SOUGHT: Honest opinions about Armscor/RIA 1911's

[DeltaSteve]

I own 20 1911's  although I've gone thru my Rock, by choice not necessity. I find them 100% reliable and a Great Value 

[sqlbullet]

I think Gandog is right. On the RIA the shafts go completely through both sides and link up in the middle.

That is how all 1911 ambi safeties work.  And, a 1911 standard thumb safety extends all the way through as well.  See the pick right above.

The video I linked is RIA getting swapped from ambi to standard.  I have swapped a ambi back to just a left hand.  The gun will have all the same holes a standard 1911 or 1911A1 does.

[sstewart]

Ok thanks. I got it now

[will965]

my RIA GI model 45acp is super!! shoots any ammo i run through it, accurrate as i can shoot and is very well made. I am thrilled with it. Just replaced the horrid grips to a set of nice slim checkered wood. excellant gun. Put my RIA agains any GI model on the market, and some of the higher levels  as well.

[gandog56]

But but......my RIA is a 10mm!

[10mmfan]

But but......my RIA is a 10mm!

That was why I never got attached to the Ruger, it wasn't a 10mm.

[kilibreaux]

Buckeye,

I own four RIA's.  Three GI models and one Tactical.  One of the GI models is in the MOST EXCELLENT .38 Super!

I have yet to have a malfunction with the three .45 ACP chambered pistols....probably have 500+ rounds downrange from each.  The .38 Super is actually the SUPERIOR pistol when it comes to chambering due to the round sitting higher relative to the bore axis, but it did recently experience a problem while shooting Underwood's somewhat "hotter" than normal loads...the extended ejector got "tweaked" enough to cause "drag" when the slide cycled.  I reshaped the ejector and the gun works fine but I'm not sure this is a problem with RIA specifically and here is why:  MOST modern .38 Super ammo is loaded BELOW 9mm spec...so it's pretty anemic.  Thus, MOST modern .38 Supers come with 14# springs and extended ejectors to insure reliability.  With Armscor .38 Super FMJ the RIA GI never bobbled, but when it had to handle a round delivering some 200 lb-ft of KE more I'm not terribly surprised the extended ejector got tweaked.  I really should have bumped up to an 18# spring when I started shooting a load substantially more powerful than the "generic" loadings.

As for my .45 ACP models...they've shot it all...everything from mild to wild handloads, to "hot" +P ammo and to this very day have not ONCE demonstrated a malfunction!  Maybe I got lucky 4 times but I tend to think RIA is putting in the extra effort to impress its market.  BTW the .45's don't make use of extended ejectors.....and they feel as if they have up-rated springs....like 18# versus 16.

I think RIA is making VERY good guns that will hold up quite well, but I have also seen their prices starting to climb as more people realize this.

[Hermit]

Swap out the safety.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911

Takes about 10 minutes.

i have just fit this safety on my rock... need a new sear pin(old one sticks out to hold the right side of the ambi) and hammer pin(factorys a little short so it doesnt rub the ambi)

oh and if you have used the pistol at all plan on refinishing or finding some way to touch up where the ambi rubbed the parkering off

[gandog56]

oh and if you have used the pistol at all plan on refinishing or finding some way to touch up where the ambi rubbed the parkering off

That would be assuming I ever used the safety in the first place. I don't use this for a carry gun, so I rarely use it anyways.

[sqlbullet]

That would be assuming I ever used the safety in the first place. I don't use this for a carry gun, so I rarely use it anyways.

To each there own.  I rigorously engage the safety on any gun that is not on target and ready to fire.

[Bruno747]

x2 on the finish. I like my RIA, but the finish is terrible IMO, anything at all seems to mar it.

Thus why I plan to send it in to be Nickel Boron coated when I have deemed that it has loosened up enough.

[dakota1911]

If you want a .45 then Ruger is the best buy right now IMHO.  I stil see deals on them for $625, although high $600s are more the norm down here.  SAs are nice and they would be at the high end.  Got a 5 inch RO in 45 last fall for $740 and just bought a 9mm RO 5 inch for $719 a couple weeks ago.  You see "milspec" or basic 1911s from Remmington and others in that price range also.  Of course RIA, Taurus, and the Turkish guns are down in the $400-500 area.  All these are prices I have seen in gun stores recently down here.  You can look at online prices.

If you are into 10mm then I think RIA is about it.  I saw one for $499 in a gunstore a couple weeks ago.

I have had several RIAs over the years.  Right now I am down to one I bought back in 2007.  It is a small 3.5 inch in .45 and is not bad.  It has over 3K rounds through it now and is the pistol I let friends try when they want to shoot a small 1911.

One thing I would say about buying pistols in this price range is look before you buy.  It is sort of like buying a used pistol except maybe you look at after purchase support.  Buying a used one opens up lots of other options of course.

[10mmfan]

Don't buy regent I had one and I'd always have a black face and arms after.

[Gunsandgars]

Springfield range officer would be my choice!