RIA reliability upgrades

Mr. AR50 · July 07 2013 08:41:10 PM MDT

I'm going to the range in the next day or two, and I'll probably put at least 500 rounds through my RIA 10mm. This will be my first range session with this pistol, and my main concern is reliability. I've thoroughly inspected/cleaned the gun, and it seems very tight. The recoil spring feels a little light, though, especially since some of the range time will be with Buffalo Bore's hotter loads. In addition to a heavier recoil spring, are there any other mods that I should make? Any/all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

gandog56 · July 08 2013 08:04:05 AM MDT

Here's the page for Wolff springs for 1911's. But what makes you so sure the original is not good for what you're planning to shoot?

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/COLT/1911%20GOV%27T%20PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1#799

sqlbullet · July 08 2013 08:23:43 AM MDT

Before I swapped out the recoil spring I would certainly get a flat bottom firing pin stop (EGW "Oversize"). It will take about 5 minutes of file work to get it to fit the gun (file the stop, not the slide).

This eats up energy without storing it and later putting it back into the frame when the slide returns to battery.

Read more here: http://forum.m1911.org/showpost.php?p=932193&postcount=28

Mr. AR50 · July 08 2013 10:52:05 AM MDT

Gandog, thanks for the link to Wolf springs. I think a recoil spring change is needed because I own several 1911's, all 45's, and all of them have heavier springs than my 10mm. It seems like it would be throwing brass thirty feet with heavy loads, not to mention the beating the gun would take.
Sql, thanks for the info on the fbfp stop. I will certainly replace the original asap!
Guys, thank you again for your help. I will give you the range results, both before and after the mods, as soon as I can.

gandog56 · July 08 2013 11:14:06 AM MDT

Quote from: Mr. AR50 on July 08 2013 10:52:05 AM MDT
Gandog, thanks for the link to Wolf springs. I think a recoil spring change is needed because I own several 1911's, all 45's, and all of them have heavier springs than my 10mm. It seems like it would be throwing brass thirty feet with heavy loads, not to mention the beating the gun would take.
Sql, thanks for the info on the fbfp stop. I will certainly replace the original asap!
Guys, thank you again for your help. I will give you the range results, both before and after the mods, as soon as I can.

Hmmm, maybe a lighter spring because it isn't throwing a heavier .45 slug?

I don't know.

sqlbullet · July 08 2013 11:50:59 AM MDT

If you check that link...Ned Christiansen of Michiguns did some experiments and landed on a flat bottom firing pin stop with a 1/16" radius plus a 18.5 lb recoil spring results in about the same force to the frame block on a GI 1911 as 230 grain 45 ACP ball ammo.

That is the spring I would get, and it is the one I run.

I think a GI 1911 in 45 runs a 16.

gandog56 · July 08 2013 12:16:32 PM MDT

When I got my custom built Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide, they also gave me a package of different strength springs, and a bushing wrench. ${$default_grin_smiley}$

Mr. AR50 · July 08 2013 10:47:26 PM MDT

Guys, thanks again for the help. My goal is to have a reliable carry gun, on the1911 platform, but in 10mm. My regular carry guns are my Kimber Raptor, and my Springfield Ultra Compact, both in 45 acp. I also always carry my Ruger LCR 357 as a back up. Ever since I took my friends' RIA 10mm for a test drive, I've been thinking what a great round it would be for concealed carry. I'm actually pretty excited about getting my own RIA ready for carry duty.

gofastman · July 09 2013 07:58:06 AM MDT

If it were me, I would get a slightly heavier recoil spring, a EGW flat bottom firing pin stop, and a heavy mainspring

Mr. AR50 · July 09 2013 04:45:01 PM MDT

How much heavier on the mainspring would you recommend?

cmemiss · July 09 2013 09:25:21 PM MDT

The most common recommendation I've seen is 22#

Mr. AR50 · July 10 2013 10:51:08 PM MDT

I talked with Phillip at Armscor today, and he's sending me a 20# recoil spring, and a 23# mainspring. There's also a fbfp stop on the way from EGW. I've got to hurry and get to the range before the parts get here next week, so I can have a before and after range report.
Thanks for all of the help everyone, I really appreciate it.

cmemiss · July 11 2013 03:01:27 PM MDT

Just an FYI, I shot 100 today with the new FBFP stop. The other mod I have installed (without a comparison test) was a 20# mainspring. These two changes may have taken 2-3 ft. off the distance to brass. It's still 8-10 ft. to at least half. My best guess is the brass was spread from 3-15 ft. The good news is I didn't let a single case get away. Next test, along with some different loads, is to install the 22# recoil spring.

Mr. AR50 · July 12 2013 04:29:38 AM MDT

When you installed your stop, did you put any kind of a radius on the bottom edge, or did you leave it at a right angle? I've seen both ways recommended, but the general consensus seems to favor a slight radius of about 1/16 of an inch. I ordered three stops from EGW, just in case I make a mistake.

cmemiss · July 12 2013 04:28:02 PM MDT

All I did was to "break the angle" which was to make a few passes across the sharp edge with the Swiss pattern file I used to make the fit. Really only took the sharp edge off. The stop I installed was a Wilson and had to be ground down on the top edge to accommodate the Kimber target sight, and had to take some off the bottom, as it stood a little long as well. I discovered this when I thought I was through and did a field strip. It sounds much more complicated than it really is, but some blue lay-out fluid is really helpful.