Rock Island Armory 1911 45 Mid Size Model 51443 Reviews

RIA 1911 FS Tactical

I have owned the Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical for quite some time now and I had never carried it as my EDC until recently. The pistol had a few minor issues that I had to straighten out earlier I considered it equally a feasible firearm to carry. Until now, I had no reason to write a review on it, only now I practice, and hither it is.

You may notice in the title that I referred to this pistol as a "second Generation" RIA production. This reference is somewhat of a misnomer, equally this is my designation and not that of Armscor (Rock Island Armory) to distinguish betwixt variations. The 1st Generation of 1911-based pistols had a roll-marker on the left side of the frame that contained the Rock Island logo and Stone ISLAND ARMORY. Information technology was a unproblematic affair and scroll-mark is not an uncommon practice. Maybe, someone ask someone what pistol they were shooting (or carrying) and they did non know unless they looked at the pistol's slide. What I phone call the 2nd Generation of Rock Island Armory pistols is because Rock Island Arsenal not simply decided to leave the coil-marking every bit big every bit it was simply also added a silver color to it. In short, the pistol became a billboard and "ROCK ISLAND Armory" was readily identifiable. The newer pistols do non include the large roll-mark and color fill on the slide. Rock Island Armory now has placed their logo on the rear of the slide just above the thumb prophylactic lever. I observe it very unpretentious and somewhat pleasing to the middle. Perhaps, somebody complained near the billboard and Rock Island Armory listened. I consider the newer pistols with the RIA logo on the rear of the slide just above the thumb safe lever as 3rd Generation.

The Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol that I ain is a 2nd Generation pistol, which means that if I tend to forget what I am carrying I tin merely wait at the slide. Essentially; nevertheless, there is little no other differences between generations of each category of 1911-based pistols; FS (Full Size or "Authorities" model), MS (Medium Size) or "Commander" model, and CS (Compact Size or "Officer" model). Those familiar with 1911 history will be familiar with these terms – all others need to practice some homework.

The Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical is a full size, full weight, slice of paw-held fighting pistol and is chambered in.45ACP as John Moses Browning intended a 1911 to exist. However, the Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical does have a few features that makes it "Tactical" that seems to be the social club of the day these days.

So, let'south become to the review.

Here are the specifications for the Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical:

RIA 1911 FS Tactical Specifications

Note that with the exception of the grip blazon, the specifications are essentially the same as my pistol (the specs are for the 3rd Generation)

So, let me nowadays the Stone Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical to you.

First of all, the pistol is chambered for the .45ACP cartridge. This is readily apparent looking into the very big pigsty at the end of the cage. While you are doing that (with an unloaded firearm), you lot only might take notice that at that place is a barrel bushing. The Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical besides has a one-piece guide rod, which has its proponents and opponents of this feature. Personally, I tin live with it and I can alive without it.

"Manifestly Jane" Forepart Sight Post (Dovetailed)

The front end sight is the usual bract type that is dovetailed into the slide and blends in well with the pistol while providing a no-snag surface to holsters and clothing. While the front sight contains no dot, information technology is more than adequate for defensive use and that is what this pistol is intended for.

The frame and slide is Parkerized, which is no different from many carbon-steeled pistols on the market today. The pistol's slide, although the same as on previous models, does accept the "Rock Island Armory" billboard on the left side of the slide.

The slide incorporates a at present standard relieved and lowered ejection port, which aids in ridding the pistol of expended shell casings. Early in the history of the 1911-based pistol this was a "custom" characteristic; today, it is commonplace as a "standard" feature.

NOVAK-way Rear Sight is Drift-Adjustable for Windage

The rear sight is a "Novak-Style" unit of measurement, is dovetailed into the frame, secured past a "hex" head screw (loosen the screw and migrate the sight for windage), and is non adorned with dots or other type of sighting indicator. The width of the notch is enough to provide spacing to fairly view the front end sight blade with simply a hair of space on each side of the forepart sight. From what I understand, at that place are now sights available that volition fit the Rock Island Arsenal 1911-based pistols, which was not true in the early times of these pistols. Withal, I have no problems with the sights and, if need be, I can paint the forepart sight to make it more visible.

The left side of the pistol sports the usual 1911 fare; take-downwards/slide lock lever, magazine release button (not extended), and an extended thumb safety lever. The have-downwardly/slide lock lever, mag release button, and an extended thumb prophylactic lever all accept been Parkerized and blend well with the residual of the pistol.

The magazine well is slightly beveled, which aids in locating the well and inserting a magazine. The Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical comes with an eight-round affluent fit magazine of unknown origin, although I believe it to exist an Act or Meg-Gar. The pistol; even so, runs well with about whatsoever 1911 single-stack mag. The Wilson Gainsay magazines work well as do those from Meg-Gar.

The forepart strap of the pistol has vertical serrations to help in gripping the pistol (some higher-priced 1911-based pistol do not even take this). The trigger baby-sit is nicely rounded and big enough to accommodate a gloved finger. The mainspring housing is a checky polymer matter that now seems standard on even the nearly expensive COTS (Commercial-Off-The- Shelf) 1911-based pistols.

Adding to the features of the pistol is the nicely up-swept beaver-tail grip safety with memory bump, which helps to keep the shooting hand as high every bit possible without experiencing slide or hammer tattoos to be imprinted into your mitt. The "combat" skeletonized and roiled hammer provides for easy cocking and de-cocking when necessary (or desired). The hammer too received the Parkerizing treatment and blends nicely with the residuum of the pistol.

The hammer has a "one-half-cock notch" that operates well-nigh the aforementioned as every 1911-based pistol that I know of. When de-cocking the hammer, the pollex and forefinger of one mitt holds the hammer and controls the hammer fall while the trigger is pulled. If the trigger is pulled and and so released, the hammer can be lowered to the "one-half-cock notch" that keeps the hammer from contacting the firing pivot. This is, and is non, considered a safe. If the trigger is pulled and held back while the hammer is beingness lowered, the hammer will come to rest against the firing pivot. The half-cock notch is closer to the hammer'south total decocked (at remainder) position. This way, even if you pulled the trigger while the hammer was half-cocked, the hammer'due south fall couldn't impact the firing pivot with enough force to set off the primer in the chambered shell (it couldn't "become off half-cocked"). In order to place the hammer in the full remainder position if the hammer is resting in the "one-half-cock notch", the hammer must be first moved rearward before the "half-cock notch" is engaged and supported while the trigger is pulled and held fully to the rear. If the hammer should skid while pulling the trigger fully rearward, the hammer would strike the firing pin and, if a round is chambered, it would be fired. One should always exercise care when decocking the pistol with a live round chambered (Condition 2).

Grip panels are smoothen woods of some origin unknown to me. They actually feel good in the hand (at to the lowest degree they practice in my hand). However, they were later swapped out with a grip panel that provides more of a hold on the handle, which is something that you need when the hands are sweaty and/or common cold. Stainless steel, Hex-head grip panel screws (an upgrade on my part) agree the grip panels deeply in place.

Skeletonized Trigger with Over-Travel Aligning

The trigger is a long, skeletonized type and incorporates an over-travel adjustment screw. The trigger face is serrated and apartment that, I sympathise, is an splendid blueprint. Since I use the get-go joint when shooting, the squared edge of the trigger tells me when the trigger is in the "sweet spot" on my finger. The trigger has also received Parkerizing. In fact, the simply thing shiny on this pistol is the bedchamber of the barrel when the pistol is in bombardment. Trigger pull weight on this particular pistol is 4 and three-quarter pounds out of the box. It exhibits very little take-up before you hit the familiar "wall", after which a crisp release of the sear is felt as the trigger is pulled rearward. Over-travel is almost non-existent and trigger rest is very short.

Ambidextrous, Extended Safe – Now a Much Desired Feature For Me

The correct side of the frame incorporates the feature that has my interest – a thumb safety lever. Ayup! The Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical comes equipped with an extended ambidextrous rubber. I used to scoff at ambidextrous thumb safeties on a 1911-based pistol, but that has inverse, and of form, I am going to tell you why.

After I had participated in the Bare Basic Gunfighting course, which was taught by the more-than-capable CR Williams, I began to develop some of my own drills. One, in particular, involves transitioning the pistol from the correct hand (my strong side) to my weak hand (and vice-versa). The drill also includes a reload (weak and strong hand). Now, releasing the magazine release is non a problem when using the trigger finger of the left (weak side) hand nor is releasing the slide lock with the same finger. Operating the safety lever; yet, requires a different (and alien) set of pistol-treatment skills.

RIA 1911 FS Tactical (Correct Side)

I talked to one of the folks at the LGS, who is left-handed, and he told me that he shoots his 1911 left-handed with his left thumb on height of the pollex safe – on the left side. Plain, this impacts the grip on the pistol. His correct hand (weak side support) provides most of the support. I tried this and I cannot do it. Now, I have 2 methods that I use to run the safety and slide lock lever on the 1911 using the right paw when shooting the pistol left-handed. As the left trigger finger presses the magazine release push, the right hand loads the fresh mag. Once the magazine is shoved into place, the right hand is used to release the slide in a "slingshot" method. Since the right hand is already in position at the rear of the slide, the correct hand either comes over the rear of the pistol, or beneath the left (shooting) hand, to operate the thumb rubber (if the safety is off). In almost cases, I can button the safety lever on with the trigger finger of the shooting (left) hand. It is pushing the safe off safe that is the challenge. Having an ambidextrous pollex safety lever eliminates the need for correct hand (weak hand) intervention when operating the 1911 left-handed. A uncomplicated press of the lever with the left thumb on the right side of the frame does the muddied human action of making the pistol "ready to rock." The rubber can besides be placed in the safe position by a simple upwardly motion of the shooting manus thumb, while maintaining a proficient grip on the pistol when the fight is over, simply yet remain ready to "flick the switch" if the fight is to continue.

The thumb safety has a adept feel when moving from safe to fire positions with plenty of a detent to makes it secure in either position. The plunger spring housing, similar most 1911-based pistols, is staked to the frame and the internal jump is healthy enough to hold the slide lock and thumb prophylactic lever but not stiff plenty or interfere with proper functioning. (With my Springfield 1911 Loaded, for example, a small screwdriver is necessary to press the slide lock plunger inward to install the slide lock/accept-downwards pin assembly.)

All external controls also receive the Parkerizing treatment and they blend well with the slide and frame Parkerized cease.

Equally a concluding note, I could not discover any trace of tool marks on the external surfaces of the slide or frame.

That takes care of the "pretty" stuff.

Disassembly:

While some complain about i-piece guide rods, disassembling the Rock Isle Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical can be done without tools (unless yous really want to use a bushing wrench, just that is upwards to you).

Caution! The guide rod bushing is under extreme leap pressure and is a potentially dangerous corporeality of free energy stored in the compressed guide rod spring. Ever wear safety glasses and go on the guide rod pointed abroad from you, any bystanders, and especially curious cats and dogs. I normally do this operation by feel and with a shop rag covering the unabridged muzzle of the pistol.

Later on the pistol is made rubber, cock the hammer and push button the thumb safety up to the safe position. This prevents the slide from moving rearward as y'all apply pressure to the guide rod bushing.

1. While property the pistol vertical, press downward on the guide rod bushing merely enough to clear the barrel bushing. Maintain pressure on the guide rod bushing while twisting the barrel bushing clockwise.
2. Once the butt bushing clears the guide rod bushing, slowly release the guide rod bushing from the slide (the left manus can assist prevent the guide rod bushing from flying skyward by property the guide rod spring equally the guide rod bushing is removed.
3. When all spring tension is removed, remove the guide rod bushing from the jump and gear up it aside.
4. Motion the slide rearward until the take-down notch aligns with the take-down pin/slide-lock lever.
5. Push the take-downward pin/slide-lock lever associates out of the pistol and gear up it aside.
6. Remove the slide from the frame.
7. Remove the recoil spring from the recoil guide rod.
8. Remove the recoil guide rod from the rear of the slide.
9. From the front of the slide, twist the butt bushing counter-clockwise and remove the butt bushing from the slide.
10. Remove the barrel from the slide through the forepart opening.

Disassembly is now complete.

I have talked virtually the pretty exterior stuff and then permit'south move to the interior stuff that, while not pretty, is essential to the pistol'due south operation.

CLEANING, INSPECTION, AND LUBRICATING:

I normally clean parts like the butt, guide rod, and guide rod spring with Brake-Kleen to start, which removes all lubricants from these assemblies. The butt is further cleaned with Hoppes, nylon diameter brush, and bore jags with accordingly-sized patches. Everything else (except the grip panels) gets a wipe-downwards with appropriate cleaning chemicals, soft brushes, so wiped down with a low-cal coat of Ballistol.

The slide incorporates an internal extractor and the frame-mounted ejector is substantial. The breech face showed signs of firing (a test circular) and that was cleaned with an appropriate brush to remove any leftover droppings from the exam firing. Everything looked neat!

The Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol is built in traditional archetype 70 series pattern and is delivered with Rock Island's top quality production and engineering standards. This pistol has a five.0" push button rifled barrel supported by a full length guide rod. The butt, as was mentioned earlier, is a standard butt and incorporates the John Moses Browning designed swinging link.

The slide track are inspected to detect possible vesture points. The slide contact points are coated with a light blanket of Lubriplate NO. 130-A. The barrel locking lugs, internal to the slide and external to the barrel are also Lubriplate NO. 130-A treated. Lubriplate NO. 130-A is too used on the guide rod and the outside of the butt itself.

While the above seems similar overkill, I know people that run a new 1911-based pistol dry. When I asked why, the response that I received is that running a slide dry will allow to metal-to-metal contact to "bed" them in – whatever that means. To me that philosophy is akin to ownership a car and so running the engine without oil so that the rings will "bed" with the cylinders.

The within of the slide is well machined and finished, which is surprising as one would expect an inexpensive pistol to exist roughly machined and finished. The internal extractor blends perfectly with the rear of the slide and at that place are no "look run into" or other indicators that the chamber is loaded. The frame is as well machined and finished internally and I could not find any machining marks. The manufacturer states; "All Rock Island 1911's, each is built using 4140 ordinance steel on the industries best CNC machines while beingness manus fitted and tested to strict tolerance guidelines for unmatched quality and value." From what I see, I believe it.

Everything checked out. Now comes the fun of assembling the Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 Standard MS. This is ane time that I do use a barrel bushing wrench.

Associates:

Assembling the pistol is pretty straightforward and I am not going to go into item here. Although the Stone Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol incorporates a full length guide rod, the installation of the recoil spring bushing is the same as with a standard 1911.

I lock the slide into place with the pollex safety to prevent it from sliding rearward. While my left manus is supporting the front end of the pistol and too provided some back up for the recoil bound, I simply press the recoil spring inward toward the pistol with my thumb while keeping the stuff that could wing upwardly and out abroad from the face. Once the recoil spring bushing merely clears the barrel bushing, I utilise my left hand to move the butt bushing over merely enough to catch the border of the guide rod bushing. One time I am assured that nothing is going to wing upwards and accept out the ceiling and the hardwood floor above my office, I catch my trusty bushing wrench and finish installing the guide rod bushing.

Now that assembly is over, I identify the safety in the "run" position and perform a office bank check.

The fit of the slide-to-frame is tight. This is not your Grand Daddy's 1911. While the Stone Isle Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol may resemble an updated old warhorse, information technology is a far superior firearm to those of yore and can provide "warm fuzzies" every bit only a good 1911-based pistol can.

With all that out of the way, one obvious question should come to mind; "How does it shoot?"

RANGE TIME:

When I showtime took the Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol to the range, several problems arose. First, the recoil spring was likewise weak; the pistol would not chamber a round fully regardless of the method used. Fortunately, I keep several recoil springs for various lengths of 1911s in the ".45 Possible Bag." I installed a #18 Wilson Combat recoil spring for a full-size 1911. (Note that I have non had an result like this with any other RIA production. The originally-installed spring was just also light.) Later installing the new recoil spring that, incidentally, took a lot more exertions to install than did the recoil spring that came with the pistol, the Stone Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol would sleeping room a doorknob if it was sized to the sleeping accommodation.

With the chambering issue fixed, the next footstep was to bank check accuracy. Unfortunately, the POI was well lower than POA with 230-grain FMJ. The front sight has a front slope to it and I guestimated how much I needed to take off the top of the front end sight in gild to bring the POI up. The range day pretty much ended later this.

A week passed and I was able to file the front sight downward to the verbal dimension that I needed co-ordinate to the most avant-garde calculations known to human, which means that I heart-balled it. Essentially, the front end rearward slope of the front end sight was removed so that the superlative of the front end sight was parallel with the slide. Afterwards that was done, the face of the forepart sight was painted with a white base-coat and and then fluorescent ruby-red to make the front side stand out a little better than stock. Additionally, the top of the front sight, which had to be filed down, had to exist painted and a coat of apartment black took care of that. The next trip to the range told the tale. Aiming simply a "shy high" of the bull was resulting in a serial of holes appearing within the bulls-centre. In other words, encompass what y'all want to hit with the barrel, pull the trigger, the skies office, thunder rolls, and .45 quotient holes appear pretty about where you want them to – if I did my office.

At that point, the Stone Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol was deemed glorious and relegated to the safe, as I was carrying another pistol at the fourth dimension (Bersa .45 ACP Thunder Pro). Only now, since the Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol is my EDC (until the next pistol comes forth), a few changes had to be fabricated to the pistol, simply not really that many.

RIA 1911 FS Tactical (second Generation) with Updated Grip Panels and COntrasting Stainless Steel Grip Screws

The front end sight had already been painted, simply the stock grip panels of shine wood had to become. A set of Uncle Mike's rubber checkered grip panels were installed after some minor "fitting" to clear the condom levers on both sides. These grip panels, coupled with the serrated front strap and nicely checkered main leap housing, really made a difference in gripping the pistol. To add somewhat of an emphasis to the pistol, I opted for a ready of stainless steel, short, hex-head grip screws. While non enhancing the accuracy of the pistol, they do accent the silvery, gyre-marked billboard on the slide.

Armscor Rock Island 1911 Sight Specifications

I may add together better sights to the pistol and Armscor publishes much needed sight dimensions on their website. I do non intendance for cobweb front sights, as is included with many fine pistols of the solar day. However, I have no problem with the existing sight and notice it useful enough for defensive use.

The Stone Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol has performed every bit well every bit any 1911-based pistol that I ain, take endemic, or have shot in the past.

SUMMARY:

RIA 1911 FS Tactical In a SHTF Gear (Modified) IWB Holster

RIA 1911 FS Tactical In a Leather Creek OWB Holster

RIA 1911 FS Tactical In a "Cumberland" IWB Holster by Simply Rugged Holsters

I initially chose the Rock Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical pistol because of my experience with the RIA 1911 FS "Government" model and wanted another 1911-based pistol with a few more than bells and whistles without breaking the banking concern. I welcome the beaver-tail grip safety, the NOVAK fashion sights, and especially now, the ambidextrous thumb prophylactic. The extremely squeamish skeletonized trigger with over-travel adjustment is a prissy bear on after using the brusque trigger of the standard "Government" model that, by the way, has an splendid trigger. The one-piece, full-length guide rod garners much discussion, but the fashion I feel virtually information technology, if it works – let it be. If aught else, it add together about one-ounce of weight at the barrel end annihilation that can help with recoil management I am all for.

In comparison the performance of the Rock Isle Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical with other 1911-based pistols, I have establish no flaws. Accurateness, operability, and reliability is on par with whatever COTS 1911-based pistol in its class. The RIA shoots besides as the Springfield Loaded, the Ruger SR1911, and the Para Ordinance Skillful – all at a less cost than the others. While the lack of 3-dot sights may be an result to some, the sights tin can be changed after to something ameliorate if you lot so desire.

The Stone Island Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical is not your Grand Daddy's 1911. While the overall heftiness belies its origin as an all-steel fighting pistol that developed ion 1909 and was in utilise from 1911 until 1986 past the U.S. military machine (and other organizations such every bit the Mafia and FBI, to proper noun a couple), modern materials and manufacturing processes are churning out 1911-based pistols with a caste of quality and features unheard of in reasonably-priced pistols.

While I will grant you that the Rock Island Armory (Armscor) 1911 FS Tactical is no lightweight at two.87 pounds loaded, and only that may turn some away from even considering information technology, remember that the forerunner of this pistol had seen the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli and everything in betwixt. Many men, like my Male parent, brought the 1911 back home with them after the wars were over. Actually, how can you expect more than from a fighting pistol than being able to go home after the boxing? Stick an 8-circular magazine in this affair and y'all have a truly, lean, mean, fighting auto to work with. With that said, I have to admit that conveying the Ruger SR1911CMD-A is pleasant carry, but I don't feel that I have as much continuity with my "inner warrior" when carrying information technology. Sorry, I was waxing philosophical.

I will likewise grant y'all that it takes a bit to conceal this bad male child, being a full size fighting pistol and all. With proper attire, a good gun belt, and a expert IWB or OWB holster, I can muffle this pistol as well as I tin can a Springfield XDs.

The bottom line is that if yous are looking for a quality 1911, in one or all of the iii different flavors (small, medium, and family-economy size), I have no qualms in steering y'all to what is perhaps one of the nigh under-rated brand of 1911s available, the Rock Isle Arsenal (Armscor) pistols. In fact, I take a new Stone Isle Arsenal (Armscor) 1911 Standard MS pistol in .45 ACP (51443) on order, as I really similar the "Commander" length barrel for concealed EDC. I'll be writing a review on this i in the near future.

RESOURCES:

Armscor/Rock Isle Armory: http://armscor.com/

Armscor/Rock Island Armory 1911 Product recoil Spring guide:

johnsoncloneffew.blogspot.com

Source: https://guntoters.com/blog/2015/12/05/rock-island-armory-armscor-1911-fs-tactical-2nd-generation-owners-review/

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