I have meet a very nice and generous man. You know him as 1911smith and he has helped many a member here. I bought a bone stock Rock Island 1911 in 9mm and too be honest the grip safety was eating my hand up. Very sharp edges and too be honest as ugly as sin. After talking to him he give me advise on how to fix this problem. I went and bought the part he suggested and a couple of more that I thought would be an improvement. Last night he came over to my house bringing a car load of tools and such. After four hours of him working on it and guiding me on what I was doing this is the finished product. New Ed Brown beaver tail grip safety, extended safety, new trigger and a very sweet trigger job that breaks at 3.8 pounds. I'm very happy and now to prepare to have the slide milled for new sights and a dura coat finish. I can't thank him enough for his help and guidance.



Bone stock



After the work was done

He is going to do those for me also.

1911smith is a very cool helpful dude.

I've been meaning to ask you 1911smith, do you have an actual store front you take work at? Or is it just a hobby?

More like a higher calling I would guess.

John M. Browning did not intend (my opinion) to make a pretty pistol but a work horse. I am rather fond of my RIA and believe it is one of the best values in today's firearm market. I went with the tactical version with the extended beavertail and Novak-Type sights in .45 acp. At the time I bought mine, it was $20 more. I am hoping that RIA will make a 9mm hi-cap tactical version.

What trigger did you recommend? I am wanting to adjust the trigger stop. My AMT Hardballer has a screw in it to stop over travel.

sumo61 and 1911smith,

Nice work you two. Like you I have replaced the grips with the same looking style. It is amazing what a good pair of grips will do for these pistols. And ya, a good refinishing is required to look better. The only other thing I have done is to install and modify the slide release. I wanted it to be longer, but I also wanted it to be trim so it did not force the grip away from the holster / my hip. So, took the dremel and shaved it down some and reblued it. Dont think I am going to do to much more other than maybe the sights.

But do love the hammer and trigger work you have done on yours. Going to leave the safety as it is?

Went to the range today and had one small hiccup. The trigger would not rest fully every time. A small adjustment in the finger on the mainspring solved the issue. Now just waiting to send the slide to 1911smith for milling for new sights. Trying to figure out what kind of sights I will be going with. Thinking of a green fiber optic on the front sight.

Took it completely down to bare frame and sprayed the frame with cleaner and then used compressed air. I didn't see any filings but who knows. Bent the middle "leg" of mainspring before reassembly. I went and took it outside to the woods and went thru one magazine with no issues. I will be going by range after work for a real workout. I think we are good and will look up the sights today. Thanks again my brother for your help and advise.