I’ve never owned a 1911 pistol and really haven’t seen much personal need for any caliber larger than 9mm. Other than .357 but it has gotten cost prohibitive. No real need for that either, just liked it! .38 Special, .38 +P, and 9mm were always sufficient for my needs. But, I digress.

I have an opportunity to pick up a Rock Island Armory M1911A1 .45. This will be the first “big bore” pistol I’ve owned. Not sure that I will keep it. But it will give me my first real opportunity to spend some time with the 1911 platform and the .45 ACP to see if it’s something I might eventually take a liking to. Has anyone else had any experience with the RIA 1911?

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otis

They’re perfectly functional, inexpensive 1911’s.

They are a bit rough in the fit and finish department, some sharp edges you may not find on a more expensive pistol, but they usually work just fine.

I have one in 9MM and it is an accurate, reliable pistol.

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The best I can with what I got

I have two of them, my Son has one. None of them had any sharp edges and the finish is much like the military models I have handled. I have a really nice Colt from when they re-issued the Series 70. Now THAT one had sharp edges.

My RIA 1911’s are accurate and well made reliable guns that I would purchase again in a heartbeat. I don’t like the grips that come with them but that’s sure an easy fix. I also changed the main spring housings because I prefer arched over the straight housings. That’s just a personal preference.

Dan

I have one in 10mm........Nary a problem.

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S&W Accumulator

I have one in 45 acp. Have many 1000's of rounds through it. It is acurate and reliable pistol. I have had no problems with it. I did change the grips as the originals were too smooth. Good shooters.

I believe this is a great idea. Not because I did the same thing but because your outcome may be different. I wanted a 1911 (to take apart) and see what was going on in there,, to see what I was missing! My outcome is that the RIA 1911 has satisfied my expectations as a very reliable JB design Pre World War One .45 cal automatic pistol. So much so it remains the only “slab side on the shelf ,, next to an only hi-power.
The RIA 1911 offers the shooter the full experience of the recoil of a century old auto loader, right down to the bite

I've got one in 9mm and one in 45.

I like them both. Not only great values, but good, solid, accurate guns.

Where did the "pre WWI" come from?

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S&W Accumulator

A real Colt 1911 was my first handgun. Dad always said that you're nobody unless you have at least 1. In later years I acquired a 1911A1, as well as a few other "tricked out" models.

To answer your question, as other have said, the RIA is a fine starter 1911.

To answer another question, I would agree that a 1911 in a pre-WWI pistol. I believe the A1 came out in the 1920's, which would make THAT a post-WWI model.

The RIA is one of the better entry level 1911 platform pistols...decent price and good quality. They're made from castings...not necessarily a bad thing. Just don't expect you're getting a Wilson Combat, Colt or Les Baer and you'll be happy.

RIA has a long slide 10mm I'd like but never found one inexpensive enough...it's definitely a higher grade pistol from them and priced accordingly.

Back in the 1980s you didn’t stray too far from a Colt 1911 before you started running into reliability issues. Today, that’s not really the case. CNC machining processes allow for pretty much any company to make a 1911 with a minimum of hand fitting that will function well.

It’s made the 1911 more affordable than ever.

The RIA 1911s come in various models with various levels of features but even the low end models function well.

I have a RIA 1911A1 FS. Has a lot of stock "custom" parts that would have cost me extra - adjustable trigger, ambidextrous thumb safety, beavertail grip safety, commander hammer, Novak sights. Was on a deep discount at the LGS/indoor range I used to frequent.

It came from the factory so soaked in lube that the owner let me sit at a bench in the range and strip it and clean it first. Stock magazine is an eight rounder, similar to a Wilson, but blued.

I bought an extra magazine (a Wilson eight round), and a box of generic 230 hardball, and went into the range to try it out (free hour with all new gun purchases). As I got close to the end of the 50 rounds, my 1911 memory was coming back, and I found I was hitting the black ring 6-7 out of 8, offhand, at 15 yards.

I've had it six years now, about 1000 rounds of 230 ball, silvertips, and G2 Law Enforcement, and never any problems to feed, chamber, and eject.

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Heavily armed old man.

Great guns. The only negative thing for me is a better rear sight than on the A1.

For a new person jumping inti 1911 I don't think you can beat the IRA'S
Just be awair that many previous owners do some strange things to the 1911 thinking they are gun smiths.I have a few 1911s from most manufacturers (non custom or expensive) The IRA's are a good place to start

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age is just a number

Interesting RIA indoor range story. One of my range trips while I was getting used to my RIA, a gentleman two bays over from me was also shooting a .45, a Wilson, fully tricked out. He was getting 6-7 in the black, just as I was. He asked what I was shooting, and I said a Rock Island 1911A1, Blazer Brass .45 ball, and no adjustments on anything. He asked if he could borrow it. I said sure - and use your ammo and mag. I stood behind him, he loaded it with his Wilson mag and his handloads. I watched him shoot a target at 15 yards that was pretty much identical to mine.

He shook his head, pulled his empty mag, handed the RIA back, and said "nice pistol". I wonder if he regretted sinking twice the cost of mine into his "ultimate .45".

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Heavily armed old man.

Y'all know me. I'm a 1911 addict and I own a bunch of 'em.
Among them are three RIAs. A 9mm, a .38 Super and a .45acp. I've been very pleased with them all. A great gun for those new to the 1911 and a totally reliable shooter.

WWI started in 1914 for the British and French. The Model 1911 was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1911, hence pre-WWI. U.S. involvement in WWI began in 1917, so the Model 1911 pistol is a pre-WWI design no matter how you look at it!

I have a RIA Tactical II Commander in .40. Also a 5" RIA Tactical in 9MM. Both have been fine {sights have been upgraded since pic on 9}. Have a Colt Gold Cup in .45 and a Sig in.45. Bob

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As all can see by my many "likes" on a lot of the previous posts, I think highly of the RIA .45's and think they are a great value for your $$.
A "Rock" is a good, relatively inexpensive way to get into a 1911 style pistol to see if you like a .45- I'll bet most will- I sure do. You can keep them stock or trick them out to your hearts [and pocketbooks] content.
I have an officer's model that I carry that has Hogue wrap around rubber finger groove grips, flourescent orange paint on the little bitty front sight, and almost all the finish worn off. She looks rough, but I call that "character" and I love it. She runs like a top with all my 200 gr.and 230 gr. reloads as well as factory ammo and I trust my life on this pistol.

Buckshot Bill

Ask me if I like .45 handguns. The answer is YES, but I way prefer originals!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

No issues with mine. Bought an Ed Brown match grade barrel for it too. Dropped right in with no smithing required. Parts are interchangeable with Colt 1911s unlike some of the higher end brands. A very good and inexpensive 1911.

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Everyone was loving the Tisas 1911 this past couple of years. Good price, yes. Recalled now, yes. Don't remember any RIA recalls.

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Heavily armed old man.

Otis24, see how many visual differences you can detect betwee a M1911, and a M1911A1.

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1911A1 differences included:
- shorter hammer spur;
- longer spur on the grip safety;
- arched mainspring housing;
- shorter trigger;
- relief cut on the frame behind the trigger;
- thicker front sight;
- grooved rather than checkered slide stop lever; and
- from 1925 to 1944 front 1/3rd of the slide was hardened (and post war replacement slides are fully hardened).

For a period of time in 1943 the area around the slide stop notch was also flame hardened to prevent peening.