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Like the title indicates, I have been looking (on the web) at one of these. Are there any downsides to a 1911 4 in. bull barrel? I currently have a full size Springer, but would like to get something a little smaller for carry. Thanks

Takedown is a bit more of a pain. You'll need a small wire to assist, but that's easily made from a paper clip. I wouldn't call that a major obstacle, though.

Shorter barrel lengths (under 4.25") CAN be more finicky. I have a RIA 3.5" and it has no issues.

The good news is RIA's lifetime warranty. If you have any trouble with it, they will make it right.

I have the RIA 1911 CS. It's a nice weapon for the budget minded person. The gun is as accurate as my full sized Colt. Mine did have FTF and FTE problems out of the box. I called RIA and they had me ship the complete upper slide assembly to them for tuning. I got it back ramped and radiused, chamber polished and the extractor squared. The gun now shoots like a champ. On the disassembly part I wouldn't bother with the paperclip as it's more trouble than it's worth. Just go ahead and break it down and lift the guide rod out the back.

stash wrote:Like the title indicates, I have been looking (on the web) at one of these. Are there any downsides to a 1911 4 in. bull barrel? I currently have a full size Springer, but would like to get something a little smaller for carry. Thanks

I've had excellent experience with multiple 3" and 4" bull barrel Kimbers and an STI. Here's my take:

Bull barrels typically mate with the slide without a slide bushing and require a different takedown procedure than the standard government 1911 style guns. This usually requires a small tool or bushing of some kind. That's not necessarily a downside, it's just different.

My experience with a number of 4" 1911's is that the all steel guns balance and shoot more easily, and the lightweight frame guns carry much more comfortably and shoot very well too with just a little more effort. This is a personal comfort issue that you'll notice more when carrying OWB than IWB.

Not familiar with the RIA 4" Bull Barrel specifically but I just purchased a Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion Operator that is very similar. I think you will like the 4" and I feel it's a lot more comfortable to carry with nothing really lost in accuracy. Mine uses a little half bushing to facilitate the take down but can be still done without it, just a little more work.