Range Report on my 'Rock'

[dadoo]

Finally got to take my Rock Island Armory compact .45 to the range yesterday.
First, I had always thought that the broad sides of barns were pretty safe around me. I was never very accurate with my Taurus PT145, and always assumed I just needed lots of range time.
My first couple of magazines were 185gr JHP and here's the result from 10 yards:


Still not Annie Oakley, but way better!

The slide was tight with no wiggle or slack and all the moving parts worked together smoothly. I had disassembled and cleaned it before firing and there were no rough spots or blemishes in any of the metal parts. The SA trigger took some getting used to after my DAO Taurus, but after that it was a smooth pull. Don't know the exact trigger spec but the published spec is 1.8 to 2.27Kgs.

I tried a variety of bullet types and weights and this gun took everything just fine with one exception. A friend gave me some of the Aquliia 117gr HP and my slide jammed on me a couple of times. Replaced the ammo and everything was fine.

After more than 100 rounds, one round did not want to climb the feed ramp, but it was getting VERY dirty; a quick wipe solved the problem.

The gun was solid as a 'Rock', especially for under $400.00. It shoots where you aim it (even for me) and goes bang every time. What more could I want?

[Oldgringo]

Where did you get it?

[bryang]

Welcome to the forum!

Very nice and good shooting. I am curious, also, as to where you picked it up at.

-geo

[Oldgringo]

How rude of me. Welcome and good shooting. I want one.

[RECIT]

Nice buy and nice shooting. That model I have heard of but never seen. I always see the full size model for sale here and there but where did you get a compact model? More importantly, where did you get it for less than 400? I recently purchased a Springfield GI model but have yet to take it to the range. Hopefully will be this weekend. Are there and mods you are looking to do or anything you are looking to improve on it yet? I happen to be a fan of the budget 1911's.

[dadoo]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the replies.
Since almost everyone asked where I got the RIA and about the price. I got this one from the DFW gun show at Market hall on 3 Jan. The dealer was AJCSportshop out of Houston. They have a web site at ajcsportshop.com but they don't list the RIA line. I was at the Mesquite show last weekend and saw a few of the full size model, but this was the only CS model I have seen. There are some listings on gunbroker.
Mine was listed at 399.00 and the full size (5" barrel) model was listed at 395.00

[BobCat]

First of all, thanks for the Range report - nice pistol, good shooting!

I'm always interested in first-hand reports about RIA 1911s. Everything I read about them, written by someone who has one, is positive. I like reading good things about modest-priced 1911s - at some point I will have collected enough information to just buy one.

Apparently Centerfire Systems http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has RIA 1911s. Note I have no direct experience with this company - I get their catalog and look at stuff on their web site; I'm in no position to "endorse" them or their business practices.

I have an old Springfield Milspec that is totally reliable and prints better than I can hold, so there is not rush to get another 1911, but it is nice to know RIA is a viable option.

Regards,
Andrew

[AggieC05]

thanks for the report i am looking at picking up a 1911 and i am in between the RIA and Taurus

[Oldgringo]

thanks for the report i am looking at picking up a 1911 and i am in between the RIA and Taurus

I don't know how one would beat a Taurus PT 1911 for the money. It may be less cantankerous than my Kimber Custom II Target. For that matter, I may favor my XD's over both of them? Jury is out.

[jwp]

Apparently Centerfire Systems http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has RIA 1911s....

In addition to Centerfire, SportingArms.com http://www.sportingarms.com handles Armscor/Rock Island products, as does Robertson Trading Post http://www.robertsontradingpost.com/.

Of these, I've only bought guns from Robertson, and they were very pleasant, accommodating people to deal with. Their web site is interesting, but only lists a fraction of the available guns. Most of their stock is listed on Guns America, but the easiest way to find out if they have what you want or can get it is to call them (731-989-7641).

For those who may care, I suppose it's worth noting that all Armscor/Rock Island products are made in the Philippines, though given that almost everything else affordable is made at least partially in Brazil or eastern Europe, it probably doesn't really matter much.

[barres]

First off, Dadoo, that is a sweet pistol, and you have nothing to be ashamed of with your shooting at 10 yards! You'll love your RIA, I'm sure. There are several of us here on this board who own and love RIA 1911's.

I bought a 5" RIA Tactical from Sporting Arms, and I love it. Functions beautifully. More accurate than I am. All the bells and whistles I wanted in a 1911 with none of the extra stuff I didn't want (no built-in lock like a Taurus, and no firing pin safety). All I have done to it is change out the smooth wood grips for checkered cocobolo and send as many projectiles downrange as I have had the time and money to.

Sporting Arms website lists the compact RIA (3.2"), but they generally don't seem to stock an inventory. When I got my Rock from them, it took them all of 2 or 3 days to get it, which was fine by me. They also had great prices on Wilson 47D mags, which they had in stock. I won't list the price, as this was a year ago, and the price may have changed since then. Sporting Arms is run by great people who are very kind and considerate. And no, I have no affiliation with them, I am just a very satisfied customer.

[dukalmighty]

I have one and would suggest you put in a wolff Xtra strong firing pin spring,I dropped my RIA from waist high,it got pulled out of my holster by my shirt and dropped straight down on the muzzle,all the safetys were engaged and working but I believe the thumb safety was disengaged as it was pulled from the holster,the force of the drop on a tiled concrete floor caused the firing pin to strike the primer causing my gun to fire.I carry my RIA compact everyday even today but only after having changed the spring.

[Oldgringo]

I have one and would suggest you put in a wolff Xtra strong firing pin spring,I dropped my RIA from waist high,it got pulled out of my holster by my shirt and dropped straight down on the muzzle,all the safetys were engaged and working but I believe the thumb safety was disengaged as it was pulled from the holster,the force of the drop on a tiled concrete floor caused the firing pin to strike the primer causing my gun to fire.I carry my RIA compact everyday even today but only after having changed the spring.

There are folk, and they are legion, who profess to be wiser and more knowledgable in the wiles of the 1911 than I. They have told me that there are two ways and two ways only to carry a 1911. One is to have a shell in the chamber and carry the piece 'cocked and locked'. The other carry method is NO shell in the chamber and hammer down. Otherwise, what happened to you will happen more times than not when the piece is dropped.

I still want a RIA Compact after I pay my school taxes this month.