New Carry Weapon: Compact RIA Tactical

[MadBomber]

I made a trip to PSS tonight and as usual, walked out with a great deal (Thanks guys!) I picked up a Rock Island Compact Tactical 45ACP, a set of Hogue grips, and 2 boxes of range ammo for an incredible price. I had narrowed my choice to the Kimber Ultra Carry II or the RIA. After looking at the price difference, and considering how pleased I've been with my full-size Tactical RIA, I went with another Rock.

I only had time after the sale to run about 80 rounds thru it and I was really impressed. Not one FTF or FTE. Tonight I've already ordered a complete set of new springs from Wilson and this weekend I plan on putting another 400 rounds or so downrange. I just need to settle on what I'll be using to carry it and by next week it should be my daily carry weapon. I'm pumped!

 

[jmiller676]

So, as many others want to know also, what did the deal run ya?

 

[LPMan59]

yes, please let me know the price. i am seriously interested in a RIA 1911. PMif necessary.

very good looking gun btw. congrats. how does shooting the compact compare to the full size?

 

[MadBomber]

PM's sent to both of you. As for a comparison, it was great. This weekend I'll have both out and will be able to do a better comparison. Recoil was fine. About the only thing I noticed was it seemed to be a bit louder but with a 3.5" barrel that's to be expected.

 

[mettle]

I've had the full size, and the compact, both ran and ran and ran. No issues.

Good working guns.

 

[jmiller676]

...I want one now..dang it guys, not again.

 

[LPMan59]

...I want one now..dang it guys, not again.

no kidding, and i just picked up a commander today in a trade!

something about those 1911s, i tell ya....

 

[jmiller676]

no kidding, and i just picked up a commander today in a trade!

something about those 1911s, i tell ya....

And being a compact is even better, it looks great with those hogues (always been a fan) Time to tell the little lady I'm pinching pennies for a few more months....again.

 

[motoman]

i see a lot RIA guns around and because they were so cheap i thought the quality was low but a lot of guys like them.

 

[r6vr6]

Looks good. These have to be some of the best deals going. I'd like to get a hold of one sometime. How's the trigger?

 

[huntall50]

Very good pickup, I had the same gun sent in to PSS from Balinshire Guns(on GB) for $425. They got a little ticked that I did'nt order from them. Very nice gun, you guys should pick them up.

 

[quicksdraw]

I hope you enjoy your RIA as much as I enjoy my Crusader.

 

[LPMan59]

i was in PSS today, but they were out of all the RIAs.

bradis had a few but they were pricier than what the OP got his for. i tried haggling, but to no avail. ended up in beech grove and set on picking up the GI they had, but a Taurus .357 caught my eye (and my wallet).

 

[mickar15]

I'm curious, why did you order new springs from Wilson?

I've had my eye on these guns for a while, and am glad you're happy with yours.

 

[MadBomber]

I'm curious, why did you order new springs from Wilson?

I've had my eye on these guns for a while, and am glad you're happy with yours.

After 250 rounds last night, and another 200 this morning, I'm even more pleased with my compact RIA than I thought. This morning I scrounged up a few mixed mags of lead RN, JHP's, and FMJ's, all of dubious age and origin, just to see if I could get a FTF or FTE. Nada, zip, zilch. I even limp-wristed a couple of times just trying to get the beast to jam but it was smooth as silk all the way. I cleaned it every 6 rounds for the first 5 mags last night and today, I cleaned it every 25 rounds for the first 100. Finally, I ran the last 100 rounds thru without stopping for a cleaning. The last 34 rounds I fired were Wolf 230 gr FMJ, steel case. The Wolf burns dirty so I thought if anything was going to clog it up, that would do the trick.
To be fair, my new springs (firing pin and recoil spring) arrived Friday so I was able to get them installed before last night's shooting. To Mickar15, you asked why I changed the springs. It's just a habit I've gotten into with my 1911's and I think Wilson makes a great product. I think the recoil spring's from Wilson help reduce the battering a 1911 slide and frame take and the extra-power firing pin spring help reduce the risk of an accidental discharge in case of a dropped weapon.
All in all, I couldn't be happier. The RIA has been cleaned and loaded with Speer Lawman JHP's. Now I'm deciding if I should add night-sights or not and maybe having an OD green and black Dura Cote job done on it.

 

[jtmarine1911]

i see a lot RIA guns around and because they were so cheap i thought the quality was low but a lot of guys like them.

I LOVE MINE!

Best bit of advice with the RIAs is use Quality mags! I have two, both GIs and one with the stock spring(unsure of the spring rate) and the other with a Wolff 18.5# spring, you can definately tell the difference and it is more controlable making it more accurate to me.

 

[mettle]

Looks good. These have to be some of the best deals going. I'd like to get a hold of one sometime. How's the trigger?

You could lightly, LIGHTLY do a little work on the trigger. I did on one and it was comparable to match triggers I have shot.

 

[johnb62]

Very nice. IMO a 1911 compact is a great carry gun. I can trade a little weight for the slimness.

 

[calcot7]

Uh oh, I think I also am geting the itch. Although I already have the Kimber SS Ultra II and a Colt Defender I probably need one of these for comparison. Ha -Ha! If you don't mind me asking. What did it set you back?

 

[Grimythaone]

all these 1911's im gonna have to snatch one up soon to make myself feel better