Rock Island Armory M1911 Cs Fde 45 Acp Review

Quick!  Stone Island Armory…what'south the first thing that comes to mind?

Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Midsize
Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Midsize

For me, it was…cheap 1911s.

And information technology'southward True.

But in the best possible way.

Follow me as I put their sub-$500 GI Midsize 1911 through the ringer.

449

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Tabular array of Contents

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Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Affordable at under $500
  • Reliable later on burglary menses
  • Decent Parkering finish

Cons

  • More recoil than a total-size 1911
  • GI sights (if yous get the GI model)
  • More annoying method of removing guide rod

The Bottom Line

Swell first 1911 if y'all want a fully functional and reliable 1 for under $500. Only go along in mind there's some downsides and that you'll need some break-in.

Specs

Rock Island 1911 with Magazines
Stone Island 1911 with Magazines
  • Activity Type: Single Activity
  • Barrel Length: 4.25″
  • Capacity: 8+1-Round
  • Cartridge: 45 Automobile (ACP)
  • Finish: Parkerized
  • Front Sight: Fixed
  • Length: eight″
  • Weight: 2.38 lbs

Source: Stone Island Arsenal

The box is pretty blank bones…and I might have gotten an extra mag for testing.

37

at GunMag Warehouse

Prices authentic at time of writing

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Background

Rock Isle Armory (RIA) manufacturers their 1911s in the Philippines and passes on the savings to us.

When I ask people near RIA…words similar "affordable" and "best-bang-for-the-cadet" always come up.

Rock Island Armory VR60, VR80, and VRBP-100 Shotguns
Rock Island Armory VR60, VR80, and VRBP-100 Shotguns (review)

I've handled them in stores since information technology seemed all the local gun shops effectually me had them.  But my starting time chance shooting them was at SHOT Prove 2017.

And boy was information technology fun…especially with their 6″ contest 1911.  Plus…they had i of the nicest crews out at that place.

RIA Pro Ultra Match 6"
RIA Pro Ultra Match 6″

But since I'm mostly in California…I had less pick to cull a examination gun.  Then I went with something out of the ordinary…a patently Jane GI (government issue) that faithfully reproduces what was issued every bit the WWII sidearm.

Except I chose the midsize which swaps out the full size 5″ barrel for a 4.25″.

Rock Island Midsize 1911 vs Fullsize
Full size vs Stone Island Midsize 1911

Who Is It For?

If you're looking at a pretty faithful reproduction of the first generation of 1911s…y'all can't go wrong with Stone Isle.  The midsize is the original "commander" size.

Or if you lot only really want a 1911 only don't accept a lot of cash…the GI is a great identify to start.

Fit & Feel

Of course, when most 1911s are much more expensive (cheque out our Best 1911s commodity), you're going to have to cut some things.

The parkerizing (black coating) was great and I couldn't find annihilation that was too thick or too thin.

But you tin see the machining marks at some angles…like at the curve of the slide pinnacle.

RIA 1911 Finish
RIA 1911 Stop

And personal gripe…it doesn't have a bushing to contain the butt and recoil rod so instead they have a thicker barrel that requires a paperclip to remove.  Lots of YouTube videos on it though…

RIA 1911 No Bushing
RIA 1911 No Bushing

And since it's a GI model…they accept GI sights.  Depression profile and like shooting fish in a barrel to describe out…but not the best.  Still…lots of options to switch them out afterward.

Rock Island 1911 GI Sights
Stone Isle 1911 GI Sights

How virtually the trigger?

On this RIA…it was awesome.  Information technology averaged 4 lb xi oz and with a glass rod make clean break.  Annotation…the other RIA's I've tried at gun stores were not this practiced.

Not proverb that they polished up my trigger or anything…but information technology was better than my $1000 Springfield later I did a quick 1911 trigger job so it could exist luck of the draw.

How Does It Shoot?

The .45 ACP round has some kick (Best .45 Ammo for Plinking and Self Defense).  And when you have a shorter barreled handgun…you lot're going to feel it more.

So I expected information technology.

Information technology wasn't excessive…but it wasn't fun either.  I don't call up I could shoot more than 100 rounds in 1 range session.

Rock Island with Ammo
Rock Isle with Ammo

Accuracy

Now how about the accuracy?  I shot some Armscor .45 ACP along with some American Hawkeye at x yards off a benchrest.

10 Yard Testing
x Yard Testing

Hither were the results of the Armscor and I'd judge at 3 MOA.

Armscore .45 Ammo Groups
Armscor .45 Ammo Groups

And the American Eagle with roughly the aforementioned results of three MOA.

American Eagle .45 Ammo Groups
American Hawkeye .45 Ammo Groups

Pretty respectable and definitely minute of badguy.

Best .45 ACP Range Ammo

34

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

I had 3 other friends shoot it and they all had it go towards 7 o'clock…and then it wasn't me flinching.  If y'all need to brush up on some handgun…check out our Ultimate Guide to Shooting Accurately.

Recoil/Shootability

I'd approximate recoil was xxx-forty% more than than a total size 1911 shooting the same rounds.  Yous're going to feel information technology.

And for two of u.s.a. (hi Ryan)…nosotros experienced some "bitter" from the GI hammer and beavertail due to our very loftier grips.  It's merely what happens from the design.

Bite Marks
Bite Marks

And afterward…I realized the hammer was indeed hitting the top of the beavertail.  It made a decent paring in the metallic itself.

RIA Hammer Indentation
RIA Hammer Indentation

Reliability was bang-up subsequently a 50 round burglary.

For the commencement few mags, I had some double-feeds.  Merely once I loaded up the mags (a mixture of factory and Mec Gar viii and 10 rounders), and left them overnight…the second range trip was flawless.

What Sets Information technology Autonomously?

We've gone through this a bunch…the price! Where else can y'all get a full 1911 for under $500 from a reputable visitor that stands behind their product?

Past the Numbers

Reliability: 4.v/five

Some reliability bug in the get-go just fine after 50 rounds and magazine pause-in.

Accuracy: 3/v

It's not the barrel or the handgun…it'due south the standard GI sights.

Ergonomics: 4/5

I honey the feel of 1911s and this captures that.  The shorter barrel is also easier to motility betwixt targets.  Merely the hammer seize with teeth kind of sucks.

Looks: 4/5

Smashing parkerizing and you have to really nitpick to see the machining marks.  Only remember…information technology's under $500 for a reliable 1911!

Customization: 5/5

Information technology'south a 1911 so the heaven is the limit.  Bank check out our Gunsmithing section for ideas.

39

at Rounded Gear

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Bang for the Buck: 5/v

Once again…it'due south a reliable 1911 for under $500!

Overall Rating: 4/5

Upgrades

As it comes in the GI model there'south not too much you can do. But it's withal a 1911 and if you end upwards with another model you tin can check out our Best 1911 Upgrades article.

However with a standard GI you're nevertheless able to add some gizmos…check out our guide How to Add Lights & Lasers to Your Unrailed 1911.

Springfield Loaded 1911 with Recover Tactical Grips and Inforce
Springfield Loaded 1911 with Recover Tactical Grips and Inforce

Oh…and of course you can never go incorrect with more 1911 mags…check our our favorites.

37

at GunMag Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Verdict

The Stone Island 1911 is a dandy starter-priced 1911 around $500 that maintains the await of a standard GI model with decent parkerizing and surprisingly good trigger. Merely beware of some initial break-in, potential for hammer seize with teeth, and terrible GI sights.

So…am I purchasing the RIA 1911 GI Midsize?

449

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

No…but if I could get ane of their total-size Tactical 1911s…I totally would.

RIA Ultra FS
RIA Ultra FS

For almost $100 more you'll get a rail, better sights (cobweb optic), and a more than robust beavertail (good day bye hammer bite).

With the test of the GI Midsize…I'm sold on the quality and reliability of RIA.  And also learned that midsize is not for me.

449

at Palmetto State Arsenal

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing

Do you have a RIA…or are you planning on getting 1 now?  Let me know in the comments!  Check out more of our favorite 1911s in Best 1911 At Any Budget.

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Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/rock-island-1911-review-gi-midsize/

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