.38 Super

[Bluhdow!]

My original plan was to buy an RIA 1911 in 9mm. Cost effective handgun, 9mm is a cheap round, and I've had good experiences with RIA during range retals.

Good plan, right?

Hold the phones, because even though the RIA 1911 is CA-approved in .45 and .38 super, it's not approved in 9mm. Shocker.

That being said, I'm not opposed to the .38 super version. Ammo is more expensive though, and from what I can tell online it's not terribly plentiful. At least not in bulk.

What are your thoughts on this alternative as well as this round? If there is another maker of a CA approved 1911 chambered in 9mm in the $400-$500 price range I'd be open to looking at that as an alternative. I orginally looked at Taurus and heard enough bad things (on this forum) to put that out of my mind.

Thank you for your input.

[jonzer77]

You can buy a 9mm barrel and magazine and just have the barrel fitted and your good to go. Nice thing about that is if you ever get into competitive shooting, the 38 super is a great caliber for it. There are a few guys on here that have done that same conversion.

[morrcarr67]

Buy the RIA in .38 Super. Buy this barrel for $49.95 plus shipping; several CG members have bought this and they drop right in. You could use your .38 Super mag to get started but I would recommend getting some good quality 9mm mags when you get a chance.

[robcoe]

Buy the RIA in .38 Super. Buy this barrel for $49.95 plus shipping; several CG members have bought this and they drop right in. You could use your .38 Super mag to get started but I would recommend getting some good quality 9mm mags when you get a chance.

That barrel is not quite drop in, you need a barrel link and barrel link pin. Plus the one I got was kind of rough, but a little work with a fine file and a quick re-blueing got it working well.

[LovingTheYear1911]

Actually those Sarco barrels dont drop in, atleast mine didnt. You will have to do some minor filing to fit it, but its not biggie. I even use 38 Super mags, though I do get the occasion FTF. So now I have a 1911 in 9mm. Hahaha California.

[J.D.Allen]

.38 Super is a nice round. IMO it should be much more popular and available than it is...

[five.five-six]

if you ever get into competitive shooting, the 38 super is a great caliber for it. There are a few guys on here that have done that same conversion.

yea, those are the guys crawling around on all fours till sunset looking for those last few pieces of brass

[GUNNTZ]

RIA in 38 super is a great choice, I bought mine a couple of months ago. Just be prepared to do a thorough cleaning and re-lube before taking it out; lots of cosmoline. Mine shot perfect, the sights take a little getting used to. The sarco barrel is a great and easy 9mm conversion.

[jonzer77]

yea, those are the guys crawling around on all fours till sunset looking for those last few pieces of brass

Hey now, 38 super brass is like gold lol.

[GUNNTZ]

Hey now, 38 super brass is like gold lol.

Oh come on now, silver maybe but gold...shheeesshh For about 22 bucks each bag of 100 Winchester +P those competition shooters should just say screw it.

[Bluhdow!]

I'm not sure I'd want to go through the trouble of getting another barrel and making it work. I'd likely take it to a gunsmith (especially if it needs filing) so it would wind up being more expensive than would make sense for me.

.38 super looks to be about twice as much as 9mm. That sound about right? Any suggestions on a 9mm 1911 in my price range or do they not exist?

Thanks again!

[robcoe]

I'm not sure I'd want to go through the trouble of getting another barrel and making it work. I'd likely take it to a gunsmith (especially if it needs filing) so it would wind up being more expensive than would make sense for me.

.38 super looks to be about twice as much as 9mm. That sound about right? Any suggestions on a 9mm 1911 in my price range or do they not exist?

Thanks again!

It's actualy not much work to do the conversions, only took about 20 minutes total with a file, and I just spread that out while I was waiting for rework to be done at work, couple minutes with some 2000 grit sandpaper, quick degrease, re-blue then use a bench vise to install the barrel link pin. Total time is about 45 minutes to an hour, and thats for a guy who never does metal work and the results are pretty good, havent had a failure yet.

[VegasND]

I bought one of these $50 Swensen barrels for my Commander and it went in with only light polishing.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#1911%209mm%20barrel____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

My Wilson .38 Super magazines work just as well with 9mm as the Mec-Gar 9mm mags I bought. The Metalform and Colt .38 Super mags don't feed 9mm well. It shoots any type of 9mm ammo fine, even the Tula crap from WalMart.

.38 Super is a better defense round but the 9mm is a whole lot more fun to shoot because it's so much cheaper.

[mikaarce]

Single shot is the way to go. Your in SD so call "Direct action solutions", check this prices out. Maybe you can start a group buy, Im interested in one.

http://centerfiresystems.com/rockisland.aspx

[mikaarce]

Maybe the RIA 1911 9mm commander in two tone.