Rock Island 1911 10mm

[Miracle Man]

My buddy just got a R.I. 10 mm and we got to shoot it a bit today. I've seen them before but never really had any experience with R.I. firearms.

And I must say I came away a little bit impressed. Yes it has the plastic or whatever grips and the sights are just the fiber optic stuff. But the gun seems solidly built and functions well. No issues in 2 full boxes of 180 gr Blazer factory ammo.

And the icing on the cake, It shot very well. We were both regularly drilling the like 3" bullseye at 20 feet offhand. And we backed target up to about 20 yards shooting of a rest and again were getting decent groups.

The trigger has only a slight bit of creep but it is rather stiff at break. Hopefully that will lessen some with use?

I've been kicking around a 10mm. Been looking at a Sig P320 XTEN or a S&W M&P 10mm 2.0

I just love the 1911 platform and as well as that gun shot, I dunno? Now I'm thinking about it.

Oh and the recoil/whip and muzzle blast was not uncomfortable at all to me.

 

[1BadSmith]

I have the tac ultra 10mm double stack, basically the 1911 double stack, not sure if it's the same one your are referring too, but I have lots and lots of 10mm pistols and revolvers, including some very nice dan wessons, and every time I have range day with the 10's, the Big Rock always comes out near the top! I think many people would be surprised at how many companies use Rock Island/Armscor 1911 frames. I have 5 Rock Island 1911s in total and other than very generic grips on most of their stuff, they are fantastic.

 

[stansdds]

As someone with experience with the original 10mm 1911 (Colt Delta Elite), I can say that there is a right way and an ok way to make a 1911 that will be durable and very usable in 10mm Auto. The Colt way is ok. It will work and is reasonably durable. The right way is with a bushingless cone (bull) barrel with an integral feed ramp. The bull barrel adds mass to the recoiling parts of the 1911. This slows down unlocking and reduces battering of the slide, recoil spring guide rod head and receiver. A flat bottom firing pin stop combined with a strong main spring will further slow unlocking and battering. Colt is one of the few makers of 1911's in 10mm that insists upon using the standard bushing barrel and receiver feed ramp. To counter the energy of the 10mm, they used a dual recoil spring and nylon recoil spring guide, the spring guide acting as a shock buffer. Most other makers went to the bull barrel system.

 

[tt66]

I just purchased this one a couple months ago and I love it.

5" barrel, 15 rd capacity. The trigger is as good as any NIB pistol that I have ever shot. It is basically identical to my Para Pro Custom 45ACP in size and features for half the price.

Also have a pic of it with the new Gen 5 Model 20 10mm w a Holosun. That has turned into my favorite Glock.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Rock Island does a good job. I have had an ATI (Pretty much the same) 9mm 1911 commander for 20 years and it has done all asked of it. When I took it in for a deep cleaning, my gun smith offered to buy it.

 

[CH4]

Stansdds, you’re correct about the Colt still using unsupported, unramped barrels. Dan Wesson did the same thing with their 10mm Razorback until they saw the light in 2009. The 10mm definitely can benefit from a ramped, supported chamber. Not sure why Colt is still dragging their feet on this issue.

 

[rosewood]

Stansdds, you’re correct about the Colt still using unsupported, unramped barrels. Dan Wesson did the same thing with their 10mm Razorback until they saw the light in 2009. The 10mm definitely can benefit from a ramped, supported chamber. Not sure why Colt is still dragging their feet on this issue.

Sometimes folks hate to admit they made a mistake.

My brother bought at Thompson 1911 10MM directly from factory several years ago. They had quit making them, he called in and they said they had enough parts to build one so he got one (likely the last one they ever built). It had feed issues and a so called gunsmith throated the feed ramp, but didn't polish. Still had issues, so I polished out scratches which fixed feeding.

Using hot loads, had a case blow out as a result of the unsupported chamber. Brother and I chipped in and bought a benchtop mill a few years back. I cut the frame for the ramped barrel and installed a Clark (I think) in it. All is well now, fully supported and no more blown out cases. I since cut Novak dovetails on the slide and installed TFO sights, brother is happy now. It sits nicely next to his RIA double stack 10mm.

Rosewood

 

[stansdds]

Stansdds, you’re correct about the Colt still using unsupported, unramped barrels. Dan Wesson did the same thing with their 10mm Razorback until they saw the light in 2009. The 10mm definitely can benefit from a ramped, supported chamber. Not sure why Colt is still dragging their feet on this issue.

My guess is the cost of obtaining a different barrel and the cost of milling the receiver, plus the cost of milling the slide for the reverse recoil spring plug. Basically, it comes down to added cost for one caliber.

 

[tlawler]

I have the tac ultra 10mm double stack, basically the 1911 double stack, not sure if it's the same one your are referring too, but I have lots and lots of 10mm pistols and revolvers, including some very nice dan wessons, and every time I have range day with the 10's, the Big Rock always comes out near the top! I think many people would be surprised at how many companies use Rock Island/Armscor 1911 frames. I have 5 Rock Island 1911s in total and other than very generic grips on most of their stuff, they are fantastic.

I’ve been kicking around getting one of the 10mm tac ultras. Thanks for posting your evaluation of it.

 

[Breadman1]

Sig does a nice job with their 10mm P220, one big hunk of steel, shoots like a soft 9mm

 

[Miracle Man]

I have the tac ultra 10mm double stack, basically the 1911 double stack, not sure if it's the same one your are referring too, but I have lots and lots of 10mm pistols and revolvers, including some very nice dan wessons, and every time I have range day with the 10's, the Big Rock always comes out near the top! I think many people would be surprised at how many companies use Rock Island/Armscor 1911 frames. I have 5 Rock Island 1911s in total and other than very generic grips on most of their stuff, they are fantastic.

His is the single, holds 8 rounds. But he's a smaller guy and wanted the smaller size.

 

[Miracle Man]

As someone with experience with the original 10mm 1911 (Colt Delta Elite), I can say that there is a right way and an ok way to make a 1911 that will be durable and very usable in 10mm Auto. The Colt way is ok. It will work and is reasonably durable. The right way is with a bushingless cone (bull) barrel with an integral feed ramp. The bull barrel adds mass to the recoiling parts of the 1911. This slows down unlocking and reduces battering of the slide, recoil spring guide rod head and receiver. A flat bottom firing pin stop combined with a strong main spring will further slow unlocking and battering. Colt is one of the few makers of 1911's in 10mm that insists upon using the standard bushing barrel and receiver feed ramp. To counter the energy of the 10mm, they used a dual recoil spring and nylon recoil spring guide, the spring guide acting as a shock buffer. Most other makers went to the bull barrel system.

His has no barrel bushing and it's a big bull barrel. We didn't field strip it but I'm gonna ask him to so I can further check it out. Like I said I was impressed with the way it shot and it's accuracy. It's fairly heavy. I was figuring on a giant blast and smacking the slide off my forehead kinda roar at recoil. But it was nothing worse than my 1911 45ACP. Heck my 45 might be worse?

 

[Miracle Man]

Sig does a nice job with their 10mm P220, one big hunk of steel, shoots like a soft 9mm

Sweet gun

My last purchase was a Sig P365 for a carry gun and I love it. I'm very soon going to get a P226, wanted one forever. But this Rock Island 10mm has my interest now as well.

 

[gdogs]

I've owned a few RIA's over the years and all have been well built.
I currently have this 10mm. It's been a good shooter. Though I don't really care for the red fiber front sight, I haven't hated it enough to change it out... yet. The added weight of the full length railed frame really helps tame the recoil too.

 

[rosewood]

I've owned a few RIA's over the years and all have been well built.
I currently have this 10mm. It's been a good shooter. Though I don't really care for the red fiber front sight, I haven't hated it enough to change it out... yet. The added weight of the full length railed frame really helps tame the recoil too.

You can buy a green or yellow insert, or remove the insert all together. Then you have a tiny peep site.

Rosewood

 

[gdogs]

You can buy a green or yellow insert, or remove the insert all together. Then you have a tiny peep site.

Rosewood

I'm just not a fan of fiber optic sights. If I change it I'll go to a standard blade, or a gold bead.

 

[AJ]

As someone with experience with the original 10mm 1911 (Colt Delta Elite), I can say that there is a right way and an ok way to make a 1911 that will be durable and very usable in 10mm Auto. The Colt way is ok. It will work and is reasonably durable. The right way is with a bushingless cone (bull) barrel with an integral feed ramp. The bull barrel adds mass to the recoiling parts of the 1911. This slows down unlocking and reduces battering of the slide, recoil spring guide rod head and receiver. A flat bottom firing pin stop combined with a strong main spring will further slow unlocking and battering. Colt is one of the few makers of 1911's in 10mm that insists upon using the standard bushing barrel and receiver feed ramp. To counter the energy of the 10mm, they used a dual recoil spring and nylon recoil spring guide, the spring guide acting as a shock buffer. Most other makers went to the bull barrel system.

I have fired the Colt Delta Elite and the Ruger SR1911 10 MM. I must say the Ruger has less felt recoil that the Colt. For one the Ruger is ported, and for two the Ruger has the cone shaped barrel (more mass up front). To my arthritic hands it feels much better. I own a Ruger. Thought about a Rock Island (it is about half the list price), but bought the Ruger due to the reduction in felt recoil.

I did a trigger job on the SR1911 and with a Wheeler Electronic Trigger Pull Gage the pull is at 2 pounds 12 ounces now.

 

[Dvus]

I have several RIs and 2 in 10mm. I love them all. I had two Delta Elites and hated them both because they ruined the brass. I was always afraid that I would blow a case. The Rocks have the mechanics down pat. Not the prettiest, but I'm not afraid to carry it in the woods either. I get rid of the **** fiber in the front sight and replace it with a nice green one. Or black paint if you don't care for fiber optic.

 

[10mmauto]

My favorite 1911 10mm is this Kimber.