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 11-27-2008, 05:07 PM | #1 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |  First Impressions RIA Tactical 1911
My first impressions of this RIA Tactical are mixed so far. I field stripped the pistol and gave it a thorough cleaning and lube.
1. The pistol was full of dirty oil and gritty/miniscule metal particles. The oil mixture looked the dregs in the bottom of an oil pan. So, not impressed.
2. The barrel was absolutely filthy. It was dirtier than a barrel after 300 rounds. I had to really scrub it out with a bore brush and a bunch of Hoppe's Elite. Remember, this is a new pistol. Two down, still not impressed.
3. The right side cutout for the beavertail safety looks like it was gnawed out by a deranged hamster on crack. Number Three, not only not impressed, but looking over my shoulder for a drug crazed hamster.
4. Number four must wait until I shoot this thing, sometime in the next few days. A range report will then be forthcoming.
All I can say after my initial impressions, is that it better shoot the nuts off a gnat.
I bought it as a beater/shooter, and it looks like that's exactly what it is. If it shoots accurately and reliably, I'll be happy with it.
I took the stock smooth wood grips off and installed Hogue double diamond grips. I had to do a bit of trimming on both grips to acommodate the ambi extended safety.
 __________________
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - a system of government where those least capable of leadership are elected by those least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to succeed or provide for themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by wealth confiscated from a diminishing number of people who actually work and produce.
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Last edited by CA357; 11-27-2008 at 05:13 PM. | 
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| 11-28-2008, 01:57 AM | #2 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
CA - Thanks for the truthful, and complete, first impressions of the weapon. Nobody wants to admit to buying something they are not happy with, but your review was truthful, and you left an open for the overall performance of the pistol to save itself. Which, for your case, I hope is the case.
There have been plenty of 1911 battles around here lately concerning if you get more gun for more money.
As the RIA is more a budget model, I, for one, will be interested in your truthful and thorough range report.
Good luck Brother -
JD __________________ "as for my Sword & Spear we will serve the throne, but NEVER that man who sits upon it" - Achilles - Warrior of Warriors
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctherock
Dillinger didn't have to let me try Cammenga Mags before I bought them; but he is a man of great character & a man who's word to me now is a good as gold. If he recommends it I know its good stuff.
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| 11-28-2008, 02:08 AM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: West of Louisville KY, Indiana Posts: 1,496 |
Wow, it was that dirty new? I got mine (full-size government) about 2 years ago and it was a year old at the time and had only been fired a few times. Except for an "Idiot Scratch" between the trigger and slide lock it was in perfect condition. I can hit a standard size post-it at 20 yards with all factory parts.
I know a guy who also has one with some more expensive parts: full length guide rod, match grade barrel, competition trigger etc. He's very impressed with his. __________________
Century Arms AR-15A2, 5.56
1946 Mosin-Nagant M44, 7.62x54R
1978 YUGO SKS, 7.62x39
NEF Protector Pump, 12 gauge
Savage Model 64, .22LR
NEF Pardner Tracker II, 12 gauge
Rock Island Armory 1911A1, .45 ACP
Remington 870 'Express Magnum' 12 gauge
Bersa Thunder .380 | |
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| 11-28-2008, 05:54 AM | #4 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |
I currently have a Dan Wesson CBOB, had and sold a Baer TRS that was stellar and also had a Springfield Mil Spec that I sent to Springfield Custom and Novak's for some tricks.
So, I have a reasonable basis for comparison. I bought the RIA strictly for knocking around, BOB use and keeping in the truck. So I really don't care in the least about its cosmetics. In fact, for my purposes, the uglier the better. (I think it looks meaner  )
BTW, I already found out that it doesn't like Baer or DW mags.
I'll be taking it to the range Saturday morning and will post a report after.
If the pistol ultimately doesn't get it, I'll just sell it and buy something else.
Life's way too short to waste a bunch of time polevaulting over mouse turds. __________________
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - a system of government where those least capable of leadership are elected by those least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to succeed or provide for themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by wealth confiscated from a diminishing number of people who actually work and produce.
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| 11-28-2008, 04:50 PM | #5 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by CA357
had and sold a Baer TRS that was stellar .
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Say it isn't so CA?!?! 
In the immortal words of Brain - " Pinky, if I could reach you, I would hurt you."
That hurts just a little bit inside.... I fear I might need a moment of silence....
JD __________________ "as for my Sword & Spear we will serve the throne, but NEVER that man who sits upon it" - Achilles - Warrior of Warriors
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctherock
Dillinger didn't have to let me try Cammenga Mags before I bought them; but he is a man of great character & a man who's word to me now is a good as gold. If he recommends it I know its good stuff.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! | |
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| 11-28-2008, 05:41 PM | #6 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
You sold the Les Baer? I hope you at least turned a profit on the sale. | |
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| 11-29-2008, 01:50 AM | #7 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |
A man's gotta' do what a man's gotta' do. __________________
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - a system of government where those least capable of leadership are elected by those least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to succeed or provide for themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by wealth confiscated from a diminishing number of people who actually work and produce.
ΜΟΛ'ΩΝ ΛΑΒ'Ε | |
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| 11-30-2008, 01:31 AM | #8 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |
Well, I took it to the range, but only managed to put three magazines through it. It shot accurately.
We had guests to instruct and I didn't have time to do any shooting. It was great fun though. My buddy, his girlfriend, her 14 and 16 year old daughters and her ex sister in law were there. We had a ball.
The ex sister in law is an LA liberal and she didn't have a good time for some reason. 
Back to the RIA... The slide won't hold open on the last round with any mag other than with the one factory supplied mag.
So far, it doesn't work at all with Les Baer or Dan Wesson mags. It will operate with Kimber mags, but won't hold open when the last round is fired. 
I emailed Ivan at Armscor about the dirt/grit and poor safety cuts in the frame and he said to send it to them. I'll now add the magazine issue to the list and ship it off to Nevada come Monday.
I'll keep you posted. __________________
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - a system of government where those least capable of leadership are elected by those least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to succeed or provide for themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by wealth confiscated from a diminishing number of people who actually work and produce.
ΜΟΛ'ΩΝ ΛΑΒ'Ε | |
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| 11-30-2008, 02:15 AM | #9 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
^ Definitely keep us posted. It will be interesting to see how it performs once the "repairs" have been made.
On that report, I am inclined to give that particular model a thumbs down from the JD center of the world. Not worth the risk in a true Life or Death situation with that poor of performance, regardless of how it shot when it did cycle okay. A broken watch still being right twice a day sort of thing.
Thanks for the report CA - best of luck with the repairs...
JD __________________ "as for my Sword & Spear we will serve the throne, but NEVER that man who sits upon it" - Achilles - Warrior of Warriors
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctherock
Dillinger didn't have to let me try Cammenga Mags before I bought them; but he is a man of great character & a man who's word to me now is a good as gold. If he recommends it I know its good stuff.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! | |
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| 11-30-2008, 02:27 AM | #10 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |
I don't know if I'll ship it back. I think I may just clean it and sell it. I'll pick up something else. __________________
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - a system of government where those least capable of leadership are elected by those least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to succeed or provide for themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by wealth confiscated from a diminishing number of people who actually work and produce.
ΜΟΛ'ΩΝ ΛΑΒ'Ε | |
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