First RIA R1A1 GI

[srv1]

I got it used but barely any rounds down the pipe. One thing I have noticed that other GI's have a polished barrel and mine does not, why is that? Have not shot it yet. I think I may change the color of the gun maybe a desert tan, olive drab or maybe I will blue it. This is my second 1911 with the SR1911 being my first.

James

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by srv1

I got it used but barely any rounds down the pipe. One thing I have noticed that other GI's have a polished barrel and mine does not, why is that? s

if you're referring to the barrel's rifling cuts..
a couple likely possible reasons are parkizing solution got inside the barrel.
and/or tool chatter marks from the broach cutter used to cut the rifling

Chatter marks on RIA's barrels aren't uncommon
One of my Rocks had pretty bad chatter marks near the chamber end .
It bothered me at frirst cause i could never get it "shinny bright" clean like my other barrels .
i quit worrying about after a 1000 rnds or so...cause it didn't effect accuracy or reliability ...it would shoot 1.5" groups @ 20 yrds

the only thing I noticed was it chrono'd slightly slower than my "slicker" barrels
Going by memory from several years ago...if a WWB chrono'd 840 average thru my slickest barreled pistol, that Rock with chatter marks chrono'd 830 ave



..L.T.A.

[srv1]

I'm actually talking about outside the barrel. My bad I should have stated that.

James

[ShawnS]

I'm pretty sure all the rocks come with park'd barrels. My first one was pitted pretty bad on the outside so it took a long time to polish it and I never got it fully smooth. The second one looked a lot better, haven't polished it yet though. I usually go from 400 wet to 2000 wet then some metal polish.

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by srv1

I'm actually talking about outside the barrel. My bad I should have stated that.

James

ahh...MY bad

all mine have been park'd, James

i see a few with "in the white" barrel hoods (the part that shows from the ejection port)

But I assumed the rest of the barrel was park'd


do you want shinny??
if so, it's a piece of cake .
Pull the barrel, clamp it down and "shoe shine" it with finer and finer grit sandpaper .
stay off the radial lugs as much as possible

then you'll have an "in the white" barrel like Kimber .
and if you don't keep it well oiled/maintained it will rust..JUST like Kimbers


..L.T.A.

[Dave Waits]

Like Cap stated they come with parked barrels and chambers, I polished mine to get rid of the park. Not hard to do.

[srv1]

I see most people here must polish them because very few pictures of them parkerized. I like shiny but I also like it black. This is going to be an experiment gun so I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to paint it or blue it just to be different. I like the GI look but it seems that RIA sold many GI models so I just want to do something a little different. To be honest, I never seen a real shiny blued 1911 before, do any of you any pictures you can post up? I'm going to leave the GI standard sights alone because I do not want to spend too much money on this gun. I have no idea how much it cost to machine the slide for Novak type sights but I assume it would be expensive, correct me if I'm wrong.

James

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by srv1

I assume it would be expensive, correct me if I'm wrong.

James

it's all relative I guess .
i "think" Novak charges around $125 for front a rear cuts and installation

if this is an "experiment" gun in that you want to try your hand at basic mods..
installing sights may not be over your head .
There are plenty choices available in GI cut rear and narrow tenon front .

It's not all that difficult if you're a handy "DIY'er" kind of guy.
and only requires a few tools ..hammer, punch files and calipers


as far as putting money into the pistol, it's always been my philosophy that if the pistol is a good shooter (reliable and i shoot it well) I don't put too much thought as to cost...cause I'm personalizing it to "my" likes, wants and needs ...not for re-sale



.L.T.A.

[srv1]

The front sight is what I'm interested in. The rear sight is easy.

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by srv1

The front sight is what I'm interested in. The rear sight is easy.

the frnt sight isn't terribly difficult .
It's staked in...meaning there is a tenon that goes thru the slide , then you hammer/peen smash the bottom , grind off the excess (or the barrel bushing won't go back in)
and I finish up with some wicking Loctite


pull the slide and look inside under the sight .
You'll see what looks like smashed metal...cause that's what it is.

i use a small carbide ball burr on the Dremel and "carefully" grind away the smashed/peened tenon bottom .

Then grab the sight blade with visegrips and wiggle, twist till it come loose and out.

Put some masking tape on the slide around the sight .
That will help prevent scratching the slide w/Visegrips


..L.T.A.

[AJMBLAZER]

Think RIA must have changed the barrel parking at some point. My GI spec 5" is from 2003 and it has a shiney barrel. No park on it ever. I thought they were all that way and I know I've looked at others before and not noted the parked barrel. Can't say I've handled one recently though.

[srv1]

I believe mine was made in 2006 if that helps.

James