Rock Island Armory 1911A1, 8rd

I am former Marine Corps and broke my teeth on a .45 so when I went to buy a firearm my main concern was that it be something I was familiar and comfortable with. I did a lot of research before plunking down my hard earned money and found an interesting story about Rock Island Armory (not 100% sure if it's true!). According to what I researched, Colt had a large pistol manufacturing plant in the Phillipines before WWII broke out. When the Japanese took the Phillipines, Colt evacuated their factory there and left all the tooling machinery & dies and never returned for it. Years later, Rock Island Armory was created using the exact same equipment as Colt uses during their machining process. I have now put real close to 1,000 rounds downrange with this firearm. I did have 2 jams that occurred within the first 300 rounds, since then, absolutely trouble free. As for cleaning, I purposely did not clean this firearm just to see how it would perform "dirty". No problems at all. Eventually I gave her a good cleaning just because the smoke was making it hard to see downrange lol! I had heard a couple people mention tooling marks on their firearm and as for myself, absolutely none. This thing came in perfect condition and ready to roll. I had to laugh because when my armorer went through the safety check at his shop during delivery, he mentioned that he was suprised I even knew about Rock Island Armory. In his words, this firearm is the, "Best kept secret in the industry." since for the money, you won't find a better .45 pistol. Based off my experience, you are going to be extremely hard pressed to find this great of a firearm at this price! Heck, for that matter you might find it impossible, my armorer sure thinks so.

By sgtkali from Foothill Ranch CA

Ive had my rock island arms 1911 for a few years and still has yet to jam or misfeed. I love it. Cant beat the price. When i got mine i didnt pay but $350 for it new. Just a great solid, well shooting 1911.

By C 2 4 from louisiana

Great price (around $500), not overly tweeked/tuned(Kimber), lots of aftermarket parts choices, gunsmith's seemingly like the RIA, I've fired around 500 rounds and hasn't failed once. Looks great. 1st Parkerized finish I've owned, still on the fence about it, think I like the Blued finish, but I'll check back in in a year after I've sent about 10,000 rounds down range with this bad boy with a difinitive answer. Unless your shooting in bright lights/have great vision, my eyes go blurry after a few clips trying to differentiated the front sight from the rear sights (about 2 hours, 3 drilled dots, white out & some clear fingernail polish fixed that) I had to file a step into the front sight to put a dot on the front corner, now I can see/shoot great, was actually getting shots on target at 50' today at the range (I could barely see it..). Oh yeah, the wood grips are awesome, others have cheap plastic grips. Great gun, great price.

By Brad from Puyallup, WA

Great pistol, great price, very solid gun, best of all it takes all 1911 accessories . Get some new grips and a 10rnd mag. Can be a little difficult to break down, but just takes some practice.

By Greenheadspoonbill from Layton, UT

I love my Rock Island 1911. Fit is solid, function is perfect. I cant complain even the price was right for me. Semper Fi

By Big Fatty from Utah

First I don't consider this an entry level 1911. Why does it have to cost a $1000 to not be an entry level gun? This is a good basic 1911. It is real close to the 1911 I carried as a Military Police officer in the Army 30 years ago. I don't like 1911's that have too many bells and whistles. Some people over due it with add-on's. I've shot over 5000 rounds through mine with no problems. As long as its cleaned and well lubed it will fire.

By Fig from Florence SC

I just bought a RIA 1911A1. i took it to shooting range today. I bought a box of FMC when I bought the gun.Ont the first mag, it hung on the second shot. I flipped empty off and it finished loading and emptied. My son had a Springfield mag and Remington shells. I shot these. No trouble. Tried his shells in my mag. Shot fine.Went back to mine and shot my box and his box and it never failed again. I think it just needed firing a lot. I don't care for the sights they put on them.Wish they could've been better. Great GUN I believe.

By Wayne from Alabama

Had a colt in the army that was bad. this I bought in oct.and first time out i hit 13/16 on target from 50' Good gun for the money,needs very little to improve it.night sights and grips?

By berlin grunt from orlando fl.

This 1911 version was more than I expected, A few tiny tooling marks but what a gun otherwise! IMPACT GUNS had lightning fast billing,processing and FFL confirmations. I wanted a 1911 that I could customize myself and I am very happy with this one. I looked around locally {Toledo,Ohio) and Yes I found this 1911 that 1911, some customized to no end some just a few different parts But None for this price and bare bones. This is pretty darn close to the GI 45 I used while in the US Navy in the early 80s. Impact Guns will surely get more of my business soon!!

By Sixgun911 from Toledo,Ohio

Bought this pistol for a cheaper fullsize conceal and carry weapon and was definitly blown away, awesome value for the money, well balanced and pleasure to shoot, strait out of the box put down 250 rounds and never had the slightest problem, definitly recommend for an entry level 1911

By Woody27 from St. Louis

An incredible good deal. Most of all it has all the vision of the original design. Two minor comments...Buy some new grips and perhaps have better sites installed. Nevertheless the best gun I have bought for the money

By scott from Gettysburg

I own two Rock Island M1911A1 pistols, one a full-sized government model and the other a compact size, what many manufacturers would call an officers model. My officers model has become my daily carry gun as I am convinced of its reliability and of the fact it is not fussy about ammunition. While I shoot ball for practice, I carry Hornady Critical Defense and so far it has fed fine. While I have not tried premium personal protection ammo from other manufacturers, I expect it would feed those as well. While the pistol is rugged enough to handle +P loads, I've found no need to use them, as a .45 ACP is a stout enough round at normal pressures.

By PackingPadre from Maine