Armscor 10mm Tactical II

[sqlbullet]

Maybe you guys could clarify for some of us.  I can't find any consensus in a my google-foo of a big difference between a cone and bull barrel unless you are talking about compensated weapons, or some sort of blast wafer on the front of the barrel.

Otherwise in 1911's it seems the two terms are pretty interchangeable.

Clearly I am missing something.

[475/480]

IMHO , A true bull barrel should be full-bull from chamber to front sight .
As noted the RIA  starts as a smaller diameter barrel at the chamber and goes to bull (cone shape) at the front .

Sean

[EdMc]

Maybe you guys could clarify for some of us.   

If the link works, scroll down to 'Barrels'. The same as Sean says above. On edit: under 1911 Related click on barrels.

http://www.harrisoncustom.com/FAQ.aspx

[sqlbullet]

Can't be full diameter the entire lenght, else the action wouldn't function.

The link EdMc provided clears it up.  Bull barrels are full diameter on the bottom half. The top is still tapered to allow the barrel and slide to have the play needed to cycle. That makes sense.  I guess I have just never paid that much attention.

The picture of the barrel over at Glock talk shows it to be of a constant diameter at the bottom.  It would be a true bull barrel based on that photo.

[denclaste]

Alright already.......sold the Glock 31 today and ordered the RIA 10. I hope its worth the money. I love customizing to suit my wants/desires so sticking some $ into it doesnt bother me. Oh, by the way, CTD is shipping from 2 different warehouses and cost at A was$599; cost from C was $553.73. Shipping to my FFL was the same (10.95). We shall see.
Dennis

[harrygunner]

I'm following experiences with this gun.

I have a Glock 29, but I'm not a Glock fan. However, it has been the best option for a woods carry/airplane travel gun. If I fall in a creek or an airline loses it, it can be easily replaced. Custom 1911's require year(s) to replace.

With my rigs, a 1911 conceals better than a Glock and I'm considering the RIA to take the place of the G29.

Happy to see another entry for this caliber. Liked how the Cheaper than Dirt page has the words "chambered in the sought after 10mm".

[denclaste]

Yes, my intention was to use the RIA to replace my G20 as my edc gun and move the G20 to home defense and get a G20SF as my range blaster. I'll see what happens after I run 500-600 rounds thru the RIA and what the brass looks like for reloading.
Dennis

[Steve4102]

I picked up my RIA 10MM today and thought I would share some observations and ask a few questions.

I am going to talk about the Cons that I encountered first. The pros will come after I take it to the range.

No instruction for the 10MM. The little instruction booklet that came with the 10MM was for a standard 1911 with barrel bushing etc. This pistol has no barrel bushing and requires the "paper clip" in the guide rod to remove the barrel. Lucky for me I have a Kimber that requires the same "paper clip", so I had an idea as to how to disassemble. RIA did not send a "paper clip" so I used the one supplied by Kimber.

The first thing I wanted to do was clean it up and change the recoil spring to 20 lbs. This was a little more difficult than I thought. With the Kimber, you lock the slide back, insert the "paper clip" in the hole in the guide rod and slide it apart. With this RIA, locking the slide back does not reveal the hole in the guide rod. You have to remove the slide, then with your thumbs, toes and lap, push the guide rod completely forward till it bottoms out and exposes the "paper clip" hole. Then with your third hand, place the "paper clip" in the guide rod hole. Easy with the supplied 14 lb spring, not so much with a 20 lb spring.

The thumb safety is very sharp, it needs to be eased and have the edges smoothed or replaced. Like I said, I haven't fired it yet, but I'm pretty sure that after few hundred 10mm rounds I will start to notice these sharp edges more and more.

The barrel was full of copper, lots of copper. Never seen a pistol barrel that badly fouled. Earlier today I soaked the bore in Wipe-Out for a few hours and patched out a ton of blue. Just patched out my second Wipe-Out treatment and the blue is still there. Going to let soak over night and patch it out in the morning. If three treatments can't get it out I don't know what can.

Question is why so much copper fouling. Are RIA barrels that rough that they strip that much copper off the jacket? What would happen if I were to shoot lead?

I'm not totally sure I am taking this thing apart the most efficient way, my thumbs hurt. Does any know of an instruction sheet for disassembly and reassembly of this new 10MM?

Thanks

[Steve4102]

I called RIA today and talked to a couple Smiths. The hole in their guide rod measure the same as mine, about 2 inches. He said that is incorrect and they will fix the problem and send me a new guide rod.

He said they fire three full mags through the pistol before it is shipped out. I told him that the amount of copper in the barrel was unacceptable after a thousand rounds let alone 24. He agreed and told me to go ahead and shoot some jacketed ammo through it and see if the copper returns, if it does then a new barrel is in order.

I hate having to contact customer service like this, but I am actually getting used to it. My DW had the chamber cut wrong and had to be reamed, My EAAs have multiple issues from bad barrels to cracked slides (four to be exact), My Colt AR had the barrel nut so tight it could not be remove, even by Colt themselves and the list goes on.
I was very pleased with the way Armscor handled it. Polite, courteous, and very helpful. They even called me back a couple times with more helpful advice and info.

Next, Range report.

[Steve4102]

I got a chance to shoot this thing today, so I thought I would post some comments and some photos.

  The range/target.  Windy, snow and rain at 25 yards off a sand bag.


  The shooter, had his company Christmas Party last night and was a little under the weather.  Yes, I was the guy with the lamp shade on his head.

  The ammo was 48 rounds of handloads, 180gr Zero Brand TC powered by 8.2gr Silhouette.

  20 lb recoil spring.

  The first 8.  Feed and fired without a single hiccup.


  The barrel was completely clean and clear of all copper before the range trip.  Barrel after the first 8 rounds.



  The grips are rather aggressive and will be changed with a nice White Bone grip.



16 rounds. No feeding firing issues.


24 rounds.  No feeding firing issues.


32 rounds. No feeding firing issues.


40 Rounds. still no issues.


And the last 8 rounds for a total of 48 with no feeding or firing isses whatsoever.


  Brass ejected in a nice little easy to find pile.

[denclaste]

Thanks for the photos and evaluation Steve. The grips are that aggressive or you were just "shooting thru the pain"? I get to pick mine up Tue. Cant wait to play.
Dennis

[BlueLineFish]

I might wait to see any issues get ironed out

[sqlbullet]

Might be harder to get now that CTD doesn't sell anymore.  You will have to find a dealer that will order one for you, and the price probably just went up.

[Steve4102]

Might be harder to get now that CTD doesn't sell anymore.  You will have to find a dealer that will order one for you, and the price probably just went up.

  I will not purchase anything from CTD ever again.  Even if they reinstate their firearms sales. F Em.

[denclaste]

Picked up my RIA 10mm yesterday and went to the range.
Overall impressions: slide is TIGHT fit to frame and functions well after cleaning (it was dripping oil/presevative when removed from shipping bag) As Steve showed, the grips are AGGRESSIVE and will let you know it when firing. Sight picture is nice with the red FO front. My recoil rod has the 1.9" hole that it is a pain to use. Their gunsmith said that was being changed but didnt want to send a replacement. The barrel showed heavy copper smears when I recieved it. After cleaning and firing 100 rounds showed substantial coppering. If it doesnt clean up after a couple of 100 more rounds I'll call them back and "let them know whats happening". Havent tested accuracy off the bench yet. Had 3 different shooters try it (all experienced competitors) and each offered to buy it off me on the spot for more than I paid for it. I did have 2 fail to feed/jams with hollow point. Seemed to slam the tip of the bullet into the edge of the chamber. The gun has the factory RSA because I'm waiting on a Wolf extra power spring pack; when it arrives will see how the 20# and22# springs change the performance.
All in all it isnt a DW or other expensive 1911. What it is is a value priced 1911 10mm that you can upgrade to your hearts content or leave it as is and enjoy. Yes I will buy another one one at the $600 price if I can just because its worth it to me to have a base gun to add to when I want to.
Dennis