(Photo courtesy of Keith Wood)
February 25, 2025
By Keith Wood
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.
So many handguns these days are simply clones of other models. Every once in a while, though, something unique comes along. Rock Island Armory’s RIA 5.0E certainly fits that bill . This handgun, and its predecessor, are unique. Although it looks a bit like something from a science fiction movie, its features are functional and practical.
At first glance the RIA 5.0E appears to be a striker-fired handgun, but it is actually a single-action pistol with an enclosed hammer. While that is unusual, it doesn’t mean much in a practical sense. A more serious departure from the norm is the recoil system.
Advertisement
Most modern semiautomatic handguns either use some adaptation of the Browning tilt-barrel system or are simple blowback designs. The RIA 5.0E has a unique linear recoil design called the Ram Valve System (RVS). The barrel moves rearward when the slide cycles, but there is no vertical canting. This allows the barrel to sit very low in the slide for a low bore axis that reduces muzzle rise.
The keys to the recoil system are a steel valve and locking block that are actuated by the steel guide rod. The rod unlocks a block near the muzzle that lowers into the frame and allows the barrel to move.
Large Profile The pistol features Night Fision sights, and the hammer is internal. The slide is cut for optics and has plates for two of the most common footprint types. (Photo courtesy of Keith Wood) Since the barrel locks at this forward position, its profile is significantly larger than the bore diameter. The chunky barrel is almost square in shape and puts plenty of weight up front, further dampening muzzle rise. The barrel locks up securely at the muzzle without the need for a bushing.
Advertisement
Like the CZ 75, the slide on the RIA 5.0E rides inside the frame rails. Because of this, not much of the slide’s profile is accessible, but the aggressive front and rear cocking serrations keep it functional. The front serrations double as lightening cuts and are machined all the way through.
The slide is cut for optic mounting using adapter plates from C&H Precision. Two plates are included: one for the Trijicon RMR, Holosun 407C and similar footprints; and another for use with Vortex, Holosun 407K and others. All the necessary mounting hardware is included as well.
The high-quality sights are made by Night Fision and are dovetailed into the slide. The front sight is a serrated green fiber optic, and the rear is a black notch with serrated blade. These are of standard height and will not co-witness with an optic.
Not Too Heavy The 5.0E’s controls are minimal—a trigger safety but no manual one. Wood found the trigger to be excellent, with a creep-free 3.25-pound pull. (Photo courtesy of Keith Wood) Although the frame is large, it’s made from aluminum and is therefore very light. A Picatinny rail is machined into the ample dust cover. The grip section, which includes the square trigger guard, is a module made from polymer. Its surfaces are textured, providing a non-slip surface. The only controls on the handgun are a frame-mounted magazine release, an easily accessible slide stop and the trigger.
The benefit of the RIA 5.0E being single action is it has an excellent trigger pull. The one on my sample broke at 3.25 pounds after some take-up but with zero creep. There is no manual safety, but it is equipped with a passive trigger bar. The stubby hammer can be seen through a notch in the rear of the slide but can’t be actuated by hand. From a shooter’s perspective, it functions identically to a striker-fired pistol.
The RIA 5.0E weighs 33.9 ounces unloaded. The combination of this relatively heavy weight, the extremely low bore axis and 9mm Luger chambering results in a handgun with extremely light recoil and muzzle rise. Shooting it was a unique and tactile sensation. I could feel the slide cycling in real time, but the sights barely moved from the point of aim. This, along with its excellent trigger, suggests the RIA 5.0E would be a viable choice for practical handgun competition. Except for one instance where the slide stopped just short of going completely into battery, reliability was excellent.
The RIA 5.0E is a well-built handgun, and the attention to fit and finish is evident. Nearly all sharp edges have been radiused or removed. The metal components are treated in a black baked-on finish the company calls Armor Series.
Ultimately The gun’s unique operating system results in a barrel with a square profile, and the slide rides inside the frame—for a low bore axis and minimal muzzle rise. (Photo courtesy of Keith Wood) The “E” in RIA 5.0E stands for “Enhanced,” since this is an upgraded variant of the original. The innovative design that minimizes recoil coupled with a great trigger, good sights and the simple optic mounting solution make this a practical if unusual-looking handgun.
While Rock Island Armory is often associated with Filipino imports, the 5.0E is built in Cedar City, Utah. I applaud the company for taking a risk and pushing the boundaries of modern handgun design. There’s no question that, in terms of recoil mitigation and shootability, its efforts have paid off. Due to its size and weight, this probably won’t be a popular carry gun, but for range and competition use it might be just the ticket.
(Chart provided by the author) RIA 5.0E Specs Type: hammer-fired single-action semiautoCaliber: 9mm LugerCapacity: 17+1Barrel: 4.91 in.OAL/Height/Width: 8.1/5.2/1.3 in.Weight: 33.9 oz.Trigger: single action; 3 lb., 4 oz. pull (measured)Construction: steel slide, aluminum frame, glass-filled nylon moduleSights: Night Fision black rear, green fiber-optic front; optic ready w/2 mounting platesSafeties: trigger barMSRP: $1,988Manufacturer: Rock Island Armory, armscor.com
