Proper Ammo for RIA 1911 Hand Gun?

Question

I recently got a RIA 1911 Gun and was wondering about the ammo to use. I see in the manual they say to use FMJ ammo. I got 100 rounds of ACP with Lead Ball from a friend. Can I use this ammo without hurting the gun or should I stick with FMJ ammo?

Answer 1

Look at  the headstamp. If it says .45 ACP, or .45 AUTO it will work.

If the lead bullets are soft lead, they may lead the barrel and it will be hard, but not impossible to clean. Since someone loaded them in .45 cases the lead is probably hard.

If it is new, it will probably handle +P without any harm. I have fired just about every configuration of .45 ammo including Remington and CCI shot shells and mine was made in 1943.  

Answer 2

The use of FMJ ammo is a reliability question.

Lead ball might give you feeding problems,

and will most likely 'lead` the bore, requiring

extra cleaning effort, but it won't harm the pistol

in any way.

Use FMJ where a mis-feed is not acceptable.

Answer 3

To be honest, a good rule of thumb is, if you have to ask, it usually means no. I would say stick with the hardball (FMJ) and then ask a gunsmith about it if you get the chance. Whats the worst thing that can happen beside him telling you yes or no? However, if it were me, i would just stick to hardball then, wouldn't want to risk it.

Answer 4

It shouldnt hurt it. It will foul the barrel though. Hard to clean. I would jsut avoid anything that says plus p on it unless the manual states that it is safe to shoot that ammo in that gun.

Answer 5

I suggest that if you're unsure about the ammo that you should use,then use the ammo that the manual suggests. I don't think that it would destroy your gun,but it may just lead foul the barrel. Just keep it clean and I think everything will be fine.

Answer 6

Will you hurt the gun?  No.

Will the gun function properly with lead ball?  No.

I have a RIA.  It is a fantastically reliable, extremely accurate gun.  However, it is true to the original 1911 design, and is built to function with FMJ ball.  Feeding it lead will cause occasional misfeeds.

Congrats on you purchase, btw!  I've gone head-to-head with guys who have spend thousands on their custom 1911s, and have never seen that they had an advantage.  

Answer 7

Won't hurt anything at all

The manual recommends 230 hardball because that is what the gun that this one is a clone of was originally designed to shoot

Many stock 1911's have a hard time feeding hollow points and flatnosed type ammo because it digs into the feed ramp

The most that will happen is that the gun will fail to feed

If so have the feed ramp polished or learn how to do it yourself

I currently have 3 1911s and have owned more tha  20 in the past few years

All have been used with semi wad cutter or flatnosed lead reloads with almost no problems ( A System initially refused to feed them)

Try the ammo you have if the gun doesn't like it buy something else

RIAs are not +P rated