RIA 9mm Government
Picked up this RIA 9mm just before Christmas. I've wanted a 9mm 1911 for a while and foolishly didn't jump on earlier opportunities. With the California approved Roster always in flux, it's a bit of PITA. With Springfield RO's going for over $1000 locally and 1911's being high priced overall in California, I took a chance on a $500 pistol assuming it could be a decent platform.
Put about 300 rounds through it as I bought it (previous owner installed the ken sights) and it was hiccup free using a mixture of 9mm FMJ 115gr and 124gr.
At this point I figured I had something to work with and tore the gun down. The frame, slide, barrel and link are RIA. The rest is now mostly EGW and assorted parts.
Spent time with a stone, some files, and some sand paper to knock down high edges, offending spots, and misc. A little cold blue cleaned it up and also toned down the RIA billboard on the slide.
New parts include:
EGW carry bushing
EGW slide stop
EGW flat bottom firing pin stop
EGW extractor
Wilson thumb safety
Wilson firing pin
Extreme Engineering hammer and sear
EGW ball disconnector
GI short trigger
EGW plug
GI spring guide
Colt Commander grip safety
EGW msh
EGW higher mag release
Wolff main and recoil springs
Colt sear spring
Wilson pin set
Another 600 rounds later, I've have two issues. A box of VERY wimpy federal white box was so underpowered the cases were almost rolling out of the slide. One FTE there. A box of Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP from a department rejected lot I picked up lot years ago was a bit long and dragged on the feed ramp. Has always worked reliably in my 225 and HiPowers. The EGW higher mag release cured the problem by moving the mag up a little higher.
Overall, parts fitting was very easy. Pins aligned. Replacement parts only needs work in areas expected to need it. The most noticeable issue is that the RIA frame grip front to rear is ground a little short which exposes a bit of the MSH. The bevel/grind is also for a beaver tail grip safety which also exposes a bit of the GI grip safety I put on. The grind caused me to knock enough off the thumb safety when I blended it that a bit of the hole is exposed when the safety is engaged, but that's a fairly common issue.
Just under 1000 rounds total at this point and I've had 1 FTE that was clearly ammo related and one box of ammo causing some loading issues. Pretty satisfied with the end result.
Topped it off with some nice "ivory" micarta grips.
- Jeff
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” ― George Orwell, 1984
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