Rock Island TAC Ultra MS -10mm (First Day Out)

[Reverendpdp]

Well I finally picked up my brand new Rock 10. This was my first 10mm, but not my first 1911. Aside from being "packed in oil," the gun was very nicely finished. The fit was tight, and everything looked and felt good. But man was that recoil spring stiff! Anyway, after the customary tear-down to clean her up and re-lube her, I opted to slightly polish the ramp and chamber... just in case. I also swapped the MSH for a curved G10 version from Hogue. It looks nicer, feels better, and is not that cheap plastic .

Last night I took her to the range, and while at the store's counter, I bought 2 boxes of ammo. Wow!!! That 10mm ammo is expensive!!! There goes my two-week allowance!

All grumbling aside, I'm happy to report that I ran 100 rounds without incident! I tried RIA and Kimber mags, and both functioned perfectly. No FTF's. No FTRB's! Praise the Lord! What I did notice was the force it was ejecting the brass. It really send that brass flying. Additionally it started to mark up the slide with brass just behind the ejection port. Is this common?

Honestly, man this is a sweet gun. It aimed nicely. The trigger was crisp and light, it was very accurate, stacking them right there where I was aiming! Since I will use this as a trail / backup gun when I'm in the woods, I wanted a smaller gun, with some Omph! As a Commander-sized gun, it fit my hand perfectly. The VZ grips were beautiful, but a little rough for my taste. When I shoot hotter loads it may be more of a problem, so I foresee sanding them lightly, just to make sure they don'y beat me up.

Overall I was quite impressed with the gun. Since the loads were mild loads, I didn't get a chance to test the gun's true 10mm potential. We'll leave those hotter loads for another day... after I financially recover from the last outing.  I can hardly wait!

[10mmfan]

I had the brass marks on both my rock islands and my kimber but the flat bottom firing pin stop seems to have stopped it then as the marks are gone.

[Reverendpdp]

I had the brass marks on both my rock islands and my kimber but the flat bottom firing pin stop seems to have stopped it then as the marks are gone.

That's good to know.  Thanks.  Do you happen to have a link for that pin stop?  I'd be interested in swapping mine out if it'll resolve the marring problem, without affecting its reliability.

[sqlbullet]

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/action-parts/firing-pin-parts/firing-pin-stops/1911-auto-oversized-firing-pin-stop-prod19627.aspx

[Reverendpdp]

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/action-parts/firing-pin-parts/firing-pin-stops/1911-auto-oversized-firing-pin-stop-prod19627.aspx

That's the one?  Thank you very much. 
Any suggestions on installing it myself... things I should or shouldn't do?  I'm a real newbie.

[sqlbullet]

You will have to fit this by filing the stop.  No reason you can't do it. Go slow, remove only a little metal at a time from the stop, and then try again.  Don't force it.  If your current stop is not sloppy loose it can be used as a guide.

Here is an overly long video of the process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY0gY46Zkj0

I didn't watch the whole thing, but it seems to cover the basics.  Actual shop work starts at 6:44 and is over at 13:00.  That will save you some time.

[10mmfan]

Calipers made it much easier for me

[sqlbullet]

Calipers or a proper micrometer make a difference in ease for sure.

[Banker1]

I'm glad the first day out with the RIA went well. It took a little while for me to get the kinks worked out of mine but now absolutely love it. I installed a 20# Wolff spring and switched to Wilson Combat magazines and haven't had a problem since.  Mine still leaves the brass marks too so will have to try sqlbullet's tip.

[Brian B.]

Well I finally picked up my brand new Rock 10. This was my first 10mm, but not my first 1911. Aside from being "packed in oil," the gun was very nicely finished. The fit was tight, and everything looked and felt good. But man was that recoil spring stiff! Anyway, after the customary tear-down to clean her up and re-lube her, I opted to slightly polish the ramp and chamber... just in case. I also swapped the MSH for a curved G10 version from Hogue. It looks nicer, feels better, and is not that cheap plastic .

Last night I took her to the range, and while at the store's counter, I bought 2 boxes of ammo. Wow!!! That 10mm ammo is expensive!!! There goes my two-week allowance!

All grumbling aside, I'm happy to report that I ran 100 rounds without incident! I tried RIA and Kimber mags, and both functioned perfectly. No FTF's. No FTRB's! Praise the Lord! What I did notice was the force it was ejecting the brass. It really send that brass flying. Additionally it started to mark up the slide with brass just behind the ejection port. Is this common?

Honestly, man this is a sweet gun. It aimed nicely. The trigger was crisp and light, it was very accurate, stacking them right there where I was aiming! Since I will use this as a trail / backup gun when I'm in the woods, I wanted a smaller gun, with some Omph! As a Commander-sized gun, it fit my hand perfectly. The VZ grips were beautiful, but a little rough for my taste. When I shoot hotter loads it may be more of a problem, so I foresee sanding them lightly, just to make sure they don'y beat me up.

Overall I was quite impressed with the gun. Since the loads were mild loads, I didn't get a chance to test the gun's true 10mm potential. We'll leave those hotter loads for another day... after I financially recover from the last outing.  I can hardly wait!

Very good to hear!, supposedly RIA makes a fine 1911 platform. The only one i have ever fired was in 38 Super and what a fine running weapon it was, i would buy one without hesitation if i were considering it.

[njguyinfla]

It is a sweet gun !

[gandog56]

Aside from being "packed in oil," the gun was very nicely finished. The fit was tight, and everything looked and felt good.

Yeah, I had to get the excess grease off of my new Rock, too.