If you put a 3 year old RIA next to a new production guy, you wouldnt believe they came from the same factory.
There has been a major improvement in the fit, finish, and quality of these guns, started about the same time they started producing guns for STI.
Gotta love the trickle down effect their relationship with STI has had.
I continue to be amazed at the value these guns represent, and will go on record in saying these are actually BETTER GUNS than the more expensive Springfield Armory GI and MilSpec guns.
**Disclaimer
I carry a minimum of 24 1911s at all times, from makers such as SigArms, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, RIA, Colt, Springfield Armory, Taurus, and Wilson Combat (Im a Master Dealer for Wilson)
So, is the RIA as nice as a Wilson? no. But it IS nicer than every other sub-600 1911 available in the market today!