Alaskan454 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 At a recent steel event I won a G.I. model from the shop's rental case that had been pretty well used but was in great working condition. Having heard mixed reviews about RIA I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm actually pretty impressed with this thing. After a basic field strip and cleaning I took 100 rounds from my reject pile that were either test rounds for powder charge, C.O.L. or had some bulge/defect and wouldn't chamber easily in my 625. They were cast 155gr SWCs, 200gr RNFP, and 230gr RN and I wasn't sure if some of them would even cycle the gun being light target loads. The 155gr SWC is an especially unforgiving design for reliable feeding and the 1911 fed, fired, and ejected everything I put in it. It had no trouble hitting 8 inch steel plates out to 30 yards and I was actually shooting it better than most of my semi-autos by the end of that 100 rounds at the 10 yard line...so I'd say I'm pretty impressed based upon its price tag. The only thing I didn't like was the G.I. style beavertail. Anyone else have a similar experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSGJohnV Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Bought my tactical RIA 9mm single stack on a whim a few months ago. It loves 147 grn over 3.4 grains WST. It had a hiccup or two in regards to magazines, but has been reliable otherwise. Great entry level option in my opinion. First priority should always be reliability, then looks. Plus, I don't care if I ding it on a prop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdawgbeav Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 RIA has really stepped up their game and now there are lots of choices for lower priced 1911's. Plus they seem to run really well. Saves you money when upgrading as youi are starting with a pistol for half the cost. Means more money for the upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HCH Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Had 2, both ran fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 They are wonderful no b.s. 1911. I have a 1911 45acp (Armscor) that has well over 10k and still going (all original parts even the springs). I still bring it at match as a back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 RI Pistols can't be beat for the money. People get hung up so bad on the cast / forged frame that they are blinded by a quality pistol. Notice the STI blem post. It will run and run as well as any other. Great guns to build on. Same problem with folks thinking on MIM parts. You have good and bad parts everywhere. Corvette connecting rods are MIM parts and then cracked to make them separate. Rock Island is a good gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've had a few over the years. Currently have a .22TCM/9mm and a 3" 9mm. Not a huge fan of the G.I. models mainly due to the sights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 this is my latest frankenstein, so I far I only test fired it, Not sure if I want to put a comp on it. Maybe later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Add the comp, change the recoil spring and really go fast . You will have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklab Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I have a few RAI 1911's in 9mm. One has a comp. and C-more, works pretty good. Liked the 1911's so much, I bought one of there double stacks. I didn't shoot that one much yet, so can't say how well it works . For the money you can't go wrong I don't think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I picked up a RIA 9mm Tactical II a few months ago for a backup to my Trojan and just to play around with. Only have about 500 rounds through it so far, but it's run very well for the price so far. I had to file down the ejector since mags were hitting it and sticking on it, but otherwise no issues. The Tactical II model is a great value since it comes out of the box ready to go for Single Stack with a magwell, fiber optic front sight, ambi safety, and VZ grips for under $500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud White Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I have 3 Rocks newest is a HC 40 Tac II all have ate anything and never had a problem till last week.. Starting having click no boom on my 1911 5" 9mm tip of firing pin broke no this is just a range gun never carried so wasnt big deal shot them a email and they sent me a new pin monday got it today was a clean shear on the tip great customer service if you need it my 38 super has had thousands of rounds with only replacing the recoil spring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan454 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 I think I'm going to sell the G.I. and pickup a tac model. Looking for something to shoot the occasional single stack match with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowfin Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Are Metro Arms also Armscor but different label? I just picked one up last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Armscor (RIA, High Standard, Charles Daly), MetroArms (American Classic, Firestorm), and SAM (ATI), are all separate companies out of the Philippines. Edited September 22, 2015 by Absocold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpm8300 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I bought a RIA 9mm tactical a while ago - maybe 4 years ago? After much filing and tweaking it is running as realiable as my Glocks and CZs I shoot for USPSA. Here are some the issues I worked through - The feed ramp angle isn't exactly right, and the chamber isn't throated. I shoot 124gr and 147gr plated bullets and reload them at the common OALs. There were some failure to feeds with the rounds getting caught on the top of the chamber. After using the fancy protractor and some fine grit sandpaper, I was able to slightly adjust the ramp angle and add some throating. That fixed all of the feed problems. After that I couldnt understand how I could barely maintain a 5" group at 25m from a rest. Lots of reasons why the accuracy is bad, but long story short, I put an EGW bushing and now it shoots 1.5" groups at 25m with the 147gr plated floating around 875fps. It runs very very well now for a $425 pistol, but in retrospect, I would have just bought an STI. This gun loves the Tripp Cobra 10 rounders, and hates the Wilsons. Those plus an adjustable rear from Springfield Armory and a Dawson front means a fun and competitive single stack USPSA gun, even if it is minor scoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyBlue Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 I currently have a compact RIA, and it will more than hold its own. I used to have a five inch model but right after Sandy Hook when people were going crazy I was offered more than I paid for it so I let it go. The compact has about 3500 rounds down range with only one issue and that was mag related. Nice little shooter for when I am trail riding or working around the ranch. It is not a pretty gun, until you start shooting it and then it looks a lot nicer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad1988 Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 I bought one not to long ago in 9mm, I love it. I plan on purchasing one of their 2011's next. Hopefully I'll have good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan454 Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 I think the the 2011 models are a great value, I haven't had a chance to try one in person though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuellX1 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 RIA has come a long way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I'm contemplating one of their double stacks in .40S&W. I got out of the .40 awhile back but could jump back in. At under $800 it looks like a great value as a Limited gun. The model I'm looking at has G10 grips, fiber front, adj rear and a magwell all factory installed. My only concern is mag reliability and finding extended basepads. Has a Series 70 firing system so it should take well to a good trigger job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Don't pass on buying a series 80 if there's no other option, it only takes a couple minutes to remove the extra parts and make it a 70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Just pointing out that it already comes with a Series 70 system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter212 Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I have a RIA double stack in 9 that I bought for 3 gun after reading about it on here. Can't be more happy with it shoots straight and I can shoot it faster then I ever did my glock. Doesn't like some hollow points but I reload all round nose so I don't really care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igolfat8 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I've got a .45 Tac II DS and its awesome for the price. It had the best trigger out of every SA's, Colt, Kimber and STI, which were all compared side by side at a LGS. I was amazed how smooth and light the trigger was as compared to the others. Guess I got lucky? Its a tack driver. The only negative is the the internal bore feels really rough when pushing a patch through it but it certainly doesn't affect the accuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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