Rock Island 1911. Should I?

[D the Bruce]

Looking around for a 45 and dont have thousands of dollars. Ive been researching Rock Island. Heard mostly good things,but id like to hear from some ingoers. Im new to 45's only fired a few in my day so i thought it would be a good starter. Lookn to spend around $500.

 

[smith7.3]

I would go for it, I would've have bought one, but I found a Taurus pt1911, with better sights, beavertail safety and overall I liked it slighty better. I would still by rock island if the right deal came along. Good luck!

 

[Jeremiah]

if you were going that route, I'd consider the extra cost of the "tactical models" worthwhile, you get fiber optic sights, and VZ grips as well as some other upgrades.

 

[KellyinAvon]

I have one with a 4 inch barrel, good gun.

 

[johnny45]

IMO, the RIA is the best 1911 at that price point.....and beats a good many at double that point.

 

[T4rdV4rk]

Have you looked at a used Springfield? You should be able to pick up a GI or possibly even a Mil-Spec at that price if you keep your eyes open.

 

[quicksdraw]

Go for it. I've got 2 at the moment (one compact (my EDC) and one Tactical FS) and I will be getting more in the future.

 

[camaker]

Go for it, they're pretty good for the budget shooter.

 

[Mr.Softball]

Have not heard anything bad about them.

 

[88E30M50]

The RIA 1911s are a great gun for the money. Mine is a Compact with a 3.5" barrel and has worked very well for me. My first 1911 was a used Springfield. It's a great gun, but the RIA was a better one. I had more trouble with the Springfield than any of my other 1911s but those issues went away with a complete dis-assembly, cleaning and all new springs and mags. A brand new RIA should work well right out of the box. If you are going to carry it, you should invest in some top notch mags like Wilson Combat mags. I have done that with my Rock, the Kimbers, Springfield and Sig. For whatever the reason, most 1911s seem to come with good range mags but I don't know if I'd trust my life to stock 1911 mags.

 

[David]

My full size tactical has been a great gun, not fussy about bullets or magazines and as accurate as other 1911s costing twice as much. The tactical is a few dollars more than the GI, but I think it's worth it and it'll still come in under your $500 mark.

<<<<<That's it over there, after a little crown polishing, just for the heck of it.

 

[walt o]

R.I.A..

I can't say enough good thiongs about RIA i have a tactical full size 45 cal.. ,a compact 45 cal ,a 9 mm F.S.tactical, A compact tactical 9mm,and a mid size 45cal.Never had a problem with any of them.I carry the compact 45cal.Never had to use Customer service for repairs. but they found me(made up in their shop) the 9mm compact that i had been trying to get for 10 mo.

 

[Glockowner]

I have had my RIA for 8 years now and I love it. Better fit and finish than the GI springer.

 

[doggy1953]

I have the basic GI model, shoots great. Eats any FMJ you feed it. Most times it will not rack a JHP when you put in a new mag. However they didn't shoot JHP in the issue 1911 back then.

 

[SERparacord]

They make good door stops, plus they have the worst customer service I've ever experienced. but that's just my .

 

[dailylc]

I bought one 2 yrs ago and I love it. I've put 1000+ rounds through it with no problems. Well worth the money and I don't mind all the wear on it from being in the holster. Well worth the 400+ I paid for it.

 

[Tomfoolery]

RIA.

Good stuff.

 

[djhuckle]

I am looking at 1911s too and think the RIA is a good deal, but some research has pushed me to the STI Spartan. Seems they take the Armscor (non-branded RIA) and put better internals in it for their lower end (<1200 or so) production guns. The Spartan is about $635 street I think. That gets up closer to the $7-800 Springfield/Remington/Sig/Kimber level, but there are little to no negative reviews about STI, much like RIA.

I've put this link up before a couple of times - good info. http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?511-Buyer-s-guide-for-all-you-1911-addicts

The STI Spartan V « STI INTERNATIONAL

 

[BudS]

I've owned countless 1911's and I can recommend without a doubt, the RI'sare good shooters. I've owned several, and my CS-Tactical is my main EDC. Idon't think you would be disappointed.

 

[halfmileharry]

RIAs are cheap enough. I've had 3. One was a very good operating gun. The second had a few issues that finally got worked out. The last was total crap. Horrible frame and wouldn't feed any ammo.
Having been a RIA owner I can say it's hit or miss.
Most of them shoot well and are ok guns.
People seem to love them. I havent figured all of it out but I think they've just become 1911 addicts because of the design, feel, and caliber/weight of them.
It seems to be a decent entry level 1911. I might buy another if the price was right and I had some extra cash laying around I didn't have use for.