Rock Island Armory - The Firearms Forum

jim 44-40 · 02-20-2012, 10:18 AM

Looking for someone who ownes a 1911 from RIA in 9mm. Have you had any major trouble with it, or is it a good shooter?

Double D · 02-20-2012, 12:23 PM

I dont own one but have sold them in my store. I dont hear many bad reports on the rock islands. They seem to be a good gun for the money. If you want to save a couple hundred more the STI spartan 9mm is a good gun for the money as well. But, the rock island will serve you well.

hogger129 · 02-20-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim 44-40

Looking for someone who ownes a 1911 from RIA in 9mm. Have you had any major trouble with it, or is it a good shooter?

I used to have one in .45. Good gun.

What do you plan to do with it? CCW? Range gun?

OldCorps · 02-26-2012, 01:04 PM

Howdy folks - This is my first post on TFF, so just a short bit of intro: I'm an old Jar Head (1958-62 - till I die

, my CCW is a full-size Rock Island 1911/.45 Match grade in a Blackhawk SERPA holster. No, it's not too big for CC; I carry undetected under a loose T-shirt. If I'm gonna carry a gun, it's gonna be a GUN.

Anyway, enough of that: I couldn't resist the OPs question. Like I said, mine is a .45, not a niner, but I'm only going to comment on the manufacture: RIA makes an awesome weapon; fit and finish is marvelous; mechanically, mine has been flawless for somewhat over five-hundred rnds; and is it a good shooter? If my old mistreated 73-year old carcass, and tired eyes can dispatch 16 rounds such as this, at 10-meters—it's a good shooter.

My only suggestion would be, if you're considering your purchase to be a defensive gun, rather than a plinker, I'd deep-six the niner, and go for the .45 ACP. JMO

RunningOnMT · 02-26-2012, 01:40 PM

Hey OldCorps, Semper Fi and welcome aboard. 66-70 for me. I love my Rock Island 1911, and I also like my BlackHawk SERPA holster too, but I can't carry it concealed because of my fat lol.

RunningOnMT · 02-26-2012, 01:51 PM

jim, My Rock Island is a .45 and I tend to agree with OldCorps on the 1911 frame in 9mm. 9mm is not a bad caliber, and there is a place for them in ones arsenal, but there are higher capacity pistols in smaller packages chambered in that caliber. But it's all a matter of personal preference. Rock Island makes a quality product though, and I'd trust it in any caliber.

cranky cj · 02-26-2012, 02:02 PM

dunno about the 9mm, i have had a RIA 45 for several years now. it eats anything i put into it with out any fails. has a better trigger than some of my other hand guns and is as or more accurate than any of my other handguns. when i paid $365 for it, new in box, it was an absolute steal.

NGIB · 02-27-2012, 04:08 AM

I have a Taurus PT 1911 in 9mm and it's a fun one to shoot. I had to do some work on it initially as Taurus tends to mess up little things but I got everything worked out. The biggest problem was the rear sight was pressed into the slide crooked and I ended up cutting it out with a dremel. Once I got new sights on it and put in the proper weight recoil spring - it runs like a Swiss watch and is very accurate and fun to shoot. For mags I have the 2 factory Taurus mags, 3 Mec-Gar, and 2 Wilson and they all function just fine.

I'm sure the Rock Island will be just fine as they make a decent gun. And yes folks, all my other 1911s are .45s...

Hawg · 02-27-2012, 07:33 AM

I've got a tactical .45. It shoots great and feeds everything. I would imagine the 9MM to be just as good. I didn't like the grips or the mag so swapped those out but that was just personal preference.

Crawdaddy · 02-27-2012, 09:53 AM

I bought my RIA 45 Friday evening, and I do have one problem with it.......it won't stay loaded! I load the mag, pop it in the gun and seconds later there's empty cases laying everywhere. Oh well, guess I'll just keep loading it up until it stops doing it.

Seriously though this is a great firearm, my first handgun. I've shot rifles and shotguns for years but this is one fun gun to shoot.

gdmoody · 02-27-2012, 11:38 AM

I love my RIA! This one is called the High Capacity Model. What makes it high capacity, you might ask? See that long magazine.

This picture is when I first go it. It now has a beautiful set of TFF grips on it.

OldCorps · 02-27-2012, 03:51 PM

Hey, thanks, and Semper fi backatcha Running.

I run into the "high capacity" argument everywhere, and I can understand the rationale, but here's my tupence worth: If ya have a crowd of bad guys coming atcha, 15 rounds would be nice, but every round outgoing is a threat to innocent bystanders. I'd much rather have eight rounds in my cannon, and put down a one moose fast—and give the rest real pause for re-thinking their continued approach, than have 15 rounds, and merely pi$$-off a buncha bad guys.

limbkiller · 02-28-2012, 02:09 PM

They are great guns. I have one in 9mm the tac version and it is a great shooter. Put together well and eats whatever I put in it.

OldCorps · 02-28-2012, 06:28 PM

Semper fi limbkiller. Love those grips. Where dija get them?

limbkiller · 03-03-2012, 06:43 AM

Those on the 9mm are from Altamonte grips. Here is a set on an officers from Kimber.
Semper Fi Marine.

gdmoody · 03-03-2012, 09:46 PM

This was my 9mm RIA, I traded it off last month for a 1909 Springfield in 30/40 Krag. Last week I bought a Taurus PT1911 in 9mm, but haven't fired it yet.

OldCorps · 03-04-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limbkiller

Those on the 9mm are from Altamonte grips. Here is a set on an officers from Kimber.
Semper Fi Marine.

Thanks limbkiller. Ordered a set from Altamont yesterday.

Semper Fi

limbkiller · 03-04-2012, 03:59 PM

Glad I could help.

Semper Fi

Braddahrick808 · 06-26-2012, 01:38 PM

This is my all time Shooting range handgun I put over 1700 rounds with mixed Factory ammo and Reloads with no jams and Still Counting, this is one Bad a$$ 1911 handgun, you can't go wrong with this and also the Price....

HossFly · 07-15-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim 44-40

Looking for someone who ownes a 1911 from RIA in 9mm. Have you had any major trouble with it, or is it a good shooter?

I've had a 9mm Tactical for almost a year with about 1,000 rds thru it- NEVER a problem!
A few changes outside but internals are 100% factory-

Chadk · 08-08-2012, 02:46 PM

do they make anything compact? in .45?

Double D · 08-08-2012, 04:24 PM

I sold them in my shop but I never owned a rock island until now and I will tell you, this one is a nice gun for the money!

Double D · 08-08-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadk

do they make anything compact? in .45?

Yes they do.

dcriner · 08-08-2012, 06:42 PM

Personally, I prefer 1911s made in the U.S.- not ersatz "Springfields" or "Rock Islands" made overseas. If they are so good, why do they mooch on respected, old U.S. names? I have a Colt and a Kimber.

Double D · 08-08-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcriner

Personally, I prefer 1911s made in the U.S.- not ersatz "Springfields" or "Rock Islands" made overseas. If they are so good, why do they mooch on respected, old U.S. names? I have a Colt and a Kimber.

I have several US made 1911s as well, but, nothing wrong with these.

02-20-2012, 10:18 AM	#1
jim 44-40 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pitt Gas,Pa Posts: 14	Rock Island Armory Looking for someone who ownes a 1911 from RIA in 9mm. Have you had any major trouble with it, or is it a good shooter? -->

02-20-2012, 12:23 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Rock Island Armory I dont own one but have sold them in my store. I dont hear many bad reports on the rock islands. They seem to be a good gun for the money. If you want to save a couple hundred more the STI spartan 9mm is a good gun for the money as well. But, the rock island will serve you well. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

02-26-2012, 01:04 PM	#4
OldCorps Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South-central Pennsylvania Posts: 8	Re: Rock Island Armory Howdy folks - This is my first post on TFF, so just a short bit of intro: I'm an old Jar Head (1958-62 - till I die, my CCW is a full-size Rock Island 1911/.45 Match grade in a Blackhawk SERPA holster. No, it's not too big for CC; I carry undetected under a loose T-shirt. If I'm gonna carry a gun, it's gonna be a GUN. Anyway, enough of that: I couldn't resist the OPs question. Like I said, mine is a .45, not a niner, but I'm only going to comment on the manufacture: RIA makes an awesome weapon; fit and finish is marvelous; mechanically, mine has been flawless for somewhat over five-hundred rnds; and is it a good shooter? If my old mistreated 73-year old carcass, and tired eyes can dispatch 16 rounds such as this, at 10-meters—it's a good shooter. My only suggestion would be, if you're considering your purchase to be a defensive gun, rather than a plinker, I'd deep-six the niner, and go for the .45 ACP. JMO Attached Images __________________ "To disarm the people [is] the best and most efficient way to enslave them." -George Mason, American Statesman and Author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

02-26-2012, 01:40 PM	#5
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Rock Island Armory Hey OldCorps, Semper Fi and welcome aboard. 66-70 for me. I love my Rock Island 1911, and I also like my BlackHawk SERPA holster too, but I can't carry it concealed because of my fat lol. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

02-26-2012, 01:51 PM	#6
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Rock Island Armory jim, My Rock Island is a .45 and I tend to agree with OldCorps on the 1911 frame in 9mm. 9mm is not a bad caliber, and there is a place for them in ones arsenal, but there are higher capacity pistols in smaller packages chambered in that caliber. But it's all a matter of personal preference. Rock Island makes a quality product though, and I'd trust it in any caliber. __________________ "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

02-26-2012, 02:02 PM	#7
cranky cj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 59	Re: Rock Island Armory dunno about the 9mm, i have had a RIA 45 for several years now. it eats anything i put into it with out any fails. has a better trigger than some of my other hand guns and is as or more accurate than any of my other handguns. when i paid $365 for it, new in box, it was an absolute steal.

02-27-2012, 04:08 AM	#8
NGIB V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hinesville, GA/Sumter SC Contributor Posts: 152	Re: Rock Island Armory I have a Taurus PT 1911 in 9mm and it's a fun one to shoot. I had to do some work on it initially as Taurus tends to mess up little things but I got everything worked out. The biggest problem was the rear sight was pressed into the slide crooked and I ended up cutting it out with a dremel. Once I got new sights on it and put in the proper weight recoil spring - it runs like a Swiss watch and is very accurate and fun to shoot. For mags I have the 2 factory Taurus mags, 3 Mec-Gar, and 2 Wilson and they all function just fine. I'm sure the Rock Island will be just fine as they make a decent gun. And yes folks, all my other 1911s are .45s... __________________ Proud to be a veteran and still serving (USAF Retired, Army Civilian) I'm old, experienced, grumpy, and jaded - still vertical though...

02-27-2012, 07:33 AM	#9
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,559	Re: Rock Island Armory I've got a tactical .45. It shoots great and feeds everything. I would imagine the 9MM to be just as good. I didn't like the grips or the mag so swapped those out but that was just personal preference.

02-27-2012, 09:53 AM	#10
Crawdaddy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 174	Re: Rock Island Armory I bought my RIA 45 Friday evening, and I do have one problem with it.......it won't stay loaded! I load the mag, pop it in the gun and seconds later there's empty cases laying everywhere. Oh well, guess I'll just keep loading it up until it stops doing it. Seriously though this is a great firearm, my first handgun. I've shot rifles and shotguns for years but this is one fun gun to shoot. __________________ Charity should be a personal choice, not a government mandate - crawdaddy

02-27-2012, 11:38 AM	#11
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,358	Re: Rock Island Armory I love my RIA! This one is called the High Capacity Model. What makes it high capacity, you might ask? See that long magazine. This picture is when I first go it. It now has a beautiful set of TFF grips on it. Attached Images __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

02-27-2012, 03:51 PM	#12
OldCorps Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South-central Pennsylvania Posts: 8	Re: Rock Island Armory Hey, thanks, and Semper fi backatcha Running. I run into the "high capacity" argument everywhere, and I can understand the rationale, but here's my tupence worth: If ya have a crowd of bad guys coming atcha, 15 rounds would be nice, but every round outgoing is a threat to innocent bystanders. I'd much rather have eight rounds in my cannon, and put down a one moose fast—and give the rest real pause for re-thinking their continued approach, than have 15 rounds, and merely pi$$-off a buncha bad guys. __________________ "To disarm the people [is] the best and most efficient way to enslave them." -George Mason, American Statesman and Author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

02-28-2012, 02:09 PM	#13
limbkiller Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: georgetown,ky Posts: 20	Re: Rock Island Armory They are great guns. I have one in 9mm the tac version and it is a great shooter. Put together well and eats whatever I put in it.

02-28-2012, 06:28 PM	#14
OldCorps Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South-central Pennsylvania Posts: 8	Re: Rock Island Armory Semper fi limbkiller. Love those grips. Where dija get them? __________________ "To disarm the people [is] the best and most efficient way to enslave them." -George Mason, American Statesman and Author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

03-03-2012, 06:43 AM	#15
limbkiller Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: georgetown,ky Posts: 20	Re: Rock Island Armory Those on the 9mm are from Altamonte grips. Here is a set on an officers from Kimber. Semper Fi Marine. Last edited by limbkiller; 03-03-2012 at 06:44 AM..

03-03-2012, 09:46 PM	#16
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,358	Re: Rock Island Armory This was my 9mm RIA, I traded it off last month for a 1909 Springfield in 30/40 Krag. Last week I bought a Taurus PT1911 in 9mm, but haven't fired it yet. Attached Images __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

03-04-2012, 03:59 PM	#18
limbkiller Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: georgetown,ky Posts: 20	Re: Rock Island Armory Glad I could help. Semper Fi

06-26-2012, 01:38 PM	#19
Braddahrick808 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 3	Re: Rock Island Armory This is my all time Shooting range handgun I put over 1700 rounds with mixed Factory ammo and Reloads with no jams and Still Counting, this is one Bad a$$ 1911 handgun, you can't go wrong with this and also the Price.... Last edited by Braddahrick808; 06-27-2012 at 07:20 AM.. Reason: missing word in the sentence

08-08-2012, 02:46 PM	#21
Chadk Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 40	Re: Rock Island Armory do they make anything compact? in .45?

08-08-2012, 04:24 PM	#22
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Rock Island Armory I sold them in my shop but I never owned a rock island until now and I will tell you, this one is a nice gun for the money! Attached Images __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

08-08-2012, 06:42 PM	#24
dcriner V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 238	Re: Rock Island Armory Personally, I prefer 1911s made in the U.S.- not ersatz "Springfields" or "Rock Islands" made overseas. If they are so good, why do they mooch on respected, old U.S. names? I have a Colt and a Kimber.