Popped on a 1911 . . . .

[Prof Young]

Shooters:
So I've been thinking about getting a 1911 for a while now. A nearby Rural King advertised a Rock Island 1911 A1 on sale for $380. I took a look at one, seems like a good deal, so I went for it. Picked it up today. (By the way, did you know that if gun store is near a school, then they can't let guns leave their store if the gun is not in a locked case. Not a locked gun, but a locked case.) Anyway I picked it up today and will do some range work tomorrow. According to the literature this model is just about as close as one can get to the original 1911. In other words it's a "Plain Jane" model. No bells or whistles. Iron sights. One eight round mag. Barrel measures out at about 3.5 inches. I bought it for the same reason I buy most of my guns . . . the fun of shooting. It should be a good time. Will let you know.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

[Targa]

Very nice. Guns like that are hard to beat, look good, dependable, well priced, they are just flat out shooters. I have to lever guns, a Rossi 92 and Winchester 94. The Winchester doesn't get much use because it is my bling.... The Rossi gets the snot shot out of it because it was less expensive and I don't worry about it like I do the Winchester and because of that it is one of the most entertaining guns I own.
I might need to pick up one to go with my Colt for the same reasons.

[Limnophile]

did you know that if gun store is near a school, then they can't let guns leave their store if the gun is not in a locked case. Not a locked gun, but a locked case.

What state are you in? What crime is meant to be deterred? Every time a legislature passes a stupid law the offending legislators should be fined a year's pay.

[gyvel]

Rock Islands are excellent buys for the money. Armscor, the company that makes them, has state of the art facilities on Luzon in the Philippines.

However, the first thing I would do is substitute another make of magazine for the one that came with the gun.

[DaleA]

they can't let guns leave their store if the gun is not in a locked case.

Ran across something similar in the Twin Cities, MN. The gun had to be in a case or box leaving the store. For used guns they suggested you buy a case or bring your own from home. Didn't have to be locked though. I suspect if you pressed them hard they'd find a box for you somewhere in the store.

Not all that much dumber than Walmart having an employee walk you out of the store if you buy a gun.

In every case I can't see what kind of 'safety' that buys anyone.

Looking forward to some pictures and range report Prof Young.

[JimmyR]

Prof Young, I think you live in Southern Indiana, because that is the same thing my local Rural King does.

The way it was explained to me is that, because the store is technically within a school zone, and one is not technically allowed to carry in a school zone (as I understand the law), by putting it in a locked container, the store is free from any liability in terms of compliance with the law.

[imashooter]

Congrats and not a bad deal. You purchased the CS (compact) model if the barrel is 3.5". I have 2 full size and a compact. All are fine and I was very surprised with both the accuracy and less than anticipated recoil. I would follow their recommendation and totally disassemble the firearm, clean well with mineral spirits, lube and wipe outer surfaces with oil rag. Pics? Something doesn't jive. 8 - round magazine should be with the MS or FS; not the CS (3.5" barrel). The CS will have either the 7 or 6 - round magazine. Believe it factory ships with the 7.

[RetiredMajor]

Nice gun, congratulations! Regarding the school, that seems like nonsense. Generally, the "right of way" is exempt from the school zone designation. If it wasn't then you couldn't walk or even drive past the school legally armed with your permit because the roadway or sidewalk would be within the school zone.

[osbornk]

I have the tactical model in full size in 9mm. It has been flawless and is very accurate. Be sure to disassemble it and clean it good. Rock Island Armory has a group on Facebook. The head of the company is a member and frequently posts there to help out us owners.

[michael t]

If full size USGI copy its a 5" I think not measuring the barrel correct way Measure entire barrel on auto . On a revolver Measure to inside cylinder gap. The forcing cone in part of barrel

I prefer the real Commander size 4 1/4 " not the copy 4" for most carry
I have DW and Colts for this Also a Colt Officer 3 1/2" and a Defender 3" Both my officer and defender are older ones. They have never had 1st problem with feeding or jams of any sort with 230 ball or my 185 gr HP Corbon carry load.
I get tired of hearing about how the compact guns are problems . No one I know that have then has any problems with theirs either.

[849ACSO]

I have an RIA 5". If your's is anything like mine, it will be flawless. I own 4 1911 guns and this one was BY FAR the cheapest, but will run with the expensive ones. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Congrats, good luck, and shoot safe!

[imashooter]

I guess unlike most folks, I prefer the G.I. style grip safety. Here's my compact I converted to G.I. style and spur hammer.

[Badfinger]

Ran across something similar in the Twin Cities, MN. The gun had to be in a case or box leaving the store. For used guns they suggested you buy a case or bring your own from home. Didn't have to be locked though. I suspect if you pressed them hard they'd find a box for you somewhere in the store.

Not all that much dumber than Walmart having an employee walk you out of the store if you buy a gun.

In every case I can't see what kind of 'safety' that buys anyone.

Looking forward to some pictures and range report Prof Young.

In Minnesota you just need the firearm in a case. A paper bag, or a cloth gun cover qualifies as such, and its not at all uncommon to see used firearms sold at gun shops walk out the door wrapped up in such an option.

[Prof Young]

Shot the 1911 today with Federal 230gn ammo. First two groups of eight rounds at seven yards both were just under three inches. Very nice. Mannual says break in is 500 rounds. I put about 75 down range today. Sweet trigger. Manageable recoil. I didn't understand the field stripping instructions until I found a video on Youtube. I'm gonna like shooting this gun. To measure the barrel I measured from the front edge of the closed ejection port to the end of the barrel and it was 3.5 inches. Maybe I am measuring it incorrectly. Bought my lee 45 acp dies and am ready to go.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

[Aguila Blanca]

On a semi-auto, the chamber is included in the barrel length. Measure from the back end of the ejection port, where the barrel hood abuts the breech face.

[Ibmikey]

Stick a pencil down the barrel of an unloaded pistol and mark the point where it is exposed. Now you can measure the pencil, breech face to end of barrel.
Many stores (like politicians) make rules and then tell you it is the law, some with the intent to sell you a case to lock the weapon in. One store in Calif. told my friend intent on buying a used pistol that he would need to buy their $15 lock because it is "State approved" and a lock brought from home would not be acceptable because the shop would not know if it is "State approved". He did not buy from that store.

[849ACSO]

I'm gonna like shooting this gun.

Yes. Yes, you will, and if you're like most, the 1911 bug will bite you, and you will have another, and another. That will continue until you find you justifying another 1911 to yourself because you know it will serve no utilitarian purpose. My last 1911 purchase was justified by buying in another caliber (10mm), although I NEEDED it like I needed more calories in my diet..............

[Big Shrek]

I guess unlike most folks, I prefer the G.I. style grip safety. Here's my compact I converted to G.I. style and spur hammer.

You'll like it until you get hammer bite...then the Beavertail approacheth

[DaleA]

You'll like it until you get hammer bite...

Hammer bite with 1911's seems to be a highly individual thing. Some folk just don't seem to be bothered with it at all.

[Prof Young]

The correct barrel length is 4.75 inches. I field striped the gun today and measured the barrel.

Oh, and getting the slide spring back in place had me baffled util I watched the youtube video again. Put the slide back in place before compressing the spring. . . ta da!!!

Okay so what the heck is "hammer bite?"

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

[imashooter]

Shot several 1911s for decades with no bite. I current have one that at times will grab a few hairs but that's it.

Hammer bite: https://www.google.com/search?q=1911...N2DIgQ_AUIBigB

[849ACSO]

If I even look at a 1911 without a beavertail, my hand bleeds..........

[imashooter]

Just measured (didn't need to) my 2 rock .45 full size barrels and they are 5" as should be. The mid size is 4.25" and the compact is 3.5". I believe you excluded the end of the chamber. Just drop a long pencil down the barrel of your fully assembled pistol, mark the pistol with your thumbnail, hold it to a ruler. It'll be very close to 5".

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by Prof Young

The correct barrel length is 4.75 inches. I field striped the gun today and measured the barrel.

I've never heard of a 1911 with a 4-3/4" barrel. Rock Island says their full-size pistols have 5-inch barrels. I have two of their slides and barrels, sitting on other receivers. Both are the standard 5-inch length.

Measure again. My guess is that you didn't include the barrel hood (that little overhang above the chamber mouth). Try the pencil method, as described by Ibmikey.

[imashooter]

If I even look at a 1911 without a beavertail, my hand bleeds..........

Seems like that's the norm. Glad I'm abnormal.