Tag Archives: RIA

Rock Island Arsenal

New horse in the Stable: I was given a Gift this evening, and it is very appreciated. I will enjoy this! This is a Rock Island M1911, Double Stack. 14+1 rounds of God’s Caliber .45 Auto.

It’s essentially a GI 1911, but “Dummy Thicc”. Slide is heavy, but smooth. The trigger is heavy, but very crisp. The gun is all steel, heavy, but well-balanced when loaded. It’s not tricked out in any way… It’s just refreshingly honest about what it is, and what it isn’t. I like that. R.I.A. has fancier guns, with more expensive finishes, but they are not actually made any better. The slide is tight, but there is no binding and no play. The barrel is fit tight as well, with no play in the bushing or breach at all. In manipulating the slide, there are no hang-ups in the action at all. Inside, the machining is exceptionally well done. Every bit as fine as in a Kimber that would cost roughly 4 times as much. This is even better than my previous R.I.A. 1911 that went about 1400 rounds without a failure, amongst numerous shooters who wanted to try it out. Only difference is that this one is machined better, the muzzle is target crowned slightly, and it uses Para P14 magazines. Remember Para? Yeah, before STI/Staccato, Para Ordinance pioneered the Thicc 1911 style. And I bet a Para holster would fit it perfectly.
I’ll report more on this when I get it out to shoot.