Rock Slab Side Range Review...

[sdmc530]

Well I got to go to the range this morning and what a treat. I couldn't wait to get my new RIA Slab-side a workout.
I was shooting Winchester white box 230gr FMJ.
Out of the box I was excited about this gun. The reviews were pretty good and its an Armscore gun. I have an STI Spartan that is the same gun but just not gone through after it ships to US like the STI are. I had very high expectations.

The case that the gun came in was one of the better cases I have received a gun in with the custom foam and nice locking case. A+ for the case.

The papers and manual were not like Colt or Kimber but who cares, we don't need no stinking papers......

The fit of the gun was FANTASTIC, the barrel bushing was very tight and the overall put together is really good. Was really impressed with that.

The finish, well that was not so good. As you can see in pic 1 "badfin" there were dings on the frame before I even got it. Not impressed with that.

At the range the first two mags didn't go so well. The slide stop kept locking back on every other round, as I got a few rounds through it, it improved. At the end after about 200 rounds 1 in 20 or so were doing this. I am hoping this will keep getting better as time goes on. Just a "break in" item.

It ejected the shells forward around 3 o'clock. As you can see by the second pic "dings" it was hitting in front of the ejection port and I need to obviousley tune the ejector/extractor. Any help on this will be appreciated I have no idea what to do about this. When I cleaned the gun out of the box the extractor was so tight I could barley get it out of the slide...didn't seem right.

After the first 100 rounds it really ran. I has about 1/20 slide lock issues but no jams or ftf's at all.

Came with a ACT mag, it didn't work in the gun at all. Don't care, never intended to use it in the RIA anyways, planned on getting another base pad for my STI mag-well anyways. No big deal there, but might of been upset otherwise. Went in very tight and never would lock in on the gun....

I like the sights, were nut on right out. After the initial 100-125 rounds I go the sight pictures right out and was hitting center target like I should. Pics in next post. Really pleased about that.

Misses:
Grips, hate them. I was under the assumption it had wood grips, nope has rubber ones that I don't care for one bit. Nothing wrong with them just don't like them.

MSH, why oh why do we do this in plastic. Will be swapped....every gun company does the plastic, why!!! Hate it.

Finish..been down this road already, don't think its the best...BUT truth be told next spring I am going to change the finish on it. Never intended to keep this finish, going to copy the Colt Marine Rail gun, love that color scheme and will turn this into that. I might not be so eager to so if it were not for the white logo...just can't get into that. Doesn't bother me but will not bother me to cover it either.

Bottom Line__________________

Great gun, to my door after all fee's and all under $600. That is a great price. I will need a couple of parts and will probably be right at $700 after a new MSH and some grips. The fit is really really good. The details like the front strap cutting and the rail are quite nice and crisp and it looks professional.

See my next post for range pics!

any help with my extractor issue, please chime it!!

[sdmc530]

Range pics:

Here is the set up:
Target was about 8 yards (24 feet) that was for you . Just for reference, the back target is 25 yards.

This was the last 5 mags I put through it. (36 rounds) 4 7 rounders 1 eight rounder. Mags I used were 1 colt factory, 1 mecger, 1 kimber pro-tac, 1 SA factory and the eight rounder was a Wilson.

Once I got the sight picture and the feel for the gun this thing shot great. I was on today, usually not this consistent. Was pretty pleased with myself to get this group out of a new gun after only about 200 rounds.....happy happy.

I will put something on the rail too...not sure what yet..but it needs something maybe a holder?

[skosh69]

Great range report ...

Forgive me, but I gotta say this: Technically you do not have a "slab side" pistol. You have the RIA Tactical with full rail pistol.

A slab side would be like the Les Baer Monolith http://www.lesbaer.com/Monohvy.html or the STI Range Master, http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-range-master/

Sorta like calling a french crueller a maple raised, right?

Ya, ya, I know I'm retentive...forgive me.

[sdmc530]

I know, I know, I just like saying slab-side. Its as close as I will probably get to a true one.....Its ok a is a though

[Riverpigusmc]

I know this kid that makes grips....and a crotchety fart that can tell ya about extractors..in fact, I think he made a post about it

Good report

[douglas_knott]

Good write up .

[AutoMag]

Check out this video. It is long but worth watching.

Check out on the counter right around 440 to the end for extractor work.

http://youtu.be/ENFoZPF2-FM

[Lonestar grips.]

Originally Posted by douglas_knott

Good write up .

+100

great shooting .

[Sheepdog]

Great job !

[sdmc530]

Originally Posted by Riverpigusmc

I know this kid that makes grips....and a crotchety fart that can tell ya about extractors..in fact, I think he made a post about it

Good report

yepp....

Originally Posted by AutoMag

Check out this video. It is long but worth watching.

Check out on the counter right around 440 to the end for extractor work.

http://youtu.be/ENFoZPF2-FM

thanks for the link...I will watch it in bed tonight!

thanks...