Rock Island Tactical 1911 vs. Ruger SR1911

rjm6120 · May 20, 2015

All:
I am in the market for an entry level full sized .45 ACP 1911. I should have enough toy money saved in the slush fund to get one by the end of August. I am very familiar with Ruger products, have owned a couple over the years, and I have appreciated the quality of the guns of theirs that I have purchased.

However, I have been reading up on the Rock Island Armory 1911's and I have read, primarily, very favorable reviews on not only their guns, but their customer service. They are less expensive, which is a plus.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone has regarding the Rock Island tactical series, full sized 1911 vs. the Ruger full sized SR1911. Is one gun/company really that much of a better buy than the other, and the "why's" of course.

Thanks in advance for the guidance!!

jack the toad · May 20, 2015

IMO, the RIA is more bang for the buck, especially the Tac model.
If stainless steel is important, that pretty much rules out the RIA.
The RIA's I've seen weren't maybe as refined (spit and polish) but the fit and finish were ok. Both seem to shoot ok.
For the budget minded or as an entry level or hard use not worry about it gun with good customer support, either one will fill the bill.

Pisgah · May 20, 2015

I have no personal experience of the Ruger, but I can testify that the RIA 1911s are a solid value, excellent pistols at a bargain price.

TeaDub · May 20, 2015

No experience with the Ruger but I'm quite pleased with my RIA Tactical FS. Southpaw here and the RIA came with everything I needed out of the box for around $450. Almost everything. I did paint the front sight in fluorescent red.

I bought the Rock to be a range gun and training tool for my Springfield Champion Operator. Surprisingly, the RIA had a slightly lighter trigger (a consistent 4 lbs) right out of the box. I haven't tried hollowpoint ammo yet but with ball, it is fully reliable. I feel that my purchase was well made.

breadman721 · May 20, 2015

I just got the Rock tactical II and I've owned Kimber, Springfield and Colt all I can say is wow I'm totally impressed. Now it's not a 1200$ kimber but honestly it shoots just as good and is a third the price. I got the commander version and I have the .40 smith on order to replace a glock 22 nothing wrong with the glock I just feel they have no soul.

REDEYE50 · May 20, 2015

RIA

I just purchased a used RIA 1911 for $300. The only problem seemed to be that the magazine was (very) hard to get in and out of the reciever. I shot it and it shot very well. I mainly wanted it for the lower receiver. I checked and RIA has a Limited life time warrenty. I contacted their Gunsmith who said it diffently had issues. He refered me to customer service, they sent return fedx label and 8 hrs later it was in their shop. So Far so Good! Will let you know when it comes back(4 weeks).

ATF · May 20, 2015

RIA are what you get for the price. However where they do excel is with their 9mm/.22TCM model. You get a 9mm barrel plus a .22 TCM barrel. Now if you don't know anything about .22 TCM Google it. It's not for pussies it'll give you rifle velocities from a handgun similar to the FN 5.7 The 9mm RIA 1911's I've shot also shot .38 Super. However I don't know if the 9mm/.22TCM can fire .38 Super too.

GtownGeorge · May 20, 2015

Bought my RIA FS Tactical 9mm as a starter 1911. Love it and now see no reason to 'upgrade'. Fun to fool around and do some 'bubba gunsmithing'. If I screw it up to bad then no big $ loss. Plus, when I buy a gun, I shoot it a lot. The 9mm saves me $$$$.

Mule Packer · May 20, 2015

I've owned the Rock Island and currently own the Ruger. In terms of finish...there's no comparison. The Ruger is better when it comes to finish.

The RIA is a plain-Jane model...no bells and whistles. Made in the Philippines and probably put together by someone who wears B.F. Goodrich sandals and can't speak a word of English.

I had my Rock Island smoothed up a bit, had a trigger job done on it, and put some Pachmayr grips on it.

Now, all that aside, when it comes to shooting, the Rock Island does a heckuva good job. I gave mine to my son-in-law when he was looking to obtain a Model 1911. He loves that gun and tells me that he'll never get rid of it because it's such a great shooter.

I haven't had any work done on the Ruger and when compared to my Rock Island, the RIA is smoother.

So, bottom line, the Rock Island is a great bargain, a good shooter, and will undoubtedly last your grandkids.

RubenZ · May 20, 2015

I would go the RUGER route. It is very highly regarded in the 1911 forums. Plus they are just a better company and will take better care of you should you need to use the Warranty. Honestly RIA's despite what people say are very hit or miss. You will have more hits, but a lot of people usually need to have theirs replaced 2 sometimes 3 times to get a good one.

19ontheslide · May 20, 2015

I've never owned an RIA, but I have heard plenty of good things about them. I do have a Ruger SR1911, and can say it's a tremendous gun for the money you pay for it. Mine was one of the first couple thousand made, and it has great fit of all parts, especially the barrel/bushing/slide fit for such an affordable 1911. Mine is accurate and has never bobbled, even with my powderpuff reloads. I can't speak highly enough of it, BUT....there have been reports of other SR1911 owners who have claimed to have some fit issues, so it may be a bit of a dice roll.

GtownGeorge · May 20, 2015

RIA are made in the Phillippines and serviced in Nevada. Go to the RIA 1911 facebook page and anyone who has ever had a problem has had it fixed quickly. One of the owners is a regular on the page and makes sure everyone is happy.

rjm6120 · May 20, 2015

Thank you everyone for the opinions....keep them coming. I am definitely looking for the .45 to be more of a range gun than anything, so it sounds like RIA is one that should definitely be considered.

Blowncar · May 20, 2015

I picked up a Metro Arms Amigo (commander size) used for $300 new they go about $450. Made same place as RI. Great gun, looks really nice, a little heavy but flat shooting for sure. Colt 1911 38 super doesn't go to range anymore.

gregintenn · May 20, 2015

I don't think you'll go wrong with either.

max · May 20, 2015

I have had a Ruger for 2 years and am very pleased. A young friend got a RIA and the magazines will not lock in place. They have asked to have it sent back and sent a pre-paid label. It went back today.

BigBill · May 20, 2015

Look at the AUTO ORDNANCE ARMY WW2 1911a1 and the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911's too. The Springer is all forged.

Old cop · May 20, 2015

I had a Springfield GI that was nothing but trouble. Went back to the factory twice before I sold it.

jack the toad · May 20, 2015

I'm more a traditional guy when it comes to 1911's but RIA's product line has some interesting models. For example, the 2011 model has full-length railed dust cover and also a staggered mag version.
Also, I recently read somewhere that worldwide, Armscor produces more 1911's (don't recall figures) than any other manufacturer. Not all are marketed under RIA logo though. I'm fairly sure that in all those produced, there has to be some lemons. IMO, as long as they keep prices down and service what they sell, they will continue to be strong sellers.

bigsteve113 · May 20, 2015

I've been shooting the snot out of my RIA 1911 .45 for 15 years now. If feeds everything I stuff in it which is mostly home cast lead handloads these days. I carry 230 gr HST's for business and they function flawlessly too. It is the most accurate 1911 I've ever owned, and I've owned a bunch, including a lot of Colts.

My RIA sleeps on my nightstand every night, my Colt sleeps in my safe!

Rock Island Tactical 1911 vs. Ruger SR1911

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