Rock Island Armory vs. Remington 1911 R1

Small Tony · 04-15-2011, 00:19

I started a thread under General Firearms asking about the Rock Island Armory which I got good feed back.

I'm just looking for a basic 1911 for some range time and add a 1911 to the collection. However, looking at some 1911s I came across some several nice Remingtion R1s.

For a $100 or so more I could buy a Remington. I got good feed back on the RIA but wondering what you all thought about the Remington 1911 R1?

Thanks...

heitzoflearning · 04-15-2011, 01:23

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show....php?t=1269683

If you haven't read that do yourself a favor. I can only speak to RIAs since I don't own a Remington. RIA makes a very nice pistol for the price. To me personally I like the look of the R1 better though.

Scamp · 04-15-2011, 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by heitzoflearning

I can only speak to RIAs since I don't own a Remington. RIA makes a very nice pistol for the price. To me personally I like the look of the R1 better though.

Same here....but that's probably because I want the Remington now!

jrs93accord · 04-15-2011, 06:14

Since I own both, I will chime in. With the Remington R1, you get a nicer finish than the RIA. Of course, that will cost about $150-$250 more for the Remington, depending on where you buy. Performance is about the same for each pistol. If you can afford to buy the Remington R1, then do so. Just remember, the RIA is hard to beat when it comes down to the best bang for the buck.

southernshooter · 04-15-2011, 06:30

I have a Remington but not a Rock Island. Remington actually looks like a high end 1911. Mine works well. The only drawback is some trigger creep. Can't have everything for $599. Reliability is the most important thing with accuracy next. R1 has both of those. From what I read, so does the Rock Island. Don't leave Springfield mil specs and GI's out of the mix, seems like everybody that buys one has great things to say about them.

Quack · 04-15-2011, 06:45

Remington R1 photo review
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1230471

range report
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1231312

Hokie1911 · 04-15-2011, 07:28

I have only shot the Remington, and it was pleasantly surprised. A ton of folks love their RIAs though. If you can spring the extra cash, like James said...the fit and finish justify the cost difference. Both, along with the Springfield Mil-Spec are great choices in that price range. You will be happy with any of the 3.

Caspian17 · 04-15-2011, 07:39

I just like that the remington is u.s. made.

TKR Reptiles · 04-15-2011, 08:06

I've never owned or shot a R1, but I did have a RIA tactical... The RIA was very nice for the money... It shot very accurately and dependably, but the parkerized finish was not so nice for me... After just one trip to the range, the top of the slide was all scratch up from the shell casings hitting it... If you don't mind em getting a little scratched up, then I would definitely recommend the RIA...

wmspdi · 04-15-2011, 08:14

One difference is the RIA is a Series 70 gun without the firing pin safety and the Remington is a Series 80. It's a little harder to get a nice trigger job on a Series 80 due to the firing pin safety parts.

I have an RIA FS 9mm Tactical for IDPA and don't mind a well oiled Parkerized finish. I plan to have the front strap checked at 20 lpi as soon as my smith has time, so I will be sending it out for hard chrome after it's done anyway. YMMV.

heitzoflearning · 04-15-2011, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKR Reptiles

I've never owned or shot a R1, but I did have a RIA tactical... The RIA was very nice for the money... It shot very accurately and dependably, but the parkerized finish was not so nice for me... After just one trip to the range, the top of the slide was all scratch up from the shell casings hitting it... If you don't mind em getting a little scratched up, then I would definitely recommend the RIA...

That is my biggest complaint as well.

GeorgiaRedfish · 04-15-2011, 09:10

My one and only complaint about my old RIA is I hated the rollmarks.....that is it. I couldn't stand it I had to let it go.

bac1023 · 04-15-2011, 10:50

Both are great entry level 1911s. As others mentioned, the Remington is a series 80, while the RIA has no FPS.

Both of them have Mil-spec features. Neither is a true USGI replica. The Remington has the nicer finish and is a better looking 1911, in my opinion.

MajorD · 04-15-2011, 12:14

I do like the fact the Remington is made in the USA- just can't wrap myself around a foregin made 1911 even though the RIA's and associated guns( multiple companies market these phillipines made guns under different names) and Springfield(Brazil) have good functional reputations

bac1023 · 04-15-2011, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorD

I do like the fact the Remington is made in the USA- just can't wrap myself around a foregin made 1911 even though the RIA's and associated guns( multiple companies market these phillipines made guns under different names) and Springfield(Brazil) have good functional reputations

Actually Armscor is only one Filipino manufacturer. There are three.

jrs93accord · 04-15-2011, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorD

I do like the fact the Remington is made in the USA- just can't wrap myself around a foregin made 1911 even though the RIA's and associated guns( multiple companies market these phillipines made guns under different names) and Springfield(Brazil) have good functional reputations

For me, I do not care where it was made as long as it is a good quality firearm. Take the Turkish-made IAC Regent 100 1911A1 for instance, according to Peter G. Kokalis (Shotgun News), it is one of the best 1911A1 clones built. I tend to agree with him. There is nothing that says only the U.S. can build a quality firearm. The Russians have been doing it for years. In this day and age, you have to be a little bit flexible or you are going to miss out on owning some nice pistols.

GeorgiaRedfish · 04-15-2011, 14:18

Bac is it just me on that last pic the Thumb safety on the R1 looks rough??

***RMTactical*** · 04-15-2011, 22:58

Between the two I would choose the Remington.

bac1023 · 04-15-2011, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaRedfish

Bac is it just me on that last pic the Thumb safety on the R1 looks rough??

Maybe a little, but it doesn't bother my thumb or hand when shooting it.

GeorgiaRedfish · 04-15-2011, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Maybe a little, but it doesn't bother my thumb or hand when shooting it.

I meant the fitting it looks not shaped right or something.

Oh and what clips do you use in it

I also would like to thank everyone on this sub-forum for all their help besides you Brian.

bac1023 · 04-15-2011, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaRedfish

Oh and what clips do you use in it

I also would like to thank everyone on this sub-forum for all their help besides you Brian.

That was a riot.

I guess I came off a bit too abrupt in that thread.

Hound_dogs_01 · 04-15-2011, 23:29

I have a rock island match and i love it. never had a single issue out of it, other than some ammo related problems.

The match is a hand fitted gun in Armscor's custom shop and has no rattles or shimmys in the slide/fram fit. It has a match quality trigger, very minimal creep or over travel.

I paid $642 out the door for it and i think its by far the best 1911 bang for your buck.

Alex

southernshooter · 04-16-2011, 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

That was a riot.

I guess I came off a bit too abrupt in that thread.

Rem. comes with 2 7 round magazines. Just bought an 8 round colt brand magazine that works just right.

bac1023 · 04-16-2011, 04:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernshooter

Rem. comes with 2 7 round magazines. Just bought an 8 round colt brand magazine that works just right.

Very cool

woodrowNC · 04-16-2011, 05:23

while picking up a g26 at my dealer, i noticed he had a new ria in the case for 450. i had a little extra change on me, and the thought did cross my mind, but i've promised myself no more 1911's until the i'm done with sacs and ccs.