1911 - Rock Island??

[Sackman1886]

Hey guys, I was in a gun store the other day and was told by the guy behind the counter that he actually gets great reviews about the rock island 1911's - in that they are a great value. I would love to add a 1911 my collection, and being that there are so many aftermarket upgrades available (can upgrade overtime), it seems to be a relatively easy purchase.

What are your experiences with rock island? I.e. range gun, home defense gun...Not every day carry gun.

[CK_32]

For their price yea they are great value I know of a lot of people who love theirs. But it's no night hawk keep that in mind.

I don't own a 1911 (yet!) but from what I have read and researched you get what you pay for. But I see a lot of good things about RIAs.

[TheExpertish]

As said above it's a great gun for the price. Just keep in mind your not buying a match grade pistol. If you are looking for as an expensive shooting fun as you can get with a 45 you found your card.

[Johnnykck]

Love mine, I have the Tactical, 100% reliable for last 1360 rounds, had three failures to feed and one failure to eject in first trip to range, shoots anything I feed it now, accurate, good quality.

[InGrAM]

It is a great gun. RIA proves that a 1911 does not need to be $1500+ and smithed by a reputable gunsmith to work well. It is a big FU, IMO, to all that doubt the reliability of the 1911 platform.

Oops, forgot to answer your question fully.

I use my RIA as a range toy. I bought a 38super RIA GI (the basic model) with the intention of converting it to 9mm. I did (quite easily I might add), and it has been 100% reliable so far (a little under 1000 rounds). I am currently in the process of "smithing" it into a "retro/tactical" 1911. (50 LPI) Squared and checkered trigger guard, (50 LPI) checkered front strap, undercut trigger guard, beavertail grip safety, refinish in oxpho-blue, yada yada... It is easy to "upgrade"/modify, is what I am getting at.

[hcbr]

GTG thus why i bought one in a 1911 tac!

[ChrisO]

I have a RIA tactical and it has been flawless the last 2160 +/-rounds. I shoot it at our monthly IDPA match and it has taken first a few times in my class and has ran along side and beat some top notch 1911's. As a poster above said it is no nighthawk or les baer but it works damn good for me. I bought it originally for a beater hunting sidearm and ended up liking it way more than I thought! It is a great gun not just a great gun for the money.

[c-wick]

I saw these at Turners. They had the GI on sale and almost went for it. Next time I guess.

[hybridatsun350]

The Rock Island is the best bang for your buck in the 1911 segment. They may not be the prettiest, but they've got features that would normally come on guns that cost twice as much. You can buy a RIA Tactical for what a Springfield GI costs. I honestly can't see why anyone would buy a Springfield GI anymore. If you're looking for a well-priced, well-made, shooter 1911, the RIA is the answer.

[gil671]

About 1500 rnds on mine and no problems. Worth while investment for me

[Ed_Hazard]

My buddy in Az. has one, tactical, as his off duty gun and loves it. (carries a SA TRP on duty) Mainly because it is dead nuts reliable with any ammo he's fed it. Even the department RO's have been surprised at some of the janky rang trash ammo it has functioned with. Hes not gonna win any beauty matches with the gun, but for its intended use it works.

[Bedpan Bandit]

Just dros'd a tactical for the nightstand. It drives me nuts every time I scratch or ding my Kimber.

[nrgcruizer]

I was looking to add a 1911 to my collection, as well. I bought a RIA 1911A1 a few months back, used. Had a lot of drop in mods on it like Ed Brown/Wilson Combat barrel bushing, slide stop, hammer, trigger, so on. I experienced a failure to go full battery and swapped the stock link pin for a Colt link pin (there are $2k 1911s out there that have had this same problem). $4 fix...no biggie. Runs great once again on 230gr FMJ. It's not something you want to run hollow points on, unless you get the barrel polished. You might want to pick up some spare after-market mags. The stock ACT mag I experience a FTF when I load 8 rds on the 7th round. My McCormick's 8 rounders will run all 8 rounds without a hiccup. I'm keeping it as a range toy. I think it's a great starter 1911 for the money that will leave you with enough money to buy more ammo & after-market parts. Get the Tactical if you intend to have bigger sights. They seem to be going up in price, as well.

[IrishPirate]

the tactical is worth the extra $50 or so.....better sights, better trigger, better barrel (IIRC), better hammer. I dont think it should be called tactical.....precision is a better term for the specs of the gun.

RIA is definitely worth it, i'm buying one this week if it's still on sale

[silaic7]

For the price it is a great gun, It is not as smooth finish compared to kimber and springfield and other $1000+ 1911. My RIA .45 Tactical always outshoot my friends expensive 1911's. It is accurate out of the box. Reliability, 9 of of 10 reviews are positive. RIA Customer service, The best in the industry.