Help with customizing RIA 1911

[Sackman1886]

Hi everyone - Before you start: Yes, I know there are better investments in a 1911 platform if I wanted to upgrade one. Yes, I know I can buy a very nice 1911 for the same price as upgrading a RIA.

My wife gave me the RIA as a Xmas gift, and I don't have the money to go buy a new one. In it's current state, I do not enjoy shooting it as much as I would like.

Does anyone have recommendations for a parts kit to make the 1911 into a fine firearm? I know there are a lot of cosmetic things I can do to the slide and barrel. But I would love to replace the trigger, hammer, grip safety/beavertail, main spring housing, etc... Also, I HATE the guide rod system (as opposed to the very easy guide rods of the XD or glocks) - can anything be done about that? Would I also need a new barrel? I do NOT mind completely redoing this thing, and kind of look forward to it. I just figured there are people out there with a full parts list or guidelines of some kind. THANKS everyone.

[skosh69]

Look into fire control parts from EGW, Cylinder and Slide or Wilson Combat. Depending on how much you want to replace, you could easily spend what your Rock cost initally. Unless you're a proficient home gunsmith, some of these parts are gonna need to be fitted and that shouldn't be done by a novice or rookie!

What is wrong with the barrel if I may ask? Why would you want to replace it if it's only 8 mos. old?

Guide rod replacements are easy. All you need is a GI style rod and plug and Voila`, easy take down.

Good luck.

[M. D. Van Norman]

Which Rock Island model do you have? Here’s a thread on some customizations, but we didn’t start with base models.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=587791

Also, if you aren’t already familiar with m1911-series pistols, I recommend that you spend some time at 1911Forum soaking up the knowledge and experience shared there.

Enjoy your project!

[davey111483]

^Makes me want to buy a RIA 1911 when i saw what you did with yours.

[Cucv]

I changed the guild rod to a short one 22 pound spring and wilson combat plug, I added houge grips and i want to change the sights and the safety.

[M. D. Van Norman]

Makes me want to buy a RIA 1911 when i saw what you did with yours.

I finished installing an EGW thumb safety on Monday, which definitely improved the handling.

[Sackman1886]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=587791

1911Forum soaking up the knowledge and experience shared there.

Enjoy your project!

I just browsed that thread - looks great. Thank you.

It is a GI model RIA.

[Sackman1886]

Look into fire control parts from EGW, Cylinder and Slide or Wilson Combat. Depending on how much you want to replace, you could easily spend what your Rock cost initally. Unless you're a proficient home gunsmith, some of these parts are gonna need to be fitted and that shouldn't be done by a novice or rookie!

What is wrong with the barrel if I may ask? Why would you want to replace it if it's only 8 mos. old?

Guide rod replacements are easy. All you need is a GI style rod and plug and Voila`, easy take down.

Good luck.

It was a Xmas present from 2 years ago actually, but still practically new. Nothing wrong with the barrel, I was basically referring to switching the guide rod and that it MAY require a new barrel, but I have no idea.

There is nothing "wrong" with the gun - it shoots straight, but I do not enjoy shooting it in its current state. I shot my wife's grandfather's Colt 1911 and it was almost a spiritual experience. I thought, I need to work on mine - hence this journey.

[M. D. Van Norman]

You can change the guide rod without changing the barrel, so no worries there. Installing a fitted beavertail safety would probably be the most difficult and time-consuming part. Fire-control components are relatively easy, if you use a drop-in kit, though that will cost you and still necessitates care to maintain the safety systems.

Working on m1911-style pistols can be fun, but remember that very few parts will simply drop in. Things will have to be properly fitted, and one slip of the file can send you down refinishing road.

[slunk0844]

You can change the guide rod without changing the barrel, so no worries there. Installing a fitted beavertail safety would probably be the most difficult and time-consuming part. Fire-control components are relatively easy, if you use a drop-in kit, though that will cost you and still necessitates care to maintain the safety systems.

Working on m1911-style pistols can be fun, but remember that NO parts will simply drop in. Things will have to be properly fitted, and one slip of the file will send you down refinishing road.

Fixed it for you

[Sackman1886]

You can change the guide rod without changing the barrel, so no worries there. Installing a fitted beavertail safety would probably be the most difficult and time-consuming part. Fire-control components are relatively easy, if you use a drop-in kit, though that will cost you and still necessitates care to maintain the safety systems.

Working on m1911-style pistols can be fun, but remember that very few parts will simply drop in. Things will have to be properly fitted, and one slip of the file can send you down refinishing road.

Great advice. Thank you.

[M. D. Van Norman]

New grips will fit most of the time, and mainspring housings will drop in about half the time.

[Lead Waster]

OP, can I ask specifically what you dislike about shooting it?

For me, the stock grips don't feel good and the sights aren't very easy to use. These are both easily fixed at home.

My Tactical has a full length guide rod (not a two piece one) and I have no issue with it at all.

With good magazines, it shoots pretty nicely!

Some idiot put an idiot mark on it though!

[Sackman1886]

Lead Waster, to answer your question:
I hate the sights, the super rough edges, the feel of the trigger (feels very rough), and the disassembly is ridiculous because of that guide rod.

[hambam105]

No free lunch, bad mud, when you're in hole stop digging. Best of luck to you.