Alright, folks, buckle up because today we’re diving into a rollercoaster of a story with the RIA 5.0E. This isn’t just any gun review; it’s a tale of passion, loyalty, and a betrayal that’ll leave you shaking your head. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
When I first laid my eyes on the RIA 5.0E, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy. My buddies had warned me about its sister model, calling it mid and full of red flags. But hey, I’m always up for a challenge, especially when it comes to firearms. Rock Island Armory, known for their Philippine-made guns, decided to venture into American manufacturing with their facility in Cedar City, Utah. And thus, the RIA 5.0E was born.
Now, the RIA 5.0E is a bit of a mystery. It’s not your typical gun; it’s an original design, not just another rehashing of what’s already out there. It’s aimed at competition shooters, tactical trainers, and those who love full-size guns. But let’s be real, the marketing could use some work. It’s like they’re trying to sell you a gun without telling you what it does or who it’s for.
The RIA 5.0E follows the modular frame design concept, similar to the 2011, with an aluminum frame insert and a polymer grip module. The grip angle is close to the 1911 MMP, and the texture? Oh, it’s perfect. Not too grippy, not too slippery. But the rest of the gun? Smooth as a baby’s bottom.
This internal hammer-fired gun has a full pic rail for lights and aggressive lightning cuts and serrations on the steel slide. The rear serrations could use some work, though. I found myself slipping off them until I slapped on a red dot. So, if you’re part of the iron sight gang, you might want to take note.
The slide is smaller than most guns, kind of like a Beta 92, and it takes some getting used to. The coating is DLC or Diamond Like Carbon, and it’s held up well so far. But let’s talk about the real deal: this gun shoots like a dream. I never even lubed it; our love was its own lube. Our range sessions were intense, leaving me sweaty and satisfied. It’s an absolute beast.
But, as with any love story, there’s a twist. The RIA 5.0E looks good, like something out of a Robocop movie. And the low bore axis? It’s a game-changer. It’s like holding a flower from the bottom of the stem versus the top. The stability is unreal, making it a soft-recoiling gun that’s easy to shoot fast and get back on target.
The secret sauce is the RVS or Ram Valve System, a clever short recoil system that reduces felt recoil and muzzle flip. It’s like a good couples therapist, managing the emotions and keeping things smooth when they get heated.
Now, the RIA 5.0E isn’t perfect. It’s not ambi-friendly, and the mag release and slide catch are on the left side. The factory cut for red dots is a nice touch, but the mounting plates were a bit of a headache at first. Turns out, my slide was miss-machined, but they fixed that for production guns. After getting a new gun, the plates fit perfectly, and I was back to shooting.
The sights are from Night Vision, with a green fiber front and black dovetail serrated drift adjustable rear. The safety-bladed trigger is unique, almost like a two-stage trigger. The break is crisp, with zero overtravel, and the reset is obvious. It’s smoother than my pickup lines, folks.
The RIA 5.0E comes with three steel 17-round magazines, which is awesome. But there’s no flared magwell, and no 15-round magazine options for restricted states. And the aftermarket support? Almost non-existent. You can change the sights and find a few holster options, but that’s about it.
Now, let’s talk about the price. The RIA 5.0E goes for just under $2,000. I know, that’s a lot. Compared to other mid-priced full-size competition guns like the CZ Shadow 2, TS2, MMP Metal Competitor, Sig X5 Legion, and the Walther PDP Match, it’s a hefty investment. But hey, launching a brand new gun and starting manufacturing in the US isn’t cheap.
So, what’s the verdict? The RIA 5.0E is a dream to shoot. It’s unique, and it’s a fresh face in a sea of mediocrity. But then, the betrayal. After shooting over 1,000 rounds, the trigger started acting up. A tiny Allen screw had yeeted itself, and the pin started walking out. The front pin connecting the polymer grip module to the aluminum frame was also on the move.
I reached out to RIA USA, and they sent me a bag of small Allen key caps and some Loctite. The front pin was easy enough to press back in, but come on, for $2,000, should screws and pins be falling out? If this happened at a match, I’d be pissed.
In the end, the RIA 5.0E is a tale of highs and lows. It’s got charm, it shoots like a dream, and it’s a unique gun in a crowded market. But the mechanical issues? They’re a reminder that in love and in firearms, reliability is the true test of loyalty.
