[Sam]

I've just made a $200.00 down payment on a Rock River 5" "Elite Commando". It seems like a big bang for my buck. I have a 9 month wait. Is a Rock River EC a good value? I'm still going to have my Colt done into a full house custom, but thought that this RR would make a good carry gun. Any thoughts? Thanks, Sam

 

[Sam]

Well then, how about their slides and frames. Who makes them? Are they good quality? Thanks, Sam

 

[gyp_c2]

They do...They worked with Baer at one time I think...I've never shot one...

 

[cqb45]

Sam,

I read somewhere that the RRA frame and slides are made by Carl Lewis Machine. I also recall reading that Carl Lewis Machine made frames and slides for Baer, RRA and Ed Brown. Suppose to be A1 stuff!!

Nice to see you over here. We posted on 1911.com's RRA forum earlier this week, but it seemskind of dead over there lately.

Later!

 

[Dane Burns]

CLM does make RR and Baer but no longer EB. Caspian is now doing EB.

 

[Sam]

Any one else have an opnion? Sam

 

[Dane Burns]

Is it a good value? IMO yes, it is a good value. The proof in the pudding though, does it shoot and is it reliable. Hopefully you will be back in 9 months telling us yes on both counts :grin:

 

[DougC]

The Larson brothers used to work for LB. Some say they were the ones that got the frames/slides going that LB uses. They are talented smiths and build a good product. Hopefully your wait will be less than anticipated. Good luck, Doug

 

[Hawkeye]

Yep, same machine shop as Les Baer. My brother-in-law works there. They also do a lot of work for Armalite.

While visiting my sister, I went by their shop and ended up ordering two pistols--a Basic Limited Match carry gun, and a similar 6" longslide gun. Both are incredibly accurate and quite reliable. I have a couple Les Baer pistols, and the Rock Rivers were actually a little nicer. They also aren't such #*&[email protected] to manipulate out of the box. Gay is a pleasure to deal with, and both of the brothers are very willing to customize a pistol however you would like.

I posted a fairly detailed review of both guns about a year ago on 1911forum.

 

[gyp_c2]

I'm VERY interested in them. They look to me, like they might be the one that sucks me into the void between one-owner customs and regular production pieces...I am definately gonna' talk to them...They have a VERY GOOD price structure. Choose what you want and all of the work is done to the same amount of detail, just like pickin' options for any other fine item...:wink:

 

[Allen D.]

Had two of their guns. Wasn't happy with either. Workmanship and finish not what I thought it should be for the money. Baers only cost a little more and are much better fitted and finished ( at least when comparing the RR's and Baers I've owned ).

 

[JiminCA]

Allen: Were the Rock Rivers that you owned built by the guys at Rock River or were they guns that someone else built on RR frames? I've seen quite a few guns built by someone else on their frames. Recently shot one built by Kings on RR frame - was pretty nice.

The reason I'm asking is you're the first person I've seen on this or the 1911 forum who made such a comment. Almost everyone who owns them raves about them. (I have two coming in the next 2-3 mos).

Just wondering what your specific experience was...... Always want to hear the other side if there is one.

Jim

 

[Allen D.]

Tried to answer, but haven't learned to use the computer too well yet. Mine were both the Basic Limited Match. Ordered direct from Rock River. The first gun had a variety of fitting and finish problems. I sent it back on warranty but was disappointed with the results. Sent it back again and requested a replacement gun. Replacement gun was disappointing also. Sold second gun on consignment, unfired, at a loss. If I had not had other good 1911 type guns to compare, the RR with, I might have thought the RR guns were ok. They did warranty the guns, so I have no gripe about that. Good luck with the ones you have ordered, their quality may have improved since I had my RR guns.

 

[Sam]

Allen D., Thanks for sharing your experience. When did all this happen, what year? Also, exactly what fit and finish problems did you have that warranted a replacement pistol? Thanks, Sam

 

[Allen D.]

Couldn't find my RRA paperwork, but I beleve I had my RR guns in '98. In all fairness, I also had a two Wilson .45,s around the same time with warranty problems and I don,t want to risk confusing which guns had which problems. The main problem that I can defintely recall with the RR gun was that the feed ramp in the frame had been rounded over at the top, virtually eliminating the 1/32" space necessary between the rear position of the barrel ramp and the top front edge of the frame ramp. This is not a minor problem. I have owned previous 1911,s with this problem and they never fed as smoothly or reliabley as a properly fitted gun. RRA attempted to correct this by grinding the barrel ramp deeper, leaving even more case head unsupported. Fortunately the .45 ACP is a relatively low pressure round, but I did not consider this attempt at a quick fix acceptable on a semi-custom gun costing over $1000.00. As I said before,they warrantied the gun, so obviously they are a reputable outfit and I bear them no ill will. The replacement gun was better, but still not what I expected. By the way, Kuuhnhausen's "THE COLT .45 AUTOMATIC" has an excellent discussion of this problem starting on page 65.

 

[Sam]

Allen D., Thanks for the information. I'll keep an eye out for that problem. Sam