I purchased a Rock Island Armory 1911 last week at a gun show in Tyler, Texas. For $399.00, I thought it was a good buy after I read all of these forums on them. I bought the 4'' Commander style. After 100 rounds, the slide would not cycle anymore. I took the gun home, and broke it down.The instuctions stated this pistol was meant for {230 grain factory fmj } only. If that would have been written on the box on display, I wouldn`t have purchased this gun ! The ejector was bent, only 100 rounds through the gun ! The factory 8 round magazine did not work with 8 rounds in it, it will with 7. I should have bought the Springfield Armory for $75.00 more. My gunsmith laughed at the week metals in this gun, he tried to punch the pin out to get the ejector out. The pin mushroomed in the setting as he tried to punch it out, the metal was too soft. He ordered a strong ejector and pin from ''Brownell`s''. I am now gonna be $85.00 over the price of the gun.I contacted Armscor on their web-site, no response in 1 week. Spend a little more and get the Springfield Armory.I will take the Rock Island back to the range after my gunsmith gets done with it and let you know how it does.
Shannon WELCOME to the forum and let’s hope we can help change this bad experience with some good advice. Is there any way you can photo the RIA warning and post the pic here?
I'm not questioning you; just want the members to see what the mfgs are selling!
We have several RIA owners here and I've never heard of this ridiculous restriction applied to a 1911 design! JM Browning must be rolling over in his grave!
# 1, you should have sent the gun back to RIA or to the dealer you purchased it from at minimum. RIA will just say the gun has been modified now. Sorry, if the work has not been done yet I’d stop and send the gun back as-is!
If not 230 gr FMJ, what were you shooting? The commander should eat most anything short of aggressive hollow points!
Is the receiver (frame) steel or alloy?
My guess is that with a ‘new’ and most likely over-tight extractor in conjunction with an improperly heat-treated (read; cheap) ejector you would wind up with a bent part.
The 8 vs 7 round mag problem doesn’t surprise me. If you keep the gun, do yourself a favor and upgrade to a name-brand (Wilson Combat 47 series) magazine.
“I should have bought the Springfield…” Na, a
COLT!
Forget the web site, other than getting their mailing address! Write a letter demanding they replace the gun with a new working unit. That’s what you expected when you laid down your cash. (Was it cash or CC? If on credit card, stop payment and get them involved!) Tell RIA you do not trust this gun and you fear shooting it. Send it
certified mail with a received signature card. Record/copy any and all correspondences (including your web site contact) and bills/estimates. Don’t settle for anything short of reimbursements for repairs.
Keep in touch and let us know how you do.
PS: I am not a firearms attorney and do not play one on TV!
