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To convert a RIA .38 super to 9mm?
All you need is a 9mm barrel?
No other parts needed? (excluding mags)
All you need is a 9mm barrel?
No other parts needed? (excluding mags)
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Hobbies: bla, bla, bla... Bought a Mosin Nagant... Guns, Guns, Guns... -
"But far more numerous was the herd of such, Who think too little and who talk too much." -John DrydenComment
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Barrel and recoil spring. 38 Super mags should work, but may not. 9mm mags are different only in that they have a small spacer in the back which can usually be popped out. It will depend on the length of your ejector. 9mm ejectors are a bit longer. If one uses 9mm mags one should use the longer ejector.
When I built my conversion gun, I started with a RIA 45acp, then added a 38 Super slide and barrel, and then a 9mm slide. I went with an after market Fusion made ejector, as it was a bit longer than a 38 Super ejector, but not as long as a 9mm ejector.
Currently, I am working on adding a 10mm slide and barrel to it.
What, or whose, slide are you using? Some companies use the same slide for 9mm through 10mm. With the right slide, you might be able to add 40 cal and 10mm, and with the right mags, you can use one mag for all 4 cals.Comment
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Well im in the market for a 9mm and by looking through the forums i discovered RIA .38 can be converted to 9mm.Barrel and recoil spring. 38 Super mags should work, but may not. 9mm mags are different only in that they have a small spacer in the back which can usually be popped out. It will depend on the length of your ejector. 9mm ejectors are a bit longer. If one uses 9mm mags one should use the longer ejector.
When I built my conversion gun, I started with a RIA 45acp, then added a 38 Super slide and barrel, and then a 9mm slide. I went with an after market Fusion made ejector, as it was a bit longer than a 38 Super ejector, but not as long as a 9mm ejector.
Currently, I am working on adding a 10mm slide and barrel to it.
What, or whose, slide are you using? Some companies use the same slide for 9mm through 10mm. With the right slide, you might be able to add 40 cal and 10mm, and with the right mags, you can use one mag for all 4 cals.
So debating on that..
RIA sells slides and barells. Thought about going that route. Wanting an M&P9c but kinda pricey here..Comment
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ParaOrdnance slides are cut for the 40cal/10mm rim, and work just fine for 9mm/38Super. I'm using one of their slides for my 10mm conversion. Once I get it up and running, I'm going to test the 9mm and 38 Super barrels in it, and see how the Points Of Impact are. If all 3 are close, then I will just use that slide for all 3 cals.
But, you are better off using slides and barrels from the same manufacturor as the frame. My personal opinion, but I think one has less fitment issues that way.
The ParaOrdnance slide works just fine on my RIA 45 acp frame, as does the RIA 38 super slide. But, my Springfield 45 acp slide won't go onto the RIA frame more than an inch. But the RIA 38 Super slide fits fine on the Springfield frame.
In reality, your conversion should be relatively easy and straight forward.Comment
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Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated! !Comment
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I did a 38 Super to 9mm conversion on my RIA. All that it required was a barrel, which I got from advancedtactical.com for about $75 shipped with the link and pin installed. Part dropped in with no fitting required, I ran stock 38 Super recoil spring and mag, then later upgraded to a Chip McCormick 10 round 38 Super mag. About 3-4 fte on the first 100 rounds with 9mm but since then I have not had any issues with running the Super mags and recoil spring with the 9mm barrel. Just fyi though once you shoot 38 Super you might not enjoy shooting the 9mm as much!Comment
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Here's another idea. Looks similar to the RIA 9mm Tactical slide but has front serrations. http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/19119mmtac...sizeslide.aspx
It would probably be cheaper than paying to cut the dovetails and refinish the GI slide if you wanted Novak style sights.
It's ridiculous that we have to modify these guns instead of just being able to pick one off the shelf. RIA has a ton of options.Comment
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I just did that with a Rock .38 Super. Ordered the barrel from Armscor, $69 I think, along with a couple of 9mm mags. I did have to file a little bit off the back of the barrel hood. Most posts I read had the barrel drop right in, so YMMV. Just using the stock recoil spring with the 9mm barrel as well, no issues so far. It has been working fine with both calibers.Comment
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The RIA 38 Super utilizes a non-ramped barrel. Feed ramp length should work for the 9mm. It could be as easy as drop in or may require just a minor stroke of fine file and or emery cloth. The extractor my require some tuning for the 38 Super has a wider rim. If your 9mm conversion has sloppy ejection then the loose tension or even lack of tension on the extractor is the first area to look at.
My Springfield LT 9mm has been a joy to shoot at the range. Let us know if you run into some problems and will try to help you out.
Recoil springs for 1911s are specific by model. Government, commander and officer. If you have a 5" slide/barrel stick with Government. 14 lb is factory rating, decide if you want variable rating or standard. I like variable rate as it cycles better and the timing is just right for my grip technique.Last edited by JTROKS; 08-17-2015, 11:45 AM.The wise man said just find your place
In the eye of the storm
Seek the roses along the way
Just beware of the thorns... K. MeineComment
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