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12 Comments
Just really miss my 1911 and M-14. They just feel like battle weapons! Never did get use to the plastic stuff.
Pat: Thank you for your continuing efforts to keep us informed about firearm and edged weapon matters. I recently bought the RIA 1911 model one step up from the GI model, it has the extended beavertail, rounded hammer, full length guide rod, ambidextrous safety and better sights. It’s been too cold to spend a lot of time at the range, and as we all know ammo is precious, so I’ve only run 100 rounds thru it, PMC and Blazer aluminum, both in 230 gr fmj. I was disappointed to have about 5 ftfs, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with the weapon, it appears to be very well made, the feed ramp is mirror bright and smooth as you know what. Anecdotes from the always-reliable-internet indicate long break in periods for the RIA 1911s and possible magazine problems. I’ve ordered some SIG mags and we’ll see how they do. I’m quite sure with better mags and some more break in she’ll be a keeper. It shot low and left at 15 yds, I took .030″ off the front sight and drifted the rear .015″ to the right, she’s spot on now.
Thanks again!
In my opinion, Colt badly screwed up the 1911 with its Series 70 when they made the frame, slide and barrel fit tighter –allegedly for better accuracy — and hurt the reliability of the pistol. The military version of WWII , Korea, Vietnam etc was well known for (a) rattling with loose fitting parts and (b) being highly reliable.
The frame has long rails on which carbon builds up — I’m no gunsmith but it seems to me one fix might be to cut slots in the rails to dump the carbon –look at the Glock.
Back in the days of Mel Tappan (1980) there was a cottage industry of gunsmiths working on the stock 1911. Of course, Colt screwed it up even worse with the Series 80s. What you get when you listen to target shooters and lawyers instead of combat veterans.
Same here…I bought an RIA 10mm..Very pretty and well fitted weapon. Could not get through a single mag without a feeding problem. I ordered additional stainless mags from Wilson Combat. They didn’t help either. That really created a confidence problem. Maybe if I had run 500 rounds through it then it might have begun to function ok. I took it into my gunsmith for him to take a look at it, then ended up selling it to him.
Bad link. It is armscor. No p
PS I’ve never heard of a Glock 9mm stopping a cavalry charge.
I have had a couple of RIA 1911’s, GI model. Both solid performers for a good price. Flat mainspring housing instead of the arched mainspring housing of the A1, but no problem. Wooden grips are pretty, but too slick as you say. Front sight is tiny, like the GI issue. Thank you for this review.
As usual, great review!
I only own one 1911. God blessed me with a RIA 1911. Thanks for giving my gun a fair review. I love my RIA 1911. (I know, don’t love something that can’t love you back, right?) There have been a lot of guys look down on this gun, but I love it. They usually do too after shooting it. Judging a book by the cover or the brand I guess.
I am going to make one change to my RIA. I am going to buy some new Code Zero grips per your suggestion. They look sharp.
Thanks again!
Although I have bought and sold more handguns than I care to remember I never sell my Colt series 70 with many enhancements as Pat has so aptly pointed out in prior articles on 1911 style pistols. When I was competing this was my go-to pistol and it never let me down. Now is it my EDC? No. For that I have several other pistols/ revolvers that I carry to suit my moods and circumstances. But the Colt will forever be with me, at least until death do us part. Then my kids can decide who gets it!
Another great article ,thank you sir.
Love the look iand history of the 1911 . Just the low round count always put me off.
If I ever get my hands on a double stack . . . . . 🙂
Just really miss my 1911 and M-14. They just feel like battle weapons! Never did get use to the plastic stuff.
Pat: Thank you for your continuing efforts to keep us informed about firearm and edged weapon matters. I recently bought the RIA 1911 model one step up from the GI model, it has the extended beavertail, rounded hammer, full length guide rod, ambidextrous safety and better sights. It’s been too cold to spend a lot of time at the range, and as we all know ammo is precious, so I’ve only run 100 rounds thru it, PMC and Blazer aluminum, both in 230 gr fmj. I was disappointed to have about 5 ftfs, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with the weapon, it appears to be very well made, the feed ramp is mirror bright and smooth as you know what. Anecdotes from the always-reliable-internet indicate long break in periods for the RIA 1911s and possible magazine problems. I’ve ordered some SIG mags and we’ll see how they do. I’m quite sure with better mags and some more break in she’ll be a keeper. It shot low and left at 15 yds, I took .030″ off the front sight and drifted the rear .015″ to the right, she’s spot on now.
Thanks again!
In my opinion, Colt badly screwed up the 1911 with its Series 70 when they made the frame, slide and barrel fit tighter –allegedly for better accuracy — and hurt the reliability of the pistol. The military version of WWII , Korea, Vietnam etc was well known for (a) rattling with loose fitting parts and (b) being highly reliable.
The frame has long rails on which carbon builds up — I’m no gunsmith but it seems to me one fix might be to cut slots in the rails to dump the carbon –look at the Glock.
Back in the days of Mel Tappan (1980) there was a cottage industry of gunsmiths working on the stock 1911. Of course, Colt screwed it up even worse with the Series 80s. What you get when you listen to target shooters and lawyers instead of combat veterans.
Same here…I bought an RIA 10mm..Very pretty and well fitted weapon. Could not get through a single mag without a feeding problem. I ordered additional stainless mags from Wilson Combat. They didn’t help either. That really created a confidence problem. Maybe if I had run 500 rounds through it then it might have begun to function ok. I took it into my gunsmith for him to take a look at it, then ended up selling it to him.
Bad link. It is armscor. No p
PS I’ve never heard of a Glock 9mm stopping a cavalry charge.
I have had a couple of RIA 1911’s, GI model. Both solid performers for a good price. Flat mainspring housing instead of the arched mainspring housing of the A1, but no problem. Wooden grips are pretty, but too slick as you say. Front sight is tiny, like the GI issue. Thank you for this review.
As usual, great review!
I only own one 1911. God blessed me with a RIA 1911. Thanks for giving my gun a fair review. I love my RIA 1911. (I know, don’t love something that can’t love you back, right?) There have been a lot of guys look down on this gun, but I love it. They usually do too after shooting it. Judging a book by the cover or the brand I guess.
I am going to make one change to my RIA. I am going to buy some new Code Zero grips per your suggestion. They look sharp.
Thanks again!
Although I have bought and sold more handguns than I care to remember I never sell my Colt series 70 with many enhancements as Pat has so aptly pointed out in prior articles on 1911 style pistols. When I was competing this was my go-to pistol and it never let me down. Now is it my EDC? No. For that I have several other pistols/ revolvers that I carry to suit my moods and circumstances. But the Colt will forever be with me, at least until death do us part. Then my kids can decide who gets it!
Another great article ,thank you sir.
Love the look iand history of the 1911 . Just the low round count always put me off.
If I ever get my hands on a double stack . . . . . 🙂
I just bought the RIA 1911 at BiMart for $289.00.
Well built and a real value.