I've been wanting a 1911 in 9mm... I guess a match for my AR-15 in 9mm. No real "need" for it, but on the "want" list.

I'm in a local gunshop, and they have a RIA 1911 in 9mm... I ask to look at it, and my buddy behind the counter says $475 out the door. I ended up taking it with me.

I don't know which model it is, but it had some "frills". Ambi thumb safety, beavertail grip safety, and sights that are dovetailed front and rear.

I put an extended slide release (little easier to lock the slide back with gloves on), a flat smooth MSH, and some kimber rubber grips on her. I also put the magazine "bumper" on her, makes it easier to seat a fully loaded mag.

I'm thinking about stripping her down and finishing the just the frame in a sand, or flat dark earth bake on finish... I think a two tone black/tan would look good on her. I'll also probably do a trigger job on her and replace the sear spring... rigt now the trigger is a shade over 5 lbs, and I would really like it to be around 3 lbs.

Here she is at the moment...



I took her out yesterday. Just plinking around she always put them right where I wanted them. I finally put up a 25 yd face and shot 20 rnds (2 magazines) through her in a sustained fire pace. This was two handed at 25 yds.



All in all, we (me, my boy, and his friend) put 200 rounds through her... my reloads, win case, CCI small pistol primers, 3.8 grains of bullseye, and 147 grain Lead Flat points. Never once did she have any problems what so ever... 0 FTF's... 0 FTE's... I probably will move the rear sight slightly left, but for an out of the box gun, I couldn't be more pleased with the accuracy and reliability of this pistol!

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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Can't argue with results like that, it looks to be a good shooter. +1 on the black and tan finish also.. I always liked that combo on a gun. Good luck with the refinish and post some after pics when your done.

Kilbo

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Good news we found a cure for your milsurpitis.................................NO THANKS I'LL BE OK WITHOUT IT !!!!!

impressive!

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K98, M-48, K31,P-14, No.4 mk 1*LB, M96, M38, TT-33, SVT-40, 2 x Tula SKS, Izhevsk M/N "beast"

Thanks guys!! I certainly try and hold center...

Here she is guys... I finnished her frame with Brownells teflon/moly oven cure gun finnish in Desert Tan.

Left side...



Right side...



Here she is in my thigh rig...



I replaced the sear spring... did a trigger job on her, and now she's breaking at 2.8 lbs. I hope to take her out this weekend and shoot some 115 gain FMJ's through her!

Range report to follow...

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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Very handsome pistol, looks very well done!

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Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
A 9mm might expand, but a .45 won't shrink.

what make is your thigh rig? I like the looks and versitility of it

Good shooting and a great job on the gun

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"The government, belongs to the people . Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." Abraham Lincoln

Thanks guys! I was kind of hoping that the desert tan would be a little darker... but as light as it is, it makes the black really POP! It's growing on me...



It's a cobled together set that works... I got the belt and the left side of it at the PX in Al Asad Iraq. I'm not sure who the maker is, but the belt is rigid enough. The thigh rig is all MOLLE... right now I've got on it a K-BAR, double pistol mag pouch, couple of IR chem lights, caribiner, and pouch that has two Gerber tools plus toilet paper and a mini tabasco bottle. The Holster is a Blackhawk Serpa level II... It's an older one that I put a flashlight holder on the front. I always carried two visible lights and one IR illuminator in addition to the ones on my weapon.

I'll try and get some pics of it... both sides when I've got it on.

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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Well I won't be going to Al Asad Iraq to pick one up !!! but would love to see more pics of how you have it set up.

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"The government, belongs to the people . Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." Abraham Lincoln

Nice job on the refinish marine. I too like your thigh rig. Rock Island Armory 9mm, was it new?? We have a base model STI in 9mm as a club gun, if I'm not mistaken, STI uses RIA frames don't they?? The STI shoots like a lazer as well and 25m is no problem for it. It would appear yours is the same, better result with adj. your sight?
I ran into a gunsmith during my travels to the US in May this year. He said customers love the RIA in .38 super.

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K98, M-48, K31,P-14, No.4 mk 1*LB, M96, M38, TT-33, SVT-40, 2 x Tula SKS, Izhevsk M/N "beast"

I always like RIA 1911, i take that over TAURUS 1911 any day. Especially consider the price you pay for a RIA. I like mine in .45ACP, accuracy is on par with 1911 that cost TWICE as much.

Good pick up on the RIA 9mm, i like to support RIA in the future, i am thinking about buying a RIA Match, or RIA double stack 1911.

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Is not safe, is gun.
SCAR16,AK,XDm9,1911,Glock17
.45 Broomhandle http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=106742
MY K98 http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=88341&
Persian,Swede,Mausers,SKS,Mosin,Enfield,K11/K31

Nice! Been contemplating one of those to go with my Springfield 1911

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Mark
USN Retired 1981 - 2005
Proud Air Force dad!
"There's no such thing as too many Enfields!"

Here are some pictures of it... I did some digging and the belt and left side are made by spec ops brand.

The belt. http://www.specopsbrand.com/tactical-ge ... -belt.html

The rig. http://www.specopsbrand.com/tactical-ge ... g-rig.html

I don't remember them being that expensive... but being a made in USA company, I might have received a discount since I bought them downrange.

The Blackhawk Serpa holster...



Here is a right front veiw... As I said it's an older model Serpa. I believe they went to a new attachment system for the accessories.



The left side... Right know I've got a K-BAR down the middle. A double mag pouch in the front. and a small zippered pouch that I can put whatever in.



If you have any questions, I'll try and answer them more in-depth.



I don't think STI uses RIA frames... The double stack frames STI makes, and there single stack is forged. RIA frames are cast. The RIA 1911's are great for the money... easily comparable to higher end 1911's.





My carry gun is a full size Kimber 1911 in .45 ACP. I don't regret that purchase... But the accuracy and reliability of my RIA 1911 is on par with it, all the while being about half the price. I would definitely recommend RIA for anyone that wants an affordable 1911.

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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson

Thanks for the pics that is a great looking rig , I will have to put something together like that for my self .

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"The government, belongs to the people . Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." Abraham Lincoln

we have a mag capacity of 10 rounds, it is conceivable that the frames are in fact different??? I will double check next time at the range.... nice rig btw!

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K98, M-48, K31,P-14, No.4 mk 1*LB, M96, M38, TT-33, SVT-40, 2 x Tula SKS, Izhevsk M/N "beast"

I finally got around to shooting it... I bought two colt magazines... those magazines won't let the trigger reset. I'm going to have to modify the trigger bow, and the magazines. Accuracy is ok though... This is 20 rnds at 25 yds. 115 grain PMC FMJ ammo.

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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson