Upgrading my carry piece when I get back from Georgia.

[Nushif]

When I get back to Oregon from Georgia I will do some upgrading to my RIA 3.5 inch 1911. The reason for this is that after the last course of 250 rounds my wrist slightly hurt for about two days in that "you should probably not do this again if you like mobility in it" way. So I want something just mildly more controllable, while at the same time concealable. Now, these upgrades will consist either of:

1. Trading it in and paying a little bit of money and getting myself a Commander sized 1911 (an American classic, maybe?) or ...

2. Putting a 4 (or 4.25) inch slide on top of my officer size frame, since the slide on it is *already* getting some galling (dentig, beating, whatever it is called)around the slide stop.

Of these two options, which one would you go for? What do you think?

 

[PabloJ]

I would dump 1911-style and get 45xx S&W compact with alloy frame and Hogue grips.

 

[WardenWolf]

My advice: install a compensator.

https://www.efkfiredragon.com/officer-style-bushing-replacement-compensators.html

That's all you should need, and people say the Fire Dragon comps are just fine.

 

[Nushif]

Pics? Link? Which one do you mean?

 

[ritepath]

I recommend shooting 150 fewer rounds, and keep it the way it is.

 

[Nushif]

Well, it was a training course for 250 rounds, so not much of an option there. What would you folks recommend to counter the galling or whatever it is called? Thus far the gun has 500 rounds or so through it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

getting some galling (dentig, beating, whatever it is called)around the slide stop.

That isn't a good sign and shouldn't be happening to a properly fitted pistol...especially with only 500 rounds through it. You might give RIA a call and see if they'll do anything for you.

As to your original question.

I'd highly recommend going with the 4.25" slide...ask RIA if there are fitment issues when you call them. They may be able to give you a good price on a complete upper.

The longer slide should improve reliability, reduce battering (less slide velocity) and be just as easy to carry if you are using IWB

 

[WardenWolf]

Or just buy the compensator / muzzle brake that I linked. It's a cheap fix, and will reduce your felt recoil while allowing you to retain all your other other original components without adding too much bulk and weight to the gun.

 

[hentown]

My advice: install a compensator.

https://www.efkfiredragon.com/office...pensators.html

That's all you should need, and people say the Fire Dragon comps are just fine.
__________________

Bushing comps are worthless, regardless of who makes them. Try another solution. You probably don't want a comp....even a real comp.... for carry purposes.

 

[ku4hx]

Shoot fewer rounds but shoot more often. For quals, get a wrist brace like I had to use for a while with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Maybe an elastic wrist bandage. Or worst case, get a gun that fires a "less punishing" round.

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. At 66, I've learned I just can't do all the things I once did the same way I always used to do them. That's just a fact of aging and/or physical condition and things change for us all as we age. And we all age and some of us age faster than others.

 

[Nushif]

Funny you mention Carpal Tunnel ... because that's what it is.

Ideally a 9mm commander sized gun would be the upgrade, but I hear those are not only rare but also expensive. I will have to talk to my local gun doctor about getting a longer slide on the gun, for sure.
But in the mean time, what are my options for commander sized guns that are relatively inexpensive?

 

[rellascout]

But in the mean time, what are my options for commander sized guns that are relatively inexpensive?

That is the rub... What do you consider inexpensive?

Personally if I were in the market for a 4.5" 9mm 1911 I would look long and hard at the STI IV. http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=800012D3-1323296259

I just wish it did not have the GIANT STI billboard and a bull barrel or I would already own one.

 

[Nushif]

What do you consider inexpensive?

That is the rub ... inexpensive is about 200 bucks and a RIA 3.5 inch suitable for range usage. So that limits my options a lot. A whole lot.

 

[rellascout]

Used at CDNN for around $300

Type: DA-SA semi-automatic, exposed hammer, pistol
Caliber: 9x19mm (9mm Luger)
Length: 7-½”
Height: 5-½”
Width: 1-1/8” across butt
Barrel length: 3 7/8”
Weight (empty): 40 ounces (approx.)
Magazine Capacity: 10, 14, 15 round magazines in 9x19, depending on jurisdiction
Construction: Stainless steel with hard chromed carbon steel sub-components
Trigger pull: Approximately 14 lbs., DA; approximately 5½ lbs. SA.
Trigger Reset distance: Approximately 1/16”
Safeties: Manual ambidextrous safety-decocking levers on slide; automatic firing pin plunger; magazine disconnect
Sights: Dovetailed front and rear fixed; Novak rear; S&W click adjustable with protective ears.
Grips: Wrap around one-piece DuPont Delrin Nylon; checkered straight or arched back strap.
Production: Approximately 1988-1999

 

[Nushif]

I guess I should be more specific about what I am looking for in my sole shooter/SD gun, right? 8)

I like consistent trigger pulls. DA or SA or Glock style, dun care much. As long as it's the same. As for safeties ... my fingers are too tiny to work most frame mounted safeties.
So I do like the S&W Design, and if it was only about the trigger it wouldn't be an issue, but those slide mounted safeties are like a football bat to me.

While thinking about this, I remember I shot a G36 once and it felt pretty good alongside actually fitting my rather odd hands. But that was in a time when my carpal tunnel wasn't nearly as bad, either.

*le sigh*

Time to look up bud's gunshop, right?

[edit]

As to why I slavishly stick to the 1911 platform? I already have a commander sized .22 conversion kit which is used for pretty much most of my shooting, so not having a 1911 aain would really impact my ability to practice. 8)

 

[9mmepiphany]

Hilton Yam (10-8 Consulting) has been having the same problem...but with his 5" GM. His wrist and elbows were taking a beating from training and practice and he had to find something to give his joints a rest.

He settled on the S&W M&P9 with the thumb safety and added Apex Tactical Specialties action parts. He went with the thumb safety model because he said. "It gives 1911 shooters something to do with their thumbs." He tried different 9mm 1911 platforms before settling on the M&P9, but found that he couldn't get them to run as reliably in training sessions.

Granted Hilton does have high standards of reliability for the guns he carries and uses, but if you had his job, you would too

 

[JRC45AUTO]

Softer Shooter

10-4 on the full size M&P 9mm
I have the dangerous one (no mag safety or thumb safety)
I shoot a 45 but got this one for IDPA matches and ammo cost.
I did the internet trigger job on it and stippled the grips and night sights.
It has proven to be 100%. Never had a malfunction with reloads. Feeds like glass and grips like a pine cone.
And the main thing for me is MADE IN THE USA.

 

[MedWheeler]

Can't tell you what to do, as that's entirely up to you, but I can't imagine that you'll ever need to fire 250 rounds in a SD situation.
So, if you do want to upgrade, you certainly don't need an excuse, right?

 

[Nushif]

[...] I can't imagine that you'll ever need to fire 250 rounds in a SD situation.

Me neither, but I do sometimes go on reloading sprees and do that kind of thing. As in, once every couple of months. 8)

 

[9mmepiphany]

Can't tell you what to do, as that's entirely up to you, but I can't imagine that you'll ever need to fire 250 rounds in a SD situation.

That may be true, but one should try to keep up their training...and 250 rounds is a pretty light training class. Most classes I'd been in are 800-1000 for a weekend or 1000-1200 for a week

 

[PabloJ]

When I get back to Oregon from Georgia I will do some upgrading to my RIA 3.5 inch 1911. The reason for this is that after the last course of 250 rounds my wrist slightly hurt for about two days in that "you should probably not do this again if you like mobility in it" way. So I want something just mildly more controllable, while at the same time concealable. Now, these upgrades will consist either of:

1. Trading it in and paying a little bit of money and getting myself a Commander sized 1911 (an American classic, maybe?) or ...

2. Putting a 4 (or 4.25) inch slide on top of my officer size frame, since the slide on it is *already* getting some galling (dentig, beating, whatever it is called)around the slide stop.

Of these two options, which one would you go for? What do you think?

If it must be single-action piece I would look into BUL M-5. I hate when when my pants come down to my knees and I do not like to wear suspenders.

 

[coalman]

When I get back to Oregon from Georgia I will do some upgrading to my RIA 3.5 inch 1911. The reason for this is that after the last course of 250 rounds my wrist slightly hurt for about two days in that "you should probably not do this again if you like mobility in it" way. So I want something just mildly more controllable, while at the same time concealable. Now, these upgrades will consist either of:

1. Trading it in and paying a little bit of money and getting myself a Commander sized 1911 (an American classic, maybe?) or ...

2. Putting a 4 (or 4.25) inch slide on top of my officer size frame, since the slide on it is *already* getting some galling (dentig, beating, whatever it is called)around the slide stop.

Of these two options, which one would you go for? What do you think?

Option #1. Or, reload and make lighter loads. Hot rounds in my 4" compact 1911 get tiring after a while. I wouldn't choose a Commander due to the larger frame. My Glock 30 is more pleasant to shoot than my compact 1911. Otherwise, the bigger and heavier the gun the more pain free to shoot.

The slide stop issues seems to be the result of the slide stop being harder than the slide. This could be a slide tempering issue. The RAI is a cheap value 1911. I have an ATI, also Filipino like the RAI, so time will tell on durability.

The other option is going 9mm. It's pretty pain free. But, a hard option for many to consider.

 

[Nushif]

Well, the issue has resolved itself in ways I don't like. I will have to hold off on this whole affair for a few more months anyways, so I'll just send it to RIA and see what they do with it about the galling.

 

[smalls]

STI Spartan IV in 9mm would be a good choice, if you can swing it. I got mine for $630 and I carry it daiy. I can put 400 rounds through it in one range session and not have a beat up wrist.