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Ok so I'm thinking about buying an entry level 1911.
I saw a RIA compact on gunbroker for a little over 400.00
Do any of y'all own a RIA .45?Just don't want to spend alot
of money and not like the 1911 style guns.

I own RIA compact tactical and it is one of the most dependable guns I have. The biggest problem buying a 1911 is that they become an expensive addiction. At first it's only one so you can see if you like it, then your raiding your savings for that newest tricked out 1911 from brand XYZ to go with that safe full of 1911s you already own.

G.A. Heath wrote:I own RIA compact tactical and it is one of the most dependable guns I have. The biggest problem buying a 1911 is that they become an expensive addiction. At first it's only one so you can see if you like it, then your raiding your savings for that newest tricked out 1911 from brand XYZ to go with that safe full of 1911s you already own.

Shhhhh!!! Don't go telling that already! We need more addicts, that way I can claim to my wife "But XYZ got one, and he totally loves it!" and can try to justify buying one more!

A few days after I got my CHL, I bought my first ever 1911... a RIA 5" GI.

About 2 weeks later, I bought a Kimber Ultra CDP II.

About 2 weeks after that, I bought a RIA compact.

The 5" has already done time with the gunsmith for a combat hammer, beavertail, & a trigger job. It probably didn't need the trigger job, but with the original hammer & grip safety it bit the heck out of my hand. I guess I'm one of those people who gets hammer bite.

If you have the option, get the tactical version of the RIA. The non-TAC models have true-to-the-original GI sights and they're terrible. The TACs have more modern "combat" sites.

The RIA pistols are very well made and have a great warranty. I wish my Kimber had that lifetime warranty. It doesn't but it cost more than the two RIAs, put together.

I have the RIA 5 inch "GI"version which is the bare bones version. I recommend getting at least the tactical just because the sights are better.

G.A. Heath wrote:The biggest problem buying a 1911 is that they become an expensive addiction. At first it's only one so you can see if you like it, then your raiding your savings for that newest tricked out 1911 from brand XYZ to go with that safe full of 1911s you already own.

I understand this! Now I want a 3.5 or 4 inch tactical to compliment the 5 inch.

I haven't owned an RIA nor shot one. I have handled them quite a bit and sold them when I worked in a gun store. They seemed very solid and the people who bought them always seemed happy. (They didn't come back complaining about problems or anything and usually gave glowing reports when they came back to the store.)

One of the dealers at the pasadena show was going out of business and had a sign that all guns were at cost. Table full of RIA, all models most under 400. Had a 3" I was ogling for $379, tacticals for same. Might want to wait and see if she is at one of the upcoming shows. I dont know her name but the lady has been at every show I have gone to and I hit most of them looking for ftf deals.

I agree with the others. The Rock is awesome, especially if you get the Tactical Model with the Novak Style sights. I own a Tactical 5" in the nickel finish. I hate to admit it, but I can shoot it better than my 5" Kimber CDP II. I suppose due to the weight, and maybe the fact I'm not worried about dinging it. I haven't tried their compact, but it is on the short list.

How would the comact RIA rate against the compact kimber?

fecnik wrote:How would the comact RIA rate against the compact kimber?

I have a compact RIA (3.5" bbl) and a Kimber Ultra CDP II (3" bbl).

The RIA is heavier because it has a steel frame and the Kimber is aluminum. The Kimber has a bit softer recoil because of its 2-stage recoil spring setup. Both have bull barrels. To me, they shoot almost exactly the same.

Fit and finish is a different issue. The RIA is parkerized and it seems to be very durable. Everything fits together well and works as it should. The Kimber is, well, a Kimber. Fit and finish is (of course) much better. It is a more visually appealing weapon.

I wouldn't feel naked using either one for my EDC.

Think of the RIA as a "work all day" weapon. The Kimber is more of a "go to church" weapon. I very much like them both.

I bought a RIA 5" two tone tactical with the black parkerized slide, and satin nickel frame. It was, by far, the most accurate gun I've ever shot. That being said, it was also, by far, the most unreliable gun I've ever shot. In the first 250 rounds, i experienced a FTF on the first round probably 70% of the magazines I loaded (using the slide release and racking it by hand made no difference), several FTF during the course of the magazine, a failure to return to battery. I took it home, cleaned it, lubed it, and took it back out a couple of weeks later. This trip I put 300 rounds through it, and though the malfunctions were much less in number, I just never felt comfortable with the thought of depending on it for my life. I sold it a week or so after that.

From what I have read, my issues seem to be more the exception than the rule, but I am not sure I would buy another one personally.

I've never owned a 1911, but this one is making me think for the future. I think I'd make sure I had four different brands of mags with me, just in case.