bamaranger
New member
As the title states, bought this pistol about a month ago from our local Rural King. Sticker price $409.00.....out the door for less than $450. I had two identical pistols in my hands last year at this time, (same price) but did not buy. When this one surfaced, I did not hesitate. Sure, I'd rather had a Ronin, a Ruger, or a Kimber, but I have not seen one in the flesh yet, and the price was to hard to resist. The sticker price was $50 LESS than the asking price for the .45acp models. I couldn't pass it up. We'll see about it's durability and reliability. Interestingly, I have not seen a RIA 10mm configured in this manner (pure GI 1911a1) anywhere else but Rural King Guns. RiA offers other 10mm models that have enhanced features, but the asking price is usually in excess of $600.
The pistol has some interesting features: a fully ramped barrel and one piece recoil spring /guide rod assembly. Correspondingly, the barrel is of heavy bull or coned configuration. The slide lock lever has a detent on the face to negate bouncing up to false lock in recoil, a nice "tuned" feature I have not seen over the counter even on "name" guns. The trigger pull is acceptable.
Sights are typical 1911a1.....tough on 60yr+ eyes. With my spectacles and ample time for alignment, I can puncture milk jugs at 25 yds reliably, but I most likely will put a better set of retro sights on it in the near future. If I were 30 yrs old again, I probably wouldn't bother. The gun shoots exactly to POA with the GI sights, I almost hate to change them.
The gun shipped with one mag, I'd wager it was made by Metalform. I've since purchased a Ruger mag, and it appears near identical, albeit in stainless. I have also experimented with using Wilson and Metalform .45acp
mags. I've not shot the gun enough to make a declaration on reliability or durability, only about 60 rds. I've experienced two premature slide locks, which I'm currently attributing to the bullet nose striking the lug on the slide lock lever as it feeds up ( a common 1911 quirk). I've relieved that lug a bit, we'll see. There goes my warranty. If the prelocks continue, I may deepen the detent on the slide lock lever a wee bit, but am reluctant to do so at present till I see how the mod to the lock lever effects things. I might switch to some SWC projectiles as well, if they feed, SWC's have reduced prelocks in my .45acp guns.
I've also fitted a square bottom firing pin stop plate. Ejection was, well, ....intercontinental........empties landing 30 ft away. The flat plate has reduced slide velocity and ejection is now a bit calmer, but still enthusiastic. The gun shoots much softer now as well, and feels much like a .45acp.
All said, at this early point, I'm pleased with the gun. I'm not surprised at having to tweak it, every 1911 in my past, (except Grandad's genuine 1911 c. 1917 .....don't fret, long retired) has needed tweaked to run correctly. I don't foresee putting an extremely high round count on the gun, no competition in it's future, and I don't shoot 10mm as a plinker. When I resolve the prelocks, I may try to take a whitetail with it (think bow range).
I'll keep ya posted.
The pistol has some interesting features: a fully ramped barrel and one piece recoil spring /guide rod assembly. Correspondingly, the barrel is of heavy bull or coned configuration. The slide lock lever has a detent on the face to negate bouncing up to false lock in recoil, a nice "tuned" feature I have not seen over the counter even on "name" guns. The trigger pull is acceptable.
Sights are typical 1911a1.....tough on 60yr+ eyes. With my spectacles and ample time for alignment, I can puncture milk jugs at 25 yds reliably, but I most likely will put a better set of retro sights on it in the near future. If I were 30 yrs old again, I probably wouldn't bother. The gun shoots exactly to POA with the GI sights, I almost hate to change them.
The gun shipped with one mag, I'd wager it was made by Metalform. I've since purchased a Ruger mag, and it appears near identical, albeit in stainless. I have also experimented with using Wilson and Metalform .45acp
mags. I've not shot the gun enough to make a declaration on reliability or durability, only about 60 rds. I've experienced two premature slide locks, which I'm currently attributing to the bullet nose striking the lug on the slide lock lever as it feeds up ( a common 1911 quirk). I've relieved that lug a bit, we'll see. There goes my warranty. If the prelocks continue, I may deepen the detent on the slide lock lever a wee bit, but am reluctant to do so at present till I see how the mod to the lock lever effects things. I might switch to some SWC projectiles as well, if they feed, SWC's have reduced prelocks in my .45acp guns.
I've also fitted a square bottom firing pin stop plate. Ejection was, well, ....intercontinental........empties landing 30 ft away. The flat plate has reduced slide velocity and ejection is now a bit calmer, but still enthusiastic. The gun shoots much softer now as well, and feels much like a .45acp.
All said, at this early point, I'm pleased with the gun. I'm not surprised at having to tweak it, every 1911 in my past, (except Grandad's genuine 1911 c. 1917 .....don't fret, long retired) has needed tweaked to run correctly. I don't foresee putting an extremely high round count on the gun, no competition in it's future, and I don't shoot 10mm as a plinker. When I resolve the prelocks, I may try to take a whitetail with it (think bow range).
I'll keep ya posted.
Yup, new Wolf springs (3 pk) enroute. less than $10 .