Rock Island Tactical 1911 vs. Ruger SR1911

[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.

 

[scattershot]

Rocks are a bargain. I have two of them, a Ruger, and a Colt. When I got my first Rock, I sold a Kimber. The RIAs are (or used to be) about half the price of the Ruger, for the Tactical model, which is the one to have,IMO.

I don't care for the plain mahogany grips on the RIA, but you can fix that at Brownells for about $8.00.

If money is a concern, as it is for most of us, then go with the RIA Tactical. Even if it isn't, the Rock Island is worth a good hard look.

As far as repair work goes, I sent one of the RIAs back for a rough trigger, something to do with a burr in the trigger bow channel or something, and it was repaired and returned within a few days. Nothing to complain about there.

 

[jack the toad]

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

Yep, to my knowledge, theyre the same. Armscor.
Not to confuse with the old gov. Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois.
Kinda like the difference between Springfield Armory in MA (old US Arsenal) and Springfield Armory Inc. in IL.

 

[rjm6120]

I am going to the LGS tomorrow morning, which has an indoor firing range (primary reason why I'm going there). After I'm done shooting, I'm going to do a very thorough comparison of the two, hopefully without being annoying.

 

[Mtnfolk325]

I bought the Officer's Model RIA back about 2006, along with a 1k round case of Remington 230 Grain Ball & a 500 round case of Remington 185 Grain HP. During the next 3 months I shot about half of each case as well as 400 or so of assorted 200 grain H&G 68 SWC reloads and WWII era Military Ball. Had no FTE issues, although during the 1st 200 or so rounds it would ocassionally have a slow feed episode with all ammo. Touching the rear of the slide would put it fully into battery. I called the Customer Service # and spoke with a very knowledgeable Gunsmith who immediately sent me a Wolfe Recoil Spring at no cost. The Factory Spec weight spring fixed the slow feed issue and the gun ran flawless. After 3 months I traded it away on a whim and have regretted it since. If I was to buy another 1911 it will most likely be a RIA Tactical in 9mm.

 

[mtelkhntr]

I can't speak to the RIA but I do have two Ruger 1911's. One is the full sized government model and the other a commander. Out of the two I'd have to say I like the commander better. I've shot over a thousand rounds through it without a hickup. My daughter came home for Christmas last year and wanted to try several different revolvers and pistols and out of all she tried, she liked the commander best also. That was despite my best efforts to sell her on a J frame 640. She liked the commander so well she bought one of her own a month or so ago.

 

[drgbike]

I have 5 RIAs, they have cast frames and forged slides at last info. they are working on forged frame now. Very innovative company with emphasis on CS. They come in many different names, all made by Armscor, recent acquisition is labeled Taylor. I converted one to 400 CorBon which is pretty stout. I have been able to change all the parts with Millspeck stuff when needed or desired. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of their stuff, hey its priced right.

 

[BigBill]

Go to the 1911 forum to read more on them.

 

[rjm6120]

After shooting today I took a looooonng look at the RIA and fortunately they had an FS tactical in stock. First of all I was surprised that this gun was a full $100 cheaper than the Ruger (price of the RIA was $550). Fit and finish on the particular FS model they had was very, very impressive. No rough edges on anything and the finish on the gun was very smooth, uniform and well done. I couldn't put the damned thing down, I was so surprised at the initial quality of the piece, for its price. The stainless Ruger SR1911 was of course gorgeous, but I kept going back to the RIA. The trigger on the RIA was very nice as well.

Ok so blah, blah, blah I went home, gathered up my slush fund, and went ahead and bought the RIA. The LGS lubed it up a little bit and I was able to go right into the range for 1/2 hour for free to give it its first 100 round test drive. What a gun---no hiccups or burps and everything functioned as it should have. The accuracy was very nice as well. I'm already planning my next range trip to shoot it some more.

Thanks again for everyone's input and responses! I am definitely a fan, so far, of Rock Island Armory and definitely recommend one for an entry level 1911.

 

[jack the toad]

Congrats on your decision and purchase. Between the Ruger and RIA, either one would have been a good choice. I currently own the RIA FS Tac and will maybe pick up a Ruger someday if a good deal comes along.

 

[C P Koma]

Like putting price on peace of mind !

"You get what you pay for"
Buy the Ruger. Weapons are an investment not only dollar value but for you and your family's protection.

"Be aware and alert the light at the end of the tunnel might be a mussel flash."