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I finally made it to the range with my new Rock Island 5" 1911 and put 100 rounds through it. I had no failures of any kind and the gun was easy and comfortable to shoot. Not only that, but I am significantly more accurate with it than with either my Taurus Millenium or the Sig 229 I carry on duty. Without really paying much attention to trigger technique, stance, breathing, or grip, I just lined up the sights and pulled the trigger. I was able to hold a 1 1/2 inch group at 7 yards through the first 15 shots. That might not be fantastic for some on this forum, but for a guy who hasn't been shooting very long, it was very satisfying.

I'm seriously thinking about switching to carrying the 1911, because I feel confident that under stress I could still shoot it accurately. This platform is very natural to shoot for me.

Also, for a cheap gun ($370), the Rock Island is very tight and has what I consider an excellent trigger. It's plain-Jane, but it's a great way to get into the cult of the 1911.

I've heard nothing but good things about them and the price tag is definitely tempting. I love my Colts, and a lot of people knock the foreign stuff, but I doubt many would part with their Brazilian Springfields. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Rock Islands weren't the next Springfield Armory within a few years.

From what I've read on the 1911 forum, the same Phillipine company that produces frames and slides for Rock Island also produces frames and slides for some of the STI models down in Georgetown. Hmmm. That should tell you something.

I love my RIA 1911 compact ,It was flawless with anything i shove in it ,cast reloads or facory JHP,It is my main concealment weapon,I carry it 99% of the time

RIA are tough and inexpensive

The tolerances on them aren't as tight as some of the more costly 1911's but they still can shoot and shoot and shoot

I would equate a RIA as close to "combat grade" as possible w/o putting 10k rounds thru them and running over them with a truck 1st

Solid as a rock, but are reliable and will put lead on target, they may not be Kimber purdy..but who cares..its a 1911!

anyone know if they have the dreaded Firing Pin Block (safety) a la Series 80 Colts??????

DoubleJ wrote:anyone know if they have the dreaded Firing Pin Block (safety) a la Series 80 Colts??????

Why is the firing pin block on the series 80 dreaded?

SC1903A3 wrote:

DoubleJ wrote:anyone know if they have the dreaded Firing Pin Block (safety) a la Series 80 Colts??????

Why is the firing pin block on the series 80 dreaded?

Makes the trigger pull a bit longer..I have no problems at all on my 1991A1

I guess It's a matter of individual preference. I carry a Colt XSE and find the trigger pull to be short and crisp. What's perfect for one person is just a little off for another.

see the thread on Frankie's Para and what's his name's Para that both were rendered inoperable because the sights were drifted to the side a smidge.
if the RIA has a FPB, that's a deal breaker to me.

Kimber's series II has a Schwartz-style FPB, just like Para (from what I've read).

just my opinion. IIRC, IANAL, YMMV

RIA 1911 does not have a firing pin block.

The series 80 stuff is easy to take out if you believe it to be a detriment to performance. Brownells even sells a shim kit that takes the place of the two levers in the frame essentially making it operate like a series 70.

Having said that, I have two series 80 that are stone stock and the pull is pretty nice out of the box. One of them is the often criticized 1991a1 with the parked finish and the huge rollmark that I picked up in a pawnshop for peanuts...and it has the better trigger of the two.