RIA 1911 Compact Range Report

[Mossy Man]

Hey guys,

Because of the rebate and a local sale, I decided to pick up the Rock Island Armory 1911 Compact. After all taxes, fees, and rebates, it has an OTD price of $462. Not a bad price, so I had to go ahead and get it.

Fully aware of the reputation of RIA, and especially of compact 1911s, I rolled the dice.

Well, the phrase you get what you pay for comes to mind, and I can't say that I'm terribly surprised or disappointed.

Ammo used: PMC Bronze, PPU Brass. (Colt eats every FMJ I've fed it, including steel case, in contrast)

I took the gun home, field stripped and cleaned her up. Seemed very tight and nice.

I fully expected for the gun to have failures initially, since it is a new 1911 and a compact one at that.

So when it started FTFeed once or twice in the first two magazines, I wasn't surprised or upset.

What DID upset me was that it would not go back into battery after being cleared of the malfunction. I racked the slide multiple times and it just would not go into battery.

I finally inspected the gun from front to back. Turns out when the gun failed to feed and go into battery, the firing pin stop would slide off and hang up on the hammer and lock up the gun causing it to fail to return to battery.

Is this a common thing? I notice the firing pin stop is loose, unlike my Colt which is nice and firm.

Now, is this something that I should try to resolve on my own or should I send it back to RIA?

Again, fully aware I bought a cheap 1911, but just want this thing to work. Just kind of unhappy with a range trip and it couldn't even shoot 50 rounds without a catastrophic failure.

[shortround1]

I've found that PMC Bronze has been pretty good ammo for me in a .223 rifle, but for whatever reason I am not impressed with it much in pistol ammo variants. This may not help your failure to feed issues, but just for yucks maybe try some Winchester White box or Federal ammo in your RIA and see if you're getting the same results.

Edit: Sorry, I failed to notice the first time that your wrote about firing pin looseness, hopefully RIA owners can tell you if they have the same issue.

[Mossy Man]

I've found that PMC Bronze has been pretty good ammo for me in a .223 rifle, but for whatever reason I am not impressed with it much in pistol ammo variants. This may not help your failure to feed issues, but just for yucks maybe try some Winchester White box or Federal ammo in your RIA and see if you're getting the same results.

Thanks. Not so much worried about the FTF (especially in the break in period), but the loose firing pin stop that locks up the whole gun.

[Thorax]

I'm confused....

You knew, and admitted, that RIA makes shiest for pistols.
You bought it knowing this.
You're now disappointed that it performed exactly as you knew it would ?

[plumbworker]

I had a ria compact 1911 i had faliures to return to battery aswell after only a few range trips.. The recoil springs weaken very quickly i was told by armscor gunsmith the recoil spring on those compacts is only good for 300-500 rnds.. They sent me a few replacement springs that solved problem i ended up having to sell that thing as i needed something a little more reliable.. So basically after the required 500 round break in period you need to replace the recoil spring..

[shortround1]

I'm confused....

You knew, and admitted, that RIA makes shiest for pistols.
You bought it knowing this.
You're now disappointed that it performed exactly as you knew it would ?

I think there are a number of Calgunners who enjoy their RIA's. Hopefully they can provide insight on the firing pin issue.

[Mossy Man]

I'm confused....

You knew, and admitted, that RIA makes shiest for pistols.
You bought it knowing this.
You're now disappointed that it performed exactly as you knew it would ?

It was disclosure. The majority of people who own RIAs seem to like them, and most of the complaints are in regards to fit and finish as well as having to send their guns back to get serviced.

This is a case of the latter, and I just want it to work. I'm not asking for match accuracy or a beautiful gun. Just function.

I don't think that's asking much, and I'm not really "complaining".

[Virus55]

I had a ria full size and it was flawless. I wouldnt have bought the compact model if I were you but my buddy has one that he tricked out and seems to like it. Good luck

[Mossy Man]

I had a ria full size and it was flawless. I wouldnt have bought the compact model if I were you but my buddy has one that he tricked out and seems to like it. Good luck

Looks like I'll be putting my Colt 1911 on my LTC instead as my 3rd gun.

Oh well, I think that's for the best anyway

[ldsnet]

I have the same gun, only 200 rounds through it. The only FTF problems were due to magazines from MidwayUSA (replaced with better ones and the problem went away). I have heard wonderful things about RIA and Amscor customer service and making it right. You knew going in reliability may be an issue, so contact them and send it in. Let them make it right.

[Mossy Man]

I have the same gun, only 200 rounds through it. The only FTF problems were due to magazines from MidwayUSA (replaced with better ones and the problem went away). I have heard wonderful things about RIA and Amscor customer service and making it right. You knew going in reliability may be an issue, so contact them and send it in. Let them make it right.

Yep, this is in no way a bashing thread. Part of the reason I got it was knowing about RIA's lifetime warranty.

Just wanted input on the firing pin stop falling down, and if it is something that's easy to fix on your own. Maybe with a better aftermarket part?

[Mossy Man]

Like this is only $4 and I can get it in a few days. Will this resolve the problem?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/597233/wilson-combat-firing-pin-spring-1911-extra-power

Should I do that or send it back?

[5ZS]

You got a lemon too, welcome to the club.
I rolled off so many thing wrong with mine they said they will not fix it and just send a new one (FFL ship and new DROS needed). Since they will not cover shipping nor new dros, it cost me bout 60 in parts and a lot of self labor, so that about the same as sending it in. At least I know the parts I bough is of quality.

Try your Colt (firing pin spring) and other parts only if hey drop in, to see if that help before you buy, becasue shipping will cost more.

Good Luck, sucks getting things does not work regardless of price.

[Tee Why]

I had the same thing happen with mine. For me, it started to occur after shooting it about a 1000 rounds or so. I sent it back to RIA with a clear description of what happened and all they did was replace springs. Needless to say, it was not fixed. So I sold it. For me, I think the full size gun from RIA may be a decent option but the compacts do not seem reliable.

[jonzer77]

RIA 1911 Compact Range Report

A loose firing pin will cause all sorts of malfunctions since the extractor will clock. You can pick up a EGW, ed brown, ect. firing pin stop for $15 and its really easy to install. You want the extractor to be held firmly in place by the firing pin stop.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/action-parts/firing-pin-parts/firing-pin-stops/index.htm?avs|Make_3=1911