB to start from scratch instead.

EDIT: Failed to notice your location and thought you were limited by the roster. Ignore the 45 comment.

[Divehobo]

Roster is reason looking at RI, I've lived SF Bay Area for years. I shot my brother's 9mm Nighthawk Custom 2011 last week while in Nevada and pistol was awesome. Not expecting RI to even come close but RO chatted it up a lot. Said he would rather shoot his RI than a $3500 Gun Crafter.

I would guess any part for a Para 2011 would be drop in modification, not sure about other 2011 triggers. I know lower on most 2011 unbolts and is replaceable, no idea if same trigger group but likely quick to research on Brownells or comparable.

I tried getting a 2011 frame from local guy when he posted a few weeks back but same guy purchased the three kits he had available. Day late on that one.

[dummykid]

Roster is reason looking at RI, I've lived SF Bay Area for years. I shot my brother's Wilson Combat 9mm 2011 last week while in Nevada and pistol was awesome. Not expecting RI to even come close but RO chatted it up a lot. Said he would rather shoot his RI than a $3500 Gun Crafter.

Which Wilson combat 2011 your brother has? for RI, I know most good gun smiths don't want to work on it because they may receive a out of spec frame

[soulbyte]

[peterhungle]

[Divehobo]

That is exactly what I am talking about. Smith had no issues with softness of frame or fitment to slide? Where did you get it done and how much $$ ?

A2 GI with long dust cover, hmm

Any issues getting mags?

[soulbyte]

Very nice! Who’s doing the custom work?

It's a shop here in San Diego, Limited10. The 40, I got one of their 6inch custom barrels made for it, so I paid for it to get custom fitted and installed. I inquired about slide work, which they don't normally offer but said they would do since I'm getting more work from them.

That is exactly what I am talking about. Smith had no issues with softness of frame or fitment to slide? Where did you get it done and how much $$ ?

A2 GI with long dust cover, hmm

Any issues getting mags?

There are no softness issues with the new RIA slides which are 4140 forged carbon steel, frames are 4140 cast which in my experience has been perfectly fine. However, I did have experience with older full billboard style slides being soft and peening at the slide stop area. The new slides don't have this problem

Frame to slide fitment was tight. I've had the 40 since SSE was possible. The 45 is on the roster as a GI model which I've since put a good $500 into to get it where it is, but I've done all the work. The long dust cover frames are not on roster.

As far as mags, I also own six para doublestacks 9mm, 38super, 40sw, and 45acp. And a few sti guns. My 40 RIA can use STI magazines. All my RIA's are compatible with Para mags.

[soulbyte]

I held one a few weeks back when drosing something else and am probably going to buy it once I have enough cc points to make it free. It felt and pointed nicely. The two things I noticed more than anything were the trigger and beavertail.

The trigger was very odd and not like any 1911 I've tried before. It had a very noticeable amount of takeup, maybe 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch before hitting the wall. The break felt like a lower end 1911 trigger, shocking. It was odd and the single stack RIA triggers fell way better. That being said, trigger can be changed. Not having handled any other 2011's I cant comment if theres a difference between them, I would hope there is. My only curiosity is whether or not the trigger is directly compatible with, say, the sti double stack bows.

The beavertail was, by far, the weirdest thing I've seen. It was basically a 1/4 inch wide bar sticking out the back of the gun. Looked weird, felt weird, was weird. But, again, thats an easy change.

STI triggers will take a little fitting. I use Gun Crafter triggers on all my para double stack styled frames.

The beaver tail in question is from the GI Model wich is on the roster in 45acp.

https://www.turners.com/rock-island-armory/rock-island-armory-1911-gi-fs--410765

[JTROKS]

I have the RIA Pro Match 40S&W. Very reliable and accurate pistol. The hammer and sear will need replacing if you want a match grade trigger pull. STI mags works well with the RIA 2011s in 40 and 10mm. My Para mags are too tight to even go in the gun.

[soulbyte]

My Para mags are too tight to even go in the gun.

That's very odd the Para mags are tight. Are they factory mags? Nice long slides!

[JTROKS]

Yes, all Para mags. They work with my 2 Paras very well.

[deadcoyote]

[freonr22]

is that an AMT hardballer in the top row?

[IVC]

Just out of curiosity, what division would you shoot with a double stack non-.40?