Posted: 5/4/2012 8:35:15 PM EDT
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What could happen if the imagination were allowed to run wild. The only stipulation was all work be ready for salt blue tank within 14 hours ??
Well, you'd start with something that looked like this. 
Maybe work some magic that starts to look like this. 
Ricochet7 this is your 1911. Work is not perfect, pictures taken with my cell phone. |
| I got to hold this gun this afternoon. Very nice detail work on the checkering. It's these types of details to a gun that really make it different than one you could just pick up in your local gunstore. Problem for me now is planning the next build. Maybe not a problem but an opportunity. |
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Parts added are Ed Brown grip safety and extractor. Sights are Novak.
Richocet7 is sending box of parts. He didn't get real specific. He did say there was a Colt barrel. If RIA barrel groups under 3" off ransom rest at 25 yards I'm inclined to leave it alone. May change barrel bushing if neccessary The goal of this project is keep it simple, maximize potential with cost of parts under $200.00. Pistol will always be a Rock Island no matter what we do but will be one kick ass, ultra reliable carry weapon when completed. Two hours time should wrap this up |
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I see more and more articles and threads on the Rock Island pistols. I currently only have one but that's because I traded one off. The current one I have now is a full size 9mm that has had some work done to it also. 1911smith has taught me quite a great deal on how to work on these guns. I got to shoot the gun once this year in a USPSA match and was very impressed with it. Since then I had Arnel from Armscor sent me a .38 Super barrel to install. He and I talked for quite a while before I decided to go this route. To say this was a drop in barrel would be the exact truth. It even uses the same bushing as the nine. These guns for the money I believe are the best bang for the buck out there today in 1911s.
The one I traded off was not due to any issues but one of my "holy grail" guns came up for sale. The one that I traded off started it's life as a plain GI commander in 45. I did a bobtail and Ed Brown grip safety, trigger, hammer install. Gun functioned perfectly and was a test gun for me to hone these skills. It and a Springfield loaded was traded for my Dan Wesson CBOB. |
Hot damn, I just found this 
It's looking great Dave, I am impressed. Everything I've read on the Rock Island 45's has been positive, other than the trigger. I wanted another CCW and who would argue that a reliable 45 is not viable. The trigger improvement and beavertail were my 2 main desires, and Dave made these happen (and a LOT more). It's gonna be a keeper 
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Quoted:
If RIA barrel groups under 3" off ransom rest at 25 yards I'm inclined to leave it alone. I'm curious, and have never saw a comparison under controlled conditions, how accurate these are so would like to see what you come up with. My Dad has 3 or 4, one in 9mm and loves 'em. He also has Springers and others, but says the RIA's are right up there with 'em . |
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Thanks. Compliments from this forum are earned so when receiving kudos I'm appreciative.
Slide to frame fit is no worse than Colts except back of slide didn't match to receiver. Nothing sand paper couldn't fix. Lock up on these guns is tight. Tactical models for the money are impressive. Both models are hand fitted. Obvious tactical receives more attention. This makes 7 or 8 I've worked with. All have been good shooters. Springfields have been popular. Springfield spends more hand time than Rock Island on GI models I've seen. All have functioned from the box. Can't say same for Colts. Had one last week we spent 4 hours on, none stop but she ran like a pony when she left. Rock Island is a great value for dollar spent. They are rough around the edges but they run. Will make every effort to get this on Jason's ransom rest. |
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Quoted:
Thanks. Compliments from this forum are earned so when receiving kudos I'm appreciative. Slide to frame fit is no worse than Colts except back of slide didn't match to receiver. Nothing sand paper couldn't fix. Lock up on these guns is tight. Tactical models for the money are impressive. Both models are hand fitted. Obvious tactical receives more attention. This makes 7 or 8 I've worked with. All have been good shooters. Springfields have been popular. Springfield spends more hand time than Rock Island on GI models I've seen. All have functioned from the box. Can't say same for Colts. Had one last week we spent 4 hours on, none stop but she ran like a pony when she left. Rock Island is a great value for dollar spent. They are rough around the edges but they run. Will make every effort to get this on Jason's ransom rest. The work you did on mine is fantastic, I really appreciate your time and knowledge... now I need to go sling lead with it some more.. |
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You mean serrations need purpose ??
How about because serrations look cool. 
Good thing I was on super tight schedule cause I was reeaally bad wanting to mill forward cocking serrations. 
Serrations shift eyes quicker on rear sight. I like serrated front sight as well. Gives sight picture contrast. |
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Quoted:
You mean serrations need purpose ?? How about because serrations look cool.
Good thing I was on super tight schedule cause I was reeaally bad wanting to mill forward cocking serrations.
Serrations shift eyes quicker on rear sight. I like serrated front sight as well. Gives sight picture contrast. What about mid-length cocking serrations? 
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There it is, ready for range trip and final tuning.
Parts List Ed Brown Extractor Ed Brown Grip Safety Wilson 47d magazine Wilson hammer Wilson 16lb recoil spring Wolff 23lb mainspring Nowlin extended magazine release Novak lowmount fixed rear sight Novak serrated front sight Unknown to me parts list sent by ricochet7, trigger sear disconnector sear spring |
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Yes, front sight was dovetailed, rear sight requires machining for low mount.
Answering the question of work. It's not cost effective to have this work done compared to pistols in the $1300.00 range. This was one of those deals where Ricochet7 was in the right place at the right time. I bought this pistol to help a guy out. Then turned it around to Ricochet7. He'd asked about having some work done. It just so happens I had a point to make. This being the right opportunity to do so. This OP was done to show you Rock Island guys what you could do. It's worth paying Novak or your local smith cut and install sights. Checkering file from Brownells can be bought for under $60.00. Finish work can be done at home using spray or home brew hot bluing. |
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Quoted:
There it is, ready for range trip and final tuning. http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/daclark1911/SU1BRzA1NjMtMS5qcGc.jpg http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/daclark1911/SU1BRzA1NjYuanBn.jpg Parts List Ed Brown Extractor Ed Brown Grip Safety Wilson 47d magazine Wilson hammer Wilson 16lb recoil spring Wolff 23lb mainspring Nowlin extended magazine release Novak lowmount fixed rear sight Novak serrated front sight Unknown to me parts list sent by ricochet7, trigger sear disconnector sear spring 
Oh yeah! It is looking sweet , am getting antzy. I think you made some good suggestions for these improvements, and some handwork/tweaking that will be impressive.
At first I only wanted another simple, reliable govt model (with trigger work). Then Dave came up with this one, sounded like a great start and Dave sounded perfect to set-er up right. A little change here and there, it's turning into a fighting 45. I'm not a gunfighter, but want good tools to work with. Nothing too flashy, just business and reliabilty. I think this one will fill the bill just fine. Any more pics, any more parts needed? My buddies are getting curious also, this should be a reliable shooter and look pretty sweet also. I wanta build another 45 upper next- will need your advice, if possible. Thank you Dave
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richochet7,
I sent an IM earlier this week ? Or last week ? E-mailed picture of slide last night. Looks great ! I just couldn't let it go without front sight being flush to slide. That Jason. He amazes me more everyday. Saving that story for later. He does things other top ranked, top tier smiths say can't be done. Am grateful he allows me to hang around. Every now and awhile I'll come up with an idea that can't done or so I'm told and pull it off anyways. Then more often than I like to admit Jason comes along, looks over my shoulder, shakes his head and says. " What have you gone and done now. I can't beleive you just did that."
If my phone would quit ringing and cows start flying. As explained in e-mail. Just need to fit new t/s and it's shippen time. You will have very, very soon and be (hopefully) no less than impressed. Visit Soon, check email. david. |
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Quoted:
is it just the picture or is the serrating on the back of the slide crooked Ha !! You think serrations are crooked ??  
You should see the rest of pistol !! All was done inside like 14 hours. Started one night around dinner time, worked non-stop until after sun-up and I mean the sun was up. Took small nap, machined sights and ran like hell to make blue tank deadline. It went in same time a really fancy, engraved, 2k slide was being done or costs would've been more. Go back, look again. You missed a lot of stuff you could pick on. 
Hell. One thing ? Thanks for the compliment !! Now let's flip this coin. If'in it had been perfect someone wudda called me a liar cause there were no imperfections so it had to be machined !!! This is my hobby, not my business. Charges were hobby sized too, richochet7 so happened to be the unfortunate one to suffer such a fate as seen. lol. Thanks for pointing out. |
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Quoted:
I'm picking up my RIA full size Tactical tomorrow and purchased it on purpose as a "project" pistol. I'm really looking forward to getting it. I know several folks that carry the "officers sized" model on a regular basis. I have an RIA Tactical and it runs just great as it is. Not a "project" pistol or anything, it just works and I don't hesitate to carry it. |
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Quoted:
Parts added are Ed Brown grip safety and extractor. Sights are Novak. Richocet7 is sending box of parts. He didn't get real specific. He did say there was a Colt barrel. If RIA barrel groups under 3" off ransom rest at 25 yards I'm inclined to leave it alone. May change barrel bushing if neccessary The goal of this project is keep it simple, maximize potential with cost of parts under $200.00. Pistol will always be a Rock Island no matter what we do but will be one kick ass, ultra reliable carry weapon when completed. Two hours time should wrap this up The more I hear about RIA, the more comfortable I am with the thought of getting one. I never hear of anything but love for them on this site and another one. If I wanted a base 1911 that I wanted to tailor to my exact liking I'd be tempted with a RIA.... And this is coming from a gun snob. OP, nice work and please keep updating the progress. |