[Cdenim]

Just recently grabbed up one of the RIA tac guns. This one being the standard not having the adjustable sights, front slide serrations, and G10 grips. Which i didn't need bc i knew I was goiing to completely give this thing a makeover. One of my absolute favorites has been the SA TRP Operator. Owned a few of them and was about to start hunting for another when i came across this. Now had I thought I would be getting anything remotely close to a TRP for $530, I would have been in for a real world bitch slap to the face..but given the brands relatively reliable, inexpensive, bang for your buck reputation maybe all it needed was a Wilson's reverse guide rod plug and I'd have a Perfect 10 only in .45...lol. anyway here's where i got her to so far... First.. not a fan of the Parkerized finish. Has the look and feel of a new motorcycle chain. I wanted a blued look... I really like and use cerakote all the time soooo, I got creative. Mixing some H-127 with a little E-100 blackout (I honestly don't remember how much of either) and going real heavy I ended up with something i'm very happy with. But before this I gave the mainspring and back of the frame a little more hand friendly rounded touch. Made some room for my fat fingers with a little trigger guard undercut. Took that 3 squared trigger and gave it my modern take on the sirca 80's national match treatment. And gave here a much better front end. Taking her to the range tonight and will update with how she runs..

 

[ZoidMeister]

Nice transformation.

 

[ReaperCustom45]

That trigger looks much better. May have to do that to mine. Good work.

 

[das_dude]

Nice work, love it!

 

[SteveCNJ]

Very nice!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Cdenim]

Range report... you can see by each mag grouping it is honestly very accurate. Targeted at 10 yards. First time firing it and ran perfect. Ate through the range cheepo rounds no issues. Stepped it up to some critical duty for 20 again no problems. trigger got a little muchy on return twords the end so I replaced the bow, gave it one more stoning and right back to crisp and positive. The guns a little on the heavy side with the full dust cover rail, which i like do to the predictable recoil. So first impressions of the Rock Island tac.... Accurate, Surprisingly very smooth, First part of break in with 200 rounds and not so much as a fail to feed issue. A tiny bit heavier than say a SA 1911 A-1 but really do to the full dust cover and felt the same as the TRP operator. And it didn't make anything feel slugish at all. So I think I'm $650 all in, including the cerakote, and for that price.. Anyone on the fence or considering one, go for it. Liked it so much, I've decided to keep upgrading it and will post regular updates in the coming weeks. Starting with some new sights....

 

[Cdenim]

That trigger looks much better. May have to do that to mine. Good work.

Felt so much nicer and lighter with its makeover. Plus I'm a sucker for the satin brushed ss over a blued gun.

 

[Cdenim]

some backside shots. Not at all a bob tail, just much more comfortable in the hand

 

[ZoidMeister]

That trigger looks much better. May have to do that to mine. Good work.

Triggers are the one part of RIA's guns where I think their quality falls short. Not in the trigger pull so much, but in the actual part. They tend to run undersized a bit and feel loose or sloppy, at least in the guns that I owned.

I traded mine away long before I started my path towards Bubba Smiffin and now I regret letting at least one of those get away. This thread just reinforces my "trader's remorse."

 

[duketbrd88]

Looks good. Couldn't you install, loctite and file the trigger overtravel set screw from the rear and then it wouldn't be sticking out?

 

[ZoidMeister]

Looks good. Couldn't you install, loctite and file the trigger overtravel set screw from the rear and then it wouldn't be sticking out?

Looks to me like it hasn't been adjusted into place yet.

 

[duketbrd88]

Yeah, was kind of thinking the same thing...idk

 

[Dub]

Great looking enhancements, @Cdenim

That beast looks sharp.....been thinking that my RIA would really look sharp with the same high gloss Cerakote ("graphite", I believe it was) that I did on another frame. I'd like to do the whole thing...murdered out. The contrasting controls on yours looks great, too.

Triggers are the one part of RIA's guns where I think their quality falls short. Not in the trigger pull so much, but in the actual part. They tend to run undersized a bit and feel loose or sloppy, at least in the guns that I owned.

I traded mine away long before I started my path towards Bubba Smiffin and now I regret letting at least one of those get away. This thread just reinforces my "trader's remorse."

Well stated. This very accurately describes my RIA TAC.

Pull weight is okay and breaks cleanly, but some lateral slop is certainly present on take up.

Took it out for it's first range session yesterday. I have no complaints. There are a couple things with the safeties that I plan on examining when the round count get's up there and the first detail strip is done. I may swap the trigger at that time, too. This gun will be the work horse I use during future 10mm load work up.

 

[ZoidMeister]

Great looking enhancements, @Cdenim

That beast looks sharp.....been thinking that my RIA would really look sharp with the same high gloss Cerakote ("graphite", I believe it was) that I did on another frame. I'd like to do the whole thing...murdered out. The contrasting controls on yours looks great, too.





Well stated. This very accurately describes my RIA TAC.

Pull weight is okay and breaks cleanly, but some lateral slop is certainly present on take up.

Took it out for it's first range session yesterday. I have no complaints. There are a couple things with the safeties that I plan on examining when the round count get's up there and the first detail strip is done. I may swap the trigger at that time, too. This gun will be the work horse I use during future 10mm load work up.

Dang, now I've gotta go find a replacement for my old TAC 10mm.

This is the trigger I would put in it after a blackout cerakote job . . . . .

 

[Cdenim]

Yeah, was kind of thinking the same thing...idk

No it is, just looks like its way out there because all the material that was filled off.

 

[Cdenim]

Dang, now I've gotta go find a replacement for my old TAC 10mm.

This is the trigger I would put in it after a blackout cerakote job . . . . .


View attachment 409603

This would highly benefit from a nicer trigger, as would a few other components on this tac. And thats just it, it's a good sound gun. its the quality of the parts that i feel may lend to its performance. Quality for the $$$ I think its fantastic, quality for the addict... a little short.

 

[Cdenim]

Looks to me like it hasn't been adjusted into place yet.

Actually.. I stand corrected. 100%. I hadn't set it back after working on it. You are sharp as a tack, as your reputation states..

 

[ZoidMeister]

Actually.. I stand corrected. 100%. I hadn't set it back after working on it. You are sharp as a tack, as your reputation states..

The "Hamlet Squire of Tomfoolery, ESQ," if you will.

(The "Village Idiot" in plain engritch)

Z

 

[Cdenim]

The "Hamlet Squire of Tomfoolery, ESQ," if you will.

(The "Village Idiot" in plain engritch)

Z

Then pardon me sir as i admire your idiotness.. lol This is why this forum is what it is.. The knowledge is inspiring. Just ordered a new ignition along with the trigger. A quiet evening, a man, a couple stoning files and a jig....In a world where everthings measured to a thousandth of an inch ( Said in the movie preview announcer voice )

 

[duketbrd88]

Actually.. I stand corrected. 100%. I hadn't set it back after working on it. You are sharp as a tack, as your reputation states..

Thought something looked off with that. Good call zoid...