Some Common Rock Island 1911 Problems

In general, a high-quality firearm is not cos effective. However, the Rock Island 1911 is a reasonably priced, highly useful handgun, which makes the gun a must-have for any gun lover. These handguns do have certain drawbacks, though.

Slide issues, jamming, faulty extractor, FTF, and trigger issues are some of the problems you are likely to face.

Most of these problems can be solved with little effort. I’ll discuss several typical problems with these pistols in this post, along with their fixes.

Rock Island 1911 Problems
Rock Island 1911

Common Rock Island 1911 Problems and Solutions

ProblemsSolutions
Slide issuesSend the gun to RIA for repair
Failure to extractThoroughly clean and lubricate the gun, and keep extractor tension at optimal
Failure to feedTrying changing ammo/recoil spring
JammingAvoid limp wristing, try the different combination on ammo/magazine/extractor
Not properly cyclingIf changing magazine does not help internal modification will be needed

1. Slide Issues:

Inadequate slide-stop plunger pressure would let the slide stop to travel freely, arbitrarily locking the slide open during shooting.

If the timing is right, this surplus material may come into contact with the ammo as it advances in the magazine, locking the slide open prematurely.

This issue might also be caused by a faulty magazine spring. If the spring is too powerful to retain the ammo against the feed lips, it will come into contact with the slide stop, engaging the arresting notch and locking the slide to the rear.

The Fix:

At first, try changing the magazine. If the problem persists then you could be certain that the problem is caused by the reasons mentioned above. The best option is to pinpoint the hardware at fault.

If the situation requires more than your mechanical grasp of how the handgun works, send it in for repair. Alternatively, take it to a gunsmith.

2. Failure to Extract:

The ammo you’re using won’t cycle the slide properly if the powder charge is too little. Changes to lower-pressure cartridges, faulty manufacturing ammo, or a subpar handload might all be to blame for this.

There simply isn’t enough tension at the extractor claw in the event of a failure to extract for the case to be removed from the chamber.

The recoil spring is another frequent reason. The slide will cycle more quickly than the expended case is sent through the ejection port if you’re using a recoil spring that is too tight for the ammo you’re using.

The Fix:

If you find that your extractor tension is inadequate, I advise carefully disassembling and cleaning your slide. Your extractor’s ability to move and its components may be restricted by accumulated dirt.

You might need to alter or replace some components if cleaning the extractor, channel, and springs is insufficient to solve the issue. But at first, try switching to other ammunition. Only if the problem continues then proceed to modify the hardware.

3. Failure to Feed:

The vast majority of this issue is caused by excessive carbon or dirt buildup, worn-out components, or shooter-induced malfunctions. Another typical reason is insufficient lubrication and cleaning.

A feed ramp or chamber throat that needs polishing is another excellent possibility.

The Fix:

If this problem is caused by an internal component, proper cleaning & lubrication of the internal parts especially the feed lips of the magazine and the chamber will resolve it. A round that doesn’t feed is typically indicative of a magazine issue; either the spring needs cleaning or there’s a problem with the follower.

Your next action would be to exchange ammunition after making sure your magazines are in excellent operating order. You will need to send certain fussy firearms back to the manufacturer for repair.

5. Jamming:

The causes of jams are numerous. A poorly maintained gun, bad ammunition. worn components, a weapon with inadequate design, defective magazines, etc can be blamed for this problem. The leading cause of jamming in semi-automatic pistols is “limp wristing,” which involves gripping the firearm too loosely.

The Fix:

Ammunition, magazines, and extractors are the three most common reasons why firearms jam. Change them around and try different combinations when you’re firing.

But before doing anything further, be sure that limp wristing is not the problem. If so, strengthen your shooting stance before pursuing other options.

If this doesn’t solve the issue, it’s probably a design error, in which case you should get in touch with the maker.

6. Cycling Issue:

Defective ammunition or a magazine that has been dropped on concrete can also create cycling problems. Guns do need upkeep and may need their extractor, firing pin, or other parts replaced.

Certain guns are more likely than others to experience cycling issues, or they may be very sensitive to a particular loading and ammunition.

The Fix:

Check to see whether the magazine is not the problem since this is usually the case. Replace the extractor, hammer, firing pin, and other worn-out parts immediately.

Avoid exposing the pistol to the cold weather all at once since moisture will result. So first let it warm up to room temperature before bringing it outside.

User Feedback on Rock Island 1911

Although it’s not the finest trigger, it’s still rather good. Since the pull is so little, firing several separate shots consecutively shouldn’t be a problem. The gun is enjoyable to fire, but it needs to be cleaned and lubricated frequently. The pistol is prone to intermittent failure and jamming.

Some individuals are so content with this weapon that they would enthusiastically suggest it to anybody. On thearmorylife.com, this individual is one of many like him. On this thread, you may discover in-depth debate on the pros and cons of guns.

But there are also pieces that are plagued with problems. You will find many threads on the internet about this gun having some common problems such as this one.

There are people on both sides of the fence, as you can see. In the end, everything is down to the individual user’s experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Rock Island make good 1911s?

The Rock Island 1911 is a fantastic entry-level 1911 that costs approximately $500 and keeps the appearance of a typical GI model with reasonable parkerizing and an unexpectedly nice trigger.

Is Rock Island 1911 a mil-spec?

The majority of RIA models are entry-level, MIL-SPEC 1911 pistols that are aimed at the lower end of the 1911 handgun market.

Are Rock Island 1911 forged or cast?

Both our slides and RIA 1911 frames are made of 4140 carbon steel that has been forged.

Are Rock Island 1911 9mm any good?

A fun gun that is well worth the cost is the 9mm. It is powerful enough to withstand these loads and gives good wound ballistics in modern 9mm +P and +P+ ammo.

Conclusion

By any standard, the Rock Island 1911s are quite inexpensive. They preserve the appearance of a typical GI model while adding great parkerizing and an amazingly effective trigger. But watch out for some early intrusion, hammer bite risk, and horrible GI sights.

This series is for you if you adore GI models and are nostalgic and need something economical. For a pistol that would likely be used at a range of seven yards, it is more than accurate enough. You can afford the Rock Island Armory 1911, which might also be the weapon that saves your life.

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