rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......

[jeepster]

saw some 1911s for 400$ NIB... never heard of rock island arms...... what can you guys tell me about them?

[MikeWalking]

No personal experience but you got me curious too..

http://journal.drfaulken.com/rock-island-arms-1911-government-model-pistol-review/

Read a few reviews, rock solid performers, slightly less than perfect trigger. The reviewer complained about the factory Durocoat finish failing, wearing through in months of light use..  But you can find them from 350-400$  not a bad starter 1911

[FC]

Pretty good guns from what I have seen.

[Huntboy]

I bought one and like it nothing fancy, and doesn't shoot that bad.

[birdwacker]

For that price check out the para-ordinance 1911 GI expert. Got one and love it!

[Heredoggydoggy]

One of the oldest gunmakers in the country.  And the 1911s are Mil Spec, so down the line if you want a better trigger, or barrel, or grips, etc. any standard parts will fit.  Something to consider when looking at "bargain 1911's".

[thinkingman]

RIA has a solid reputation for a basic 1911, I don't think they're made onshore though....thinking Phillipines.

[MikeWalking]

RIA has a solid reputation for a basic 1911, I don't think they're made onshore though....thinking Phillipines.

Did a google search on RIA last night.  "Phillipines"  came up a lot...

[FC]

They are made in the Philippines.

[BlackRidge]

They also made quite a few M1903's/etc prior to the Korean War

From what I understand, Springfield Armory either wasn't able to meet the demand or RIA came in to fill a needed void for producing M1903 rifles from older Springfield parts. They would assemble them, then give it the RIA stamp of approval.  I have one from their first 500 produced and its still in amazing shape and shoots consistant MOA

 

[dontgetcrabs]

 Know nothing about them, just wanted to follow this post. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Pre war RIA is not the same RIA as today.. Just like Lama and other cheaper knockoffs, Charles Daily and such... of the famed 1911, Quality control is lacking. Sometimes a good one is in hand. Sometimes not.

You get what you pay for.

The best bang for the buck in a low end 1911 is a Springfield GI.

-Steve

[Rgrady35]

I have one. Good solid gun. Good truck gun.

[Heredoggydoggy]

During the World War, don't know if I or II, Colt set up a plant in the Phillipines to make 1911s.  The plant is still running, with the Colt machinery, so buying a Phillipine-made 1911 is like buying a Colt.  Guys that own them say the accuracy is great.

[JackOfAllTrades]

so buying a Phillipine-made 1911 is like buying a Colt.

No.. the gunsmiths are different. The quality control is different. The internal parts are MIM. The steel used in the castings is of harder alloy. (possibly more brittle) (much like the Norinco's)

Yes, Colt and Springfield did have manufacturing facilities in different countries. But don't consider present day examples to be the same as what was offered decades ago or the same as what our Colt and Springfield 'American' manufactures offer us now. 

-Steve