rockisland 1911

alecat · December 26, 2007, 07:52 PM

Question I came accross a Rock Island Armory 1911 for $275.00 and was wondering if there anygood? I'm lucky enough to have a Colt and a Kimber but wanted to attempt to build a custem one. Any feed back will be welcome.

Waldo Pepper · December 26, 2007, 09:33 PM

They are excellent guns, not the beauty of S&W or Wilson. That said a local dealer has two that he got in week before Christmas, one is a 1911 (GI) $359 and the other is a 1911A (Tactical) $415 and the Tactical is a bargin because it has extended beaver tail, ambo safety, target trigger & hammer, full length gide rod, and low mount knovac style sights. I have two 1911A's one 5" & one 3" and they are both tack drivers.

HawkeyeNRAlifer · December 26, 2007, 10:30 PM

Alecat, is it new or used? I haven't seen any around here for less than $395. I thought that was a good price. I already have three .45 pistols and a carbine, but at $275 i'd buy another.

Sturmgewehre · December 26, 2007, 10:40 PM

Minus those crazy looking slick wood grips, I think they are fine looking pistols. They are certainly worth the money in my opinion.

Waldo Pepper · December 26, 2007, 11:03 PM

They have matching Pachmyar (sp?) black rubber grips now. Here it is with my S&W 642 38 +P pocket gun. I need to update some pictures.

stillGHILLIE · December 26, 2007, 11:17 PM

Very good guns, especially for that price. The only problem with RIA pistols I ever had was the mag with a .38 super. It nosedived the rounds into the ramp. Two other mags I had worked fine with it. Ivan at Rock Island sent me a new mag at no charge, and all was well again. You won't regret one at that price...go for it!!

Waldo Pepper · December 26, 2007, 11:37 PM

Even the little RIA 1911A1 (officers Model) shoots good, these were at 15 yards. Only one magazine was at slow fire, the other three mag's were as fast as I could fire sighting over the sights pointing style for close quarters. That's a reversed 1/2 size silhouette target by the way.

Lurch37 · December 27, 2007, 12:13 AM

They are great guns for the money, and I would not hesitate to buy another at a price of $275. My advice is to get it and get it quickly.

kris&bela · December 27, 2007, 02:52 AM

In my opinion the gun is really worth it.This is the gun for you to tinker with.I picked mine up about 2 months ago and flawless with FMJ but not with others.I kept mine stock as much as possible co'z I wanted that G.I look since I cannot afford the real WW II piece.I had the barrel throated for my SWC handloads but the Novak mag does not like those SWC but it does work with my Mccormicks.Tight fitting on slide/frame and it shoot accurate and good price too....

Richard · December 27, 2007, 02:56 AM

I prefer the Norinco platform but they are now as scarce as "Hen's Teeth." With that said, I consider the RIA to be a worthy successor to the Norinco 1911A1. Regards, Richard

hamster · December 27, 2007, 02:57 AM

how do i get my hands on one of these? none of the dealers here have even heard of RIA

kirkcdl · December 27, 2007, 07:55 AM

Have them order one- http://www.sarcoinc.com/rockislands-new.html

alecat · December 27, 2007, 01:13 PM

Its a used gun, grips appear to be hard black plastic,

kirkcdl · December 27, 2007, 03:21 PM

1911 grip problems are easily and inexpensively fixed: http://gungripguys.com/1911/Index.htm

hamster · December 27, 2007, 04:24 PM

kirkcdl, thanks for the link. once my month wait is over, i think i'll be getting one of these.

The Point · December 27, 2007, 04:41 PM

i live in rock island and there is no suck place, these are from china

hamster · December 27, 2007, 04:43 PM

they're from the philippines

WESHOOT2 · December 27, 2007, 11:56 PM

Lesseenow....$275 for a whole gun....or $275 for a Caspian frame....which choice is the no-brainer?

I have heard but have no personal experience (because I own Caspian cast and Springfield Armory forged frames) that RIA frames are not the best (actually, not even decent, or worse, not worth any money, let alone 'the money') as far as metallurgy or heat treatment.
I understand their holes are about as correctly located as Colts hahahahahahahahahahahaha ha (sorry, could NOT help myself).

So I'm not sure if one would be worth using as a custom build platform.

**Shane Tuttle** · December 28, 2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

i live in rock island and there is no suck place, these are from china

Trying to understand your lack of sentence structure and content, I live outside of Davenport. Springfield Armory doesn't exactly make most of their1911's here in Geneseo. What's your point?

Quote:

Question I came accross a Rock Island Armory 1911 for $275.00 and was wondering if there anygood?

Good price if in great condition. If you're wanting to customize as in doing "baubles and bolt ons", then it would be a good gun to tinker. If you want to get into the meat and potatoes and go all out, consider another platform such as a Caspian frame or a Springer.

Just my $.02...

jimmy123x · December 28, 2007, 10:00 PM

I wouldn't hesitate at the price. Where else are you going to get a 1911 that's reliable from what I hear from most people for that price.

alecat · January 21, 2008, 12:46 AM

It has colt grips on it, I looked at it again today. They also had a long slide springfeild stainless steel for 675 .

VinnyT · January 21, 2008, 07:42 AM

alecat, sent you a PM

Curtis(USAF) · January 21, 2008, 08:22 AM

Hmmm, Sounds like someones' already tinkered with it a little bit. That makes me a hair-tad nervous. I'd take it apart to see what else they may have tinkered around with. Some people go crazy with their dremel tools.

On a personal note I love my RIA GI model. Never had a problem out of it, except for the magazine it came with. Its my bedside gun, and I've even been Concealed carrying it recently.

sjamesbelden · January 23, 2008, 10:55 PM

I don't want to sound like a know-it-all or anything, but I have wanted a RIA .45 for a long time and have done some research on them. The are made by Armscor http://www.armscor.com.ph in the phillipines for a company called Twin Pines Inc. http://www.twinpines.com.ph/cbrands.html also located in the phillipines they are not made in china, nor in my opinion are they junk. During WWII the US built factories in the Phillipines to produce
M1911's and after they were sold to the private industry. On a side note for those who only swear by custom .45's Charles Daly also has .45's made by armscor. The .45's sold by Springfield Armory are actually made in Brazil and assembled in the US.

Edward Nigma · January 24, 2008, 03:39 AM

I read that the disassembly of an RIA Tactical is a majore PITA and doesn't come apart like any other 1911. Can anyone weigh in on this?

December 26, 2007, 07:52 PM	#1
alecat Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 30	rockisland 1911 Question I came accross a Rock Island Armory 1911 for $275.00 and was wondering if there anygood? I'm lucky enough to have a Colt and a Kimber but wanted to attempt to build a custem one. Any feed back will be welcome.

December 26, 2007, 09:33 PM	#2
Waldo Pepper Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: MO Posts: 35	They are excellent guns, not the beauty of S&W or Wilson. That said a local dealer has two that he got in week before Christmas, one is a 1911 (GI) $359 and the other is a 1911A (Tactical) $415 and the Tactical is a bargin because it has extended beaver tail, ambo safety, target trigger & hammer, full length gide rod, and low mount knovac style sights. I have two 1911A's one 5" & one 3" and they are both tack drivers. __________________ Age and cunning always wins over youth and vigor

December 26, 2007, 10:40 PM	#4
Sturmgewehre Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,212	Minus those crazy looking slick wood grips, I think they are fine looking pistols. They are certainly worth the money in my opinion. __________________ Visit my YouTube channel for reviews, tests and more. Ex Mea Sententia

December 26, 2007, 11:03 PM	#5
Waldo Pepper Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: MO Posts: 35	They have matching Pachmyar (sp?) black rubber grips now. Here it is with my S&W 642 38 +P pocket gun. I need to update some pictures. __________________ Age and cunning always wins over youth and vigor

December 26, 2007, 11:17 PM	#6
stillGHILLIE Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 100	Very good guns, especially for that price. The only problem with RIA pistols I ever had was the mag with a .38 super. It nosedived the rounds into the ramp. Two other mags I had worked fine with it. Ivan at Rock Island sent me a new mag at no charge, and all was well again. You won't regret one at that price...go for it!! __________________ stillGHILLIE (formerly GHILLIE)

December 26, 2007, 10:30 PM	#3
HawkeyeNRAlifer Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 316	Alecat, is it new or used? I haven't seen any around here for less than $395. I thought that was a good price. I already have three .45 pistols and a carbine, but at $275 i'd buy another.

December 26, 2007, 11:37 PM	#7
Waldo Pepper Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: MO Posts: 35	Even the little RIA 1911A1 (officers Model) shoots good, these were at 15 yards. Only one magazine was at slow fire, the other three mag's were as fast as I could fire sighting over the sights pointing style for close quarters. That's a reversed 1/2 size silhouette target by the way. __________________ Age and cunning always wins over youth and vigor

December 27, 2007, 12:13 AM	#8
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	They are great guns for the money, and I would not hesitate to buy another at a price of $275. My advice is to get it and get it quickly. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

December 27, 2007, 02:52 AM	#9
kris&bela Member Join Date: September 25, 2007 Location: california Posts: 60	In my opinion the gun is really worth it.This is the gun for you to tinker with.I picked mine up about 2 months ago and flawless with FMJ but not with others.I kept mine stock as much as possible co'z I wanted that G.I look since I cannot afford the real WW II piece.I had the barrel throated for my SWC handloads but the Novak mag does not like those SWC but it does work with my Mccormicks.Tight fitting on slide/frame and it shoot accurate and good price too....

December 27, 2007, 02:56 AM	#10
Richard Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 1,305	I prefer the Norinco platform but they are now as scarce as "Hen's Teeth." With that said, I consider the RIA to be a worthy successor to the Norinco 1911A1. Regards, Richard

December 27, 2007, 02:57 AM	#11
hamster Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 354	how do i get my hands on one of these? none of the dealers here have even heard of RIA

December 27, 2007, 07:55 AM	#12
kirkcdl Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2002 Location: Roseburg,ORYGUN Posts: 821	Have them order one- http://www.sarcoinc.com/rockislands-new.html

December 27, 2007, 01:13 PM	#13
alecat Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 30	Its a used gun, grips appear to be hard black plastic,

December 27, 2007, 03:21 PM	#14
kirkcdl Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2002 Location: Roseburg,ORYGUN Posts: 821	1911 grip problems are easily and inexpensively fixed: http://gungripguys.com/1911/Index.htm

December 27, 2007, 04:24 PM	#15
hamster Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 354	kirkcdl, thanks for the link. once my month wait is over, i think i'll be getting one of these.

December 27, 2007, 04:41 PM	#16
The Point Member Join Date: December 21, 2007 Posts: 17	not rock island i live in rock island and there is no suck place, these are from china

December 27, 2007, 04:43 PM	#17
hamster Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 354	they're from the philippines

December 27, 2007, 11:56 PM	#18
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	anyone heard this one?: "You get what you pay for (usually)" Lesseenow....$275 for a whole gun....or $275 for a Caspian frame....which choice is the no-brainer? I have heard but have no personal experience (because I own Caspian cast and Springfield Armory forged frames) that RIA frames are not the best (actually, not even decent, or worse, not worth any money, let alone 'the money') as far as metallurgy or heat treatment. I understand their holes are about as correctly located as Colts hahahahahahahahahahahaha ha (sorry, could NOT help myself). So I'm not sure if one would be worth using as a custom build platform. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

December 28, 2007, 10:00 PM	#20
jimmy123x Member Join Date: December 16, 2007 Posts: 29	I wouldn't hesitate at the price. Where else are you going to get a 1911 that's reliable from what I hear from most people for that price.

January 21, 2008, 12:46 AM	#21
alecat Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 30	It has colt grips on it, I looked at it again today. They also had a long slide springfeild stainless steel for 675 .

January 21, 2008, 07:42 AM	#22
VinnyT Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Location: Southwest Va Posts: 224	alecat, sent you a PM

January 21, 2008, 08:22 AM	#23
Curtis(USAF) Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Posts: 241	Hmmm, Sounds like someones' already tinkered with it a little bit. That makes me a hair-tad nervous. I'd take it apart to see what else they may have tinkered around with. Some people go crazy with their dremel tools. On a personal note I love my RIA GI model. Never had a problem out of it, except for the magazine it came with. Its my bedside gun, and I've even been Concealed carrying it recently.

January 23, 2008, 10:55 PM	#24
sjamesbelden Junior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 1	Rock Island Armory I don't want to sound like a know-it-all or anything, but I have wanted a RIA .45 for a long time and have done some research on them. The are made by Armscor http://www.armscor.com.ph in the phillipines for a company called Twin Pines Inc. http://www.twinpines.com.ph/cbrands.html also located in the phillipines they are not made in china, nor in my opinion are they junk. During WWII the US built factories in the Phillipines to produce M1911's and after they were sold to the private industry. On a side note for those who only swear by custom .45's Charles Daly also has .45's made by armscor. The .45's sold by Springfield Armory are actually made in Brazil and assembled in the US.

January 24, 2008, 03:39 AM	#25
Edward Nigma Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Posts: 52	I read that the disassembly of an RIA Tactical is a majore PITA and doesn't come apart like any other 1911. Can anyone weigh in on this?