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Anybody have experience with any of their pistols? I have an opportunity to pick up a 1911 made by them and was wondering what experienced users thought.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly experienced, but I have one of their A1 Tactical models and it's a joy to shoot.

Rock Island Armory pistols are made by Armscor in the Philippines. They are good solid entry level 1911 pistols. They also are a good starter gun for a project gun. You can't go wrong with one.

I have two of them.

1911A1-45FS - GI type all the way including sights. It has a 5" barrel.

1911A1-45CS - Officer's model 3.5" barrel. It has GI sights, combat hammer, & beavertail grip safety.

Both are still new and not completely broken in yet. On the first 100 rounds, the FS bit the web of my hand something fierce, so I had some work done on it. Changed to combat hammer & beavertail to kill the bite. I also had a trigger job done on it, so it got a skeletonized trigger.

I really like both pistols except for the sights. The GI sights are small & narrow. Go for the TAC model, if you can. The FS TAC already has combat sights, hammer, & beavertail. For about $50 more, it's a no-brainer for most.

There were a very few reports of weak or defective firing pin springs a few years ago. It's a simple matter to replace the spring, for anyone who is concerned.

Oh, and they have a lifetime warranty.

I have a RIA compact "tactical" model that is the most dependable gun I own. it has no issues with any ammo, it functions flawlessly. If I had to choose between it, my Kimbers, or one of my other 1911s I would go with it without hesitation.

That helps a lot...thank you. Looks like I will getting my first 1911.

I've heard nothing but good things about them. Which is nice, because for a while there looking at the prices of 1911's I was beginning to think I'd never get another one

Looking at a Tactical now. Have any of you had experience with the double stack versions?

Texas Size 11: You might look at http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I just got a flier from them in the mail, they are pretty well stocked and reasonable on price.
Good luck.

I have the GI version. It's been a great gun, but I should have gone with the tactical for better sights. The low vis GI sights are my only complaint about my 1911.

I recon I'll be the lone dissenter of the bunch. I had a full size RIA two tone tactical. It was my first 1911, and I really wanted to love it. I will say it was the most accurate pistol had owned at the time (of the 4 that I have had). That being said, it had some serious issues feeding rounds. Most of the issues were on the 1st round in the magazine. Whether I used the slide lock release or slingshot, probably 8 out of 10 times the round would just dive into the feed ramp and stop. I would have to work the slide several times before it would go. On probably 6 or 7 occasions, it would do the same thing in the middle of the magazine. This was all during the first 250 rounds. I took the pistol home, took it apart and thoroughly cleaned and oiled it.

My next trip to the range was a little better. In 300 rounds (including a box of JHP), i experienced FTF on the first round probably 10 times, 3 times FTF somewhere in the middle of the magazine, and 1 failure to return to battery. Since I bought it for a carry pistol, I decided it was not reliable enough to trust my life to, so I sold it. For a gun that is just fun to shoot (aside from the frustration), that stays in the safe except for an occasional trip to the range, it would have been great. Since that is not what I was looking for in a pistol, I sold it.

To be fair, from all I have read about them, my problems were more the exception than the rule, but it has done enough to turn me off to their pistols.

bigred90gt wrote:I recon I'll be the lone dissenter of the bunch. I had a full size RIA two tone tactical. It was my first 1911, and I really wanted to love it. I will say it was the most accurate pistol had owned at the time (of the 4 that I have had). That being said, it had some serious issues feeding rounds. Most of the issues were on the 1st round in the magazine. Whether I used the slide lock release or slingshot, probably 8 out of 10 times the round would just dive into the feed ramp and stop. I would have to work the slide several times before it would go. On probably 6 or 7 occasions, it would do the same thing in the middle of the magazine. This was all during the first 250 rounds. I took the pistol home, took it apart and thoroughly cleaned and oiled it.

My next trip to the range was a little better. In 300 rounds (including a box of JHP), i experienced FTF on the first round probably 10 times, 3 times FTF somewhere in the middle of the magazine, and 1 failure to return to battery. Since I bought it for a carry pistol, I decided it was not reliable enough to trust my life to, so I sold it. For a gun that is just fun to shoot (aside from the frustration), that stays in the safe except for an occasional trip to the range, it would have been great. Since that is not what I was looking for in a pistol, I sold it.

To be fair, from all I have read about them, my problems were more the exception than the rule, but it has done enough to turn me off to their pistols.

This sounds strongly like more of a magazine problem than a gun problem. I use Chip 47Ds in mine and haven't had any feeding troubles after the first 50 rounds (which were shot with the NOvak mag that came with the gun)

If you want to learn more about the RIAs, there is a very active forum over on http://forum.m1911.org/

They are imported by Advanced Tactical. Their website is http://www.advancedtactical.com/

74novaman wrote:
This sounds strongly like more of a magazine problem than a gun problem. I use Chip 47Ds in mine and haven't had any feeding troubles after the first 50 rounds (which were shot with the NOvak mag that came with the gun)

That is possible I recon, and I've heard that before. Honestly, I dont know a ton about the 1911. Both magazines I used were Novak (one from the factory, and one bought at the gun show). Either way, it's gone, and I'm picking up something else on Tuesday.

Rock Island is one of the several brand names that Armscor uses. They also sell under the name "High Standard" (no relationship to the Houston mfgr of the old High Standard patent) and "Iver Johnson". I believe that, generically, they're all referred to as "Rocks".

I own a High Standard 1911 CS (Officer's size) and am extremely pleased with it. Being a lefty, I installed an ambidextrous safety. Other than that, it's box-stock. With around 400 rounds down range, it's a good shooter and groups very well. It comes with one Italian magazine with a bumper pad (which I use as one of my spares). I've found that Chip McCormick 7 rd. Power Magazines are reliable in this weapon and they fit flush (without installing one of their bumper pads).

It shoots so well for me that I plan on using it the next time I shoot for qualification.