Rock Island Armory 1911-A1 CS...SHOULD I?

[metalreptile]

OK 1911 fans.....talk me into, or out of, one of these little 45's. Anybody got one? Heard bad or good things about them? Opinions? Discuss please!
Thinking about sticking one back in layaway at a local shop. I know it's not a Kimber or anything, but does have a quality "feel" to it.....know what I mean? Have handled several RIA pistols, but this one is the first one that I really wanted to take home with me.
What say ye?

[fastback65]

Mine may be atypical, but it shoots as well as My Kimbers, paras and colts. My Springfield is a .40 so it doesn't count. It seems to be a quality pistol for the money.

[spider991]

yours is NOT atypical, i love mine, most reliable 1911 i have ever had. and i have the govt model with the govt sights, still very accurate...very accurate and is definatly a keeper! buy the RIA pistol, i have heard nothing but great reviews. I know two othere guys who shoot them in sass, feeds lead and shoots like crazy. good pistols.

[metalreptile]

Sounding good so far! Making me think one like the CS model pictured above will be put on layaway bright & early tomorrow morning. I guess I will be needing what.....Officers Model mags? It only comes with one mag. Thinking about a few Wilson mags for it.

[spider991]

I got a few of the wilson combat 7 roundrs, flawless.

[ByronF]

Mine doesn't feed fat HP very well. I'm not done messing with it, and it could be the mags I'm using. I'll not blame the pistol until I try some different mags. I'm using Kimber 8-rd mags and I've not read great reviews of them.

The bushing-slide and barrel-bushing fit was very sloppy so I changed them out for tighter ones. Haven't shot it since, tragically.

[mingthemerciles]

I bought one for my son (20 yr old) as a starter .45 and it out shoots my Springfield all day long...
Excellent choice !!!!!!

[Right Side Up]

Originally Posted by ByronF

Mine doesn't feed fat HP very well. I'm not done messing with it, and it could be the mags I'm using. I'll not blame the pistol until I try some different mags. I'm using Kimber 8-rd mags and I've not read great reviews of them.

The bushing-slide and barrel-bushing fit was very sloppy so I changed them out for tighter ones. Haven't shot it since, tragically.

I'd probably look at the throat too. My 1911 did not like feeding cast WFN until I put a mirror shine on the ramp. It feeds them now. I don't run them though, just used them to test. The Hydra-Shoks I normally use feed better too since the polish work.

[metalreptile]

The 1911 A-1 CS I laid away today is the Officers Model....so no bushing, so to speak. Has the "blunderbuss" looking barrel. Identical to the one pictured above. I looked at several different variations today at a different shop. Fit and finish were not as nice as the one I laid away. And the price was more. I have a Springfield Armory Mil Spec, and a Colt 70 Series Government Model already, just wanted a compact 1911 to see how I'd like it. Also like the Novak style sights on the Rock Island I'm getting. Will pick up a few Wilson mags before I get the pistol home. Looking forward to trying it out!

[seabee2]

buy it !and every one you can get ahold of .they are a great gun for the money they swhoot great ,the only thing that was done to mine was to polish the ramp to feed wad cutter's beter .other than tjat it eat's everything .

[Gary Harwell]

went desert shooing with my son and his last weekend, flawless, my springfield was in the shop 4 times last year. trigger was little stiff. he has put 400 rounds through it without one malfunction. Says it does not like wilson mags as much as some of the the cheapies.
Plan on getting for the vehicle, can't depend on the Springfield here lately.

[ByronF]

Originally Posted by Right Side Up

I'd probably look at the throat too. My 1911 did not like feeding cast WFN until I put a mirror shine on the ramp. It feeds them now. I don't run them though, just used them to test. The Hydra-Shoks I normally use feed better too since the polish work.

I polished the ramp and throat, and blended the transition from the front of magwell to the ramp. It improved it but still doesn't like HXP or Gold Dots. It'll feed them MOST of the time but not 100%. The Hornady replacement for XTP that has the red booger in the end is a better choice. The profile is more like a truncated cone, not a big fat hole like the XTP and Gold Dot.

I'll try a friend's Wilson mags and if that solves it I'll get a few of those.

[JasonB]

Originally Posted by ByronF

I polished the ramp and throat, and blended the transition from the front of magwell to the ramp. It improved it but still doesn't like HXP or Gold Dots. It'll feed them MOST of the time but not 100%. The Hornady replacement for HXP that has the red booger in the end is a better choice. The profile is more like a truncated cone, not a big fat hole like the HXP and Gold Dot.

I'll try a friend's Wilson mags and if that solves it I'll get a few of those.

Try pushing up on the bottom of the magazine and see if it helps. If it does, one of the taller shelf mag catches from EGW might be worth while.

[ByronF]

Seem like mag is way up firm and high. The cartridge takes a serious nose-dive when the breech face bumps the case head. The fatter the bullet nose the more likely it hangs up below the feed ramp. It's way worse on the top round. Maybe I should forget the 8-rd mags? Or load them to 7-rd? Or use a different follower? With 8-rd mag the follower is so far from the problem (7-rd below) I'm not sure I seriously suspect the follower.

[mpnv]

Originally Posted by spider991

yours is NOT atypical, i love mine, most reliable 1911 i have ever had. and i have the govt model with the govt sights, still very accurate...very accurate and is definatly a keeper! buy the RIA pistol, i have heard nothing but great reviews. I know two othere guys who shoot them in sass, feeds lead and shoots like crazy. good pistols.

+100, I just got a full size Tactical...Outstanding. You can not beat this thing for the price!!

[babarsac]

If the price is good I would not hesitate at all. I had the 9mm version before I discovered Hi-powers. No issues I could find.

[rochte]

I have the full-size tactical and it is very nice... Bushing is crazy-tight on this thing, though - almost want to get a sloppier one so that I can take it apart without so much effort!

Doesn't like to feed more than two of my vintage Black Talons without hanging up, but otherwise I love it!

[Timber Wolf]

Originally Posted by rochte

Doesn't like to feed more than two of my vintage Black Talons without hanging up, but otherwise I love it!

Those Talons are too valuable to actually shoot anyway.

[homelandprotector]

Get the full size > http://e-sarcoinc.com/pist-rockislta...5pistol-1.aspx

[davedude]

I bought a RI full size govt model from Sarco when they were $320. Came with a Novak 8 rnd magazine. It is the best pistol I have ever owned. Has the best trigger and is the most accurate, points and shoots well naturally. Has fed all HP and ball so far without malfunction from the Novack and the Colt seven round mags that I tried, will test with a couple new Wilson Combat 8 rnd mags soon.
If I can get off my ass I have a pound of WST and a couple molds, and we'll see how she likes cast boolits.

Edit to add photos. On one of my many trips to the Philippines I visited the Armscor shooting range in Manila. This was in 2010 I believe. Pistols, revolvers and rifles are available for rent or you can bring your own of course. I cant remember what I rented but it was kinda pricey. I also visited the Armscor office in Cebu where they had quite the collection of parts to drool on. Unsure of the law I did not bring any parts back with me.

Pics of the Armscor Range in Manila






And here is the Armscor shop in Cebu City, Cebu Philippines.














Dave Dude

[hokey45]

Anybody but me worried about Rock Island 1911s going the way of the Norinco 1911s with the current Admin?

[bykerhd]

Unfortunately, that IS a possibility.

Obongo and pals would not shrink for a second from banning import of firearms, or possibly even cancelling licenses of importers.
IF they think they can pull it off.

[792mauser]

Mine has been a champ for about a year with the exception of 2 magazines that it hates. She has more than 300 rounds through her. I bought her on a whim for 400 and haven't looked back since.

[homelandprotector]

This thread needs more pics......comon guys, lets see those 45.'s

[davedude]

Originally Posted by homelandprotector

This thread needs more pics......comon guys, lets see those 45.'s

Dave Dude

[ratas calientes]

Originally Posted by metalreptile

. . .

Does that take the standard mag or the shorter one?

BTW, beautiful pistol!

[jerry704]

i love mine it has the solid trigger. very accurate and im not over concerned of scratched or anything. perfect working mans 1911 if you ask me.
i did put on a slim pair of double diamond cocobolo grips

[metalreptile]

Originally Posted by ratas calientes

Does that take the standard mag or the shorter one?

BTW, beautiful pistol!

Thanks! This one is the "Officers Model", so it takes the shorter mags. Actually had two 7 round Wilsons sitting on my porch when I got home from work this evening. Yes, I got a couple of spare mags before I even got the pistol home. Shouldn't be too much longer before I bring it home tho.

[Ottokis308]

A 1911 IN 40!!!!?!!?!?!?!! thats blasphemy!

[Cliff M]

Rock Island Armory 1911A1 Government

[General Dissaray]

The Tactical model is totally worth the extra $$. Here's a thread I started on 1911 forum, and I learned a LOT about both Norincos and RIA's from the feedback. Made me like both of the ones I have a lot more; I'll never consider getting rid of either now that I know what goes into them. Check this out for lots more on this subject: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=396380

[ratas calientes]

Originally Posted by Cliff M

Rock Island Armory 1911A1 Government

That be the one I have. So far 100% reliable.

[angusmac]

Originally Posted by Ottokis308

A 1911 IN 40!!!!?!!?!?!?!! thats blasphemy!

How about in 9mm..........

I'd been thinking about a compact when I stumbled across this thread a few weeks back, ordered a CS (in .45acp) Commander holster from stitcher and 5 mags from joe's mag world or some such and was sitting here for a week with a new holster (beautiful by the way) and another 4 or 5 days with a holster and 5 new mags before my guy called me last Friday to alert me that the pistol was here. Unfortunately I don't get any range time till Saturday....

[bcbsr]

I bought the RIA 9mm tactical full size and it's a fantastic weapon. I bought 3 extra mags and shoot a lot of 125 gr. LRN bullets. So far the pistol has not missed a beat. I would buy one again and probably will. I'm thinking next one will be the wide body in 45 ACP. Get you 1 now while you still can.

bcbsr

[DR.NUMBERS]

I've got about 2000rds through my RIA. No problems so far that weren't mag related. Even handles HPs well. Also, they're cheap enough that you won't be afraid to use it, it won't just be a safe queen. Not super accurate, but no tilting barrel is. Certainly combat accurate though.

After about 1500rds I swapped out my recoil and firing pin springs with heavier duty ones. Still works great.

Now I want one in .38 super. Maybe even in nickel

[fire for effect]

i have a Citadel, which is the same pistol, and it is a very accurate little weapon.

[idsubgun]

I've owned a Charles Daly Officer's model for a number of years. Charles Daly and Rock Island are made by the same people.

Mine won't feed large hollow points reliably either so I load a Hydra-Shok in the chamber and follow it with FMJ's in the mag until I can throat it. Just haven't had time to get to the throat.
I did change the rear sight to a Novak sight. Much better sight! I see the Rock Island has a Novak (or copy) on it.

Now to throating. Throating a 1911 is NOT polishing the ramp. It's opening the throat up and then polishing the ramp. If you just polish the ramp, I doubt you'll much improvement, some but not the same as a throat job. Usually a 1911 needs to be throated/widened, and then polished.
Another thing...DO NOT blend the end of the throat/ramp into the frame. There needs to be a step (approx. 1/32") between the bottom of the ramp and the ramp in the frame. If you blend this, you've just possibly ruined a frame. If you look this up on the internet, you'll get mixed opinions. I had Bill Laughridge teach me how to build 1911's and whatever he says about them, you can bet on!! Colt has contacted him when they run into 1911 issues. I don't recall exactly what he said about it (been 20 years) but if I remember correctly, it helps keep the bullet in a nose-up attitude as it leaves the mag and enters the chamber. Hey, if John Moses Browning, Kuhnhausen and Laughridge recommend that step, that's good enough for me!

Mags...the reason I bought this pistol years ago was I was given a Chip McCormick mag from an old boss and not having an Officer's model, I bought mine for the measly sum of $279 dealer. Since then, I've bought several other brands of mags, ironically the original Chip McCormick is the only one that has feeding issues CONSTANTLY!
I use Metalform 6 rd. mags for carry. I don't try to up the capacity of my mags to 7 rds. Not needed. I carry twp extra mags and that gives me 19 rds of .45 acp. That should be enough to get me out of most situations! If I'm going into a situation where I feel I need more ammo, I have several 1911's, some with high capacity mags, and would take one of those. For daily carry, you can't beat the little Officer's model!
Ammo....there is some talk (from Wilson and others) that these little 1911's like lighter bullets (i.e. 160-185 grs instead of 230 grs.) I think I'll explore this myself and see what the results are.