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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,735 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,735 Likes: 1 |
I have only used one brand, the Citadel, but found them to be of good quality. What's your take? I'm not a big 1911 guy but it doesn't hurt to have one. I saw them on sale somewhere for $369.99 recently. Just can't remember where.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,412
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,412 |
The Citadel is made by RIA. I’ve had 2 of the RIA tactical models. Very good reliable pistols. And accurate. The only reason I don’t still have them is because I got completely out of the 45acp business and went to 38 Super.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920 |
Have had one of the RIA 10mm Combat Commander size guns for about five years...built like a brick. Trigger pull is very crisp but just a little heavier than I would like...
Sights are excellent, no play at all in the lockup and shoots as well as my 1911s costing almost three times as much.
Only things I have done to it was add a arched mainspring housing and replaced their extended manual safety with a smaller Colt original style...
Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,143 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,143 Likes: 4 |
Good starter. It will make you want another one, an addiction starter.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 890 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 890 Likes: 1 |
They are a good gun, my trigger from the factory felt like a custom job.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 418
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 418 |
I've got four 5" stainless 1911's in 45ACP (Remington, Springfield Armory, Ruger and S & W) then two or three months back I was offered a new 5" blue RIA model M1911A1FS in 9mm at a price that I couldn't walk away from.
So far I've ran aprox. 600 rounds through it and I've not had any functions problems whatsoever, it's accurate and the factory trigger was really nice right out of the box.......the front and rear sights are both black so all I've done to the gun is paint the front blade yellow to make it more visible and I ordered a couple more magazines.
This is my first RIA and my only 1911 chambered in 9mm......so far I'm happy with my purchase.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,146
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,146 |
I bought a Citadel when they first came out as a starter back into the 1911 platform, and really haven't felt the need to progress to a "better" gun. It's a solid gun.Accurate and dependable. Really the only criticism I have of mine is the sharpness of the ridges on the safety, but on the plus side, your thumb shouldn't lose positive contact.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,685
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,685 |
I bought the RIA basic 1911 45acp a couple of years ago for around $400. I left it completely stock as the wooden grips fit my hand, the trigger was better than most factory 1911s I've shot and the sights were good enough for my eyes. Don't know how the finish would hold up as a carry gun but it shows minimal wear as a range gun. So far well over a thousand rounds and no malfunctions with all kinds of ammo including HPs, reloads & steel case. Accuracy's as good as any other 1911 I've shot. Well worth the money IMO.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834 |
Bought a RIA 1911-A1 in 45ACP several years ago - cheap. Took it home, took the slide and barrel off and promptly put a Kimber .22LR conversion kit on it. It's been in that configuration since. I did change out the hammer and grip safety, and smoothed the trigger up a tad. It's a pleasure to shoot.
Not too long ago, I grabbed a used Metro Arms American Classic II (sister company to RIA?) in 38 Super. Shoots like a well, but the trigger needs a little attention - 5 1/2# is a little more than I'd like.
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
The only one I had was a two shot full size 10mm. Damn thing jammed with every magazine known to man. Tried a few other fixes and probably could have sent it back to be fixed but I sold to someone with full knowledge of the problems. I have no idea if he got it fixed. A friend had a .45 that had the same problem so I have decided to bypass them and stay with known wuality
Guns don't kill people, it's mostly the bullets
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,312 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,312 Likes: 1 |
I would spend a little more and get the version with combat sights (non GI).
NRA Life Member
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,412
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,412 |
I would spend a little more and get the version with combat sights (non GI). This is what I did. At the time it was the called tactical model and was very good for the $$$.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,735 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,735 Likes: 1 |
I agree. I'm still looking around for one. Wish I could remember what ad I saw and what happened to it.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,639
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,639 |
Their tactical version is not a bad gun at all................maybe the best of the cheap 1911's.
There's one thing about a 1911..........if there's problem, it's pretty much always fixable, providing something is not very badly out of spec like the frame, frame holes location, etc.
MM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,343
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,343 |
Had one, slightly above the milspec model and it was fine. Shot as well as my Pro Carry II. Buddy wanted it more than I did. He's happy with it. Another buddy bought a 10mm model and is ecstatic with the accuracy and reliability. I imagine he's close to 500 rounds now.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 970
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 970 |
The Citadel is made by RIA. I’ve had 2 of the RIA tactical models. Very good reliable pistols. And accurate. The only reason I don’t still have them is because I got completely out of the 45acp business and went to 38 Super. RIA makes a .38 super. Mine is a gem. We have 5 RIAs in the family. 2 10 mm, 2 .45 and the super. All have been real good so far. The 10mm is as accurate as any 1911 I have shot in the 50 years I have had that platform.
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