I'm thinking of selling my SD9 so I can get a RIA 1911 9mm to go along with my SW1911 sub compact. Anyone have experience with the RIA 9mm?

Not 9mm, but I love my Rock Island 45!!!

This is a compact in 45, but shoots great. As good as many costing twice the price.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

No 9mm but I really like my .45ACP full size Tactical model. Reviews for the RIA are almost unanimously positive. Their customer service in Nevada has a good rep for those occasions when something's not right.

The Tactical comes with a raft of upgrades for way less $$$ than they would cost to have done. The trigger on my Tactical is VERY nice.

IMO the RIA gives you more than you pay for.

I think I'll pick it up. I found a 9mm for $389.

Sounds like a good buy!
I read on some forums where peolpe say that because of the lower price, Rock Islands have to be made from inferior steel, and will, therefore, wear out quickly.

I've also yet to read about someone who actually wore one out.

The trigger on my 45 is pretty good, and it appears that everything is made to military specs. When I replaced the sights with something I could more easily see, I noticed the front sight was staked much better than any mil surp pistol I've seen...any brand. I firmly believe they build quality guns. I suspect that labor is cheaper in the Phillipines, and thus the competitive prices.

I've got colt 1911's kimbers. Springfields and RIA's. I shoot the rocks more than the others . I've got the GI
In 9 mm. If functions flawlessly , u won't be diss appointed.

I have a GI in .45 love it. Have had 0 issues in the 3 years I have had it. THat is a good buy. You will be happy

I have a 9 that runs like a top-no problems.

I also have a 38 super rebarreled to 9mm. It has ~10k rounds through it with no troubles.

RIA makes good pistols.
Dave

I have an RIA Tactical .45acp that has run flawlessly with all types of ammo.

Great gun for the money.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

I'm really likeing that pistol...especially the grips! Are they factory? I may know what my next gun is gonna be.

I have a GI 9mm on order.
Should be in this week.
Was sort of a leap of faith ordering it.
Glad to hear your positive feedback.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I have two RIA 1911A1s. One is the "Match" model. Full size frame, fiber optic front sight, adjustable rear sight and hand fitted parts. I've been using it for IDPA for about a year. It's been a great shooter. Very good factory trigger. The finish is good, but nothing to write home about. It's my understanding that "Match" production has been put on hold for the time being.

The other is a "Tactical" I'm still breaking in at this time. I've got 100 rounds through it and it will put 16 rounds into a 1.25" hole at seven yards. Only problem is that it's about 2" low and 2" to the left. Working on it. Once again, the factory trigger is pretty good. The fit is not a tight as the "Match".

Over all, they are pretty good 1911 clones for the $$.

I have the 45 in GI. Despite being made in the Philippines, it actually is a decent built 1911. I'm thinking about getting the 9mm as well in full size. ~James

I bought a GI 1911 because I needed a cheap lower for a carbine conversion, and was so impressed with it that I went back two days later and bought a Tactical model. The latter has digested around 3K rounds, and I have yet to find a hollowpoint load that will choke it, though some wadcutters can tie it up if they're loaded short. Good trigger right out of the box, minimal break-in, and good sights especially on the Tac model. Aside from the skimpy rollmark on the slide, I can't find anything to complain about. I trust it enough to carry it off duty quite a bit! I just bought it a new Milt Sparks holster for its birthday, so its job as primary carry gun is pretty safe!

I want one of these in .38 super. Did you have to change extractors when you went to 9mm?

Thanks, Jim

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SOS USA

they are what they are...a decent entry level import production gun. some are great, some are ok, some need help from the box. overall, they have a good track record of being reliable from the getgo, decent QC, and overall people are satisfied with CS. If I only had around $500 to spend on a 1911, I would take a RI all day long over a Taurus PT.

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God Bless Our Troops.

Love my RIA! Traded my G21 and kept the RIA. Can't beat it with a stick! I'm a firm believer in, and user of, hand guns. If I drop my RIA in the water/mud/gravel/sand, so what. Shake/wipe/brush it off and continue to march. Try that with a $1,000+ Kimber, Wilson, etc. without shedding a tear

De Oppresso Liber

Nope-fitted a Kart EZ fit, changed mags to 9mm and started shooting.

O.K. Thanks. A while back I had a .38 super Commander and put a 9X23 barrel in it and had extraction issues.

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SOS USA

I bought a 9 mm tatical for my son and I to shoot. It has been great! Smooth accurate and fun.

This is my 9mm RIA tactical. I had CCR refinish it and threw on some VZgrips, but otherwise its stock. I bought it because I wanted a 1911 platform but wanted cheaper ammo than .45 acp. It didn't disappoint.

My experience with RIA is with the standard .45 ACP 1911 which they produce. I bought a used one in December 2011. I have fired it a lot, w/ 230 gr. FMJ loads by Winchester and Tula (steel cased). I has been excellent in every respect. It would be reasonable to expect that the same would be true of a RIA 1911 chambered in 9mm. In fact, if I were to see one in 9mm, I'd almost certainly buy it.

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<><

I went ahead and picked up the RIA 9mm. Can't wait to shoot it this weekend.

Good choice. You won't be disappointed. I use my Tactical .45 ACP as my daily carry.



Many many rounds of different types through her and except for a couple of FTFs on the first two magazines, no hiccups at all.

David

Trying to get my hands on one. Hard to find in my area! A lot of people sure seem to be happy with them. Thats all I got

I bought one from CDNN as I thought for $349 what could be so bad? Well it is the best bare bones 1911A1 I have shot since my original Colt from the CMP in 1967(cost $20.50 +shipping).
I have absolutely no complaints. It did not shoot POA at first, I had to hit the rear sight a couple of times, now it is dead on at 25 yards with FMJ ammo, and only a little low with some lighter SWC ammo.
I would buy another one in a heatbeat, except my better half is a big city SVU Detective and knows one gun from another, and would notice an addition to the row of 1911s in a heartbeat. At least she dosen't ask "how many guns do you need"? She asks " how many damned 45s do you need"?

What kind of sights can you put on 9mm?

I put Dawson sights on my Rock Island 9mm, I like them (old eyes).
I ordered a 38 Super barrel and it has worked fine.
tb

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frontsightnsqueaz

I have owned and worked over several RIA's. You just have to remember that all 1911's are all basically the same parts. You pay for the fit,finish and tolerance in the higher grades like colts and kimbers. RIA reminds me of war time 1911's. I have pinched, pounded and polished a few of them into damned impressive pistols. For the money they are a damn good deal, and they will run right out outta the box, but don't expect a gold cup to come out of the box. i really like the fact that logo is now a lot smaller and much simpler to polish off the slide. for the money I like them I just keep haveing people offer me enough money for them I can't keep one around. Really want to work up one in 9 to save a little money on reloads. I seldom regret buying any firearm however I reget selling lots of them.

Here is My R.I G.I Model 45acp. with new Grips and Beavertail.
Believe it or not it is a Tack Driver and very well built.
I'm very happy with it and want the compact Model one day.

I have an older model and no complaints.

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I have been very happy with my RIA compact. I have a few more expensive 1911s but, they don't do any thing the Rock can't.

I am a snob when it comes to 1911's.
I like good guns and I like reliable guns.
I let a good smith slick em all up.
I did buy a Chinese 1911 on a bet and had it worked on--that one is a keeper.
Here ya go !

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TEXAS, by GOD

Not the 9mm, but I bought one in 45acp a couple years back and it was well built. It came with a good quality mag too. For the price I paid for mine (435 out the door) and a lifetime warranty, it's hard to say no. Was a blast to shoot. Best of luck!

Cheers,
Dustin

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Ill see it when I believe it!

Don’t have any experience with the 9mm but I owned a RIA 1911 for several years and it was a well made, stock, mil spec, pistol.

The only issue I ever had was that the Parkerized finish was prone to rust

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Retired Career Security Guard

Hit that one right on the money.

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Ill see it when I believe it!

I really like my RIA 9mm Tactical, I think you will like yours too. Mine has worked flawlessly with good accuracy right out of the box with a wide variety of ammo. I even used it as a test mule for developing my cast bullet reloads and it never skipped a beat. I tossed the full length guide rod and narrowed the "flying wing" ambi safety's a bit and replaced the horrible stock grips. I also bought a Tactical in .45 ACP and a "think Combat Commander" mid size in .45 ACP.

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Stay safe people!

Ive got one myself.Ive taken it out to let it speak once--no probs. Im wanting another same style. Also,I noticed that a few other GI fourtyfive makes are cheaper in price in my area--like the Auto ordnance and such. I think the A.O was about the same price I paid for my RIA last year--or a few bucks higher?

PS,please let me know how the nine MM, is?I wouldnt mind getting one of those too.

This thread is almost 2 years old, but if you are still needing an answer, I really like my 9mm RIA. I have had a RIA Compact in 45 for nearly 9 years now, and it has been a fine reliable accurate gun. I bought the same compact RIA in 9mm a couple years ago and it is even better. Other than weight, it is all steel, it does everything I could desire. It does need a good holster and a sturdy belt.



But I don't get rid of the Compact RIA in 45.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would buy one with no qualms but I hate the damn billboard on the left side of the slide.

They did away with the Billboard. Just a small marking to the rear of the slide now.

I love the looks of the GI model and was going to buy a RI but the sights were a little too small. The American Classic by Metro Arms is also available in a GI model and it has nice visible fixed sights, and some people say it is a little better finished on the inside. So I bought the American Classic and couldn't be happier, all controls have the perfect feel, it has a nice trigger and is very accurate. I'm just not crazy about the grips and the big, deep rollmarks on the slide.

How much is this one? and any pics??

I bought it from Twogunjay on this forum and it was under 400 bucks brand new. It was everything I wanted in a 1911 and is equal to my 1984 Colt Combat Goverment model and my Kimber Custom II in accuracy, handling, and reliability. The Colt had a much prettier blued finish, but I also like the military parkerized look of the American Classic.