Have been giving some thought to a Rock Island compact 1911. The reviews of the Rock Island are mostly good but I have read that the 3.5" 1911s can be a problem. Does anyone have a 1911 compact that works well or one that not work so well.
Rock Island Compact 1911?
- Thread starter grover99
- Start date
I have a compact Rock island and a full size, Neither of them has had any problems. I don't shoot as often as I use to but my grandson had shot them pretty often. He never had a problem with the compact. I prefer the full size but he liked the compact better. I think they are a good value for the price.
Last summer the daughter of a friend came visiting and we took her shooting. She had a a Rock Island Compact and I liked it so much I came home from the next gun show with one. So far I've fired it some 500 rounds with nary a bobble. It's well made and well fitted, a lot higher quality than the price would suggest. The instruction book says it may not feed SWCs, but mine gobbles them up, which is great for practice. For business it's fed Federal 230 gr JHPs. The photos are old; it's got checkered grips now; one of these days night sights and stippling on the front and back straps. It spends its days next to my computer so if there are noises off some night, I have something to fill my fist.
There have been several threads on the RIAs, and everyone likes them. Count me in that group.
There have been several threads on the RIAs, and everyone likes them. Count me in that group.
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I recently bought an RIA compact. Ambidextrous safeties. VZ grips, Hiviz front sight. It outshoots my Kimbers. I also have an STI Spartan III. The STI frame is made in the same factory as the RIA in the Philippines. Both 3 inch both extremely reliable. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I love the VZ grips. Good luck.
I have two of them. I originally bought a .45 about 8 years ago,and at that time had GI type sights, and grip safety. I did install improved sights, and a beavertail grip safety. The other one is the Compact Tactical 9mm. I probably have a couple thousand rounds through the 45 with no problems of any kind. I now have probably around 1200 - 1500 rounds through my 9mm as I have been using it for load development and shooting for accuracy. I think very highly of both of them, the only downside at all is weight. Being all steel they are heavier than a lot of other carry guns. A good belt and holster helps.
.45 with Millet rear sight and Novak front sight and Brown grip safety.
Tactical 9mm, grips changed, I found these at a gun show, trigger breaks right at 4 lbs. Holster by Lobo.
.45 with Millet rear sight and Novak front sight and Brown grip safety.
Tactical 9mm, grips changed, I found these at a gun show, trigger breaks right at 4 lbs. Holster by Lobo.
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Tom Kent
US Veteran
I have a Colt "Officer's Model" that is the same size and configuration as the RIA Compact. When I got it I started to hear and read reports about how finikey they were and how unreliable they could be. I have put a few thousand rounds of ball, hollow points and soft points through it and it has never jammed or FTF/FTE. I frequently carry it.
Pisgah
Member
I have a RIA Compact and to my way of thinking it is one of the best of the best of the breed, if for no other reason than field stripping requires no tools, unlike some that have funky recoil-spring retention set-ups. It is accurate and dead reliable, having gobbled up a couple thousand rounds of 185, 200 and 230 gr. loads, everything from cast-bullet handloads to Tula steel-cased to premium self defense loads, with never even a hint of a malfunction. I did add a checkered mainspring housing, a front-strap checkered panel from Brownell's, and a set of Alumagrips to bring it up to my idea of perfection, but perfect it is!
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KnotRight
Member
I have a Citadel 3.5" 45 that I have never had a problem with. It has shot everything that I have put in it. I did replace the sights with Dawson titanium night sights and VZ grips. Asked about a trigger job and the smith said they is no reason for one.
Strat72
Member
I bought a Rock Island Compact 1911 a month ago. Got a great deal on it. I haven't put any rounds through it yet. I found a 44 mag carbine that I want, so I've got the 1911 for sale. After reading everyone's post, I think I will put some rounds through to see how it handles.
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