I have the Tactical model and think it's a great gun for the money.
RIA'S ?
- Thread starter deanodog
- Start date
Cocked & Locked
Member
rock on
I've owned five RIA's...three Super .38's and two compact .45's. One .38 Super was bad and RIA replaced it. Great customer service.
These are the two I currently own
.38 Super
.45 Compact
The little 45 has a better feeling trigger than my SA and Colt 1911's. I tamed the bright billboard down with a cold blue touch up pen.
RIA .38 Super posing here...
and here...
I've owned five RIA's...three Super .38's and two compact .45's. One .38 Super was bad and RIA replaced it. Great customer service.
These are the two I currently own
.38 Super
.45 Compact
The little 45 has a better feeling trigger than my SA and Colt 1911's. I tamed the bright billboard down with a cold blue touch up pen.
RIA .38 Super posing here...
and here...
tweedman
Member
I bought a used Tactical FS a few years ago. It had trouble feeding. Sent it in for warranty repair. Voila a brand new one came back. Customer service is phenominal.
I agree best "bang for the buck" going and those factory stocks were the first thing to go.
The ONLY drawback that I have found is if you want to change the sights. RIA's Novak dovetail cuts are not standard. You will need to get sights made for RIA (like Dawson) or modify the sights or dovetail.
I agree best "bang for the buck" going and those factory stocks were the first thing to go.
The ONLY drawback that I have found is if you want to change the sights. RIA's Novak dovetail cuts are not standard. You will need to get sights made for RIA (like Dawson) or modify the sights or dovetail.
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jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
I have two and I agree they win the bang for the buck category. I replaced the triggers on both of mine with long Videki triggers and on one I lightened the trigger pull. I did that on the other, but it had a mile of creep, so I had a trigger job done. I replaced the grips and grip screws on both of mine. I have not had any factory service done, but I hear only great things from the RIA forum. The compacts will usually not feed hollowpoint ammo out of the box. RIA does not claim it will, but I believe they will usually fix it for you if you send the gun to Pahrump, NV. They have cast steel frames. There are a ton of improvements over the old 1911 in these guns. They have lowered and flared ejection ports, bevelled mag wells, relief around the trigger and more. Here is my rail gun.
And my GI that i keep set up as a rimfire.
And my GI that i keep set up as a rimfire.
JeffF64
US Veteran
What they said!! I love my plain Jane G.I. (grips had to go). Shoots way better than the Colt Commander I no longer own. I just recommended RIA to a young shooter yesterday. Why spend $1,000-2,000 dollars when $450-500 dollars will get you the same performance? Spend the remaining $$$ on ammo
De Oppresso Liber
De Oppresso Liber
I hope more people see these posts and learn and understand that you dont need a 2500 dollar 1911 to get you started. The gunsnobs on "another" forum I frequent hate the RIA's........ and usually its because they get shown up by them at the range. Ive shot better 1911's dont get me wrong, but for what most shooters need one to do the RIA GI does just fine.
(except the grips)
(except the grips)
mc5aw
Member
I bought the generic model some years back for the princely sum of $250 NIB. It was a great utilitarian 1911, and the best bang-for-the-buck out there. I think the same model now is ~$450, but if I was looking for a tough and basic 1911, I wouldn't think twice about going the RIA route again.
safearm
US Veteran
1. Steel frame
2. It should, but I converted mine to .38 Super, and I haven't had any problem with flatnose or hollowpoint feeding.
I'm seriously looking at getting a RIA 1911. I haven't heard too many negatives about RIA generally and I love the feel.
I was considering the 9mm version, but was also curious whether the double stack 9mm/.45 versions out there was as reliable as the single stack. Thoughts?
Also - is it possible to replace the sights with something along the lines of Truglo or tritium sights?
I was considering the 9mm version, but was also curious whether the double stack 9mm/.45 versions out there was as reliable as the single stack. Thoughts?
Also - is it possible to replace the sights with something along the lines of Truglo or tritium sights?
jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
I had a double stack Para 1911. I didn't like it because of the weight and the bulky feel in my hand. I had a dealer tell me that double stack 1911s don't sell very well.
RIA makes one 1911 with tritium sights. The rail gun.
I have a CS model
And it has proven very reliable with all types of ammo tried. I have had only one FTE malfunction on the very first magazine I put through it and none since. Probably 200-300 rounds with out a hiccup. I trust it enough that it is my concealed carry gun. I have smaller, lighter weight carry guns but like the feeling of knowing there is a .45 available if needed.
I do wish that I had waited and bought one with the better sights. Mine has the basic GI sights and are pretty small and dark for my old eyes on the range.
And yes the grips have been changed for some nice checkered walnut double diamond grips.
I would not hesitate to buy another. When not in use it resides right between a Colt and Kimber and does not degrade either.
And it has proven very reliable with all types of ammo tried. I have had only one FTE malfunction on the very first magazine I put through it and none since. Probably 200-300 rounds with out a hiccup. I trust it enough that it is my concealed carry gun. I have smaller, lighter weight carry guns but like the feeling of knowing there is a .45 available if needed.
I do wish that I had waited and bought one with the better sights. Mine has the basic GI sights and are pretty small and dark for my old eyes on the range.
And yes the grips have been changed for some nice checkered walnut double diamond grips.
I would not hesitate to buy another. When not in use it resides right between a Colt and Kimber and does not degrade either.
Attachments
jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
I think you can send it in and have the sights replaced for a small charge. The CS is half GI and half tactical. My LGS doesn't have these in stock right now. He has had them new in box for $395 for either the FS or CS. I have seen upgraded CS models for $375 used.
I bought my first one a GI FS for $375 that had had less than a box of ammo through it. (Never sold, just fired by the shop owner). At the same time I bought a Kimber rimfire conversion. I replaced the trigger, grips and grip screws and lightened the trigger. I liked it so much I bought the 2011 rail gun for a range gun.
I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II, so I don't have any use for a RIA CS. The Kimber is a 3" barrel and the CS is a 3.5" barrel.
I bought my first one a GI FS for $375 that had had less than a box of ammo through it. (Never sold, just fired by the shop owner). At the same time I bought a Kimber rimfire conversion. I replaced the trigger, grips and grip screws and lightened the trigger. I liked it so much I bought the 2011 rail gun for a range gun.
I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II, so I don't have any use for a RIA CS. The Kimber is a 3" barrel and the CS is a 3.5" barrel.
gregintenn
Member
The only negative comments I've heard about the RIAs are from people who have never, owned, fired, or even picked one up. Personally, I prefer shooting mine over my 70 Series Colt Gold Cup National Match.
I shoulda never opened this thread.
Thanks Jaykellogg
I had not thought about sending the slide to Arnel for better sights. I will have to check into that.
I paid less than $400 for mine new. I feel it was a very good buy. I can carry it and not worry much about scratchs or holster wear hurting my investment.
I had not thought about sending the slide to Arnel for better sights. I will have to check into that.
I paid less than $400 for mine new. I feel it was a very good buy. I can carry it and not worry much about scratchs or holster wear hurting my investment.
The sights can be replaced but the RIA have a different tenon size than most other 1911's. A lot of the sights that are actually available will say "RIA CUT" or something similar
