RIA'S ?
- Thread starter deanodog
- Start date
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.
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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
rojodiablo
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My RIA has been THE MOST dependable and best shooting 45 I have ever owned.
It's not a picky eater, it's not picky about which magazines I use in it (4 different mfg so far, all are 100%) and to boot, it is retarded easy to shoot and the 2nd most accurate pistol in my collection.
Well, well worth the money I paid for it ($500 out the door)
It's not a picky eater, it's not picky about which magazines I use in it (4 different mfg so far, all are 100%) and to boot, it is retarded easy to shoot and the 2nd most accurate pistol in my collection.
Well, well worth the money I paid for it ($500 out the door)
This is my experience with them too. Not one bad thing to say about them even though I ended up trading it for something I wanted worse.
I bought one of the XT22's. A great gun. Excellent fit & finish, worked flawlesssly. The next day, I decided the slide was too long, so I whacked it off.
That made the barrel too long, so , I whacked it off & threaded it.
then I re-installed the front sight
touched up the end of the slide
Now the darn thing looks like this
They probably make 'em this way now.
Ned
Necro post, but THAT IS AWESOME!
george minze
Member
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...
Where did you get that great cross draw holster in that good of condition and tooling....Looks recent, didn't think they still made them...Cincinnati PD carries a plain black Buchimer , Clark just like that for years..(Revolver type) Never saw one in tan and that tooled....Got to know..Please....Make my day. week. heck make my year....
Like them a lot. I have two, a compact 45 that I have had for 8 years, and a Compact 9mm that I just bought last year. The 9mm is the Tactical, and I find it comes with me every time I go to the range.
9mm Tactical
45
When I first got the 45 it did not have a beavertail grip safety or decent sights, so I installed both.
9mm Tactical
45
When I first got the 45 it did not have a beavertail grip safety or decent sights, so I installed both.
Cocked & Locked
Member
That holster is an old Hunter Brand holster...stamped right on the back. I guess they made some fancy ones as well as the plain ones we are all accustomed to. I had to have the back side belt slot area re-stitched a few years ago...the thread gave away.
Two different folks have asked me to take pics of that holster from different angles so they could have one made like it. One guy sent me some photos of the one he had made. The second guy I never heard back from.
Thanks for your comments!
zzzippper
Member
I would not hesitate to buy one, I have a Tisas. But I don't care for the billboard on the left side of the slide.
My friend's daughter had an RIA Compact. I got to shoot it and liked it so much that I came home from the next gun show with one. The more I shoot it the better I like it. It's beside my computer as I write this. One of these days I'll get night sights put on it, and Clark stippling on the front and back straps.
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george minze
Member
That holster is an old Hunter Brand holster...stamped right on the back. I guess they made some fancy ones as well as the plain ones we are all accustomed to. I had to have the back side belt slot area re-stitched a few years ago...the thread gave away.
Two different folks have asked me to take pics of that holster from different angles so they could have one made like it. One guy sent me some photos of the one he had made. The second guy I never heard back from.
Thanks for your comments!
My pleasure...Great looking...In the 60's Cin PD carried cross draw..In the cooler months we wore a tunic styled coat with break away buttons (snaps) pistol, then revolver was worn under coat..I see on TV they now wear Sam Brown rigs and strong side holsters....I left there late 60's..I see on TV they still wear that white we called them target hats...Thanks for the info....
I love mine. Picked up a $15 pair of Hogue's to replace the smooth wood grips and a spare Wilson Combat and a spare Kimber Tac-Pro mag and am good to go. Bought this gun new in 2009.
I got both sets of grips... Currently have the lighter ones on it, but I think the darker green look better.
I got both sets of grips... Currently have the lighter ones on it, but I think the darker green look better.
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cuad2001
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My experience exactly. Not to mention that any problems can be resolved with a phone call to their service center in Nevada. Some of the best CS in the industry.
Armscor makes darn good guns, period. They make Rock Island Armory and Citadel 1911s (the Citadel line is imported by Legacy Sports, but warranty service is provided by Armscor.) Their CS is very good indeed.
I've owned several RIA models, including full size and compact, and a couple of Citadels, both full size (one .45 and one 9mm.) I've owned 28 1911s of various makes, including Colt, Kimber, Taurus, SIG, S&W, Magnum Research, Springfield, Metro Arms, Remington, Ruger, and as mentioned, Armscor. I'd put Armscor guns up against any of them functionally...sure, some of the others were "prettier" but if you want a shooter, it's hard to go wrong with an Armscor product.
Shooting 9mm in a full size steel 1911 feels like a .22LR. The only problem I had with my 9mm 1911 (it was a Citadel) is finding magazines for it. I have used Wilson Combat ETMs in all my .45s, but they didn't work consistently in the Citadel 9mm. The best mags I found, in terms of function, for my gun were Mec-Gar stainless 9 round...but each gun seems to be different as to what mags it likes. Mine came with two Metalform mags, which many people like...but mine didn't.
This is just my opinion, but in a 1911, I'd stick with .45ACP. For 9mm, I prefer a higher capacity polymer pistol. That is my opinion, but we all know what opinions are like.
I've owned several RIA models, including full size and compact, and a couple of Citadels, both full size (one .45 and one 9mm.) I've owned 28 1911s of various makes, including Colt, Kimber, Taurus, SIG, S&W, Magnum Research, Springfield, Metro Arms, Remington, Ruger, and as mentioned, Armscor. I'd put Armscor guns up against any of them functionally...sure, some of the others were "prettier" but if you want a shooter, it's hard to go wrong with an Armscor product.
Shooting 9mm in a full size steel 1911 feels like a .22LR. The only problem I had with my 9mm 1911 (it was a Citadel) is finding magazines for it. I have used Wilson Combat ETMs in all my .45s, but they didn't work consistently in the Citadel 9mm. The best mags I found, in terms of function, for my gun were Mec-Gar stainless 9 round...but each gun seems to be different as to what mags it likes. Mine came with two Metalform mags, which many people like...but mine didn't.
This is just my opinion, but in a 1911, I'd stick with .45ACP. For 9mm, I prefer a higher capacity polymer pistol. That is my opinion, but we all know what opinions are like.
shlike
Member
My RIA 1911 .45 FS TACTICAL:
This gun has performed flawlessly right out of the box. Over 1000 rounds so far and not a single malfuntion. Will eat any ammo I feed it: Factory, Reload, FMJ, JHP. The quality of construction and parts fit and function equals 1911's costing 2-3 times more. The parkerized finish is only average. If this gun were cerakoted FDE, along with the VZ grips I put on it, it would pass for a very high-end custom. Can you tell I like this gun?
This gun has performed flawlessly right out of the box. Over 1000 rounds so far and not a single malfuntion. Will eat any ammo I feed it: Factory, Reload, FMJ, JHP. The quality of construction and parts fit and function equals 1911's costing 2-3 times more. The parkerized finish is only average. If this gun were cerakoted FDE, along with the VZ grips I put on it, it would pass for a very high-end custom. Can you tell I like this gun?
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I agree that the RIA is one of the best kept secrets (well, maybe not) in the 1911 world. Certainly, it is hard to find one that offers more value than RIA.
I get a lot of **** from my friends about my RIA (call it a "joke gun" or what have you). But it eats from all 4 different magazine brands I own flawlessly. Granted, their Colts or whatever may look nicer (and they definitely cost more), but I love my RIA.
