Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: jeepster on February 10, 2011, 02:23:22 AM

Title: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: jeepster on February 10, 2011, 02:23:22 AM: saw some 1911s for 400$ NIB... never heard of rock island arms...... what can you guys tell me about them?
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: MikeWalking on February 10, 2011, 02:44:18 AM: No personal experience but you got me curious too..

http://journal.drfaulken.com/rock-island-arms-1911-government-model-pistol-review/ (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
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: FC on February 10, 2011, 10:32:12 AM: Pretty good guns from what I have seen.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: Huntboy on February 10, 2011, 11:09:01 AM: I bought one and like it nothing fancy, and doesn't shoot that bad.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: birdwacker on February 10, 2011, 12:55:34 PM: For that price check out the para-ordinance 1911 GI expert. Got one and love it!
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 10, 2011, 01:04:19 PM: 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".
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: thinkingman on February 10, 2011, 01:58:46 PM: RIA has a solid reputation for a basic 1911, I don't think they're made onshore though....thinking Phillipines.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: MikeWalking on February 10, 2011, 02:45:05 PM: Quote from: thinkingman on February 10, 2011, 01:58:46 PM
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... :dunno:
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: FC on February 10, 2011, 03:34:25 PM: They are made in the Philippines.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: BlackRidge on February 10, 2011, 03:53:44 PM: 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
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: dontgetcrabs on February 10, 2011, 04:21:14 PM: Know nothing about them, just wanted to follow this post.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 10, 2011, 04:24:28 PM: 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
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: Rgrady35 on February 10, 2011, 04:26:08 PM: I have one. Good solid gun. Good truck gun.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 10, 2011, 09:48:05 PM: 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.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 10, 2011, 11:13:32 PM: Quote
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
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: thinkingman on February 11, 2011, 10:13:45 AM: I did just order an STI Spartan, which I believe, the frame and slide was supplied to STI by Armscor(RIA).
I would argue it's the best deal going in 1911 for the $600 category....based on internet reports.
I'll know more next week.
Next step up would be Springfield Range Officer.
Title: Re: rock island armory...... saw it at a gunshop, but have never heard of them......
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 11, 2011, 10:53:10 AM: The quality control falls under STI. They assemble fine firearms, I'm sure you'll be happy.

And yes, the Springer Range Officer would be a great choice for the money.

-Steve