My gun tourism continues

[CarRacer]

As a relative newcomer to handguns and rifles, I've enjoyed trying out different pistols, learning about them, and experiencing how they handle and fire differently. I'm sure a bunch of you will be glad to know that my latest purchase was a 1911, in the Rock Island Tactical flavor. Thunderjohn just completed the transfer for me on Friday and I'm pretty excited to try it out.

[Anokamnman]

How much did that set you back if I may ask?

[CarRacer]

You'll hate this answer but it was $460 all said and done. I hope your wallet forgives me.

[Anokamnman]

Not a bad price. I am always looking for good prices. Got my sig sauer 1911 c3 for $625. Saved about $300. Thinking about picking up a rock island full size 1911 now.

[CarRacer]

I got it from Centerfire Systems. It was on backorder for a while but they were among the lowest prices and a couple people here had dealt with them with positive results.

[PileDriver]

For the price, RIA's are pretty dang nice.

Trying to remember why I sold mine.....

[rukwikenuf]

so does that mean that you sold off your AR pistol then? or do you now own multiple guns?! glad to see you in a 1911

[CarRacer]

It's unprecedented but I actually own two guns right now. Although, I'm thinking about selling my AR pistol so it's easier to fund a couple races this summer. I don't want to make any concrete statements but I don't think I'll sell this 1911. I like the idea of owning a 1911 and I'd like to get into reloading someday so it's a good excuse for that.

[ammosponge]

i have a full sized ria tactical .45 and a officer sized .45. my only gripe is the park finish, but heck, for 450$ give or take, they're a steal.

[yuppiejr]

The only things I did not like about the RIA Tactical were the original grips (easy fix) and the OEM magazine that they provide, the 8 round Novak/ACT "Made in Italy" model. In addition to using soft springs I found the follower design would leave a bit of slop in the nose of the loaded cartridges and occasionally allow a misfeed on the last round or two. This was always because weak springs and the follower design allowed the nose of the bullet to be at an insufficent "up" angle to engage the feed ramp, causing a FTF. I believe the Novak/ACT magazine follower design exists mainly to support alloy framed guns that get dinged up by the more agressive pointed follower design... not sure why RIA chose it to go with them in the 1911/Tactical models since the more traditional magazine follower design will not harm a steel framed gun and is considered more reliable from the local and online sources I checked.

Marv at Frontiersman set me up with some Kimber (made by ChipMcCormick) magazines, with which the gun ate everything; hollowpoints to lead cast wadcutters, round ball and everything in between with 0 issues. The RIA Tactical is a ton of pistol in a 1911 for the price, I ended up trading mine for a hunting rifle I wanted/needed more it was a great and very reliable pistol with fit and finish beyond it's price. If I ever pick up another 1911 the RIA would be at the top of my list.

[2beer]

This is good, I have been kicking the idea of one of these around the last few weeks. hmmmm

[dlstarry]

Hi all, new to this forum, been reading the post's & I had to reply to this one.
I have 4 of the full sized RIA tactical .45's & they all are as tight ( slide to frame fit ) as my Kimber's & they are 70 series
not 80, This is a big plus for me, never been a fan of that dad-gum firing pin block. I think RIA's have become my favorite
1911. But I wouldn't sell any of them, bought my first one over 25 Yrs ago & have been hooked ever since.
Denny