What have you guys got against the RIA Basic 1911?

[Bugscuffle]

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I haven't seen it lately at least on this board, but a lot of people really rag on the RIA model 1911's. I do not own one, but I'm planning to and I was wondering if there are real life actual failures or troubles with this line of guns? Yes, I know that they are cast frames and that the finish isn't real pretty like a Colt, but I can buy two or three of them for the price of a Colt and they sure do seem to work well.

[LoneRider]

I Love My Rock Island!!!

[litl rooster]

I couldn't find one that was not Stainless or I'd have bought one.

[Brizco-Z]

Mr. B,

All my experience with the Rock Island 1911 have been good.  Know a few friemds who have and regularly shoot them.  I've shot quite a few myself and I was always pleased with the action, cycle and accuracy, shot everything I put through em.  Not crazy about the smooth slabs but, they can easily be replaced.  Can't see why anyone would discount the RI models.  For the price and availablity, seems like a good buy.

IMHO,

Brizco-Z

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Made in Philippines.


If given the option, I'll spend more for a "made in the U.S.A." product.


Pancho

[litl rooster]

Made in Philippines.


If given the option, I'll spend more for a "made in the U.S.A." product.


Pancho

The onliest thing USA on my Springfield is the name

[Bugscuffle]

Thanks to all of you for your input. It goes along with what I was thinking, but I wanted to be sure and you know what they say, "If it looks too good to be true........" Sarco has the basic blue 1911, exactly what I am looking for, at $359.00 with 1 extra mag + 20 S&H. Not a bad price. They also have 7 rd. magazines at $5.95 ea. or $54.95 for 10.  I believe that I'll just stock up on those. wild Bunch seems to eat magazines for lunch.

[joec]

I carry a RIA CS model (compact) daily. Excellent gun and I also have another made by Armscor (RIA maker) in a 9mm called the MAPP1 MS which is also a really good gun. I've owned them both now for awhile putting a few thousand rounds through both.

[Blackfoot]

The only thing that I don't like about my RIA is the almost non existent GI front site.

Blackfoot

[Grizzly Adams]

The RIA is a solid, reliable, 1911, and it also happens to be great value for the money.  I have both an RIA and a Kimber.  Both shoot very well, and both are reliable.  I could buy 3 RIAs for the cost of the Kimber.

[Coffinmaker]

Well ........ While as a "State" match, I ran into a brandy new Cimarron 1911 Pimp Gun (Nickel Plated).  It called my name.  New, it wouldn't feed from a full magazine with anything but Hard Ball.  Feed Ramp wasn't right.  Fixed it in about 15 minutes.  Now it runs flawless.  Oh, forgot, it's made by Armscore (RIA).  It still has a lousy trigger but this ain't bullseye.  I like it ALOT.

Coffinmaker

[Harley Starr]

The only thing that I don't like about my RIA is the almost non existent GI front site.

Blackfoot

http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_38Super.htm

[Blackfoot]

The only thing that I don't like about my RIA is the almost non existent GI front site.

Blackfoot

And 77 year old eyes don't help much either!!

Blackfoot

[Grizzly Adams]

Well ........ While as a "State" match, I ran into a brandy new Cimarron 1911 Pimp Gun (Nickel Plated).  It called my name.  New, it wouldn't feed from a full magazine with anything but Hard Ball.  Feed Ramp wasn't right.  Fixed it in about 15 minutes.  Now it runs flawless.  Oh, forgot, it's made by Armscore (RIA).  It still has a lousy trigger but this ain't bullseye.  I like it ALOT.

Coffinmaker

This one called me name at EOT.   Cimarron high polish blue made by RIA.   So far, I have almost 1500 rounds through it without a hickup.  This one is the original 1911 frame - not A1.

[1961MJS]

Hi

I own the RIA Tactical in .45 ACP as my carry gun.  It's a great gun, never fails to go off.  Bullseye shooters do disparage the RIA because it's not as well machined as a Springfield or a Les Baer.  Didn't cost as much either did it?     Since I already have a Hardball gun, I won't be buying an RIA for WB, but that's only because I already have something to shoot.  RIA's are well worth what you paid for them.

I would add that I own more than 10 Metalform magazines, and they're well made.  I quit using my old GI surplus magazines and switched to Metalform 7 round magazines with the round follower. 

later

[Red Cent]

STI Spartan has the Armscor/RIA frame, slide, and barrel. Charles Daly imports the guns/parts. Shooters Arms are RIAs. A number of gunmakers use the cast frame of Armscor.

Armscor makes the RIA guns.

The RIA cheapie takes a little file here, a peen here and there, and some polishing but you wind up with a very nice handgun.

[Pitspitr]

This one called me name at EOT.   Cimarron high polish blue made by RIA.   So far, I have almost 1500 rounds through it without a hickup.  This one is the original 1911 frame - not A1.

I have one just like this. I bought it through Cabela's. The first round through it jammed, but it hasn't hiccuped since then. The trigger pull is really nice on it. As a matter of fact it is my only competition gun that hasn't had an action job. I didn't think it could be improved. Someday I might polish the feed ramp, but then again, other than the first cartridge it hasn't had any problems feeding.

[TUCO]

I have 2 RIA. A 45acp 2tone tactical, also a 9mm tactical. They are a great buy. No problems with them.
Will eat all types of ammo.  Later

  TUCO

[Blackfoot]

Mine runs fine. I shoot it a lot with a .22 long rifle top end. I did have to do something about the microscopic front site!!

Blackfoot

[Mule Ear Mortensen]

Grizzly Adams
Nice pistol! I wish I had one just like it!

[fowler]

  For me I want a correct period type 1911 that is blue and with true 1911 features for western shooting. Modern raceguns and 1911a1 and stainless wrong era parts is like riding a Harley Davidson instead of a horse. I like it  like  it was not like the wanna make-up rules  of today. Next thing we will see is AR-15,s instead of leverguns for pre-1920 westerns.  Boys and there toys not history.

[Roscoe Coles]

The RIA has some features that make it a good choice for WB.  Its loose enough to be reliable (some of the highly tuned, tight guns are not) and its a GI spec.  The only problem I have ever heard about them is that some of the magazine wells are cut undersized and either will not take or will not cleanly drop some magazines.  Other than that, its a good choice for a WB gun.  As you can see from the responses above, the guys who have good ones love them.

[La comadreja salvaje]

I haven't seen it lately at least on this board, but a lot of people really rag on the RIA model 1911's. I do not own one, but I'm planning to and I was wondering if there are real life actual failures or troubles with this line of guns? Yes, I know that they are cast frames and that the finish isn't real pretty like a Colt, but I can buy two or three of them for the price of a Colt and they sure do seem to work well.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I could not resist. The other day I was shooting with my bud, who is a CAS nut bad. He is also a 1911 enthusiast like you would not believe. The guy is continuously building or tuning one when ever he is not moving. We were shooting a pile of his guns last weekend, and he presented a nickle plated Cimarron 1911. He shot this against two of his stock Colts, and the import shot right along side the Colt. From what he told me, the Cimarron is made by RIA, and for the money, he has admitted that woth that particular gun there is no reason to pay up to $400++ for a name, location, and tradition for a 1911. He is still Colt through and through, but if you lift his shirt to see what he packs, you will see the nickle Cimarron there and not the Colt.

[PJ Hardtack]

Ask anyone that knocks the RIA 1911 if they shoot REAL SAA's or clones, and if those clones are 100% out-of-box copies of the original.
We'd probably all shoot the Colt's if money was no object, although we'd beat 'em up in the process. Hell, I'd shoot Turnbull guns or engraved guns if I could afford them. Ed Brown offers a beauty!

At our midweek IPSC practice, I was asked why I choose to shoot my Remington R1 and not my tricked out Series '70 Gold Cup. The answer - I prefer the looks of the R1 and I don't really need a flared mag well, ambi-safety, large mag release button, etc. And the R1 is far from being a pre-1911A1 with hi-viz sights, bevelled mag well, long tang, stainless barrel bushing, throated barrel, lowered and dimpled ejection port.

I can understand the appeal of the original 1911 platform, if you can put up with hammer bite, stovepipe malfunctions and miniscule sights. If everyone used them, it would level the playing field, but that ain't gonna happen.