New Rock Island GI 1911 9MM

Eddiejoe · June 30, 2022, 10:13 PM

I just ordered one this afternoon from my LGS. They said it should be in next week.
I've been trying to decide which new pistol I was going to get. I looked at the RIA double stack in 9mm, but it was too wide. I looked at Smith M&P, Girsan, HK, Canik, SAR, and a few others.
They all had good and bad points.
Then, the guy at the shop found the one I ordered. It is a basic, GI pistol. I decided to try something without all the bells and whistles.

bedbugbilly · July 1, 2022, 06:33 PM

Congrats! I have thought a lot about one in 9mm and I hope you'll post some photos and tell us how it shoots and behaves for you.

Eddiejoe · July 8, 2022, 10:57 AM

I picked it up last night and I think I'm going to like this pistol!
It came SOAKED in oil, but that's fine with me. It also came in a hard plastic case. It came with 2 spent casings.
The fit and finish appear perfect, especially for the price!
The trigger is a bit stiff, but that should smooth out with use.
The only drawback is that it came with only 1 10-round magazine.

Pictures and range report this weekend hopefully!

angel71rs · July 9, 2022, 01:21 PM

Congrats! For extra mags recommend the Metalform pn 9FR-794. Has a front ramp design that helps feed the shorter 9mm rounds in 1911 designed for longer 45 acp ammo. FR in pn means front ramp. Work great in my 9mm Tac, even with hollow points.

cc-hangfire · July 12, 2022, 10:19 AM

RIA 1911’s are solid. I’ve had the GI 9mm about 5+ years. When I pull out the wonder 9’s collection along with it, the RIA GI 1911 9mm is frequently the favorite. I hope you enjoy your’s as much as I have mine.

Jim Watson · July 12, 2022, 10:59 AM

Agree with angel, the Metalform Front Ramp is a good magazine if 9 is enough.

CMC used to make the similar XP for 10 rounds but Wilson management has dropped the model and sells only 1950 style rear spacer magazines under CMC or WC label.

rice paddy daddy · July 12, 2022, 12:21 PM

I've had an RIA 45 for a number of years.
It's just the plain jane Government Model.
A good, solid pistol, and I have two Colts to compare it to. The RIA Government model is just as serviceable as the Colts.

Note - I have no experience with any other RIA pistols.

Eddiejoe · July 12, 2022, 01:11 PM

I appreciate the feedback and recommendations!
This is my first RIA. I had a Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm a few years ago and I loved it. I'm anxious to try it out.
For the magazines, are the 9-round models flush fit?

Jim Watson · July 12, 2022, 01:51 PM

Yes

Hawg · July 12, 2022, 03:43 PM

Rock Islands are good solid guns that will perform with the big boys. I've had an A1 FS tactical in .45 ACP since 2011 and it's been flawless. I did get rid of the ACT mag and changed the grips first thing.

June 30, 2022, 10:13 PM	#1
Eddiejoe Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2018 Posts: 206	New Rock Island GI 1911 9MM I just ordered one this afternoon from my LGS. They said it should be in next week. I've been trying to decide which new pistol I was going to get. I looked at the RIA double stack in 9mm, but it was too wide. I looked at Smith M&P, Girsan, HK, Canik, SAR, and a few others. They all had good and bad points. Then, the guy at the shop found the one I ordered. It is a basic, GI pistol. I decided to try something without all the bells and whistles.

July 1, 2022, 06:33 PM	#2
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Congrats! I have thought a lot about one in 9mm and I hope you'll post some photos and tell us how it shoots and behaves for you. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

July 12, 2022, 12:21 PM	#7
rice paddy daddy Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: North Florida Posts: 15	I've had an RIA 45 for a number of years. It's just the plain jane Government Model. A good, solid pistol, and I have two Colts to compare it to. The RIA Government model is just as serviceable as the Colts. Note - I have no experience with any other RIA pistols. __________________ "There is nothing so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." Winston Churchill Member: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS

July 8, 2022, 10:57 AM	#3
Eddiejoe Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2018 Posts: 206	I picked it up last night and I think I'm going to like this pistol! It came SOAKED in oil, but that's fine with me. It also came in a hard plastic case. It came with 2 spent casings. The fit and finish appear perfect, especially for the price! The trigger is a bit stiff, but that should smooth out with use. The only drawback is that it came with only 1 10-round magazine. Pictures and range report this weekend hopefully!

July 9, 2022, 01:21 PM	#4
angel71rs Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: TX Posts: 139	Congrats! For extra mags recommend the Metalform pn 9FR-794. Has a front ramp design that helps feed the shorter 9mm rounds in 1911 designed for longer 45 acp ammo. FR in pn means front ramp. Work great in my 9mm Tac, even with hollow points.

July 12, 2022, 10:19 AM	#5
cc-hangfire Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2014 Posts: 304	RIA 1911’s are solid. I’ve had the GI 9mm about 5+ years. When I pull out the wonder 9’s collection along with it, the RIA GI 1911 9mm is frequently the favorite. I hope you enjoy your’s as much as I have mine.

July 12, 2022, 10:59 AM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Agree with angel, the Metalform Front Ramp is a good magazine if 9 is enough. CMC used to make the similar XP for 10 rounds but Wilson management has dropped the model and sells only 1950 style rear spacer magazines under CMC or WC label.

July 12, 2022, 01:11 PM	#8
Eddiejoe Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2018 Posts: 206	I appreciate the feedback and recommendations! This is my first RIA. I had a Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm a few years ago and I loved it. I'm anxious to try it out. For the magazines, are the 9-round models flush fit?

July 12, 2022, 01:51 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Yes

July 12, 2022, 03:43 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Rock Islands are good solid guns that will perform with the big boys. I've had an A1 FS tactical in .45 ACP since 2011 and it's been flawless. I did get rid of the ACT mag and changed the grips first thing.