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 09-14-2009, 05:02 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Danville Posts: 376 |  Rock Island Armory
I went to a local gunshop this past weekend and after i payed for a scope mount the guy fronted me 2 weeks ago i got to looking at his stock. He had 2 Rock Island Armory 1911's one was a bare bones GI model for $514, and th other was a "tatical model" with ambi safities and combat sights for around $590. I have been thinking i would like a 1911 to tinker around with, customize a little, but i dont think that would be a good idea to try out on my kimber. So i guess what i am asking is what is your experience with Rock Island, whats their quality like, how easy are they to customize. what do you think of the prices? | 
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| 09-14-2009, 05:10 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7,158 |
I've owned a couple and they're decent guns with cast frames. Both prices seem a bit high to me as I've seen the Tactical at around $500 locally. The Tactical has better sights (dovetailed) and most of the bells & whistles folks want so you won't have to do any upgrades. Bang for the buck, the Tactical is a good buy... | |
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| 09-14-2009, 05:11 PM | #3 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
Rock Island is a pretty good company. They quality is "good" but I definitely wouldn't say they are above average.
They do use MIM ( Metal Injection Molded ) parts in their low end pieces, so I would plan on changing out a few of the internals if the piece you buy has them.
$514 for the GI would be a "decent" price, but I have seen the GI models for as low as $440.
This would be a good project gun for you and an excellent way to learn your way around the 1911 platform. The RIA platform should be all steel frame and slide, and you can build a great pistol starting with those two components...
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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| 09-14-2009, 05:13 PM | #4 | Call Me Doug Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: It's because I actually HAVE those skills! Posts: 21,258 |
NGIB - Is that true? I thought RIA was producing a true steel frame and slide, not a cast version. I thought that was one of their "selling' points.
Not arguing, I am honestly curious, because I had read otherwise.
Thanks,
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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| 09-14-2009, 05:21 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7,158 |
As far as I know, they still use a cast frame vs the forged frame - and this is why some folks dislike them. I would avoid the GI model as the first thing everyone wants to do is upgrade the sights. The Tactical has dovetailed front & rear sights and this is worth the price difference alone IMHO.
When I bought my Guardian last month I examined a Citadel "Tactical" model (also built by Armscor) and it looked very nice. I prefer the matte black finish on the Citadel to the parkerized finish on the RIAs. The price on the shelf was $509...
Last edited by NGIB; 09-14-2009 at 05:41 PM. | |
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| 09-14-2009, 05:57 PM | #6 | Si vis pacem,para bellum Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: robbins, california Posts: 845 Likes Given: 12
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i own a R.I.A. standard g.i. model nothing fancy but it's worth every bit i paid i got mine for around 500 out the door but i would have paid a little more not much more though. i bought mine for a winter project, gonna add as many upgrades as i can afford this winter ,thinking about sending it off for a finish from HOME PAGE they've got some pretty cool looking stuff. |
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| 09-14-2009, 06:15 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Danville Posts: 376 |
Thanks for the info. They both looked like decent pieces. but i do think the prices are a bit high. I was thinking i would go with the standard A1/GI ( not sure what to call it im sure cane will be all over my ass for botching the designations) model because it seems like a waste to buy a more expensice model and just junk all the parts anyways. I wonder if i would be cheaper just to buy the tatical model with the dovetail sights and then not have to pay someone to cut dovetails on the GI model?
i was thinking today at lunch that it would be funny to have a gun that was just as reliable as my kimber, but had the look of a cheap chrome knock off.
i think if i embark on this project it will be Known as the "Tijuana Pimp". A 1911 with a mirror finish, and pearl grips. Somthing that is fun to shoot, and also looks awesome.
I stole that name from someone in the 1911 forum
Last edited by Hot Sauce NARC; 09-14-2009 at 06:21 PM. | |
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| 09-14-2009, 06:34 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7,158 |
A friend of mine recently picked up an RIA Tactical in the satin nickel finish and it's a real good looking gun. I put a few mags thru it and it shot well also... | |
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| 09-14-2009, 09:57 PM | #9 | Sic Semper Tyrannis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: , The Mother Lode Posts: 18,437 |
I bought a new RIA Tactical and it was a POS. It wouldn't feed worth a damn. I tried different mags and also contacted the company. They told me that factory mags are the only ones that are guaranteed to work in it. So I bought a bunch (ACT-MAG) and it still wouldn't feed.
After several range trips, I got rid of it for a loss.
I know there are folks who have had no issues and mine may just have been a lemon, but I will never own a RIA ever again. __________________
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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