RIA 1911 Spec

[Rekrab]

Ford may have made the first assembly-line produced car, but that doesn't mean they make the best.

The RIA GI is great if you want to learn about tooling around with a 1911. When I had one I spent an extra hundred and bought the MilSpec. The only down side is that the MilSpec sight cuts aren't standard and will need to be modified if you want to use after-market sights.

[Cyc Wid It]

I did not mean to start a debate but the person behind the counter deterred me from buying the colt 1911. He mentioned that Kimber, Les Baer, Wilson Combat are good names with quality over Colt.

I have no doubt that Colt was the pioneer.

As a reference I own both a Les Baer and a Colt (older). Les Baer, Wilson, etc. are all semi-custom shops that make guns starting at a much higher price point. I'll take one of the new Series 70 Colt Reproductions over just about any Kimber barring the older original Kimber customs.

I don't suppose your particular gunshop just happens to stock Kimbers rather than Colts?

[energizer]

As a reference I own both a Les Baer and a Colt (older). Les Baer, Wilson, etc. are all semi-custom shops that make guns starting at a much higher price point. I'll take one of the new Series 70 Colt Reproductions over just about any Kimber barring the older original Kimber customs.

I don't suppose your particular gunshop just happens to stock Kimbers rather than Colts?

The person was a pro 1911 and he did believe in older colts. Just not the newer manufactured ones. Another customer standing next to me also asserted what he said.

I went to the shop to find more about engraved CZ and we talked about the Colt 1911 anniversary edition. He cleanly said that he wouldn't buy the new anniversary edition Colt.

I did see a few Kimbers in stock. It didn't seem that he was pushing Kimber over Colt though. I don't know if a Colt firearm gets him less margin than the Kimber.

[morrcarr67]

OP, if you want a 1911, I would save up more.
I love 1911, it's a classic. I think it's the AK of pistols.
But I would I get a Colt or Springfield. Good quality all American.

So you consider a Brazilian made 1911 to be "All American"?

[Cokebottle]

yes you can use standard 1911 parts in an RIA. Most of them(except the ones that always require gunsmithing) will basically be drop in.

Not my experience.

I wanted to replace the ambi safety on my Tactical with a left-thumb-only.
The first one that I bought (Ed Brown), the pin was too big to fit through the hole in the frame.
2nd one was a standard Colt. It fits, but it will need some fitting to properly engage the seer. It will go in, but it will not move all the way off of "safe"... goes halfway and stops, still blocking the slide.

I replaced my guide rod and plug with GI parts. The plug fits, but the rear of the guide rod is very tight. It goes in and works fine, but it is not properly fitted.

[energizer]

Not my experience.

I wanted to replace the ambi safety on my Tactical with a left-thumb-only.
The first one that I bought (Ed Brown), the pin was too big to fit through the hole in the frame.
2nd one was a standard Colt. It fits, but it will need some fitting to properly engage the seer. It will go in, but it will not move all the way off of "safe"... goes halfway and stops, still blocking the slide.

I replaced my guide rod and plug with GI parts. The plug fits, but the rear of the guide rod is very tight. It goes in and works fine, but it is not properly fitted.

Hmmm... interesting experience

[railroader]

I had a ria tactical and found that few things weren't spec. The first was the sights weren't novak cuts even though they looked like it. On the frame the pin hole for the main spring housing was farther down on the frame. When I installed a kimber mainspring housing and well they was a pretty good gap so I had to rework the kimber parts.

[Q619]

Not my experience.

I wanted to replace the ambi safety on my Tactical with a left-thumb-only.
The first one that I bought (Ed Brown), the pin was too big to fit through the hole in the frame.
2nd one was a standard Colt. It fits, but it will need some fitting to properly engage the seer. It will go in, but it will not move all the way off of "safe"... goes halfway and stops, still blocking the slide.

I replaced my guide rod and plug with GI parts. The plug fits, but the rear of the guide rod is very tight. It goes in and works fine, but it is not properly fitted.

The "pin" as you stated, is supposed to be oversized. This allows for proper fitting.

[Cokebottle]

The "pin" as you stated, is supposed to be oversized. This allows for proper fitting.

I don't disagree. I was countering the assertions that most standard 1911 parts are a drop-in with no gunsmithing or fitting required.

[glock7]

And them Philipinos are 1911 fanatics

Filipinos....and yes we love our guns....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfU69ETWyIA&feature=related

[Max008]

So I take it that buying the RIA 1911 and converting it to a 10mm with parts from http://www.fusionfirearms.com/ is out of the question? OR with alot of gunsmithing?

[Cokebottle]

So I take it that buying the RIA 1911 and converting it to a 10mm with parts from http://www.fusionfirearms.com/ is out of the question? OR with alot of gunsmithing?

Tough call.

The .38 Super is a frequent 9mm conversion "victim", but I believe they are using RIA parts for the project.

[C.W.M.V.]

Ok the thing with RIA 1911 parts is that they are compatible with anything made for a COLT 1911. If you try to put a Kimber, springfield, wilson, etc etc part on it it may not fit because to some extent they are cut/shaped differently.

OP, Ive swapped parts between my RIA and Colt 70 series without issue.
I honestly perfer my RIA. Awesome gun, with one of the largest aftermarket parts selection of all of firearms.
It shoots straight, and it shoots reliably. If it doesnt, well RIA also happens to have one of the best warranties in the industry as well.

As to Ambi safteys and such, they are supposed to be fit to the gun, so regardless some parts are going to have to be altered as that is how they were desinged to be installed.
Oh and Novak sights do fit the tactical model, just requires some fitting to the sight, been done many times. On my RIA GI officers model I installed some of the 10-8 sights for a Colt 70. No problems, smooth as silk.

[biker777]

I picked up a new RIA 1911 Match and so far I can find no fault, its fit is excellent and its a very accurate out of the box gun.. I wont be changing anything on it at all..as of right now I love it as is...and the act-mag that came with it and 3 new ones all feed with no problems every type ammo I threw at it, ..

[Cokebottle]

As to Ambi safteys and such, they are supposed to be fit to the gun, so regardless some parts are going to have to be altered as that is how they were desinged to be installed.

But the impression that a lot of people are getting (myself included) is that they are indeed "drop in" replacements. These impressions are based on comments of owners who make those statements and don't indicate that "fitting will be required"

If fitting is needed, it's not "drop in"
It's not something "Joe new gun owner" can do when he field strips it for cleaning.