Thoughts on the RIA Tactical Ultra MS 4.25-inch 8Rds 10mm

robhub · September 23 2018 10:00:41 AM MDT

So I took the RI out for another range session yesterday. I've got a work buddy that had never fired a 10 and wanted to try it. So we put another 200 rounds through it. In between sessions I've also picked up a couple more of the Armscor 8 rnd mags.

So in the 200 rounds we fired through the gun we had 3 malfunctions, all failures to feed with the round not fully chambering. Bullet would hit the top of the barrel instead of just sliding into the chamber. Slide will still not reliably lock back on an empty magazine regardless of manufacturer. Maybe about one-third of the time it won't lock back so it looks like the previous trip with the Cobra mags was a fluke.

This was the first real accuracy testing I've done with it also. Looks like the gun shoots about an inch left at 10 yards consistently for both shooters. So at this point I'm thinking I need to adjust the sights a bit and have the slide stop looked at.

Any other bits of advice on improving reliability from you gurus here?

Kenk · September 23 2018 02:14:55 PM MDT

In my experience, as with most pistols, don't over lubricant it

Kenk · September 23 2018 02:20:25 PM MDT

Also, aprx how many rd's do you have through it? Once you have hit the 500 mark, then it's time to consider contacting RIA
Thanks

Ken

robhub · September 23 2018 03:35:39 PM MDT

I've only put 330 rounds through the pistol so far, all of it the Sig Sauer Elite Performance 180 gr FMJ, and it has definitely loosened up from the last shooting session. Easier to rack the slide now than when I first got it and easier to use the slide stop lever to drop the slide from slide lock. When I first shot the pistol it took a lot of force to use the slide stop lever this way and it was definitely easier to do so this time around.

As for the sights, I'll tinker with them myself since they are adjustable.

It's the failure to lock back on empty that makes me think it needs work.

The shop I got the pistol from offers a lifetime warranty on all new firearms sold there as they also do gunsmithing, so I'd most likely have them take a look at it first and deal with RIA themselves to save me the hassle of shipping.

Kenk · September 23 2018 03:59:04 PM MDT

Absolutely, letem at it if they will do it for you : )

Bruno747 · September 27 2018 07:34:38 PM MDT

I had to put wolf springs in my mags. Usually the round sitting nose up wedged against the ramp is a sign that the round couldn't come up in the mag fast enough and the slide started forward before the round had fully risen and settled.

Also, a square firing pin retainer, heavier recoil spring and main spring usually gets it close to fully reliable.

Kenk · September 28 2018 04:01:26 AM MDT

Thanks Bruno

Ken

Bruno747 · September 28 2018 07:45:43 PM MDT

In case you want to look back, here is the thread where I listed the things I had to do to get mine running pretty well. I think that was prior to getting the recoil spring and main spring.

In addition to the mag springs another big thing that stopped the hangups you describe was filing back the bottom of the ejector because it was actually pushing rounds down slightly in the mag. Also removing some material from the hood and polishing it.

http://10mm-firearms.com/gunsmithing/got-the-rock-island-10mm-commander-working-properly!/msg40214/#msg40214

Kenk · September 28 2018 09:41:34 PM MDT

Thanks Bruno, that's way helpful!

Ken

Dave84 · October 16 2018 11:24:06 PM MDT

I've heard mostly good things about their single stacks. I had the fullsize High Capacity model and that thing wouldn't feed to save its life. Trigger was fairly heavy and I did not shoot it well. Traded it in for the Ruger SR1911 10mm but I was ripped off by what they gave me for it. Honestly if it was reliable I would've got a trigger job and kept it.

Kenk · October 17 2018 04:01:28 AM MDT

Thanks Dave, my Rock Ultra FS HC has served me well, and for the price, it's hard to beat

Ken

Overkill338 · October 23 2018 11:10:35 AM MDT

Rock Island makes a fantastic firearm. It's just a shame they are trying to match everyone else's price. I remember when a standard GI model was $350. I've been looking at those two, as Commander frames are my favorite size 1911. The two I want most though, are a new model Colt DE and a Ruger 10mm 1911.

Kenk · October 25 2018 08:30:41 AM MDT

I agree, my Rock Ultra FS HC 10mm was around 650.00 I think
Thanks

Ken

Overkill338 · November 13 2018 12:14:34 PM MST

I've been shooting RIA 1911's for years at my friends gun shop. They shoot great. But he had one, if you let the trigger down to decock it, the hammer would hang up so little you couldnt tell it. While in a holster, the hammer dropped the rest of the way, and the gun went off. No one was hurt and RIA fixed it. I just wont own one.

That being said, I wish Colt would make a Commander size Delta Elite!

sqlbullet · November 14 2018 08:11:11 AM MST

Quote from: Overkill338 on November 13 2018 12:14:34 PM MST
I've been shooting RIA 1911's for years at my friends gun shop. They shoot great. But he had one, if you let the trigger down to decock it, the hammer would hang up so little you couldnt tell it. While in a holster, the hammer dropped the rest of the way, and the gun went off. No one was hurt and RIA fixed it. I just wont own one.

That being said, I wish Colt would make a Commander size Delta Elite!

This is not unique to RIA. Every single series 70 1911 I own will do this. I don't know if they will fire or not.

And this is why a 1911 should never be placed in condition 2. Condition 3 or condition 1 are both well proven and perfectly safe. Condition 2 is also well proven...well proven as unsafe.