RIA MS-Tactical ll G 10: Range report

[Ruzhyo]

This post is a continuation of my post on July 27, well sort of.  I broke down and bought two Rock Island Armory 10 MM, 1911, commander length pistols.  My son and I took them to the range for a shakedown run yesterday and here's what we found.
Range Report:
Inside the box is a bright orange flyer that states in part "Our rock island armory 1911 pistols are warranted to function only with factory FMJ Brass case ammo and the original factory magazine." Further more the bright orange card states that "Due to be fit and tightness of firearm, RIA recommends a break-in period of 500 rounds."
We took out 400 rounds of Federal American Eagle 180 grain, FMJ/TC, and 250 rounds of PPU. (a Serbian manufactured round), 180 grain, JHP.  200 rounds of FAE were fired through each gun and there were only two jams, where the rounds got caught on the feed ramp.  Two malfunctions out of 400 hundred rounds is something I can live with.

The PPU ammo, however, left a lot to be desired.  Right from the get go we had numerous FTF's, FTE, double jams, stove pipe jams, you name it, it happened.  After 50 rounds of this we gave up on the PPU ammo.
As to the magazines supplied with the RIA, 10mm, 1911's, they functioned flawlessly with the FAE, and the PPU, even though the PPU ammo gave us the most problems, the magazines fed ammo effortlessly and did everything that they were intended to do. While I was waiting for the RIA's to arrive, I ordered from Tripp Research 4 of their Trip Cobra, 10mm, 9 round magazines.  The Trip Cobra magazines came with removable rubber base pads and slide into both pistols correctly and ejected smartly.  This is where their use ended.  None of the 4 Tripp Cobra magazines locked back the slides on either gun after the last round was fired and the magazine was empty. The mags did the same thing when filled with the PPU ammo; they did the same thing if the magazines were loaded with 3, 6, 8, 5, 9, or 1 round.  To their credit the magazines functioned flawlessly and fed the ammunition flawlessly, they just didn't lock back the slides on either gun. OK, so what to do?  I did not bring the magazines from my Colt Delta Elite to see if they worked any differently in the RIA guns, because I didn't think I had to.
My son and I were not shooting during this session for the purposes of accuracy.  We took the guns out to see how they functioned.  Accuracy was a byproduct.  However, from the bench with the stock FO/white dot adjustable sights the groups at 15 meters were very acceptable, all in the black of a bullseye target.  I took pictures of a number of things at the range but I do not know how to post them, so when I figure it out, I will.
Be that as it may, when my son and I ran out of ammo, we packed up our gear and headed home.  Once I got home, I called Tripp Research and spoke with a very pleasant individual by the name of Aaron. Aaron  told me that I was the fourth customer in as many weeks complaining about the Tripp 10mm magazines not functioning in RIA guns, and ONLY RIA 10mm guns.  He told me it was a follower problem and that apparently RIA had changed the shape or radius of the slide stop pin which was causing the problem with their magazines, this apparently did not happen with the older 10mm guns.  In any event he told me to send him the magazines that I purchased and he would replace the followers with new Tripp followers and return the magazines. 
I told Aaron I was going to do one better, I was going to send him the four Tripp magazines and the original RIA 10mm magazine so that he would have it as a template to use to modify future magazines for the RIA 10mm 1911.  I hope the returns it to me!  I can't complain about the service I received from Tripp Research.  It was quality service in my opinion.
Final thoughts and observations:
In unpacking our RIA guns, they came in a plastic bag.  Upon opening the plastic bag these guns were literally dripping in light oil.  I had enough oil from both these guns to deep fry 3 dozen Buffalo wings for myself and my neighbors!!  It took a lot of degreaser to get these guns cleaned.
But I have to tell you, that when we disassembled these two guns and took a look at the innards, we were totally and absolutely astounded that there were no, and I mean no, tool marks or machined marks inside these guns.  None inside the dust cover, none in the locking lug recesses, none on the frame anywhere, or on the slide rails, there were no tool marks or machine marks on the slide or inside the slide, on the breach face, or in the recesses inside the slide, ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE. In my experience you only get this kind of machining quality in really expensive guns, not Philippine imports.  Having over a dozen 1911's from various manufacturers, I was very impressed.  This is going to be one fine project gun and I can't wait to get it finished.
Both guns will be sent to Mike Johnson's Shooting Specialties in Chinook, Montana. Mike has built me my last 9 1911's all to my exacting standards. This gun will get a total makeover, except for perhaps the barrel, which was pretty accurate. One I get it back in two or three or four months, I will post before and after pictures, if like I said, I can figure out how to do it.
I want to thank everyone for their input and suggestions regarding the RIA 10mm 1911.  You folks are going to cost me a small fortune by the time I get through with this gun, and it's all your fault!!!!
Thanks again,
Gary

[sstewart]

Had to get 9mm slide stop on my RIA 10mm. Which RIA supplied and suggested, to work on my Wilson 10mm mags. I don't fully understand the geometry on that, but it has worked.