Are RIA 1911 slides drop in parts?

[Brown Rock]

Been thinking about picking up a dedicated 9mm slide for my RIA 38 Super. Right now I have a 9mm barrel in my 38 Super slide. Also I want a slide that already has the Novak sights already installed. I think RIA sells this type of slide on their website. Anyway my question is, will a factory RIA 9mm 1911 slide drop onto my RIA 38 Super frame? The RIA 9mm barrel dropped right in no problem. I'm hoping this will be the case with the factory slide. If its going to need extensive gunsmithing work I may just get the cuts and sights done on my existing 38 Super slide. I'm looking to spend the least amount of money here. Thanks.

[Robert1234]

Maybe...

[soulbyte]

If you get a RIA Slide it will fit.

[Cokebottle]

- Mainspring housing
And even these sometimes need fitting.

Yup.
Bought an arched MSH for my RIA. Function check revealed that the grip safety was not working. Ended up having to take off a fair amount of material to get enough travel back into the safety.

[Brown Rock]

Sounds like a real gamble. I got lucky with the 9mm barrel dropping in. Do I dare gamble again?

[Brown Rock]

Yeah its no returns. If it doesn't work, i'll be stuck with it.

[Brown Rock]

If you get a RIA Slide it will fit.

It's tempting because its all RIA parts being used. I just don't want to end up paying hundreds of dollars to a gunsmith to get this to work. It is only a RIA.

[Brown Rock]

In my opinion (which shouldn't mean any more/less than anyone else), I wouldn't take the chance:

1. A slide is typically fairly expensive
2. Slide/barrel fit is crucial for accuracy and reliability

I hear you. Wasting money is not fun for me.

[IVC]

The problem is that even if it "fits," as in "it works and the gun cycles," you are likely losing quite a bit of the potential. It's like Chinese toys - often many parts "sort of fit."

If you look at quality 1911 parts, many will be intentionally too large so they can be fitted to the precise size needed.

[soulbyte]

All the RIA parts will fit no problem. Ask me how I know. Let me put it this way. The easiest way is to use all RIA Parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[soulbyte]

[MosinVirus]

Would it be possible to have them confirm?

[soulbyte]

[Brown Rock]

Well I found a slide on ebay, last one too. Seller was selling at a really good price, so I went ahead and made the purchase. Much cheaper than buying from RIA. As a matter of fact RIA is sold out right now. Anyway lets hope this works out for me.

[Brown Rock]

Funny thing. This is the second time now I was able to buy an out of stock hard to find RIA part, on ebay. That 38 Super to 9mm swap must be really popular.