Originally Posted by submoa

Thumb rubbing against the slide will not be a problem. Nor will 'rocking the grip'

Same principles of getting a high grip position to get better control with a lowered bore axis applies for all handguns... M9's (backwards) slide mounted safety just doesn't work to help a high hand position.

watch the Todd Jarrett video on the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

... and try it at the range... after a short adjustment, you just might like the results.

I'm always open to learn something new. That's a pretty good vid and it explains the concept of gun control (the good kind ) by using a higher grip. I'll watch it a few more times before I go to the range Saturday and let you know how I do using that technique.

Enjoy the 1911 experience! I have several and love them. (even my evil expensive Les Baer)

Originally Posted by forestranger

Ridgerunner, hope this doesn't hijack your thread but put another 100 rds of WWB fmj and around 60 rds of various jhps through it today. It didn't like a few of my full size mags but was 100% w/the 4 compact mags I have(3-7rd, 1-6rd). All the jhps fed fine. Fired 1 mag of each for accuracy & 1 mag each thru chronograph. Surprised at results:

WWB fmj....797fps
WWB 230jhp...851fps
Rem 230 GS....811fps
Rem 185 +p GS...1054fps
Fed 230 HydraShock LE...858fps

WWB fmj &jhp shot to POA at 10yds. Fed jhp shot little low but close enough. Probably me...older I get, worse I shoot. At 20 yds, I was able to put 7 on paper plate & while chronographing from rest, the WWB and Fed jhp were all w/in 8 ring on same type target as below. Hope Mike doesn't get me for blaming mags again.

thats some great shooting, now i have a new goal. thanks again,rr

Run across one today for $400. Came here to see what people think. But after reading the posts I think I'll go get it!

Got my RIA Tactical the other day. It wasn't a planned purchase, but glad I did it cause I always wanted a 1911, but didn't want to pay the high price. put 50 rounds thru it without a hiccup....love it.

I saw one of these at the show yesterday. Looks like a sweet gun for the money. problem is they would only allow one handgun purchase per 30 days.

I think the RIA's are a good value in both the Tactical and GI variants. My only complaint is that I like a bit more tension in my thumb safety. The one I owned and every one I have ever picked up seems to have a very light release. Springfield, Colt, Sig and some others all have a very positive engagement/ disengagement of their safeties. I just worry I could so easily bump that safety off as I have done on Kimbers in cc mode in the past. I have never read of anyone else complaining about it so I must be the only one. Aside from that one issue though I like them a lot especially the absence of redundant safety dodads internally.

it also seemed very heavy

I had been wanting a 1911 for a long time, and deciding on which one to purchase was a daunting task. I wasn't looking for an expensive 1911, and I had looked at and held most of the lower price ones and had pretty much decided on the Springfield Mil-Spec. Then, on a whim, I stopped by a gun store near my mother-in-law's house, and they had a nickel plated full size RIA in their case. After handling it, I was quite impressed with the fit and finish (seemed to be tighter than the SA and Para-Ordnance guns I'd held) so I decided to get it. On the first outing to the range, I had a pretty bad day. The rounds I was using for break in were reloads, and the guy that reloaded them did a piss poor job. I probably had 40 FTFs in 100 rounds. I immediately went and bought a box of WWB, and went right back to the range. All of the WWB fed without any trouble at all. Since then I've ran all kinds of factory ammo through it, as well as some reloads that I've put together myself. This gun will eat anything that's thrown at it including JHPs.

If you're in the market for a low priced, fully reliable 1911 then the RIA is the way to go.

I bought a RIA 1911A1 several months ago to use in SASS Wild Bunch side matches. I was surprized at how well the gun shot. Only problem was that it didn't like JHP ammo. A little work polishing the feed ramp took care of that issue. I don't like the smooth grips that come on it. A friend gave me a set of checkered grips with US in the center off a Springfield. Now it looks like a pre WWI issue sidearm.

I like it so well that last week I purchased a RIA Commander. Now surpizingly that gun feeds anything I put in it w/o a hitch. The only changes I intend to do to this gun is change the smooth grips and put on some Novak 3 dot sights.