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.

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.

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

Good starter. It will make you want another one, an addiction starter.

They are a good gun, my trigger from the factory felt like a custom job.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 $$$.

I agree. I'm still looking around for one. Wish I could remember what ad I saw and what happened to it.

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

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.

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.