Author Topic: Rock Island pistols (Read 1725 times)

holahead · « **on:** February 10, 2007, 07:22:36 AM »

I was at the local gun shop today and found a used but like new Rock Island M1911 in 38 super. Nice pistol have always wanted a model 1911 and I really liked this one. What are your thoughts on the Rock Island and I do not know about the 38 super could someone tell me a little about it Thanks in advance for your comments.

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2007, 12:36:11 PM »

Haven't seen a RIA in .38 Super. All I can say is the RIA is an inexpensive clone. I know a couple of guys who have one in .45. They seem to function ok. The new ones I have seen, sell in the $320-$350 range. The .38 Super is the original hot rod 9mm. I would suggest you replace the recoil spring with an approporate weight Wolff spring, + a recoil buffer before shooting it much. This will help prevent the frame being battered by the slide. If you pick it up, let us know how it shoots!
Savage

rio grande · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:36:39 AM »

Friend bought a new Rock Island in .45 for around $340. Has fired it over 2000 times w/ factory hardball. (Remington valu-paks I think) ONE jam. Real smooth, good trigger. Maybe just a good example, I don't know, but I'm impressed and thinking of buying one when the ol' tax refund comes in.

Broom Rider · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:26:05 PM »

The company provides a good gun for the money and backs it up with a really good warranty and great customer service.

williamlayton · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:31:16 AM »

RIA has no web I can find.
Sarco (sp) is the only distributor I--repeat, I--know of.
I have heard good and bad--I don't know.
I tend too spend money on things I can find good reliable info on--but that is me.
Blessings

timothy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:15:50 AM »

Their made in a military arsenal in the philipines (I forgot the name) and are of good quality. I had one that was a great shooter and nicer in everyway than the Springer I replaced it with. Pay no attention to brand here, its a mil spec 1911 and a good one at that. All they need are some new grips.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:25:13 AM »

The Rock Island Armory 1911s are low budget pistols that work. People ahve complained about cosmetic issues but they function just as well as any mil-spec 1911 I know of.

The 38 Super Automatic is offered with a 130 gn ball or a 125 gn hp. Both move out to about 1280'/sec. The 38 Supers also chamber the 9x23 Winchester which is the hot rod of 38 Supers. The 9x23 carries a 125 gn ball or hp and is supposed to clock 1425'/sec (just what 38 Super handloads are usually loaded to) - for this you would want a new 20 lb recoil spring kit from Wolff Springs but forget the recoil buffer. With the heavier spring the buffer usually only gets in the way of ejection. HTH. Mikey.

Broom Rider · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:39:34 PM »

They have a web site and are imported into Pahrump Nvada.
Here's a link to the web site although it's not a real informative site I heard they are working on a better one.
http://www.advancedtactical.com/

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2007, 02:10:36 AM »

Mikey,
I agree that the buffer can be a hit or miss thing, but with pistols of questionable metallurgy, they are certainly worth a try. In those instances, they will certainly prevent frame battering. They are no substitute for the proper recoil spring, but work well with one in most guns I have tried.
Savage

sig232 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:07:49 AM »

I believe you can check them out on the armscor.net website.

seawolf7103 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2012, 01:15:54 PM »

Back in '86 I bought a Thompson Auto Ord 1911.
It shot great for about 500rds.
Then the cheesey metallurgy started showing.
I said never again.
Colt's, Randalls, Kimbers etc for me...
But then recently I had an opportunity to take a Rock Island in trade but I was skeptical.
I read everything I could on them in every forum I could find.
After the owner let me borrow it for a weekend at our place in the woods I jumped on it.
I have never regretted that.
Thousands of rounds later it still shoots like a big bucks 1911.
It has the sweetest off the shelf trigger I have ever had on any single action auto.
I did add an arched mainspring housing and put checkered wooden grips on it instead of the smoothies it came with, but other than that it is a stock RI.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:58:14 AM »

Have had the Rock Island 38 Super for a year and thousand rounds with no problem. Great Gun.

Savage · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:40:47 AM »

My rather limited experience with RIAs has not been as good as most. I have shared my experiences here in other posts, so I won't go into it again.
Savage

seawolf7103 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2012, 11:55:55 AM »

Quote from: Savage on February 13, 2012, 04:40:47 AM

My rather limited experience with RIAs has not been as good as most. I have shared my experiences here in other posts, so I won't go into it again.
Savage

You already did.

"teflon belongs in the kitchen"

"1911 because 911 is too slow"

rawhidekid · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2012, 09:59:55 PM »

Been with State Farm for over 25 years. Couldn't ask for better service, when Progressive first came on the scene I asked them to compare rates; they couldn't touch what I was getting with State Farm.

poncaguy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2012, 11:49:27 AM »

I have a RIA 38 Super, had sights ninstalled and alittle chamber work done. Feeds great and no problems at all. Very,very accurate........well pleased with it.........

jcn59 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:45:05 PM »

I still like my two RIA .38 Supers. I already said that in the 1911 forum. So what?

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2012, 01:20:01 AM »

If you have a good solid frame and slide---it can even be investment cast--you have the basis of a very good reliable gun.
The one you get can be problematic or not, depending on a number of things.
Most of these problematic things are easily resolved--especially if you are good with your hands and tools. I am not so I support some folks who are.
Some work on the problems as they arise.
Me---well--I am a whole hog person. If I am going to give it to a Smith for ejection problems I am going to let him do his magic thruout the gun.
I started ou with a gun--the first one--and took it to Vandenberg for an ejection problem, then a porting problem, then a sight problem.
After this third visit we talked. he convinced me that I was approaching the situation in the least efficient manner and it was more costly.
We made a pretty detailed list--some my thoughts and some were on his advice--and had them worked on. I am real happy with this gun.
I have since taken him 4/5 more project guns---I like what I have now.
Guts makethe gun---not the shine of the barrel.
Blessings

gr8ful · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2012, 04:28:30 AM »

I had a RIA 1911 in .38 Super til my brother talked me out of it. It was accurate and reliable. Out of the box I put about 500 rounds through it without a single jam. There is no telling how much he has shot it and it is one of his favorite carry pistols. I replaced it with a RIA 1911 in .45 ACP added a set of thin checkered grip panels and after over 2000 rounds I have had only 2 stovepipes, both with some light 185gr cast reloads that I was playing around with, so I can't really fault the pistol in that situation (it did digest the other 48 rounds fine).

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2012, 01:07:24 PM »

Try this link: http://www.armscor.com.ph/technology.htm

Click on products, pistols shown say ARMSCOR on the slides but from what I've seen the RIA pistols are identical.

Mine is like a crossbreed of the 1911A1-CS PS and the 1911A1-CS GI; a practical frame with a GI slide and it's a shooter. Do wish it had the practical slide for the better sights though.

r/shvlhead.45