Upgrading the Rock

[Rekrab]

*Update*

So, I replaced the slide stop and the issue of my slide returning to battery completely disappeared. As some suggested, it may have been my finger riding up on the slide stop. However, after testing to make sure my fingers were no where near the slide stop, I purchased a Wilson Combat slide stop on sale and it worked flawlessly. Now I'm thinking about what else there is to do...


*Original Post*

So I've had my RIA for a while now and I'm kinda itching to muck about with it a bit.

My first thought was an extended slide stop to make it a bit easire to operate with my thumb. This is also the cheapest mod I could start off with, but I wasn't sure if this is normally a drop in replacement or if I'll need to file it to fit it.

My other thoughts were beveled magwell and new trigger. Both of which might need professional installation, I hate the large amount of slack in my RIA. Good for leanring, but getting old now that I'm used to the gun.

You guys have any thoughts?

[kmca]

I wouldn't bother with the slide stop, but the mag well is almost mandatory, if you need to reload fast. The trigger is up to you but you could make the stock trigger better. If you want to learn about your 1911, spend the money and get Jerry Kuhnhausen's books. The trigger and magwell will need fitting and the slide stop, maybe.

[HCz]

Question is what is the pistol going to be used for, and how far are you willing to go?

If it is for home defense, then getting a night sight would be on the list, as well as getting a good 1911 smith to make it definitely reliable. Adding magazine well is another thing you can do, as well has having an extended safety. Trigger job is one more thing to look at but not mandatory.

If it is for plinking, I'd get some other sights, such as a fiber optic sights. Magazine well is another thing I'd look into, and a trigger job sounds good too.

If you haven't changed out the grip panel, this might be another thing you want to look at.

As for slide lock, I'm not a fan of extended slide lock so I'd not recommend it, but if you want, go for it.

There are so many things you can do to improve and it is up to your imagination. You can get a new barrel, get some front and backstrap serrations, get top of slide serrations, back of slide serrations. You can also get a trigger guard under cut.

[Rekrab]

Actually the main reason I was looking at the slide stop was to hopefully fix the issue of my slide returning to battery on the last round. I was worried that the original one may be a bit too small or worn down thanks to the inferior metal that RIA uses on their pistols.

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely be looking into that book.

It is a plinking gun, so I'm not looking at anything too fancy. My home defense guns are the Beretta and the Bersa.

[kmca]

I wasn't aware of "inferior" metal being used????Are you saying that the slide doesn't stay back after the last round? If it isn't going to slide lock, you might want to check your magazine spring.

[Rekrab]

I've heard a number of complaints about the metal that they use in the Rocks.

What would I be looking at with the magazine spring?

[HCz]

I'm guessing use of cast steel and MIM parts.

[loudninja]

Get the ed brown Drop-In Maxi-Well, its a mh+ removable magwell.
as for slidestop problem, you should try better magazines, that might fix it.

[Rekrab]

The stock one and a Wilson Combat aren't catching the slide stop.

[BiggPa]

if your trigger has "lots" of slack, it may or may not be a problem. there HAS to be some take-up for the disconnector to function properly. if you have a 1911 trigger with no take up, it is dangerous.

go read the 1911forums website for a lot better info on the 1911.

[Bird of Fire]

Actually the main reason I was looking at the slide stop was to hopefully fix the issue of my slide returning to battery on the last round. I was worried that the original one may be a bit too small or worn down thanks to the inferior metal that RIA uses on their pistols.

The type of metal used is a non issue. The slide itself is forged extruded barstock, and the frame is investment cast. Cast frames aren't really an issue as even caspian uses cast for the frames.

I'm guessing use of cast steel and MIM parts.

MIM is used mostly on the ignition parts. I don't *think* the slide stop is MIM, but I wouldn't bet on it either.

The stock one and a Wilson Combat aren't catching the slide stop.

Couple things can cause this to happen: Shooters thumb resting on the slide stop, weak magazine spring, follower on the magazine isn't engaging the catch properly, or parts are just flat out of spec.

Regardless, Ivan or Ray at RIA can fix the problem for you as it is under warranty, you just have to get in contact with them either by phone or email and they'll work out the logistics. I personally am not a fan of extended slide stops anyways. It's just another thing that can get in the way of my thumb when shooting (I have big hands) and I use the slingshot method on semiautos anyways. But some people like cake, and some like pie. To each their own

[vega]

Couple things can cause this to happen: Shooters thumb resting on the slide stop,........

But most of the time this is the problem....

Try shooting one hand.

[Rekrab]

Definitely not an issue of the hand. I can sometimes pull the slide back and release it with an empty mag in the well and it will go into battery as though it were chambering a round.

My hands are actually rather small and in order for me to even reach the slide stop with my thumb I have to turn the gun slightly.

I was honestly hoping to avoid a factory trip and make an upgrade at the same time >.>

[vega]

Definitely not an issue of the hand. I can sometimes pull the slide back and release it with an empty mag in the well and it will go into battery as though it were chambering a round.

My hands are actually rather small and in order for me to even reach the slide stop with my thumb I have to turn the gun slightly.

I was honestly hoping to avoid a factory trip and make an upgrade at the same time >.>

I'm not talking about your strong hand but your weak hand. I assume you are right handed. When you shoot 2 hands, your weak thumb (left thumb) might be riding the slide lock which prevents it from locking on the last round.

[Rekrab]

Update: fixed the issue with my slide returning to battery with a new slide stop.

Next up: Magwell. Anyone have recommendations for a good magwell that might slide into an RIA frame without extensive modification?