Description
The Rock Island RIA50S Standard 9mm, sold as the RIA 5.0 Standard, is a full-size, striker-fired 9mm from Rock Island Armory’s RIA-USA line. It has a 4.91 inch barrel, a slide that rides inside the frame to keep the bore close to the hand, a fiber optic front sight and an optics-ready cut.
Rock Island RIA50S Standard 9mm Overview
Rock Island is best known for affordable 1911s built in the Philippines by Armscor, but the 5.0 series is an American-made design with a metal frame and a slide set low in the rails, a layout often compared with the CZ-75. The Standard model is the simplified version, without the competition extras of the 5.0E. Armscor lists 8.11 inches overall, 5.17 inches tall, 1.33 inches wide and about 2.12 pounds, with a trigger pull of 4.5 pounds plus or minus half a pound.
Capacity Listings Differ
The store title and Lipsey’s list this UPC with a 17-round magazine and one magazine in the box. Armscor’s own specification page for the RIA 5.0 Standard shows 10+1, and one distributor title also says 10 rounds, because the gun ships in both configurations for different states. Check the box label when it arrives, and if you live in a 10-round state, make sure the dealer can transfer the version that ships.
Sights and Optics
Night Fision supplied both sights: a standard-height green fiber optic front and a blacked-out, serrated rear. That is a fast daylight setup, but there is no tritium, so add a weapon light for low-light use. The slide is cut for a red dot. Rock Island does not publish the footprint on the Standard’s spec page, so confirm which plate or optic fits before you buy one.
Frame and Finish
Sources disagree on frame material. Lipsey’s lists a steel frame, while early coverage of the 5.0 described an aluminum frame, and at 2.12 pounds this is lighter than an all-steel duty pistol. Armscor lists an E100 Cerakote finish, and Lipsey’s calls it Black Armor Lube. Either way the coating is tougher than bluing. The grips are glass-filled nylon, and the dust cover has an accessory rail for a light.
Shooting Characteristics
The low bore axis is the point of the design. With the slide riding inside the frame, the line of recoil sits closer to your hand, which reduces muzzle flip and helps fast follow-up shots. The trigger is lighter than many striker duty guns. It is a large pistol for concealed carry, but very comfortable for range work, home defense and entry-level competition.
Value and Caveats
Holster selection for the RIA 5.0 is narrower than for a Glock or Smith and Wesson M and P, and spare magazines are proprietary, so buy them when you see them. Rock Island backs its pistols with a lifetime warranty. Resale value tends to trail the big names. If you want an American-made, low-bore 9mm with good sights at a fair price, the 5.0 is worth a look.
State Laws and Ownership
Semi-automatic pistols are legal to own in every state, but many states limit them. California, Massachusetts and some others only allow sales of handguns on their approved lists; New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Hawaii and others require a permit or license; and states including California, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington and Maryland cap magazine capacity, often at 10 or 15 rounds. Your receiving dealer can confirm what you may buy before ordering.
Specifications
- Brand: Rock Island Armory (RIA-USA series)
- Model: RIA 5.0 Standard
- Manufacturer number: RIA50S
- UPC: 812285029238
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: striker-fired semi-automatic
- Capacity: 17+1 (Lipsey’s, store title); Armscor page lists 10+1
- Barrel: 4.91 in, 1 in 10 twist
- Overall length: 8.11 in
- Height and width: 5.17 in, 1.33 in
- Weight: about 2.12 lb
- Sights: green fiber optic front, serrated blank rear
- Optics: slide cut for a red dot
- Grips: glass-filled nylon
- Finish: E100 Cerakote (Armscor)
- Trigger pull: 4.5 lb, plus or minus 0.5 lb
Before You Buy
Federal law requires this handgun to ship to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check before taking it home. You must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun from a dealer, and some states add a permit, license, waiting period or safety certificate first. Check that your state and city allow the model and capacity before you order.
Who It Is For
The Rock Island RIA50S Standard 9mm is a great fit for shooters who want a full-size, low-bore 9mm for the range, home defense or entry-level competition, especially those who like the feel of a CZ-style pistol but want striker-fired simplicity.
Buy the Rock Island RIA50S Standard 9mm at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Rock Island RIA50S Standard 9mm online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Rock Island Armory.
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