Rock Island 1911 opinions?

In 1911s probably more than any other style of pistol, you get what you pay for. If you want an inexpensive version, RIA, Daley, Taurus P-1911, up to the GI Springfield, you get a pistol with loose tolerances that because of that will be inaccurate but reliable. As you go up in price, more expensive SAs, Smith, Para, Kimber, SIG GSR (what I own) to the custom Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, etc., you get accuracy--sometimes remarkable. For personal defense, at tactical handgun range, I think the RIA is fine. But keep in mind, for about the same money, you can get several much more accurate 9MMs. If your heart is set on a .45ACP 1911, go for whatever your budget allows. But there are other .45ACPS (not 1911s) that are better guns for the same money, as well as 9mms. Look at the Taurus 24/7 OSS for around $500. Gives you the big cartridge, hi-cap mags, and solid build with good accuracy. Plus, easy to shoot and good looks. I do prefer the 1911 to anything but my Hi-Power, but wouldn't go low-end. Just my 2 cents, and 40 years of shooting handguns...

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In 1911s probably more than any other style of pistol, you get what you pay for. If you want an inexpensive version, RIA, Daley, Taurus P-1911, up to the GI Springfield, you get a pistol with loose tolerances that because of that will be inaccurate but reliable. As you go up in price, more expensive SAs, Smith, Para, Kimber, SIG GSR (what I own) to the custom Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, etc., you get accuracy--sometimes remarkable. For personal defense, at tactical handgun range, I think the RIA is fine. But keep in mind, for about the same money, you can get several much more accurate 9MMs. If your heart is set on a .45ACP 1911, go for whatever your budget allows. But there are other .45ACPS (not 1911s) that are better guns for the same money, as well as 9mms. Look at the Taurus 24/7 OSS for around $500. Gives you the big cartridge, hi-cap mags, and solid build with good accuracy. Plus, easy to shoot and good looks. I do prefer the 1911 to anything but my Hi-Power, but wouldn't go low-end. Just my 2 cents, and 40 years of shooting handguns...

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Gunslinger wrote:

In 1911s probably more than any other style of pistol, you get what you pay for. If you want an inexpensive version, RIA, Daley, Taurus P-1911, up to the GI Springfield, you get a pistol with loose tolerances that because of that will be inaccurate but reliable. As you go up in price, more expensive SAs, Smith, Para, Kimber, SIG GSR (what I own) to the custom Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, etc., you get accuracy--sometimes remarkable. For personal defense, at tactical handgun range, I think the RIA is fine. But keep in mind, for about the same money, you can get several much more accurate 9MMs. If your heart is set on a .45ACP 1911, go for whatever your budget allows. But there are other .45ACPS (not 1911s) that are better guns for the same money, as well as 9mms. Look at the Taurus 24/7 OSS for around $500. Gives you the big cartridge, hi-cap mags, and solid build with good accuracy. Plus, easy to shoot and good looks. I do prefer the 1911 to anything but my Hi-Power, but wouldn't go low-end. Just my 2 cents, and 40 years of shooting handguns...

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Damn, if my RIA were *more* accurate, I could make a great living in target or trick shooting.

I realize you're speaking in generalities, unless you have thousands of rounds shot through each of these in your 40 years? I was flabbergasted at how well the RIA shot, and the accuracy and grouping I got right out of the box.

Guess everyone's mileage varies.

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Also, I had read different things about the chain breaking after 3,500 rounds. Has anyone experienced this?

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No chain in a 1911.

Some parts need to be replaced around that interval, like the firing pin spring (recommend at 5000 rounds).

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Gunslinger wrote:

In 1911s probably more than any other style of pistol, you get what you pay for. If you want an inexpensive version, RIA, Daley, Taurus P-1911, up to the GI Springfield, you get a pistol with loose tolerances that because of that will be inaccurate but reliable. As you go up in price, more expensive SAs, Smith, Para, Kimber, SIG GSR (what I own) to the custom Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, etc., you get accuracy--sometimes remarkable. For personal defense, at tactical handgun range, I think the RIA is fine. But keep in mind, for about the same money, you can get several much more accurate 9MMs. If your heart is set on a .45ACP 1911, go for whatever your budget allows. But there are other .45ACPS (not 1911s) that are better guns for the same money, as well as 9mms. Look at the Taurus 24/7 OSS for around $500. Gives you the big cartridge, hi-cap mags, and solid build with good accuracy. Plus, easy to shoot and good looks. I do prefer the 1911 to anything but my Hi-Power, but wouldn't go low-end. Just my 2 cents, and 40 years of shooting handguns...

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My RIA Tactical came extremely tight from the factory.

It took a break-in of 500 rounds to "rattle" just a little like a good combat 1911 should.

I really don't think your description of RIAs as "low-end" is remotely accurate, nor do I agree that two, or even a single, 9mm can be had at a lower price which is of comparable quality.

Armscor guns are much better built than any Taurus guns.

No offense, but I get the impression that your 40+ years of gun experience doesn't include an exceptionally large amount of trigger-time behind a newer RIA Tactical.

They certainly aren't Ed Brown or Wilson Combat, but they aren't "low-end" either.

Also, the RIA Tactical is quite accurate for a combat 1911.

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Gunslinger wrote:

In 1911s probably more than any other style of pistol, you get what you pay for. If you want an inexpensive version, RIA, Daley, Taurus P-1911, up to the GI Springfield, you get a pistol with loose tolerances that because of that will be inaccurate but reliable. As you go up in price, more expensive SAs, Smith, Para, Kimber, SIG GSR (what I own) to the custom Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, etc., you get accuracy--sometimes remarkable. For personal defense, at tactical handgun range, I think the RIA is fine. But keep in mind, for about the same money, you can get several much more accurate 9MMs. If your heart is set on a .45ACP 1911, go for whatever your budget allows. But there are other .45ACPS (not 1911s) that are better guns for the same money, as well as 9mms. Look at the Taurus 24/7 OSS for around $500. Gives you the big cartridge, hi-cap mags, and solid build with good accuracy. Plus, easy to shoot and good looks. I do prefer the 1911 to anything but my Hi-Power, but wouldn't go low-end. Just my 2 cents, and 40 years of shooting handguns...

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Damn, if my RIA were *more* accurate, I could make a great living in target or trick shooting.

I realize you're speaking in generalities, unless you have thousands of rounds shot through each of these in your 40 years? I was flabbergasted at how well the RIA shot, and the accuracy and grouping I got right out of the box.

Guess everyone's mileage varies.

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Hmm, I'm not sure what you mean by "retention spring". Perhaps you mean the recoil spring?

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marshaul wrote:

Hmm, I'm not sure what you mean by "retention spring". Perhaps you mean the recoil spring?

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Probably, and they should be replaced in any Browning designed pistol by then, no matter what it costs. In Commander length or shorter, I'd go 2500 max.

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With the RIA 1911 does it work well with standard 1911 holsters. I know some holster manufacturers won't necessarily list Armscor, so is there a brand it is most similar to in those situations?

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The parts are manufactured in the same facility, but the pistols are finished and assembled in different places. RIA has their own shop, and their final product is generally considered to be of a decidedly better quality than Charles Daly 1911s.

The 1911 pattern gets points not just because some folks want 1911s, but because ANY well-made 1911 is one of the best combat handguns ever devised.

I can't agree that there are better options for the price point. Unless you specifically DON'T want a 1911 for some reason.

As for Taurus, the PT1911 has a forged frame (instead of cast), but it also has a fugly painted billboard on the side, and I remain unconvinced that it is worth the extra cash considering the quality of modern castings.

Also, while both guns are well-received as an excellent bargain, my impression from browsing many a forum is to a slightly higher level of satisfaction with the RIAs.

Finally, there is nothing wrong with stuff manufactured in the Philippines. I would suggest that the Daly you handled isn't going to reveal much about the quality of a newer RIA Tactical. They just keep getting better and better, and they've been considered equal to or better than Dalys since they first hit the market.

Don't get me wrong, I know exactly what you're getting at. I just don't think it's accurate to characterize an RIA as "inaccurate" simply because it has a "low-end" price point.

It won't be as accurate as a fine custom 1911, but then neither will a Springfield GI. The question is, is the RIA as accurate as the Springfield GI, for significantly less money? And the answer is yes.

No matter what you have, there is always something "better". The question should be, is what I have sufficient to the task for which it is intended?

And the answer is that, for both defensive and target shooting, a RIA 1911 is going to just as sufficient to both of those ends as any other similarly-priced pistol, and many which cost a good deal more.

I really don't know what I would do with more accuracy, or why I would need it.

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