shot my RIA 1911 at a casual match today...
Was regularly knocking over the pins at 20 (or so) using 230gr homecast handloads.
Yeah, it did very nice today. A damn fine pistol for around 400 bucks.
Yeah those little shits are great pistols!
I have a .38 super 5" GI model and it's REALLY hard not to get a big head around people with it, when it outperforms guns that cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands more.
Sorry for being stupid but what is RIA?
Is it rock island? I have heard of those but don't know were to purchace.
Rock Island Armory, imported from the Phillipines but they are reasonably priced 1911's. I have a 1911-A1 and it cost me about $400 a couple years ago. Armscor is the importer and these pistols are also marketed as Citadel. I like the looks of their MS series which have Novak style sights, light weight hammer beaver tail grip safety and extended thumb safety. Their matte nickel pistols look pretty good and I'd like to try getting a RIA 38 Super after shooting my Son in Law's Colt Commander 38 Super. Centerfire Systems in Colorado and Palmetto State Armory both sell RIA.
I bought a GI last summer. I am amazed at what they have done with such a low priced handgun.
I did have some issues related to accuracy with mine, which are detailed in a couple of posts on here. It was completely reliable though.
I sent it in, and to say they went above and beyond the call is an understatement. Sort list though.
1 New slide––warranty
2 New barrel, and not just a replacement, but the top barrel they make. -warranty
3 Used my EGW bushing, and hand fit it to the new slide, and the new barrel, both of which were picked to be tight with the bushing. Free
4 Trigger job - Free
5 New mag catch-warranty
6 Custom tuned extractor- free
7 feeding system worked on for feeding of 230gr XTPs. ( though the original did fine, they asked what I carried ) free
8 range time with it for test and evaluation
There would have been a number 9, but they were out of the night sights I wanted. I was offered a better combat sight with just the cost of the parts, but wanted to wait and install night sights later.
It shoots everything I feed it. staggered mags filled with lead SWC of 185-200-225gr, HP of 200-230gr XTP - Magtech Guardian Gold 185gr, 230gr FMJ, etc, upside down, right side up, and sideways, all day, all night, fast, slow, and in between.
No failures. I paid $375 out the door.
Thanks. Palamato is on here so that is good. Have 3 kimbers but got them all used for cheap. Now they are all hella expensive.
Originally Posted By pavlovwolf:
I bought a GI last summer. I am amazed at what they have done with such a low priced handgun.
Yes, when a company does not have to pay pirate rates on taxes and comply with regulations written by the mad hatter and enforced by the Terminator, they can produce quality goods at a reasonable price.
Yes HB, that has a lot to do with it, but they still come in way under comparable weapons that are imported from other countries with similar laws and tax structures. To do that in a weapon that isn't made of Tupperware or that is a cookie cutter stamping is still quite a feat.
Love my RIA. I've got the matte nickel version with the better sights and extended beavertail/skeleton hammer and trigger.
I was out shooting with my uncle and a friend of his a couple weeks ago, and they were shooting at B-27 targets from about 45 yards for giggles. They were going for center-of-mass hits, and I told them they had low expectations. I proceeded to put 4 of 5 into the head, which is pretty good for me offhand.
That pistol just plain shoots, and after a little ramp work, it feeds anything now. I've put close to 500 rounds through it since then with no failures.
