Author Topic: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?  (Read 7154 times)

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Offline teddy12b

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Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« on: December 22, 2010, 03:06:45 PM »
Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?  I was in a fun store the other night and the guy behind the counter tried telling me that rock island bought up the old machinery Colt was using for their 1911's and that the two guns were nearly identical excpet the RIA 1911's were lacking in some of the finer smooth edges.

Can anyone here confirm this either way?

Offline wallacem

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #1 on: December 26, 2010, 05:32:08 AM »
They said the same thing about Taurus long time ago, trying to make the gun sound better. The truth is, if Colt sold wore out mahines to someone, would you really want a gun made form it? I would not.  Wallacem in Ga

Offline uncledub

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2010, 09:09:23 AM »
They said the same thing about Taurus long time ago, trying to make the gun sound better. The truth is, if Colt sold wore out mahines to someone, would you really want a gun made form it? I would not.  Wallacem in Ga
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2010, 11:14:12 AM »
RIA 1911's are made in the Philippines, and are not made on old Colt machinery.  RIA uses cast frames, for example.  Colts were forged.  That said, the RIA guns are well made, and an excellent value for the price.  I have one in the basic military style, with about 1K rounds thru it with zero failures to feed or fire.  Accurate to boot.

Larry
Personal opinion is a good thing, and everyone is entitled to one.  The hard part is separating informed opinion from someone who is just blowing hot air....

Offline FourBee

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2011, 05:53:10 PM »
Bigeasy pretty much said it all.   These are well made firearms.
I've shot about half as many through a RIA 1911 basic, and had some failures to feed due to faulty magazines.   
Enjoy your rights to keep and bear arms.

Offline Alvin

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2011, 04:53:43 AM »
I agree about the faulty mags. I kept getting occasional failure to feeds until I borrowed a Wilson mag from my Colt. Runs like a top now.

Offline rifle59

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2011, 03:56:29 PM »
I had a Rock Island for a few years.  Had absolutely no misfeeds or any malfunctions.  Had to sell it last month (bifocals & had trouble with the rear sight).  I am going to another 1911 with better sights.  The Rock Island is a very good basic 1911 & I would recommend them to anyone wanting an entry level 1911.

Offline Broom Rider

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2011, 06:42:05 PM »
They aren't made on Colt machinery and are probably the best buy for the money you can get. Most everyone that has one is very pleased with what they have and if customer service is needed the guys in Nevada are tops at that game as well. I'll probably end up with one just because of the good value they are. (& the excellent customer service should it ever be needed)
Lynnie, NRA Life Member

Offline Mikey

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2011, 01:20:12 AM »
Lynnie:  Nice to see you again.  Hope all is well. 

Offline williamlayton

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2011, 01:49:23 AM »
I like that girl.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2011, 09:46:14 AM »
Broom Rider;  Nice hearing from you again.  With that collection of S&W's you have I'm surprised your thinking of an auto. 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline Broom Rider

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2011, 12:21:34 PM »
Thanks, I'm doing well and up and walking  pretty good now. (I can even run should I feel the need)
Many know of my love for the 44 magnum and the S&W 29/629 but 1911's are somewhat plentiful here as well.
I probably have more 1911's than most would think I do. They're some of my most fun range toys.
My next 1911 is a hard chrome Les Baer P2 which isn't going to be here until around June.
The RIA Match and the SA Range Officer are looking pretty good as is the Ed Brown Executive Target. Maybe one day.
Here's a shelf, mostly 44 mag revolvers and the others are 1911's, in 45.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/Shoorodsnewhome.jpg
Lynnie, NRA Life Member

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2011, 04:22:57 PM »
I declair, having seen most of your S&W's and now your 1911's makes me wish I was thirty years younger and single! ;D
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline Broom Rider

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2011, 12:38:06 AM »
Thanks, I wish I was thirty years younger.
Lynnie, NRA Life Member

Offline Mikey

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2011, 01:28:20 AM »
30 years younger - Naw!  That would make it illegal to even think about you.......................

Offline FourBee

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2011, 03:30:33 AM »
Thanks, I wish I was thirty years younger.
Reminds me of the story of a 62 yr old man who wished for a wife 30 yrs younger than he.   Poof; his wish came true and he instantly turned 92.
Enjoy your rights to keep and bear arms.

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2011, 06:38:48 AM »
Just for the record, I'm 62 Years young.  I was wondering what type of comments I would get.  I ment'  to aquire that many handguns I would need to eather marry Broomrider or stay single so I could aford to buy handguns.  A wife and education for three sons is an expence.  More so since they keep moving back in with us whenever things get tight.  Also, "please dad how about help on the down payment on a car".  If I had it to do over I would have stayed single and got a good dog as a companion! 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline Broom Rider

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2011, 11:22:42 AM »
Okay, just for the record, I also may be a bit over the hill. All that I ask is that you don't tailgate on the way down. I'm in no particular hurry to get to the bottom.

Being single does have advantages.
Lynnie, NRA Life Member

Offline rzwieg

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #18 on: February 19, 2011, 01:30:10 PM »
I like your gun collection Broom Rider. Nice to see a gal with more guns than most guys I know.

Offline Lead Head

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2011, 07:54:48 AM »
I have three Rock Islands and they all perform well. One service style in 45 ACP, one in 38 Super. The third RIA 1911 I purchased last year is a 9mm Rock Island Tactical.

If a person finds the standard service grade sights a problem, the Tactical has much better non-adjustable sights in addition to some other improvements. For the money it is one heck of a shooter. Some can be purchased for about $375.00 to $425.00. Ria even makes a match model in some calibers.

Offline kf4ocv

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #20 on: March 28, 2011, 09:32:35 AM »
I have been looking at the RIA 9mm.  My local gunshop says he would trust his with his life no problem.  Do they have a website?
Chris

Offline FourBee

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #21 on: March 28, 2011, 02:00:53 PM »
I have been looking at the RIA 9mm.  My local gunshop says he would trust his with his life no problem.  Do they have a website?

Hi kf4ocv;  wondering if you're acquainted with the 9MM auto vs the .45cal auto ?
My experience is that if you want a more gentle recoil from a defence hand-gun, the .45auto is the way to go.   JMTC.. :)
Enjoy your rights to keep and bear arms.

Offline Keith L

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #22 on: March 28, 2011, 03:39:22 PM »
I have a 9MM Glock and a .45 Kimber.  The recoil from the Kimber is far more pleasant for me.  The 9MM is sharper, quicker.  The 9MM is cheaper to shoot, though.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Benjamin Franklin

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #23 on: March 29, 2011, 03:24:49 PM »
kf40cv:  yes they have a website. " Rock Island Armory", I was just there it comes up fine. 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline shvlhead.45

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #24 on: March 30, 2011, 12:14:26 PM »
kf4ovc,

You will find a lot more info on this web site: http://www.armscor.com.ph/pistols.htm

I have the 3.5" GI series and love that shooting little gun, except for the 1911 type sights.  I will replace it with a practical series 3.5" or get taller sights put on the existing slide.  My brother shoots a 3.5" earlier version that came with a full size grip frame and it's a shooter.  Everyone (several) that I know that has one have tagged their RIA 1911 as a keeper.  My 70 series Colt sits in the safe, my RIA and my EAA Witness in .45 ACP are with me when I'm out and about.  When a few other wants and needs are taken care of, a RIA practical series in .38Super may be added to the stable.  Yeah, I like the RIA.

shvlhead.45

Offline kf4ocv

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #25 on: April 02, 2011, 07:41:39 AM »
thx
Chris

Offline ironglowjr

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #26 on: August 19, 2011, 01:07:18 AM »
I have been in the Marines and working on pistols for the last 8 years....I love the RIA 1911......put mine up against any....!!!!!

Offline williamlayton

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #27 on: August 20, 2011, 03:56:53 AM »
IG jr
I think you will have to admit that it is not the same gun you got originally.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #28 on: August 24, 2011, 02:25:05 PM »
My RIA 1911 in 38 Super hasn't missed a lick.  The only things I have added are a 16lb recoil spring and a two piece full lehgth guide rod and cap. 8)   The RIA takes full length cartridges were the EAA requires shorter hollowpoints or they do not feed.  The cut off hollow point locks in the mag so it doesn't move up when they are full length. :(
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline LouisianaMan2

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Re: Are the Rock Island 1911's made on old machinery from colt?
« Reply #29 on: September 03, 2011, 06:45:45 PM »
After several years of focusing on the 200g .38 revolver loads that Mikey got me addicted to--an addiction I still enjoy greatly, by the way--I broke down this past spring and bought an RIA parkerized GI model. In significant measure I wanted one similar to the Remington-Rand I carried in the Army in the 1980s, without the price tag, but I also moved recently and the new layout simply changed my tactical requirements for HD.
 
We moved from a rural area to a house in town, and the layout requires me to approach the most likely nighttime engagement area by pivoting through a hall doorway to my sharp right and then face a max range of only 25 feet. I don't want to try to get around that corner with a shotgun or carbine and possibly face struggling to retain a long gun at such a disadvantageous angle. Likewise, the smallish living room makes a handgun the best candidate for my primary HD weapon. In my old house, the primary was a pump 20 gauge with revolver/heavy bullet backup, for 60-foot shots across a room full of leather furniture. Now, I need an auto pistol I know intuitively, can reload handily, and one that hits hard. For me, a 1911 fits that bill nicely.
 
My RIA initially had significant issues with the 8-rd. ACT-MAG magazine that came with the gun, but some inexpensive GI-style mags gave better results. As I reached RIA's recommended 500-round break-in point several weeks ago, I took some emery paper and buffed up the slide and spring guide & it smoother out very well. I also got some new Springfield Armory GI-style 7-round mags. Results: 216 flawless rounds thru 8 different mags in one session, and last weekend I put another 125 or so thru the SA mags to verify function, again suffering zero problems. Although RIA warranties the pistol only for FMJ ammo, the pistol now eats up not only WWB ball ammo, but also Remington 230g JHP, Hornady 200g STX, Hornady 185g Critical Defense, and 238g Lee truncated cone lead cast bullets over 4.1g VV N310 in reloaded cases.
 
Looks like an originally overly-tight gun has broken in nicely indeed. It shoots as accurately and effectively using Fairbairn-Sykes and Applegate techniques as the 1911 did 80-odd years ago when those guys were facing the "real McCoy" in Shanghai and occupied Europe. My RIA now resides on the nightstand as first-string "home invasion response gun," next to a S&W 24-3 .44 SPL revolver whose primary role is to accompany me when I may need to check out the occasional bump in the night.
 
After the insanity we all witnessed emerging from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I have paired up my RIA with a GI pistol belt, holster, and two double mag pouches. Should do nicely should a future disaster once again lead to significant civil disorder. Although our current governor is a highly competent leader, unlike the liberal basket-case we had in '05, it never hurts to have .45-caliber insurance :-)