38 super conversion

[Hammer4102]

I have a RIA 38 super with a non-ramped barrel, what do I have to change to convert to 9mm ? Is 9x21 or 9x23 possible in a 1911
frame ?

[Hawkmoon]

9x23 might be "iffy," but 9x21 (9mm Parabellum) is a snap. If all you want is cheaper plinking, ring up Sarco Inc. in NJ at 908-647-3800. Order one of their 9mm barrels, part number C45019 (assuming you have a 5" pistol). The price I see in the issue of Shotgun News next to my desk says $42.50, but something tells me it may have crept up to $44.50.

Their barrels don't include the link, so you'll also need a link (# C45027) and a link pin (# C45026). The slide stop is the same for 9m and .38 Super, so you're good to go on that. Ditto the ejector and extractor. The only other thing you'll need is a couple of 9mm magazines, although you might be able to get away with using the .38 Super mags if you're just punching holes in paper. It might be worth a try before tossing money at new mags.

[HEAVY]

i'm planning on doing the reverse.

get an armscor 9mm single stack and have a spare 38 Super barrel and a couple of mags for a 2-in-1 gun.

[Hawkmoon]

It occurs to me that this thread might be of interest:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=33926&highlight=conversion

[raytracer]

Ok. I'm officially confused. I've got a huge hankering for a 9mm 1911, so Linkinlog's project got me thinking. My plan was to buy a .38 super Centerfire and drop in a barrel. I called Ivan today, and he indicated that it wouldn't be that simple. He did say that you (Hawkmoon) were the guy to talk to though so...

You're making it sound like it might not be too much hassle after all...

Some questions:
Does the barrel require fitting?
Will the existing bushing work?
Recoil spring should be 14#?
Does anybody know if the MecGar mags work?
Are the current models at Centerfire ramped or non ramped?

Is this a doable project for a non gunsmith?

Thanks!
Joe

[Linkinlog]

Thanks for the shout out. Sorry to fuel your addiction! :D

Ivan origionally told me that it would be a huge hassle and require tuning to get a 9mm conversion working correctly. well, I haven't had any issues.

Here's the easiest way to convert a RIA 38 super to 9mm.

- Order RIA 9mm barrel from Ray/Ivan or Sarco
- Have barrel fitted to 38 super slide, or fit it yourself
- Fit new barrel bushing
- Order Metalform 9mm magazines

All of the other parts are compatible. I changed the trigger group, fit a beavertail & thumb safety, and had Novak sights cut. These are really unnecessary, I just wanted them. I used the 38 super firing pin, extractor, ejector, slide stop, recoil spring, etc. It is a really easy swap. I'm not sure if my gunsmith, Bob Serva of Fusion Firearms, is to thank or I just got lucky but it has been trouble free so far.

My gun has about 200 rounds total through it and it hasn't had any feeding issues. I had one minor failure to lock the slide back issue that resolved itself after a thorough cleaning and lubing.

[John]

Here's the easiest way to convert a RIA 38 super to 9mm.

- Order RIA 9mm barrel from Ray/Ivan or Sarco
- Have barrel fitted to 38 super slide, or fit it yourself
- Fit new barrel bushing
- Order Metalform 9mm magazines

That pretty much covers it. You may need to get a new (lighter) recoil spring, but the pistol may work fine with what you have. Definitely the barrel has to be fitted to the slide, and Hawk's advice on the Sarco barrels is solid, they seem to be very nice for a plinker and cost-effective. I do not know how much RIA barrels are though, so maybe you should call Ivan and compare prices.

[Hawkmoon]

Given that the .38 Super is supposed to be a "hot" round this will seem counter-intuitive, but Wolff says the correct recoil spring for both 9mm and .38 Super is a 14-pound. I initially used a used .45 spring that my home-made tester said was giving me 15 pounds and that worked, but I then ordered a 14-pound spring from Wolff.

[Hammer4102]

can a 38 super barrel be rechambered or reamed to 9x23 winchester ? If I am looking at the correct pictures a 9x23 case and 38 super are very close in size.