Range Report RIA 1911 Commander

[kesava]

Ok fella's I have a short range report with the Rock Island Armory 1911 .45.

Lets start with the finish. Comes oily and once fired with a brass casing. Very simple look. As simple as a G.I. can look, save for the wood grips. The sights are simple 3-dot and nonadjustable. It is well balanced and finished. The grips aren't the best in the world, but they are like bacardi and coke (they get the job done).

Firing the 1911 is as easy, fun and accurate as 98% of 1911's i have handled.

Seating the clip with the action locked open leaves a little bit of play. Engaging the action and chambering a round locks it tight. Even though the sights are simple 3-dot sight, the sight picture is clear and ready for any situation you need if for (save for 50+ yard shots)

There is a bit of creep in the trigger. right around a millimeter or two. The trigger weight and break is just right and crisp. Very pleasant indeed.

I used some WWB FMJ and was able to get some decent groups. The following groups are at 10 and 15 yards.

I want to buy the tactical version and trade out the slide and sell the mismatched gun eventually. Or, maybe just redo the trigger (but I suck as gun-smithing).

I HIGHLY recommend this pistol. I would say that it is as accurate as my buddies kimber custom. However, the kimber has no trigger creep and a slightly more comfy dove tail. I went 200 rounds, no cleaning - no FTF's, stovepipes, whatsoever. It just waited on the next clip.

Thanks guys.

[Guest jackdm3]

"It just waited on the next clip."

CLIP!?!?!

[Mad_Squirrell]

"It just waited on the next clip."

CLIP!?!?!

< Clip < magazine

Calm down he has not been edumacated yet

[Mad_Squirrell]

Great review on the gun BTW . I had similar results with a friends RIA the trigger was crunchy at first but it has smoothed out real nice after about 100 rds shot it last weekend again .Im sold on one as soon as funds allow.

[safeandsecure]

Jack, he was obviously referring to the next video, or "movie clip" (assuming that shootin' that well needs "filming."

Or, or second thought, it was probably "clipping" the paper as kesava fired the rounds into the target.

Ya think?

(OOOOOOOhhhhh ... ... I bet you thought he meant "magazine.")

Nevermind.

(PS -- kesava, if I could shoot that well, I wouldn't care WHAT I called that thing that holds the "boolits" ... so just funnin' you.)

[kb4ns]

Nice grouping. Looks like you've got a keeper.

[kesava]

Actually, I am quite edumacated in the differences and often got yelled at by my C.O. but, alas

A.) I ignore people who get bent out of shape about the difference.

B.) My grandfather called them clips (WWII veteran, stationed out of Tuskegee) till he died, who undoubtedly got it from his father (WWI veteran, when they actually used clips). He taught me how to shoot and it stuck with me. (I know bad habits and firearms make horrible bed fellows)

C.) Also, might just be a yankee thing too

Edited July 29, 2010 by kesava
too wordy

[THE COOP]

Great review, I'm on my 3rd RIA a full size tactical, my commander was perfect and never had a problem, sold it and I regret it. I then bought a full size GI model and traded up for the tactical I have now. I shoot this gun better than any other gun I have in including my Sig P220 ST or my Gen 4 G17? At the present time the RIA'S are the best bargain 1911's out there.. IMHO........... COOP

[Guest bkelm18]

I've been lusting after a tactical commander RIA for some time.

[Guest jackdm3]

Not bent out of shape. It's just that if I had only wrote, "Clip!?!?!" it wouldn't have taken up much space as writing a paragraph kidding you about it. So I just upsized it.

[Guest tnfireman]

Upsizing is always a good thing...

[Guest jackdm3]

Certainly makes a statement, although the results may be unintended.

[Guest Keinengel]

They always call them clips in cheesy 80s cop movies......

I've heard and seen nothing but good things about the RIAs so far. I've always been a little skeptical about how well a 350 dollar 1911 holds up tho.

[Defender]

Whats the difference between the GI and the Tactical?

[Guest cheez]

< Clip < magazine

Calm down he has not been edumacated yet

Others may need some edumacation as well.

WordNet Dictionary

Noun1.clip - a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun Synonyms: cartridge clip, cartridge holder, magazine

[Guest jackdm3]

That's cool. This argument has some extra legs, now.

[Il Duce]

i would seriously trade my XD45 for a RIA Commander

[kesava]

Good luck finding someone who will trade.

[Il Duce]

haha i know

[Guest cheez]

Whats the difference between the GI and the Tactical?

The GI is total plain jane.

Tactical has nice skeletonized trigger, Novak style dovetail sights, beavertail grip. Maybe more but I can't remember right now. The tactical is definitely the better gun for not much more money. Matter of fact IMO the RIA Tactical is better than the lowest two Springers, the new R1 Remington and as good as the Taurus for quite a bit less money.

[Pengnpup]

i have yet to hear bad things about any of the RIA's. They are simply awesome. They are by far an awesome deal for the money. I bought mine for 275 otd about 3 years ago. Kimbers are fine but there is no way I am paying that much for a 1911 that has a 7-8 round capacity. 1911's are hard to screw up.

[eapking]

Congrats on your new RIA. Good 1911 for the bucks. Now about your photography...hmmm.