RIA 10mm Commander.

[Bagby]

Well Bouddha,s thread about a customizable 1911 got me to pull out a 1911 I had bought for just that purpose.

It’s the RIA commander size 10mm. I picked it up for $475.00 and thought it would be a good one to practice on.

Here is the before pictures


And after I went to work on it.


The only stock small parts left are the Slide stop, Mag release and trigger, And they’re not long for this world. 

Here is a list of things I have done to it. 

Wilson Combat Retro commander hammer, and the bulletproof Wilson sear. 

EGW pins, disconnector, extractor and Grip safety. 

Kimber ambi thumb safety that I used to practice blending and contouring on. (Will probably be replaced by a Wilson bullet proof later.) 

Sights are Novak rear and a Fusion front. 

The most recent thing I have done is the Round butt mainspring housing. 



Here is a picture of it in my mitt.

It feels great to my hand, And it doesn’t poke me in the side when I lean over. Now I just need to get out and shoot it. 

It has been fun and a little frustrating at times. Overall it has been a great learning experience. I now Have a lot more respect the 1911 smiths out there.  

I wonder what the next modification will be?
 
Just wanted to share with you folks. 

Thanks,

Jonathan. 

[ezekiel38]

Jonathan: Cool project! I'm interested how that 10mm works in a Commander pkg. Look forward to a range report.

[Bagby]

Aug 4, 2020 12:01:42 GMT -5 ezekiel38 said:

Jonathan: Cool project! I'm interested how that 10mm works in a Commander pkg. Look forward to a range report.

I did a some testing with 170,180,200,230 Gr bullets Before I tore into it. It fed and functioned well with most ammo I threw at it. However it does not like semi wadcutters. It did not seem to matter what OAL I loaded them to but they never would feed reliably. I will probably stick with 180s or 200s at moderate speeds. Top end loads in the commander are a bit snappy even with a flat bottom firing pin stop and heavier main spring.

Thanks,

Jonathan

[bouddha]

Nice peacetol...

[bouddha]

Top is original, bottom is as current. I have a SS Thumb Safety, but I cannot as yet get it to function. The only other detail I'm looking to improve is the sights, and I'm going to send the slide to Fusion and have it cut for Novaks & ceracoted. I initially was told it was a Commander but turns out it's an Officer's model (3 and a quarter inch). Snappy, indeed, but accurate and fun to shoot. Need to try some lighter rounds.

I ordered three new mags before I realized it was an Officer, so I have mags for a Commander, which in turn means there is another RIA in my future!

[pacecars]

10mm works well in a commander length. I had a DW CBOB that was a great shooting gun. I should have kept it but someone made me an offer I couldn’t refuse

[crazycarl]

Love the bobtail. My old .45 CBOB was a dream to shoot.

[rjm52]

VERY nicely done...I have the exact same gun. Only things I've done to mine were an arched mainspring housing, Colt ambi-safety and smooth grips. Trigger is very crisp at 4.5#.

Bobbled the first round and since then has run 100% and is as accurate as my other 10m that cost two to three times as much...

Keep going...you need to make money doing this..

Bob

[magpouch]

Very nice! Do you plan to checker the front strap? I have done a few and I like it a lot on a 1911 or similar style handgun.

[tj3006]

I have a RIA full size 9mm. I bought it on a whim , looking for a 1911 i could shoot the inexpensive 9mm ammo in.
For what i paid for it it is an extremely good pistol. I would use it for any purpose i would use any other 9mm for. I am half tempted to send it to Fusion to have a 38 super barrel fitted.
I have a fusion commander size 38 super, it has the ramped barrel and so would my full sized ria. The thing that gets in the way now is the primer shortage. If i am going deeper into the .38 super i need a Dillon press. And with no primers it would be a waste of money.
The 38 supper is a bit snappy in a commander. I would think the 10mm would be exhilarating ! ...tj

[jfs]

Lookin GOOD...

[Bagby]

Aug 8, 2020 7:31:13 GMT -5 magpouch said:

Very nice! Do you plan to checker the front strap? I have done a few and I like it a lot on a 1911 or similar style handgun.

Just realized I never responded to this. 
No plans on the front strap for now, It has some Vertical grooves that are so large I think making them into checkering would be A bit too aggressive. 

Thanks,
Jonathan. 

[groo]

Groo here
I have a CBOB 10mm that is a true work of art.
The bobtail fits my hand VERY well , even with Underwood 10mm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dream is to build a 10mm / 40 S&W officers ....
Does anyone know if Rock Island uses the same slid cut for 9mm as 40S&W like para did?

[rjm52]

Ended up putting mine out on GunBroker and the auction ends Sunday... Just don't shoot it enough to keep it and right now it's the only one on the market.

[rjm52]

"Does anyone know if Rock Island uses the same slid cut for 9mm as 40S&W like para did?"...answer is "no"... I know because I bought what was advertised as a 10mm Commander length slide that turned out to be 9mm. So there are two different breechface cuts just like Colt and most of the others.

Kimber also uses a single breechface cut for their 9mm/.38 Super/10mm/.40 S&W. I have a .38 Super and 10mm Stainless Target II and all the barrels and slides interchange. Just bought a SIG Nightmare in .357 SIG and may buy a 10mm barrel for it now that the RIA is going to a new home...

Bob

My deam is to build an aluminum frame Commander in 10mm...it would probably become a nightmare. Full bore 10mms from the RIA were not exactly pleasant to shoot...