Rock Island 1911- 9mm/22TCM

[TanklessPro]

Why do I find this so interesting?

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=51687

Something about a 1911 that holds 17 rounds of 9mm or 22tcm that makes me want one. Does anyone have experience with one? I'm not a stranger to owning odd calibers so ease let's don't go there. A 22 traveling 2000fps sounds fun to shoot and you get a 9mm conversion with it. Any comments?

 

[wally]

I've got one of the first Armscor/RIA 1911-A2 "widebody" 9mm pistols and its been great. Well over 15000 rounds through it, uses Para P18 mags (I find the Mec-Gar 17 rounders generally work better, the Para P18 mags usually need some work).

So I'd say at the very least you are getting a very nice 17-round 9mm 1911, and if the "oddball" extra caliber is a plus, definitely go for it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have the Compact RI 22 TCM.
The 9mm barrel does not come with the Compact. Personally I don't care as I have no interest in this gun as a 9mm.



Honestly I'm not a big Rock Island gun fan. The quality of the RI guns I've had is a little lacking.

Interesting round. I like it. I hope it catches on and other pistols and rifles are chambered for it.

I was playing with the round to get a little idea what it can do.

Front side of a 30 cal steel ammo can and barn door hinge. The hinge was not in front of the can when shot.




Back of the can and hinge.




Back of the hinge. Large perfect hole.




The 22 TCM compared to a 9mm and 357 SIG.
You may hear people say the 22 TCM is a necked down 9mm. This is incorrect. The 22 TCM case is way longer than the 9mm case. The case is copied after the .223 case. Reloaders can cut down .223 brass if they want.




I wanted to try the round on 1/4 inch steel but only had a junk piece of 3/8 inch.
The little bullet hits right hard.




I checked the velocity of factory ammo and early reloads.

Reloads= 1741 FPS.
Factory= 1977 FPS


I have the 5.7 FN. I suspect the 22 TCM will bury the 5.7 FN round.
Especially if a few more guns come out in 22 TCM caliber.





.

 

[tahunua001]

I personally think that this is the best thing that RIA could have done. they released a new caliber and had the foresight to ship it with two caliber capability should the new one fizzle out. given the fact that they just released a bolt action in 22TCM as well I am guessing that it is slowly but surely gaining popularity. although similar in ballistics to the 5.7 FN round Armscor is really doing a good job of making the 22TCM seem like a worthwhile round to pursue as the ammunition is pretty reasonably priced for an oddball and they even have a brass tradein program to drop the price almost down to about the same as 45ACP.


I personally like the utility of 2 calibers in one gun so if I can pack one pistol case around and two calibers then that's a win in my book. I have yet to hear about any recurring issues with these pistols and the ammo is usually in stock at one of my LGS so if I can get it in the middle of rural ID then anyone should be able to get it. I say go for it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

the ammo is usually in stock at one of my LGS so if I can get it in the middle of rural ID then anyone should be able to get it. I say go for it.

Have you tried here for ammo?

http://www.ammosupplywarehouse.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=TCM0

It's been about $23 a box (1,000 round order) delivered to the door.

Also, if you are interested in reloading they are down to their last set of Hornady dies.

They had magazines last week and I see they are sold out (I ordered two).

Including me, there are 6-7 people at the local gun store that want the rifle as soon as the Manager can get some. The store has sold 4 pistols in a few days.

 

[tahunua001]

I don't actually own one so reloading dies and ammo would be premature. I have just been keeping an eye out to see where it goes.