1911: 38super to 9mm conversion...help

[KandyRedCoi]

just jailed a RIA 1911 Nickel in 38 super, and although i do know and like the ballistic performance of the 38super (as my hunting sidearm), i think it will be far more economical for me to convert the 1911 from 38sup to 9mm

question is, what do I need EXACTLY to successfully convert my 38sup to 9mm?

btw: ill be putting a few hundred rounds of 38super thru her for "break in" before converting, but i would like to get the parts together ASAP

Thank You!

[l337viton]

I don't know exactly but I'll be doing the same thing soon and would also know what else it takes.

I am assuming a barrel swap at minimum.

[grimee]

new barrel chambered for 9mm tune the extractor and maybe the ejector the mags should work but they might need a little work also

[keenkeen]

9mm barrel, barrel link, pin for barrel link....

[JTROKS]

I think the RIA 38 Sup is non ramped. You'll need a 9mm barrel, magazine, tune the extractor. I'd your getting a Kart, Nowlin or Storm Lake barrel, you may want to get a barrel bushing fit to your barrel. Is you order a bushing from EGW they can get the inside and outside dimension for a more accurate assembly.

[KandyRedCoi]

^got any links to these websites?
i saw (directed by cg member ingram) a bbl for $50 but its out of stock so i emailed the store to see when it will be back
and i think Wislon Combat sells the bushings and pins, there are numerous sizes so i would like to know which one would work
thanks

[MA2]

Sarco Inc?

I think Advanced Tactical is RIA:

http://www.advancedtactical.com/advancedtactical/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=171&category_id=30&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53

[KandyRedCoi]

yea the Sarco bbl is out of stock, i emailed them last night still waiting for a response

in the mean time i picked up 5boxes of armscor .38super for $15.99ea at Centerfire Systems

would i also need this: http://www.advancedtactical.com/adva...mart&Itemid=53 ???

[VegasND]

I don't know what type of barrel your RIA takes but I'll asume it's the same as Colt -- my RIA .45 is parts-interchangeable with Colt, so:

I converted my .38 Super Commander with:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/465068/swenson-semi-drop-in-barrel-1911-9mm-luger-1-in-16-twist-5-government-steel-matte-black

I linked the 5" because it's probably what you'll need. Added a link and a little fitting - my .38 Super now also fires 9mm.

Some .38 Super mags worked okay with 9x19 and some didn't; I bought several 9mm mags and use the proper mag with its corresponding barrel.

Mine didn't need anything else, the extractor works fine with both cartridges.

Good luck.

[KandyRedCoi]

contacted Advanced Tactical as well...i hope they get an answer to me before the day ends so i can get the ball rolling on my conversion parts

[LovingTheYear1911]

I have the same gun and you don't need to tune anything. All I did was swap out the barrel. I even used the link and pin from the 38 barrel. I'm using 38 super mags as well but I do suggest 9mm mags cause once in a while I get a stove pipe. I also got mine from Sarco. Be advised that you may have to do some filing around the pin/link. Nothing big though.

[robcoe]

9mm barrel, barrel link, pin for barrel link....

This, when I did it I did not need to do anything with the extractor(used an RIA like the OP, but a parkerized model)

This barrel works well

http://e-sarcoinc.com/9mm1911barrel5roto.aspx

You will also need a barrel link pin and barrel link(I used a Wilson combat 5 link set, ended up needing the smallest one)

I would also recommend some dedicated 9mm magazines, Mec-gar worked well for me.

[eaglemike]

Stove piping isn't due to the magazines. Stove piping is due to a lighter load than the recoil spring was originally set up to work with. (one could also make the point about balancing main spring, slide weight, etc - but in this case nothing else was changed.)

There are times 9mm magazines are necessary. Depends on the original magazines, the particular 9mm ammunition, and the barrel/ramp setup. Sometimes one is lucky and everything works, sometimes it doesn't. Ammunition overall length can have a huge effect on this type of conversion.

Be very very careful about filing around the lugs on the bottom of the barrel. One can file the slot a little bit, but do not file the ramped surfaces of the lugs unless you really really know what you are doing. I've had to fit new barrels due to "someone told me to file here to make everything fit better" type work.

[KandyRedCoi]

i will order the 9mm mags as well just to make sure still waiting on a reply from Advanced Tactical

[InGrAM]

This, when I did it I did not need to do anything with the extractor(used an RIA like the OP, but a parkerized model)

This barrel works well

http://e-sarcoinc.com/9mm1911barrel5roto.aspx

You will also need a barrel link pin and barrel link(I used a Wilson combat 5 link set, ended up needing the smallest one)

I would also recommend some dedicated 9mm magazines, Mec-gar worked well for me.

All of This ^ the roto Sarco barrel is a RIA 9mm barrel.

Metalform 9 round 9mm magazines have worked quite well for me.

No tuning or fitting required. I love it when people say that you "have to fit" all parts to a 1911 or that a professional smith has to work on your 1911 or it will not be reliable. It makes me laugh