RIA 1911

[omega]

the RIA looks like a decent gun for a beginner or person just getting familiar with the M1911 or wants something to tinker with thats not expensive.

[NOTABIKER]

the RIA looks like a decent gun for a beginner or person just getting familiar with the M1911 or wants something to tinker with thats not expensive.

You seem to think a 500 dollar RIA tac 5 1911 is still something inferior to other 1911s prove it.

[rodralig]

This thread is giving me the itch to get an RIA.

After a few hundred rounds - I wonder what a good 1911 gunsmith can do to the pistol... Hhhmmm....


_

[Steelplate45]

the RIA looks like a decent gun for a beginner or person just getting familiar with the M1911 or wants something to tinker with thats not expensive.

I guess 50 years handgunning, and 25 years Action Pistol and 3 Gun, with 20,000 + rounds fired does not qualify me as a beginner, but here is my experience: I have had dozens of 1911's over the 50 year period, every major brand.

Just bought a Rock Island Pro Match. It was in the case next to a Les Baer @ $2600. The RIA was $700. First day at the range while sighting in, it did a 3 shot group @ 10 yards of 0.492". The Les Baer is guaranteed to do 0.10" better. So, I saved $1,900 by giving up 1 tenth of an inch.

And actually, with more break-in and on some bench time, I think it will match the Les Baer gaurantee. The RIA is more reliable and accurate than my Kimber Tactical II, and the Springfield TRP, which I sold.

The RIA is very beefy and solid, and I love the traditional lines and features. If the task does not require a mill or lathe, I do my own smithing. I have taken it apart several time to check center distances, and alignments. It is perfect throughout. The trigger is a perfect, crisp break at 4 1/2 lbs. I'm a still surprised they can build a 1911 that good for $700.

If you want to call it a beginner 1911, go ahead. As for me, I am very glad I did not buy the Les Baer. I will be an RIA customer for the foreseeable future!

[wolfmann]

the RIA looks like a decent gun for a beginner or person just getting familiar with the M1911 or wants something to tinker with thats not expensive.

Partialy true I have Kimber and Springfield 1911s but I am happy with the Armscor,I would say the Kimber and Springfield are a step up but not a LARGE step,running them along side each other you can tell the difference.

[wolfmann]

I guess 50 years handgunning, and 25 years Action Pistol and 3 Gun, with 20,000 + rounds fired does not qualify me as a beginner, but here is my experience: I have had dozens of 1911's over the 50 year period, every major brand.

Just bought a Rock Island Pro Match. It was in the case next to a Les Baer @ $2600. The RIA was $700. First day at the range while sighting in, it did a 3 shot group @ 10 yards of 0.492". The Les Baer is guaranteed to do 0.10" better. So, I saved $1,900 by giving up 1 tenth of an inch.

And actually, with more break-in and on some bench time, I think it will match the Les Baer gaurantee. The RIA is more reliable and accurate than my Kimber Tactical II, and the Springfield TRP, which I sold.

The RIA is very beefy and solid, and I love the traditional lines and features. If the task does not require a mill or lathe, I do my own smithing. I have taken it apart several time to check center distances, and alignments. It is perfect throughout. The trigger is a perfect, crisp break at 4 1/2 lbs. I'm a still surprised they can build a 1911 that good for $700.

If you want to call it a beginner 1911, go ahead. As for me, I am very glad I did not buy the Les Baer. I will be an RIA customer for the foreseeable future!

Nice to see your opinion while we might dissagree it is always good to see experience with said firearms,most people comment from what they heard.

[DArBad]

I now have a problem with RIA.......I couldn't find a near by LGS that has the model (51434), that I want to get.

[crufflers]

I now have a problem with RIA.......I couldn't find a near by LGS that has the model (51434), that I want to get.

Typically, if you know what the cool new stuff is to buy in CA, your LGS doesn't know yet. Order it or talk them into stocking it.

[wolfmann]

Ran into a used RIA 3.5 barrel a few months ago for 300 but had just bought a shotgun oh well.

[B2D]

OK so as someone who likes value... the RIA Match 1911 sells for $750 at Turners. What's a better buy, that or a lightly used Springfield Loaded or SIG 1911 at the same price?

[DArBad]

OK so as someone who likes value... the RIA Match 1911 sells for $750 at Turners. What's a better buy, that or a lightly used Springfield Loaded or SIG 1911 at the same price?

I've had a total of 5 Springfields and they left a bad taste for me, not to mention the recent despicable politics of the company. So, I am going with RIA. Don't have experience with Sigs.

[Waldo]

I was at the LGS a couple of weeks ago and was looking at a SIG 1911 and a RIA GFS...the lockup and fit on the RIA was pretty good, so I went with that one...

At the range, the first five shots at 10 yards were all touching, and could be covered by a quarter. I guess it's a keeper.

At least it didn't discharge like a Baer I had when the slide is released to load.

[Mr.Caketown]

I've had a total of 5 Springfields and they left a bad taste for me, not to mention the recent despicable politics of the company. So, I am going with RIA. Don't have experience with Sigs.

Did you buy the standard GI models or Loaded models?

[johnireland]

When I got back into .45 1911s last year, my first purchase was a Kimber Ultra Carry ll. Alloy frame felt nice, the gun shot well, no issues except the black on the alloy part scratches easily. Then, feeling the need for redundancy in life, I dropped into a Turners and there was a RIA Compact with the beaver tail and the bobbed hammer for $450. I picked it up and loved the weight of the full steel frame. I even love the old iron sights, though they do test me. Bottom line, the RIA is getting all my range time. I'd use the Kimber for a long period of concealed carry because of the weight and the slightly shorter barrel. But I enjoy shooting the RIA more. And the extra weight helps with my single hand shooting...strong and week hands. I even like the old smooth wooden handles.

[accel]

OK so as someone who likes value... the RIA Match 1911 sells for $750 at Turners. What's a better buy, that or a lightly used Springfield Loaded or SIG 1911 at the same price?

Lgs in my area sells it for $830. With this in mind RIA is not that cheap anymore. I do not feel like buying SA, but for comparable money I can get Kinmer Custom II in lgs.

I know I just compared target model to base kimber, but the rest of RIA is also climbing in prices up.