Rock Island 1911 in 9mm

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George Dickel

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Went to a gun show today and a vendor had a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm. I like 1911 pistols and have one in .45 acp but the Rock Island in 9mm got my attention. I've read mostly good reviews on the .45 acp models but not much on the 9mm ones. Do they function as well as the 45?
 
I have the RIA in 9mm as well as a Springfield & Remington in 45acp. The factory trigger on the RIA is a little heavier than the others, but otherwise it’s functioned fine. The model I have is close to the original GI standard. It’s fun to shoot and cheaper than .45acp.
 
I have 2 Full Size GI 1911 RIAs in 9mm, both had grip safeties occasionally bind the triggers, preventing trigger reset after firing. I did not do anything and they both wore in and fixed by themselves. Both occasionally would not hold the slides open at the last round. It was the magazine followers, spread the fingers a bit and just find. 1911 9mm has longer slide stop and the RIAs come with the correct one. It is a common issue for 9mm 1911s that I heard. I bought them thinking may shoot more accurate than my other steel frame 9mms while heavier and 1911s known for better trigger, not really. Cheaper to shoot than 45ACP and I always want a 1911!
 
I have a RIA 9mm FS Tactical---Novak style sights,beavertail safety ---no hiccups (approx 2000 rds),plenty accurate (my buddy shot a 2in one hole group at 10yds),the
slide is very closely fit and runs smooth---my only dislikes are the ambi safety and a full length guide rod until I found out you can field strip the pistol without using the
paperclip tool. I am looking to get the Commander size next.
 
I do not have experience with RIA M1911's but generally, I've found an M1911 can be made reliable with a little knowledgable TLC. RIA M1911's have a good reputation in general.

I have a Springfield 9x19 M1911 that has beed a good shooter. 9x19 M1911's are fun to shoot.
 
I got mine used for around $300 OTD. It's made by RIA, but sold under the Citadel label.

It's accurate, has a nice trigger, and has given me zero problems. It's one of my favorite 9mm pistols, up there with my Walther and C7 variants.

 
I've a pair of 9mm RIA 1911 that are each well over 10000 rounds. One is the 1911-A2 double stack Para P18 clone, the other a traditional 1911 single stack. Fantastic guns and a great value.
 
The RIA 1911 frames in 9mm and .45 are basically interchangeable. At the time I was building one of my WW2 .45 clones, an RIA 9mm was all I could find to use as a frame donor. All I had to do to the frame was change the ejector, and do a tiny bit of Dremel work on the feed ramp. The magazine well and the slide rails are the same as the .45 version, and there are no caliber markings on the frame.
 
I also have one of the Citadel 9mm 1911s that's just a RIA rebrand. Love it. I tossed out the guide rod and replaced them with the appropriate, god intended parts. Mine was shy on the slide locking open after the last round, so I replaced my magazine springs with + power ones from Wolff gunsprings and it's never had another problem. Wilson Combat ETMs also run perfectly, but unless you are a CZ fan, who pays $40 a mag?
 
I have the RIA in 9mm ... The model I have is close to the original GI standard. It’s fun to shoot and cheaper than .45acp.
Had range day with a couple of new friends yesterday. They’re both shooters, & - after shooting it - decided they “needed” to get one.
It is fun for all!
 
A guy I see at the range has one. He likes it. I tried it once and found the trigger heavy. I would not get one thinking it would be a great target gun for small groups at 15 and 25 yards, but for other uses I think it would be fine. I am just used to a much lighter trigger on my S&W 1911.

Lots of people have them and really like them!
 
A guy I see at the range has one. He likes it. I tried it once and found the trigger heavy. I would not get one thinking it would be a great target gun for small groups at 15 and 25 yards, but for other uses I think it would be fine. I am just used to a much lighter trigger on my S&W 1911.

Lots of people have them and really like them!

Have you ever noticed everyone goes on about everything should be Mil Spec until you hand them one with the 6-12 lb trigger.
 
Never had a dedicated 9mm. 1911 but I have added a 9mm. barrel assembly to most of my Colt 1911s in .38 Super. Really easy to swap out barrels and makes for very inexpensive practice ammo. Also lots of fun! RIA makes decent 1911s for the money!
 
I got the double-stack full-size .22 TCM/9mm. I had extractor issues, sent it back and forth. I put in s Wilson Combat Bulletproof extractor, and it has been dead reliable with 9mm, and mostly good with the TCM. The trigger pull is about the same as my Kimber. I put on some Tru-Glo night sights that don't agree with me much. (The "big dot" front isn't very precise for me.) I will likely switch them out for some adjustable sights.
 
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