Rock Island 9mm 1911

One of these caught my eye. Anyone have any experience with them?
Yes. It's been a problem. I have a thread called "Troubleshooting ...." and many of my other threads have mentions of all the problems. If you go low-end you might regret it, if you spend more, maybe not. I have no idea, I only know mine has had issues since about 1,000 rounds, intermittently and for no good reason anyone can see. lol.
I hope you get a winner! Mine is a great gun to shoot....when it behaves. Everyone who has tried it has loved it.
 
I had one of their full size “tac” models. Had an issue with extractor out of the box. Contacted their customer support and after running through the break in period they requested I send it to them. They fixed it in under 3 weeks or so. Shipping and all.
It didn’t ever like my “bunny fart” reloads. Ran factory 115 gr ammo fine. Hornady critical duty worked wonderfully. I ended up trading with a member here for an xdm 5.25 competition tho. The trigger was great. And after getting the extractor tuned up it was plenty reliable. I just got bored with it. And I am a sucker for the fantastic plastic.


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Below is a report from this thread from July 7. https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/battery-oaks-range-report-7-7-19.46373/

Well, kids, the 1911 RIA 9mm was brilliant this afternoon! I'm mystified.

We had five kinds of ammo brands, in three different grains, and six different shooters. No malfunctions, no matter what we did. We went thought close to 500 rounds. Geezer even mixed up the five ammos and grains in a couple of magazines. Billy shot that thing with two fingers, upside down, to eliminate the limp-wrist theory.
Another forum member Alan (?) shot it one-handed with a really odd grip and it went fine. I'm just shaking my head over all this! We could not get that thing to screw up.

The only thing different was that Billy hosed that thing down with plenty of lube!! LoL. It was an awesome, and messy, day!

I got to shoot some guns the guys had, (almost broke one) and got to shoot yet another rifle...with a scope....my first one of those. Button Pusher will have to remind me what that thing was, but I liked it! I don't think I hit any steel, but I get why you guys like the rifles and distances! We were out 100 yards, a long way for me to get my head around. It was great!

So I'll take the gun to the range next week a couple of times, then Saturday I hope to compete in my second match with it! Give my "precious" a chance to redeem itself.....lol.

Thanks to all the guys who helped me test the gun, and thanks for being ok with the day being mostly about my gun and its issues! Y'all were great.

Thanks to my host and hostess for lunch and dessert, and for another wonderful day at the happiest place on earth!
 
I had a full size that was a problem out of the box. RIA replaced it after 30 malfunction in the first 70 rounds. The replacement has been perfect for the last 5 years and about 900 rounds.
 
When you go "low end" usually the biggest risk you're taking is having to send it in and get it tweaked. Most inexpensive firearms are good designs, where they skimp is on QC. If you're unlucky enough to get one that slipped through with issues, sending it back forces them to do the QC and and tweaking that gets done for more expensive firearms before they ship.

At least that's my opinion formed of my own experiences and countless others I've read. Overall Rock Island has a good rep.
 
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I’ve seen the 9mm versions report problems, but their .45 models are considered some of the best low price options on the market.


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The hammer on mine broke off. Shot fewer than 100 rounds of ball ammo and it broke right off.
 
I guess I'm just lucky. I've had three and they've all been very reliable.
 
I knew the reviews on these were mixed and I'm glad I asked. I don't NEED a 9mm 1911 but I thought it would be fun and a TCM barrel may or may not have entered my mind.
 
I knew the reviews on these were mixed and I'm glad I asked. I don't NEED a 9mm 1911 but I thought it would be fun and a TCM barrel may or may not have entered my mind.
Since you put it that way. I had one with a tcm barrel and put thousands of rounds through it without a hiccup It was the commander length if that made a difference
 
I have 3 and have not had any problems with any of them and mine get shot a lot (one of them does wear my AA 22lr conversion)
 
I bought the Citadel back a while ago and have probably 2K rounds thru it since I shoot it every weekend. Using the Mec Gar magazines its dead nuts reliable. Never once has it failed to chamber a round or fire using factory or my own 115,124 and 147 gr reloads. I favored the Citadel over the Rock Island because the Citadel has larger slide cut outs and makes it easier to load a round. Other then that, thay are the same gun..You will not find a better $400 1911 .
 
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I will have a TCM combo gun at the M&G coming up. Take it for a spin. You would not be the first person to want to buy after you try.
Can I try it? I'll try not to break it! LOL.
 
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