Sidearms & Scatterguns Rock Island ?

[Cserv]

Am thinking of finally getting a 1911, and saw a RockIsland tactical for 529.00. Is this a good price and are these a decent entry level 1911? It will be used at the range and as a backup while pig hunting.
Thanks for any info.
Eric

 

[gunslotreaper308]

Re: Rock Island ?

Sorry, I can't comment on RIA, but you can get a Springer GI in that price range. I realize it's basic, but it's reliable and you can add upgrades later if desired.
If you're set on the RIA tactical, shop around. You can do better on the price.
http://centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911TACA.aspx

 

[doc76251]

Re: Rock Island ?

Yeah that price is a bit high unless it has bells and whistles. RIA is a good base GP pistol with room for customizing if you are inclined to "build" rather than buy. I believe I saw one with the high ride beaver tail going for a touch under $400.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Downzero]

Re: Rock Island ?

The RIA tactical is a very nice gun, much better than a Springfield GI in terms of features. I'd spend a little more and get the STI Spartan, personally, but they both came from the same factory, and are of similar quality.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Rock Island ?

I bought my RIA Tactical for around $450 out the door. The only "digs" I have are 1.)I've found that I dislike ambi safeties; and 2.)For the first 500 rounds, its spitting copper slivers back against my arms/face. The spitting copper sliver thing is starting to taper off, though. As far as function, I added a 18.5# recoil spring because with the stock spring it was throwing brass on even mild loads into the next county. I also swapped out the full length guide rod for a plug and regular guide rod (personal preference).

 

[b7tac]

Re: Rock Island ?

As stated above, $400 is about the standard price for RIA. As far as quality is concerned, they are a high value buy. You get a pretty damn good 1911 for your money with RIA.

 

[Cserv]

Re: Rock Island ?

Thanks all. Thought might be high, as this localshop usually is.
Eric

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Rock Island ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sawgunner2001</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought my RIA Tactical for around $450 out the door. The only "digs" I have are 1.)I've found that I dislike ambi safeties; and 2.)For the first 500 rounds, its spitting copper slivers back against my arms/face. The spitting copper sliver thing is starting to taper off, though. As far as function, I added a 18.5# recoil spring because with the stock spring it was throwing brass on even mild loads into the next county. I also swapped out the full length guide rod for a plug and regular guide rod (personal preference). </div></div>

If it is cycling fine with the 18.5 spring no worries, but if you see problems with
lighter loads you may want to spend some time tuning the extractor. I've shot
next to guns that drop them in neat little piles 3 ft from the shooter. Of coarse
that speaks volumes about the shooter as well.

 

[M855]

Re: Rock Island ?

depending on your AO the tac models go about $450,decent beater/truck gun,when/if something breaks on it i would go ahead and replace all the guts,I have the 9mm tac model and its frame to slide fit is tight and its shot great from day one ymmv

 

[Downzero]

Re: Rock Island ?

18.5 lb spring is pretty heavy. I run a 14 lb in my .45, 10 lb in 9mm.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Rock Island ?

The Rock Island 1911s as well as a few others are made by Armscor in the Philippines.

I've actually BEEN there, and own multiple Armscor firearms, including several of their 1911s. They're actually quite proud of the fact that we came up with the .45 1911 to kill them...

From a guy who carries a Colt, the Armscor ones aren't bad, and I'd much rather support the Filipinos over the Brazilians.


For the purposes you mentioned, you'll like the RIA 1911 just fine.


Now on to the specific model you mentioned, the Tactical.

I thought it was a VERY nice configuration for the price, it's too bad that you didn't want one earlier, as I sold two of them used, one was here on the Hide, they were both the Two Tone color scheme:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...062#Post2803062

I sold each of them for $399 + shipping, so your price is a bit high. The base models start at $390ish brand new in my store, the Tacticals start at $453.

 

[RSWORDS]

Re: Rock Island ?

Just to jump right in with the others, My RIA has been a great 1911 to own, I got the Tactical model like you are looking at. The only down side I could find is that the factory grip inserts leave alot to be desired, they are to slick. As we know though that is an easy swap. I have a about 1,300 rounds through mine and aside from a couple FTF's in the first 100-150 rounds it has been perfect.

 

[maxpower220]

Re: Rock Island ?

I have the RIA Tac in 9mm. The gun shoots great and I have had no issues with mine at all. For the base model, you should be under or around $400. For the Tactical, you should be around $450-500. IMO, the tactical is worth the little extra, as it would cost a lot more to add those parts.

 

[aloreman]

Re: Rock Island ?

great product for the money

 

[thespecialist]

Re: Rock Island ?

I've got the Tactical model, just over 2K rounds through it. As long as I don't try to feed it Hornady XTP's, it runs like a champ. The profile of the XTP's is like a flat point bullet, the arch enemy of 1911's.

I switched out the MSH for a flat one with the chainlink checkering, switched out the grip panels, added one of those checkered overlays to the front strap, fitted a new barrel bushing, and refinished it in KG Gunkote Titanium and flat black. It's probably one of my favorite pistols.

 

[shiftsniper]

Re: Rock Island ?

Have u looked at the new RIA Tactical? I picked one up the week before christmas. I already own a RIA 1911 Mil spec and this one feels alot better. 1st impressions everything is tight and is fitted very well. The slide is very smooth. The trigger has a very good crisp break. The only thing that i have a complain about it that the barrel is rough, but a few jacketed rounds the tube should smooth it out.

had some 200g SWC loaded up so i took it out this past sat and this is what it did at 10yds. It cycled through all 40rds with no problem

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Rock Island ?

Did these things come park'd or painted? The reason I ask is mine looks like it was painted and the "finish" is coming off on the top of the slide from holster wear (Blackhawk CQC). The pic posted by SHIFT_Sniper looks park'd. I'm not too terribly concerned about the finish coming off of mine...after all, it is a $450 1911. Wondering more out of curiosity's sake and for knowledge for future buyers.

 

[shiftsniper]

Re: Rock Island ?

the frame is parkerized