I dont have one, but I know they are better quality then people give them credit for. I also know the customer service is the best you'll find. the other forum I hang out at (M1911.org) has alot of good to say about them and they are a 1911 dedicated forum and know the rock island guys well. I am Mgonz45 over there come and join in.

thank you for the info

I have one with over 1,000 rounds thru it no problems. Youngest daughter has one no problems.

I just picked up a RIA Compact Tactical at a gun show yesterday. It's the first 1911 that I've owned, but not the first that I've ever shot. So far I put 100 rounds of WWB through it and it already feels like it's smoothing out. The first couple mags felt as if there was a bit of trigger creep to it, but it's almost unnoticeable now. I'm going to put another 400 rounds through it before addressing any issues to make sure everything is broken in thoroughly. So far I've had zero problems with mine except for the initial trigger feel which seems to have almost cured itself.

BTW: I ran into a HandGunForum.net member out on the range today and he's the one who told me about this site. Thanks Paul! That's a sweet shooting Kimber you got there.

Bought a RIA GI couple years ago. Put over 1000rds thru it with no problems. Old eyes just couldn't see sights anymore so traded it for Tactical. Have over 1200 rds thru it w/o first bobble. Has a better trigger than my Colt. Just got a Compact Tactical so headed to range tomorrow.

I've heard a lot of good things about these guns, especially considering the attractive price tag. Might pick one up some day, just as a starter 1911 for myself. I love the feel of the 1911.

-Jeff-

Didn't have much time for range today. Compact Tac ate 100 rds of WWB fmj & 1 mag of WWB 230 jhp just fine. Very accurate and shoots to POA.

Originally Posted by GoMopar440

I just picked up a RIA Compact Tactical at a gun show yesterday. It's the first 1911 that I've owned, but not the first that I've ever shot. So far I put 100 rounds of WWB through it and it already feels like it's smoothing out. The first couple mags felt as if there was a bit of trigger creep to it, but it's almost unnoticeable now. I'm going to put another 400 rounds through it before addressing any issues to make sure everything is broken in thoroughly. So far I've had zero problems with mine except for the initial trigger feel which seems to have almost cured itself.

BTW: I ran into a HandGunForum.net member out on the range today and he's the one who told me about this site. Thanks Paul! That's a sweet shooting Kimber you got there.

You got a nice gun. Glad to hear the trigger is working itself out.

How about a pic of the gun?

WM

Good for you and congrats. RIA's are a good pistol and they have a large following on the 1911 forums. Good luck with it.

I have the RIA and love it. You might have trouble getting grips to fit if you have the ambi safety on it. The one they use requires a little sanding off the top in the grip rather than the little cut on the back side. I used a Dremel to fit different grips to mine but they actually come with a pretty nice set of wood grips.

You got a pretty nice shooter man. I tell a lot of people that are thinking about their first 1911 to look at one of those mainly because they shoot pretty well and wont break your bank account. There's a million things you can to to make a 1911 special and fit all your shooting needs. There's more after market 1911 parts than anything else

I hope you have as much fun with yours as I do mine. I like to get it out and shoot it as often as I can. Mine failed to feed one time and it was really my fault because I had a round of ammo that was not to spec. I'm actually glad it found it. It caused me to look at the rest of my ammo for that gun and see if I had messed up on my loads (lucky for me that was the only one).

I look forward to a pic and range report on your new pistol

Rained today(we need it) so didn't make it to range. Hopefully tomorrow?

Looks like you got better grips than I did I hope you have a blast with you new friend. I love mine. Most the people I hear that have got one say the same too

Beautiful!

WM

May be the first 1911 I've ever had that I leave the grips alone. They feel good.

Originally Posted by Wandering Man

How about a pic of the gun?

WM

Here ya go...


This shows the size of the Compact Tactical in my hand (XL glove size).


Here's a good look at the bull barrel and the full legnth guide rod.


Here's the dots I dremeled into my plain sights.


And after the dots after I painted them.


Here's me puttng the dots to work. Check out the brass still in the air just below and in front of the muzzle. (Thanks again for taking the pics Paul )

Originally Posted by GoMopar440

Here ya go...

This shows the size of the Compact Tactical in my hand (XL glove size).

Sorry GoMopar, that gun is definitely too small for your hands.




You'll have to give it to me.



WM

Originally Posted by Wandering Man

Sorry GoMopar, that gun is definitely too small for your hands.




You'll have to give it to me.



WM

Ok, I'll swap you for your Kimber. K?

When they first came out and I read the reviews, seen them at the gun shows, handled them, etc....I wanted one real seriously. I had to have another 45 since my G21 got traded off, and my G30 was up next on the chopping block for certain reasons. That G30 went for a SIG P220, and I was looking at cost. The RIA from what I had seen in Shotgun News was the apparent answer. I went through a couple of Norinco model 1911's, and I really enjoyed them. Soon after, I heard about the Taurus PT1911, read the reviews, and figured that would be the one I'd go for. I haven't gone for either one or any yet...it's a money issue, and besides that....I figure I have most of what I need in the way of pistols anyway, so the next thing that really needs to be on my agenda is a HD 12 guage. The RIA 45 should be a good performer for you as is in my opinion. I'd have one also even if my funds were unlimited. I've never been a fan of overpriced functional design of the original 1911 I used in the military. Todays $3k+ 1911 based pistols are a rather silly notion in my opinion, and from what I've seen and heard, more prone to failure because of being such a tight piece of lockwork. Stick to the basics, and I think RIA and Taurus have hit the market with just that. Good luck with your quality remake of the best pistol ever made or conceived. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Originally Posted by GoMopar440

Ok, I'll swap you for your Kimber. K?

Uh ....











...



That would be a NO.





WM

Originally Posted by GoMopar440

This shows the size of the Compact Tactical in my hand (XL glove size).

You might want to try putting your thumb on top of the safety when you shoot. Your thumb pushing down on the safety will put the gun lower in your hand, lowering the bore axis relative to your arm and giving your remaining fingers better purchase on the short grip.

Originally Posted by submoa

You might want to try putting your thumb on top of the safety when you shoot. Your thumb pushing down on the safety will put the gun lower in your hand, lowering the bore axis relative to your arm and giving your remaining fingers better purchase on the short grip.

I just tried holding it like that right now and the pad of my thumb rubs against the cheese grater part of the slide. It feels like my thumb would quickly get very raw in that position after shooting for a little while. The web of my hand between my thumb and index finger also seems to push up on the beavertail behind the pivot when I grip it like that. I'm not sure that holding it that way wouldn't cause the grip safety to rock up and down (on/off) while firing.

I'll still give that grip a try next time I'm out at the range. That way I can see how much of these observations are actual issues or just muscle memory trying to tell me it's wrong to hold it that way. I've always gripped my pistols like shown in the pics above. Most of my pistols have been Beretta 92's. They fit my palm very good and it's the side arm we use for carrying and qualifying at work (Navy).

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.

Forgot to mark bottom paper plates. One on left is WWB JHP and right is Fed HS. Sorry!

Originally Posted by forestranger

Isn't it a beautiful thing, when you can shoot a big hole in a target like you did on that silhouette?



WM