RIA Newb has problem

[Echo_Four]

OK, I have in my hands a beautiful RIA Tactical. Brought it home, tore it down to clean and lube, and now I have a problem. I have never touched a 1911 with a FGR before, and I cannot for the life of me get it back together. It looks like everything is OK, but the slide will not slide all the way back onto the frame. It stops about an inch or so short of being fully on the frame. I am sure I am doing something stupid, and I hate to look like a moron... but I guess I am.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

[vashooter]

I have an Armscor fs with a flgr. It might be the FLGR popping away from the link and riding outwards. Try to see if it has a disconnect bar /button that needs depressed in order to push the slide on the rest of the way. As far as the Flgr is it staying inside the slide whe you attempt to put the slide on. Pictures would help us. Floyd

[berkbw]

Please understand - I don't have a TAC, and Ivan won't sell me a compact :) As you must have figured by now, the spring, rod, and dingus on the end need to be assembled before mating to the frame. Dingus little hole goes to the front. spring must be fully inserted into the dingus. It kind of sounds like either the plug is backwards, or the spring isn't inserting.

Don't fret, whatever it is, it's EASY.

b-

[Echo_Four]

I don't know how to take a picture of the problem, because it is happening somewhere inside the gun. The plug, spring and FGR seem to be in the right position. But, when I attempt to push it back onto the gun it just stops. I'm clueless as to the problem, but it has me pretty discouraged. Haven't even taken it to the range and I am starting to regret buying it.

[Bud White]

Try tuning the gun upside down and reassy that way

other wise i would guess the FLGR is coming down and hitting the frame or the barrel isnt lined up with cut out in frame

try reinstalling just slide and barrel minus flgr and recoil spring and see if it goes back together easy

[Echo_Four]

I was able to get it together without the FGR and spring, although it tried to hang up that was as well. I've been working on this for over four hours now, and I am just lost. I tried doing it upside down, and get the same result. I do think the FGR is popping down and hanging up just where the frame rails start. I just haven't been able to find a way to make that stop.

Before today I never understood the argument about normal or FGR. I am not 100000% in the normal camp.

[Echo_Four]

Thanks to everyone that tried to help. I finally got it back together, and I don't know how I did it. I will have to get this resolved, my hands are torn up from messing with it so long, I am pretty sure I rubbed all the lube off by now. But, it is back to being a firearm, so we're making progress!

[FreeMe]

EF - the good news is, you can swap that FLGR out for the standard setup real cheap. :D

It's the first thing I would do if I had a Tactical RIA.

[Echo_Four]

If I can find one in one of the local stores, it will be done tomorrow!

[lazlong]

On my Springfield, the barrel link pin walked to the side a little, and that made it difficult to assemble, until I figured it out.

This could be what's going on with yours.

[John]

Some hints:

- Make sure the barrel feet are centered in the slide.
- Insert the FLGR etc and then press it up, against the barrel, as you slide the whole slide assembly on the frame. Use your thumb to hold the guide rod up against the barrel, as you push the slide home.

[Bud White]

FLGR would be hitting the round file if it was me i can't stand um

Glad ya got it back together

[Echo_Four]

This is insane. I went and shot it today, was more than a little disappointed and now once again I can't get it back together. It would be different if I hadn't owned and shot handguns for decades. This is insane.

I guess I'll have to order the guiderod parts online, because I couldn't find any locally. And clearly, there is something wrong with either me or the gun, because this isn't working. I think I'll go detail strip a Glock, just so I can feel better about myself. But once again, if anyone knows what I'm doing wrong, let me know.

[gqucool1911]

Echo, there was a detailed report on this gun done by Rio Vista Slim, he described a very detailed instruction on assembly and disasembly of this gun. It was posted in the forums Ezine section, plus there are also some comments on this gun in other posts in the RIA CD forum if you do some research I am certain you will be able to figure your problem out. One thing you are definitely on the right track to do away with the FLGR and go to the traditional GI GR set up alot better way to go good luck to you

[Echo_Four]

Thanks for the help. I've found the ezine instructions, and that didn't come close. It was telling me to do exactly what I was doing. I'll see if I can find something in a CD forum, if I can figure out what that means! ;)

I just cannot believe the nightmare that this is. Some poor product design in my opinion, and the opinion of my thumbs which are now quite bloody!

[coldwarcavvet]

Thanks for the help. I've found the ezine instructions, and that didn't come close. It was telling me to do exactly what I was doing. I'll see if I can find something in a CD forum, if I can figure out what that means! ;)

I just cannot believe the nightmare that this is. Some poor product design in my opinion, and the opinion of my thumbs which are now quite bloody!

When you put the gun back together, the barrel link must sit down against the back of the FLGR. If it is sitting up agains the back of the barrel lugs, the gun will not assemble right.

Try this. Turn the slide upside down, install the FLGR, and push the link against the back of the FLGR, then, while the slide istill upside down, put the frame on. then turn right-side-up and insert the slidestop.

[Echo_Four]

Thanks, I've been trying that. I think the FLGR is pushing the link up when it gets to the point that I can no longer press it down, which then prevents it from returning to the rear. That is the only thing I can come up with, and when I pull the slide back off, it appears to have happened.

Maybe the 1911 idea was a bad one for me. I've shot Sig and Glock for so long that I may just not have the ability to deal with these things anymore. Because it clearly isn't going well so far.

I hate that I am posting here so much, it makes it sound like my complaint is bigger than it is. But, I can't make the forum stop sending me emails when someone replies (I have told it not to, it just doesn't listen) so when I get the email, I respond.

Regardless, thanks for your help. I'll see if I can engineer something.

[coldwarcavvet]

Thanks, I've been trying that. I think the FLGR is pushing the link up when it gets to the point that I can no longer press it down, which then prevents it from returning to the rear. That is the only thing I can come up with, and when I pull the slide back off, it appears to have happened.


Pinch the FLGR with your thumb as you quickly slide the frame on the slide.

[Echo_Four]

Tried that, and all it has accomplished is cutting my thumbs and turning them into a bloody mess. But, somehow I got it back together again. I don't know how, but luckily I have managed to get lucky two nights in a row. But, I would bet that most of the lube has been rubbed off.

Oh well, it is staying in the case until I can get the regular guiderod. I think things may work out a little better at that point. I've never had a problem like this before, so that has to be where I am being driven nuts!

[ArmscorBA]

Echo_Four,
Please send it back to me and I will remove some material at the end of the GR. It only takes a bit.
Thanks
Ivan
Armscor Precision
150 N Smart Way
Pahrump, NV 89060

[97th Signalman]

If I can find one in one of the local stores, it will be done tomorrow!
I have a Tactical on the way and I have Ivan sending me the parts to replace the FLGR as I was afraid of having the problems that you are experiencing. There is a pretty good discussion of this issue in the review of the Tactical on this site. Visit the E-zine and look at the reivew in the last 2006 issue. By the way, the reviewer recommended replacing the FLGR for the same reason and suggested that Armcsor should consider eliminating it so you are not alone.

[ArmscorBA]

Did you send an email to me at work?? Let me know what you need!
Thanks
Ivan
The new Tacticals and Match pistols will have a slightly shorted GR, It will solve this problem.
Thanks
Ivan

[Echo_Four]

Ivan, I sent you my shipping address as you asked. However, you didn't tell me how much or where to send payment for the parts.

I am glad you all are working toward resolving the problem. I am sure that when I find a compact there will be no problems. The one and only GI I have come across worked flawlessly.

[ArmscorBA]

;) ;) ;)
Ivan