JimSig
07-27-2011, 11:10 PM
I am so delighted with this gun that I decided to summarize my experience in this review. Here is the full story:
Recently I got the opportunity to jump on a very reasonably priced RAI 1911 GI model. The price was so right that I decided to take the chance and give it a try. The only 2 things that I hesitated about were: 1) the GI sights, and 2) the short beavertail on the grip safety, something that I experienced when I shot a friend's Colt and I had painful hammer bites. I did some research and got some feedbacks on a posted thread on MGO and I found out that I can add a drop in Wilson combat Grip Safety Beaver tail that would require a new commander style hammer. To avoid any incompatibility between the hammer and the sear, I ordered the commander-style hammer from the same gun manufacturer or importer (Armscorp). As for the drop-in GSBT I ordered it from Wilson combat along with a match trigger (with adjustable screw for after travel).
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1542/ria1911before.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/ria1911before.jpg/)
Picture of gun as bought (all stock).
Well, after I purchased the gun, I took it for a range trip. The objective was to test it for accuracy and reliability. Well, it passed both with flying colors and 200 rds. of mixed ammo (Lead reloads, FMJ;s reloads, and 32 rds of defensive HP (16 rds. of Federad HP and 16 rds. of Winchester). No single failure or hickup. I know that the number of HP is relatively low for reliability, but nevertheless, they were shot at the end of the session where the gun was already dirty from my lead reloads.
As for accuracy, I was getting tight groups at 7 yards just like I do with my Springfield. The only thing is that the group was shifted about 1 in to the left of POA. (see picture below):
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5295/initialtarget.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/initialtarget.jpg/)
Note that the other holes in the plate are due to my laziness to change the target. I ran out of space on the target plate, so I was trying to shoot at 3 O'clock, 6 O'clock and 9 O'clock.
Went back home cleaned it, tapped the rear sight to the right just a tad and went to the range the next day: 100 rounds of Lead reloads and another 32 rounds of defensive HP ammo. Guess what, I am super pleased now with the accuracy and the reliability. No jams, No failures just smooth operation over 300 plus rounds in total so far, and the shots all landed in the tight group dead on the POA. (see picture below):
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8941/finaltarget.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/finaltarget.jpg/)
At this stage, I realized two things:
1) The GI sights are marvelous. As old and as milsurp they look, they do work for me. The small "v" notch in the rear and the tiny thin front blade forces you to focus and the results are outstanding. I come from a background of SIGS and Glocks, and I like beefy sights with either night sights or fiber optics, and I was really pleased to shoot with GI sights and re-live history. It is something that I enjoy doing but don't have the right words to describe it.
2) NO hammer bites. Yes, I didn't get any hammer bites through out the 300 plus rds. fired, and I was gripping the gun high enough for a 1911. The only thing that bothered me and still opting me to install the beavertail that I ordered, are the rough or rather sharp edges on the short beavertail. It seems that I have extra flesh in the web of my hand (between the index finger and my thumb – LOL, another politically correct way to say I am fat) and that short Beavertail just sticks in that area and the sharp edges do hurt a little. I can easily file the edges and smooth them but I will wait until I install the extended BT. If I decide to go back to the GI BT then I shall definitely file and smoothen these edges.
Now I already ordered the parts and I will wait and see how it goes from there. I will post more updates as I install the parts once they arrive in the mail.
Quick tips:
1. The parkerized finish is not the greatest, but I am OK with it.. It kind of give the gun a special workhorse personality. After few rds I noticed some brass marks on the slide (rear of the opening).. I wiped off with the brass cleaner solvent and it went away.
2. The grips are dull.. I might replace them with rubber grips. Haven't made up my mind yet on the color.
3. I am getting used to the trigger, and most probably I will keep it stock and return the ordered Wilson trigger.
4. I am now saving to buy the commander size :)
And yes.. The famous statement that you hear about RIA "they are the best for the money" it is so very well true.. it is not a Kimber or a Wilson but for sure it is very well executed.. and I just love shooting it.
Recently I got the opportunity to jump on a very reasonably priced RAI 1911 GI model. The price was so right that I decided to take the chance and give it a try. The only 2 things that I hesitated about were: 1) the GI sights, and 2) the short beavertail on the grip safety, something that I experienced when I shot a friend's Colt and I had painful hammer bites. I did some research and got some feedbacks on a posted thread on MGO and I found out that I can add a drop in Wilson combat Grip Safety Beaver tail that would require a new commander style hammer. To avoid any incompatibility between the hammer and the sear, I ordered the commander-style hammer from the same gun manufacturer or importer (Armscorp). As for the drop-in GSBT I ordered it from Wilson combat along with a match trigger (with adjustable screw for after travel).
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1542/ria1911before.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/ria1911before.jpg/)
Picture of gun as bought (all stock).
Well, after I purchased the gun, I took it for a range trip. The objective was to test it for accuracy and reliability. Well, it passed both with flying colors and 200 rds. of mixed ammo (Lead reloads, FMJ;s reloads, and 32 rds of defensive HP (16 rds. of Federad HP and 16 rds. of Winchester). No single failure or hickup. I know that the number of HP is relatively low for reliability, but nevertheless, they were shot at the end of the session where the gun was already dirty from my lead reloads.
As for accuracy, I was getting tight groups at 7 yards just like I do with my Springfield. The only thing is that the group was shifted about 1 in to the left of POA. (see picture below):
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5295/initialtarget.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/initialtarget.jpg/)
Note that the other holes in the plate are due to my laziness to change the target. I ran out of space on the target plate, so I was trying to shoot at 3 O'clock, 6 O'clock and 9 O'clock.
Went back home cleaned it, tapped the rear sight to the right just a tad and went to the range the next day: 100 rounds of Lead reloads and another 32 rounds of defensive HP ammo. Guess what, I am super pleased now with the accuracy and the reliability. No jams, No failures just smooth operation over 300 plus rounds in total so far, and the shots all landed in the tight group dead on the POA. (see picture below):
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8941/finaltarget.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/finaltarget.jpg/)
At this stage, I realized two things:
1) The GI sights are marvelous. As old and as milsurp they look, they do work for me. The small "v" notch in the rear and the tiny thin front blade forces you to focus and the results are outstanding. I come from a background of SIGS and Glocks, and I like beefy sights with either night sights or fiber optics, and I was really pleased to shoot with GI sights and re-live history. It is something that I enjoy doing but don't have the right words to describe it.
2) NO hammer bites. Yes, I didn't get any hammer bites through out the 300 plus rds. fired, and I was gripping the gun high enough for a 1911. The only thing that bothered me and still opting me to install the beavertail that I ordered, are the rough or rather sharp edges on the short beavertail. It seems that I have extra flesh in the web of my hand (between the index finger and my thumb – LOL, another politically correct way to say I am fat) and that short Beavertail just sticks in that area and the sharp edges do hurt a little. I can easily file the edges and smooth them but I will wait until I install the extended BT. If I decide to go back to the GI BT then I shall definitely file and smoothen these edges.
Now I already ordered the parts and I will wait and see how it goes from there. I will post more updates as I install the parts once they arrive in the mail.
Quick tips:
1. The parkerized finish is not the greatest, but I am OK with it.. It kind of give the gun a special workhorse personality. After few rds I noticed some brass marks on the slide (rear of the opening).. I wiped off with the brass cleaner solvent and it went away.
2. The grips are dull.. I might replace them with rubber grips. Haven't made up my mind yet on the color.
3. I am getting used to the trigger, and most probably I will keep it stock and return the ordered Wilson trigger.
4. I am now saving to buy the commander size :)
And yes.. The famous statement that you hear about RIA "they are the best for the money" it is so very well true.. it is not a Kimber or a Wilson but for sure it is very well executed.. and I just love shooting it.