Rock Island Tactical 1911 vs. Ruger SR1911

[rjm6120]

All:
I am in the market for an entry level full sized .45 ACP 1911. I should have enough toy money saved in the slush fund to get one by the end of August. I am very familiar with Ruger products, have owned a couple over the years, and I have appreciated the quality of the guns of theirs that I have purchased.

However, I have been reading up on the Rock Island Armory 1911's and I have read, primarily, very favorable reviews on not only their guns, but their customer service. They are less expensive, which is a plus.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone has regarding the Rock Island tactical series, full sized 1911 vs. the Ruger full sized SR1911. Is one gun/company really that much of a better buy than the other, and the "why's" of course.

Thanks in advance for the guidance!!

 

[jack the toad]

IMO, the RIA is more bang for the buck, especially the Tac model.
If stainless steel is important, that pretty much rules out the RIA.
The RIA's I've seen weren't maybe as refined (spit and polish) but the fit and finish were ok. Both seem to shoot ok.
For the budget minded or as an entry level or hard use not worry about it gun with good customer support, either one will fill the bill.

 

[Pisgah]

I have no personal experience of the Ruger, but I can testify that the RIA 1911s are a solid value, excellent pistols at a bargain price.

 

[TeaDub]

No experience with the Ruger but I'm quite pleased with my RIA Tactical FS. Southpaw here and the RIA came with everything I needed out of the box for around $450. Almost everything. I did paint the front sight in fluorescent red.

I bought the Rock to be a range gun and training tool for my Springfield Champion Operator. Surprisingly, the RIA had a slightly lighter trigger (a consistent 4 lbs) right out of the box. I haven't tried hollowpoint ammo yet but with ball, it is fully reliable. I feel that my purchase was well made.

 

[breadman721]

I just got the Rock tactical II and I've owned Kimber, Springfield and Colt all I can say is wow I'm totally impressed. Now it's not a 1200$ kimber but honestly it shoots just as good and is a third the price. I got the commander version and I have the .40 smith on order to replace a glock 22 nothing wrong with the glock I just feel they have no soul.

 

[REDEYE50]

RIA

I just purchased a used RIA 1911 for $300. The only problem seemed to be that the magazine was (very) hard to get in and out of the reciever. I shot it and it shot very well. I mainly wanted it for the lower receiver. I checked and RIA has a Limited life time warrenty. I contacted their Gunsmith who said it diffently had issues. He refered me to customer service, they sent return fedx label and 8 hrs later it was in their shop. So Far so Good! Will let you know when it comes back(4 weeks).

 

[ATF]

RIA are what you get for the price. However where they do excel is with their 9mm/.22TCM model. You get a 9mm barrel plus a .22 TCM barrel. Now if you don't know anything about .22 TCM Google it. It's not for pussies it'll give you rifle velocities from a handgun similar to the FN 5.7 The 9mm RIA 1911's I've shot also shot .38 Super. However I don't know if the 9mm/.22TCM can fire .38 Super too.

 

[GtownGeorge]

Bought my RIA FS Tactical 9mm as a starter 1911. Love it and now see no reason to 'upgrade'. Fun to fool around and do some 'bubba gunsmithing'. If I screw it up to bad then no big $ loss. Plus, when I buy a gun, I shoot it a lot. The 9mm saves me $$$$.

 

[Mule Packer]

I've owned the Rock Island and currently own the Ruger. In terms of finish...there's no comparison. The Ruger is better when it comes to finish.

The RIA is a plain-Jane model...no bells and whistles. Made in the Philippines and probably put together by someone who wears B.F. Goodrich sandals and can't speak a word of English.

I had my Rock Island smoothed up a bit, had a trigger job done on it, and put some Pachmayr grips on it.

Now, all that aside, when it comes to shooting, the Rock Island does a heckuva good job. I gave mine to my son-in-law when he was looking to obtain a Model 1911. He loves that gun and tells me that he'll never get rid of it because it's such a great shooter.

I haven't had any work done on the Ruger and when compared to my Rock Island, the RIA is smoother.

So, bottom line, the Rock Island is a great bargain, a good shooter, and will undoubtedly last your grandkids.

 

[RubenZ]

I would go the RUGER route. It is very highly regarded in the 1911 forums. Plus they are just a better company and will take better care of you should you need to use the Warranty. Honestly RIA's despite what people say are very hit or miss. You will have more hits, but a lot of people usually need to have theirs replaced 2 sometimes 3 times to get a good one.

 

[19ontheslide]

I've never owned an RIA, but I have heard plenty of good things about them. I do have a Ruger SR1911, and can say it's a tremendous gun for the money you pay for it. Mine was one of the first couple thousand made, and it has great fit of all parts, especially the barrel/bushing/slide fit for such an affordable 1911. Mine is accurate and has never bobbled, even with my powderpuff reloads. I can't speak highly enough of it, BUT....there have been reports of other SR1911 owners who have claimed to have some fit issues, so it may be a bit of a dice roll.

 

[GtownGeorge]

RIA are made in the Phillippines and serviced in Nevada. Go to the RIA 1911 facebook page and anyone who has ever had a problem has had it fixed quickly. One of the owners is a regular on the page and makes sure everyone is happy.

 

[rjm6120]

Thank you everyone for the opinions....keep them coming. I am definitely looking for the .45 to be more of a range gun than anything, so it sounds like RIA is one that should definitely be considered.

 

[Blowncar]

I picked up a Metro Arms Amigo (commander size) used for $300 new they go about $450. Made same place as RI. Great gun, looks really nice, a little heavy but flat shooting for sure. Colt 1911 38 super doesn't go to range anymore.

 

[gregintenn]

I don't think you'll go wrong with either.

 

[max]

I have had a Ruger for 2 years and am very pleased. A young friend got a RIA and the magazines will not lock in place. They have asked to have it sent back and sent a pre-paid label. It went back today.

 

[BigBill]

Look at the AUTO ORDNANCE ARMY WW2 1911a1 and the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911's too. The Springer is all forged.

 

[Old cop]

I had a Springfield GI that was nothing but trouble. Went back to the factory twice before I sold it.

 

[jack the toad]

I'm more a traditional guy when it comes to 1911's but RIA's product line has some interesting models. For example, the 2011 model has full-length railed dust cover and also a staggered mag version.
Also, I recently read somewhere that worldwide, Armscor produces more 1911's (don't recall figures) than any other manufacturer. Not all are marketed under RIA logo though. I'm fairly sure that in all those produced, there has to be some lemons. IMO, as long as they keep prices down and service what they sell, they will continue to be strong sellers.

 

[bigsteve113]

I've been shooting the snot out of my RIA 1911 .45 for 15 years now. If feeds everything I stuff in it which is mostly home cast lead handloads these days. I carry 230 gr HST's for business and they function flawlessly too. It is the most accurate 1911 I've ever owned, and I've owned a bunch, including a lot of Colts.

My RIA sleeps on my nightstand every night, my Colt sleeps in my safe!

 

[GrayGhost99]

I've owned 2 RIA both in 38 super. Both had creep free 4 lb on the dot triggers
Only downfall is factory mags tend to be problem oriented, not so much in feeding but in sticking. Aftermarket never have had a issue

 

[rjm6120]

Thank you again everyone for the responses and opinions!! I appreciate them.

 

[Mickey D]

I have several Colt 1911s and decided to try an RIA Tac.
This gun is fantastic right out of the box. Great trigger, and functions with all ammo I have fed it. Several ball and defensive HP of different manufactures, and hand loads fed without a hiccup. I only use Check-Mate mags in my 1911s, as they are the key to performance IMO.

 

[poordevil]

I would get the Rock Island. I understand they are drop forged and all Gov. surplus parts as well as any other 1911 type parts will fit.

It is made in the Philippines, as is my Wife, Whom I am Very happy with

 

[jack the toad]

I would get the Rock Island. I understand they are drop forged and all Gov. surplus parts as well as any other 1911 type parts will fit.

I'm not an expert but to my knowledge, the frames are cast and prolly the slides too. And parts are mostly MIM.
As for parts interchangeability, in my experience they pretty much are as much as any other brand in that some parts may require final fitting.
Same goes for the Ruger.

 

[BigBill]

Rock Iland is the same company as rock Iland armory RIA?

Only load the 1911 or other pistols from the magazine's. I loaded the first round by hand in the chamber and unpsrung the extractor. She would stove pipe one round per mag. It was my fault.
Note, not all 1911 shoot jhp bullets. The 1911 was designed for round nose bullets.

There's reasons why some have problems with 1911.

 

[Fishslayer]

I actually own both. I wouldn't say that one or the other is a whole lot "better" than the other but if I could only have one I'd probably keep the Ruger mostly because it's stainless & made in America.

I actually shoot the RIA slightly better than the Ruger but my guess is that's because the RIA trigger is a bit lighter.

That's not to say the RIA Tactical isn't a whole lot of gun for the money. It is. Detractors like to say "You get what you pay for." My response is usually "Sometimes you get more." The upgrades on the Tactical vs the GI model would cost far more to have done than the $60-ish more that the Tactical model costs.

Function in both has been 100% with ball ammo and OK with semi wadcutter target fodder. The Ruger comes with two Checkmate mags with dimpled follower & hybrid feed lips. Coincidentally these are exactly what I've been buying since I discovered them.

The fit in the Ruger is a bit better. The grip safety on the RIA has a bit of wiggle sideways but nothing that affects operation. The ambi safety levers on the RIA have some sharp edges and the slide stop has started to peen the slide stop notch a bit.

I like the 3 dot sights on the Ruger better than the plain ones on the RI. As I understand it the newer models have standard Novak dovetails so an easy fix.

The trigger on my RIA is lighter & crisper than the Ruger. Nothing ya can't fix with $$$.

I would not hesitate to buy either pistol again. In fact I've eyeballing a RIA Match model at the LGS.

RIA customer service is reputed to be on par with Ruger's.. ie... both are top drawer.

 

[RubenZ]

Note, not all 1911 shoot jhp bullets. The 1911 was designed for round nose bullets.

There's reasons why some have problems with 1911.

True, but a good 1911 SHOULD shoot JHP, FMJ and any others.

 

[H Richard]

I have 2 RIA's, both are the compact models. I've had the 45 for 8 or 9 years, and the 9mm for 2 years. I have used the 9mm for my 9mm load development, and it shoots great. I now have somewhere over 3000 rounds through this gun, and not one malfunction. I put different grip panels on it but everything else is stock. I also have a Colt Gold Cup, and a Springfield, both full size guns, but the RIA's are the ones I usually pick up when going to the range.

 

[GtownGeorge]

3 dot sights. My RIA FS Tactical had little 'dots' on the rear sight that were perfect for a drop or 2 of white paint. Front sight got some red paint. I understand not all have the 'dots' on the rear sight. And +1 on the tactical version.