USPSA1911 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I recently purchase a Rock Island Armory 1911 in 9mm and I'd like to use it for USPSA. I've got a few questions I was hoping I could get some help/advice with. Would the stock 1911 be considered a Single-Stack Division gun? Does anyone use a RIA 1911 for USPSA? For starters my USPSA activities would be purely hobby. I realize the stock gun would need work for serious competition. Are there any divisions where a fiber-optic front sight is legal? Do you have any 1911 holster recommendations for USPSA competition? Any advise you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storz Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 The RIA is def legal for single stack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah my boy Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Yes shoot single stack. Get lots of mags a daa holster would be plenty shooters connection.com. Fiber front sight is legal for all divisions. Work with recoil springs and main springs to get a good feel and then a trigger job. Dry fire a ton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Yep, get yourself some 10-round mags and your RIA is just fine in SS division. Fiber-optic sights are legal in all USPSA divisions. I have them on all my competition guns. I use the hard kydex Uncle Mike's belt holster and double mag pouches for SS. The price (about $16 each) is hard to beat, and I have never felt the need to switch to anything else. Good luck, and welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer1911 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 First things first, Welcome aboard Tim. Ok now to the meat of your questions. 1. your RIA 1911 9 mm should be legal. ( I would get it wieghed just to be sure it meets the 43 oz wieght limit to be sure) 2. A fiber Optic sight is legal in Single Stack 3. for holster I would recommend a Blade tech, Comp Tac, Safariland or Double Alpha PRD Belt ride 4. you will need at least 5 good quality 10 rd mags (9 mm or 38 Super if you want to load long) As far as the work the make it competitive I would say invest in ammo and shoot shoot shoot. Then you can always make changes as you go along at a slower pace. JMHO Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USPSA1911 Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 Wow, that was fast! Looks like it's time to buy a holster, and have a fiber-optic sight installed on the RIA. The fiber-optic really helps the rapidly approaching 50 year old eyes. I've got them on both my 22lr and 45acp Bullseye pistols. Thanks for the advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who Knew Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 The RIA should be a great gun for USPSA. I shot mine last month due to a shortage of .40 ammo, wanting to save what I have until I can get some more. I use my RIA in IDPA and it barely makes weight at 42.6 oz but you should check it anyway. Not much needs to be done to it for competitive shooting. Depending on what ammo you use, changing the recoil spring to lighter one would be an inexpensive upgrade. Be sure and get some good magazines. I'm using the Dawson's and have had no problems so far and I just passed the 4000 round mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USPSA1911 Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 I use my RIA in IDPA and it barely makes weight at 42.6 oz but you should check it anyway. Not much needs to be done to it for competitive shooting. So the gun with empty mag can weigh nor more than 43 oz. Looks like I need to borrow a postal scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midvalleyshooter Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Yep, get yourself some 10-round mags and your RIA is just fine in SS division. Fiber-optic sights are legal in all USPSA divisions. I have them on all my competition guns. I use the hard kydex Uncle Mike's belt holster and double mag pouches for SS. The price (about $16 each) is hard to beat, and I have never felt the need to switch to anything else. Good luck, and welcome aboard. Ditto on everything Carmoney said. I use the Uncle Mikes holster and mag carriers. They work just as well as the Bladetech kydex gear I have for other guns. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMadWorld Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Welcome to the Single Stack Club. I agree with Carmoney and midvalley, Uncle Mike's holster for $20 works as well as my Bladetech, draw times for dry fire is the same. Get used to a bunch of mags wrapping around you and get used to where you have to pull them from. I have lost track in the middle of a match and wasted time searching for a mag on my belt because I was not consistent with where I grabbed them from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USPSA1911 Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 I use the hard kydex Uncle Mike's belt holster and double mag pouches for SS. The price (about $16 each) is hard to beat, and I have never felt the need to switch to anything else. Good luck, and welcome aboard. Are there any online vendors stocking Uncle Mike's kydex holsters? Or are they all depleted like all other things firearms related? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppcgm Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Amazon has them in stock. According to Uncle Mike's site, size 19 accepts the 1911 up to a 5 inch barrel. The holster is $22.47 and you get it shipped free if you can find some magazine pouches that also have the super saver shipping option. I've heard a rumor that one or the other competition organization will soon require only single magazine holders. So you might want to go that way if possible. Don't spend any more than necessary on equipment or knicknacks to begin with. Spend the money on ammo and instruction instead and you'll see a lot more results for your investment than if you go buying this week's new doodad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHarrell202 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 I personally use a comptac holster, and have been pleased with it, but I'm sure an uncle mikes would work just the same, not a whole lot you can do differently and still be leagal. If you are only going to shoot USPSA, and might look at shooting different divisions, I would look at the CR Speed versa pouch and belt system. I don't think there is too many mags that won't fit, but I'm not sure you can use them in IDPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHarrell202 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Almost forgot about the other questions. 9mm works great. You start losing some points but if your competing for fun or practical purpose, shoot what ya got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2rideWV Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 My buddy is an experienced shooter and he loves his Springfield 9mm. Under normal circumstances - not the current political climate - the gun is cheaper to shoot and recoils less. He has used it to introduce other new shooters to the game, too. Go to a match and see what gear those guys are using. The advice of those who have already posted is great, too. My 2 cents says you can never have too many magazines; I like to have at least six for any gun I am using a lot; you don't have to use them all, but it is nice to have spares. My other advice to it shoot as much as you can before feeling like you have to modify a gun. It is usually the better shooter who wins, not the equipment. Also, shooting for a while with your stock gun means you're more likely to make worthwhile modifications that you actually have to have (like having an extended magazine release really helps me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USPSA1911 Posted March 10, 2013 Author Share Posted March 10, 2013 Thanks for all the advice! I've ordered an Uncle Mike's holster and mag pouch from Amazon, and magazines from Dawson. That should get things started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 9mm works great. You start losing points but if your competing for fun or practical purpose, shoot what ya got. Nothing wrong with the 9mm, except you'll be shooting against .45's which score higher points for the C & D (misses). But, stilla lot of fun and good way to get into the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunsen Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 The RIA is fine and 9mm is fine if you are doing it just for fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USPSA1911 Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 The RIA is fine and 9mm is fine if you are doing it just for fun. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If I get bit by the bug hard, I can always buy another gun, or have this one modified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Sti spartan is the way to go. Not much more than the rock island and has sti guts. I have one and it runs perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 STI Spartan 5, 9mm Red Fiber Optic CR Speed belt/pouches (5) Blade-Tech SRB (DOH removed) holster 9lb recoil/17lb mainspring 10-8 Flat trigger Dawson No-Gap Magwell Dawson Magazines Absolutely LOVE this setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now