RIA 45's

[Athensm50]

Hey Guys....just wanted to see what you guys thought about the RIA's(Rock Island Arms) Mil. spec 45....you see it a lot on the web for like 400 bucks.....watched some reviews on the web about them.....

Understood its a $400 1911....but folks seem to like them???


what say you?......

for a guy needing a 45......RIA's 1911 45cal...or go XD 45cal or G45?....have a XD9...CM9...both sweet guns

[Bawanna]

I don't own one YET. I have heard good reports on them. Excellent value in the overall scheme of things.

Several here own them, I'm sure wiser folks than I will be along shortly.

[TheTman]

I hear they are a pretty decent entry level 1911. I've thought about maybe picking up an officer sized version at some point in the future.
I've heard that the same company (Armscor) also builds the frames for STI's Spartan series of affordable 1911's, and quite a few folks really like the Spartan Series for an inexpensive 1911, with a few more features than an entry level pistol.
Hickock45 reviews an ATI 1911, which is also from the Phillipines and is comparable tp to the RIA at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9GFFryTD7E&feature=related
He seems to like it pretty well. Youtube has quite few reviews of the RIA.

[MW surveyor]

Well if you want a 1911 built by starving kids in the Philippines go to it! (This is a joke, so don't get all rilled up over it, sheesh)

Don't have one but there are a whole bunch of satisfied people that do.

[Bawanna]

My whitey tighties started to get wadded up but I'm ok now.

[MW surveyor]

See first line in my signature!

[yqtszhj]

I have one. The 1911 GI version and it has never missed a beat in 1000 rounds. I was looking at an officer version but can't make up my mind. I need to pass on the gun and just buy more ammo. Armscor has been making these under one company name or another since 1950 something.

Oh, and being made in the Philippines just supports my inlaws. Please everyone, buy as many as you can. It really helps me out.

[yqtszhj]

I've heard that the same company (Armscor) also builds the frames for STI's Spartan series of affordable 1911's, and quite a few folks really like the Spartan Series for an inexpensive 1911, with a few more features than an entry level pistol.


Add Para to that list. They had a display announcing it at the Manila gun show last year at the Armscor booth.

[DeaconKC]

Good reports on it at other forums. The only things folks had to change were some magazines, which is not the fault of the gun.

[Athensm50]

the more I think about it....may pick up a XD45.....can't beat more rounds for same price....that trumps "1911" all day long

[gb6491]

the more I think about it....may pick up a XD45.....can't beat more rounds for same price....that trumps "1911" all day long
Blasphemy!!!! ;):D
If you haven't yet, try them both out and see which you shoot better.
Regards,
Greg

[JFootin]

the more I think about it....may pick up a XD45.....can't beat more rounds for same price....that trumps "1911" all day long

Para Ordinance makes high capacity 1911s.

http://www.paraord.com/new/downloads/catalog2011.pdf

[Bawanna]

Yup, I have an LDA that holds 14 45's. They make 15 rd mags for it but never felt the need. That gun with two spare mags is a force to be reckoned with and it's a great shooter.

[gb6491]

Para Ordinance makes high capacity 1911s.

http://www.paraord.com/new/downloads/catalog2011.pdf
Les Baer used Para frames for the FBI's SRP guns:
http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&gid=133&id=1150

RIA also makes a high capacity 1911. They call it M1911-A2 FSP, M1911-A2 FS Tatical, or M1911-22TCM Micro Mag Std (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKSShOvs198). It's 14+1 in .45ACP and 17+1 in 9mm or .22TCM.

FWIW, I'm still loving my RIA Tactical in 9mm:
http://i47.tinypic.com/iq8voi.jpg

Regards,
Greg

[JFootin]

Yup, I have an LDA that holds 14 45's. They make 15 rd mags for it but never felt the need. That gun with two spare mags is a force to be reckoned with and it's a great shooter.

How fat and how heavy is it (loaded)?

[Bawanna]

It's about like a Glock 21 through the grip only real. Metal and wood handles, it's actually what got me started making grips. Nobody made grips for it so I made my own. The rest is history.

It's a little heavier than your CM9 but it carries very nice on the belt.

[O'Dell]

the more I think about it....may pick up a XD45.....can't beat more rounds for same price....that trumps "1911" all day long

I had a nickel RI tactical that worked perfectly for about 200 rounds before it was stolen. In the same burglary an XD45 was lost - I never replaced the XD because it never did much for me, so I seldom shot it. It did have some issues during break in. Wouldn't you know it, the only gun recovered was the XD. The day I picked it up from the police, I traded it on a Kimber.

[spikedog]

I've got a RI compact tactical. I don't shoot it much due to my P and PM 9's

[yqtszhj]

Les Baer used Para frames for the FBI's SRP guns:
http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&gid=133&id=1150

RIA also makes a high capacity 1911. They call it M1911-A2 FSP, M1911-A2 FS Tatical, or M1911-22TCM Micro Mag Std (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKSShOvs198). It's 14+1 in .45ACP and 17+1 in 9mm or .22TCM.

FWIW, I'm still loving my RIA Tactical in 9mm:
http://i47.tinypic.com/iq8voi.jpg

Regards,
Greg

Hey Greg,

That looks like you re-did the finish. Did you and if so what did you use? I'm thinking about doing mine as a project and can't decide.

Thanks

[gb6491]

Hey Greg,

That looks like you re-did the finish. Did you and if so what did you use? I'm thinking about doing mine as a project and can't decide.

Thanks
Darn, you've a good eye! Yes, I did refinish it: abrasive blasted, then parkerized with manganese phosphate solution (http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=922) from Lauer Custom Weaponry.
Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

Looks darn good. Much nicer than the factory finishes.

[ilmbaba]

I love my RIA. It eats everything I feed it, and it is pretty darned accurate as well. I have had no problem with the magazine that came with it, but had a few small issues with some I picked up from a gunshow. By the XD if you want th ehigher capacity, but you should but this too. This does hold 8 +1 which is a good start to ruin a BG's day.
The gun isn't gray, it's just bad lighting. It is the black Perkerized finish with black Hogue grips.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/InHisService2007/IMAG0288.jpg

[JERRY]

i bought a RIA gi model about 7 years ago when they were $320.00 out the door. it runs like a top with everything ive fed it.

in the late 1980s i got in a group buy of A.O. 1911s with some other guys i was in the USCG with. out of the 5 guns all had feed problems with standard mil spec FMJ. our Gunner's mate did some work on them and got them to run most of the time with FMJ but needless to say we were not pleased. i sold mine off to buy another gun.

im assuming that since Kahr now makes the A.O. 1911s things have improved?

[johnk568]

Howdy,

I have a RIA/Armscor 1911 Tactical in 9MM, and have had it to the range. No hiccups in about 400 rounds. Great shooter. Springfield Armory made some Hi-Caps a few years ago, but discontinued them. I bought 2 of them-they're great shooters, also.

johnk568

[Popeye]

The RIA 1911 GI 45 is about as entry level as you can get. Mine has never failed to cycle any round I've put in it which includes,Value pack 45's from Walmart, Hollowpoints, and reloads. Rocks have a darned good reputation for being good guns.

[Glock Holiday]

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/3448/highstandard.jpg

My High Standard which is an Armscorp PI produced gun. It's been 100% since day one.
And the best part it cost less than 500 bucks out the door.

[JohnR]

My Citadel Officer is by Armscor and has 150 rounds through it with no problems.

[willwork4guns]

I have a fs tactical .45 by ria and really like it have probably 6-800 rounds through it with out any issues. Just changed the grips.

[LorenzoB]

Congrats to me! I finally bought my first 1911. It was there at my LGS and I couldn't pass it up.

Rock Island FS Tactical II with VZ Grips. In the shop, it felt really smooth with no slop. I think it will turn out to be a fine shooter. Now I just have to wait 10 days to find out!

It looks like this (image from CTD, not mine)...
8461

I don't like the big logo, so I'm thinking of doing what Gregg did and do some nicer finish on it like Cerekote or something, and that will tone down or eliminate the oversized logo in the process.

[Glock Holiday]

I have heard of people using Tetra gun liquid blue to "fill in" that garish RIA logo with good results after a couple of passes. You can still see the goofy mountain and the writing but it's toned way down.
Might be something to consider seeing as a bottle of it only costs around $5 bucks...

Just trying to help a brotha out.:yo:

[jg rider]

I have three RIA frames on order direct from RIA / Armscor. Two are stnd. 1911s.
One will be a dedicated lower for a Marvel Precision .22 conversion for me. This one will have a wide grip safety and 20 lpi checkering done to it.
The other is for a dedicated lower for my grand daughter's Kimber .22 conversion. I'll fit a wide grip safety on that one.
The third is a hi cap frame that looks just like a Para-Ordnance P14.
This will be a dedicated lower for my Mech-Tech CCU
This one will have a wide grip safety and possibly 30 lpi front strap checkering if the front strap wall isn't to thin for checkering. If I can't checker it then I'll stipple it
The other question marks with this frame are:
Will Para P14 magazines will fit and lock up in the mag well. I have 12 P 14 hi cap mags and don't feel like buying some other ones. There's pros and cons on weather they'll fit
The other issue is, as of now there aren't any after market grips that will fit without elongating the grip screw holes. From what I've been told the hole position on the frame had to be located different so as not to infringe on Para's patent design. That's supposedly gonna change. So I've been told.
If I can't get grips from RIA then I may have to take a trip up north to try to meet with Bawanna.

The wife and I are leaving for Vegas this Friday, and have an invitation to visit the RIA distribution center in Pahrump NV. where they're located

Got an education from TSA. I can't take a magazine tube or a pair of plastic P14 grips in our carry on luggage. They have to be locked up and go as checked in. So I mailed them ahead of time to my in laws. What a joke !

[O'Dell]

the more I think about it....may pick up a XD45.....can't beat more rounds for same price....that trumps "1911" all day long

There's no way an XD trumps a 1911. I sold my XD 45 because it never impressed me and used to money as partial payment on a Kimber UC II.

[yqtszhj]

There's no way an XD trumps a 1911. I sold my XD 45 because it never impressed me and used to money as partial payment on a Kimber UC II.

If you can find a range that has one, shoot the XDs .45. I hear that the XD has a different trigger than the XDs, which is nice. You're a .45 guy so you moght like it.

I still like my Kahr too though too.

[Kidrod]

I'd love to show you all my Officers Rock and my PM9 but I'm still unable to post pics? Mods please help? Thanks

[yqtszhj]

I'd love to show you all my Officers Rock and my PM9 but I'm still unable to post pics? Mods please help? Thanks

You need 30 post in order to post pictures. Or if you have a photobucket account you can link it.

I'd like to see what you have when you can post.

[Bawanna]

I'd love to show you all my Officers Rock and my PM9 but I'm still unable to post pics? Mods please help? Thanks

You have to have 30 post to post a picture. I believe you can post a link to a photo via photo bucket or one of those.

[Kidrod]

:o Oops, guess I got some talking to do. Thanks.

[JFootin]

I'd love to show you all my Officers Rock and my PM9 but I'm still unable to post pics? Mods please help? Thanks

You can post pictures from Photobucket. The way I post pics is upload them to Photobucket, click on the image, select the Direct Link on the right, come over here to the Post Edit Window, select the Picture Icon (http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Misc/PictureIcon.jpg), paste the link in there and hit Enter. If I am pulling a picture from some other website, I Right Click it and select Copy Image Location, then post the same way.

[hardluk1]

I picked up a RIA tactical 45 5" a couple months ago. Ammo was hard to find and ended up breaking it in with 5 different brands of HP and one brand FMJ ammo from 185gr to 230. It was a 100% reliable with all ammo tired . Nice that it fits my carry holster for my kahr too.

Spent some time rubbing in a synthetic lube of your choice into the finish and even the finish becomes softer, more of a stain look. I used a thin piece of leather to rub in some One Step. I have since taken the trigger group out to smooth all the parts but not brought to a high polish, just get any roughness out. Still getting use to the trigger take up as SA trigger tend to have. The 5lb trigger pull is ok. Fit is good , slide tight enough to still be reliable.

I have used some cold blue to tone down the advetizing on the slide and added some organe florescent paint over white to the front sight to aid my eyes. Easy to shoot a wragged hole 10 yard group. I did change the grips toa hogue piece palm swell soft rubber grips.

Over all for a 460dollar pistol at our LGS I am more than pleased with it. They did have a GI model for $409

http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l444/hardluk1/th_101_4168_zps7333da06.jpg (http://s331.photobucket.com/user/hardluk1/media/101_4168_zps7333da06.jpg.html)

[yqtszhj]

I bought the $409 model a couple of years ago and have over 1000 rounds through it. It is really smooth now.

[johnk568]

Howdy,

I added a RIA Tactical .45 with a full rail. It's a beauty.

John

[DanTana]

John,

I've looked at those too and thought it was a great bargain. How does it shoot? How is the barrel and bushing fit, slide fit?

[JERRY]

reviving an old thread.....


I got a RIA 9mm tactical not t0o long ago, man that thing sure is a nice shooter.

[yqtszhj]

Got 2 armscor pistols and neither has ever had a problem

[Dirt doc]

I bought a RIA full size tactical in 9mm to have a 1911 that was cheaper to shoot than my .45's. It functioned fine with 124 and 147 grain ammo but had extraction and lock back problems with 115. It went back to Armscor on their dime and came back fully functional and with a free mag. They are all steel and too heavy for me to want to carry. However, the weight makes them soft shooters and therefore great range guns. I found though that most of the time when I grabbed a 1911 to shoot it was my 45. I didn't shoot the RIA much so I sold it. I would have no qualms buying another though. The mil spec 45's have me intrigued because of nostalgia. I carried one in my Navy days. I may own another RIA in the future. You can't beat if for the price.

[Planedude]

I bought a pair of Citadel 9mm compacts as Christmas gifts (mine for one). Nice looking firearms and I couldn't beat the price. Took a couple of months to get to the range with them and when we did the only 9mm target ammo we could find was Monarch 115grn FMJ (brass).
Both guns were a bit balky with the Monarch, mostly with failures to feed. Not a shocker to me with cheap ammo and new, low dollar guns. At round 58, gun #2 broke it's firing pin...
Never had that part break in any gun I've ever had before. Sent it home to the mother ship about six weeks ago. Still waiting to get it back, but have heard good things about Citadel's gunsmith doing warranty work.
I like the Citadels for their fit and finish being better than their cousin RIA guns (same manufacture??).
That said, my personal experience with Citadel is just 50-50...


Funny note, every round that failed to feed into the Citadels was digested and fine by my old NYPD trade in K9. Guess the weight and bulk of the compact 1911 will not be the only reason that I'll keep my K9 as my go-to carry piece.

[Boom]

I'll play. My Full size GI. Custom work and grips by my cousin Ed at WickedGrips.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/AEracer40/100_0693_zps88fcfe65.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/AEracer40/media/100_0693_zps88fcfe65.jpg.html)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/AEracer40/100_0695_zpsdc7d5fcc.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/AEracer40/media/100_0695_zpsdc7d5fcc.jpg.html)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/AEracer40/100_0697_zps580da936.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/AEracer40/media/100_0697_zps580da936.jpg.html)

[Planedude]

Since Boom restarted this old thread, guess I'll update my broken gun post. The compact 9mm was out eight weeks total. Citadel replaced the firing pin, reworked the (firing pin) stop and replaced the recoil spring.

First thing we fed it was the 42 remaining rounds of Monarch brass FMJ we were shooting when the firing pin broke. The compact ate all of them with nary a burp, but has show a real preference for Winchester White box FMJs. The little gun runs great now and is a favorite on the range with everyone who shoots it.

I don't need another, but would buy two of them again.

Boom, who did the engraving on your gun? Looks nice, thinking of having my Citadel compact polished, engraved and then sending it up to Turnbull for a nice charcoal bluing...

[Boom]

My cousin Ed, at wickedgrips.com

[yqtszhj]

My cousin Ed, at wickedgrips.com

Is that hand engraving or laser etched? It look good and I like that fancy stuff. I love my RIA and my Citadel.

[Boom]

Diamond drag is what he told me.