So, I like this pistol a lot. I’ve played with the internals and she runs great. Over a couple thousand rounds I did learn something about it. Obviously, if you read the title it has to do with 9mm NATO rounds. Up until now, I’ve fired various ammo at various grains and no problem. This baby chewed through all of them with out issue. However, I recently purchased 9mm NATO rounds by accident as the company I purchase from was out of stock of my regular stuff and substituted Winchester 9mm NATO FMJ 124 grain. Using this ammo lead me to the following observations:
9mm NATO rounds are hotter loads than standard. They are essentially+P in FMJ, as NATO uses hotter loads for some reason.
The Rock Island I have does NOT like NATO rounds. Apparently, it’s barrel tolerance is so tight that when using the hotter load, the rounds expand ever so slightly against the barrel, which creates an ejection problem, then the round would get stuck, and wouldn’t eject. After much deliberation and generally playing around with it and researching, I figured out the issue. I used normal 124 grain and it became a sewing machine once again.
Now, I’ve known about guns liking, or not liking, certain ammo but I never came across this before, and I have a good collection of weapons. I figured I’d share my experience so if you come across something similar and have no experience with this, you have more of a clue than I did.
Rounds getting stuck or case getting stuck? Fwiw, I shot several thousand rounds of the same ammo through 8 different pistols w/o issue. I used it to break in my Polymer80’s and ran it in my M9 with old and new barrels. I don’t believe I’ve tried it through the RIA 9mm 1911 my son left, but will try in the future. Fwiw, that gun has had some issues, ejection mainly.
In your case, make sure to avoid the Turkish 9mm out there. Makes NATO 124 look like squib loads
I didn’t even think to ask RIA about it. To be honest NATO rounds are slightly more expensive so it was never on my regular purchase list. But it’s a thought. I might reach out and see what they say.
I shoot this pistol a lot… BTW.. it is not A1, but A2
Anyway. I’ve never tried NATO, nor +P loads (never found needs for them) but any regular 9mm ammo available on US market runs through this handgun without any issues.
Doesn’t matter if it’s US, German, Swiss, Turkish, Italian… new factory, reloads… as long as it’s not some kind of weirdos…
This handgun is a good tester. If my ammo doesn’t shoot reliably in my Staccatos, RIA TAC ULTRA quickly finds answer what the problem is…. and usually it’s other handguns issue. Ok.. let’s say, not an issue, but lack of tolerances.
I actually found this pistol to be the best gun for “tactical pistol classes”
Thank you for sharing. Your post will be very informative for many people experiencing the same problem.
You could make a lengthy science experiment out of this, or find someone that will trade your remaining NATO ammo for something that cycles well for your RIA.
I personally suspect your issue has nothing to do with NATO +P loading. It is more likely a tiny dimensional anomaly with either the NATO case or your RIA chamber. My friend bought a Springfield 9mm and 500 rounds of Sellier and Bellot ammo for a ludicrous price in 2020. He had terrible cycling problems that immediately resolved themselves when he used my Winchester White Box FMJ. The S&B cycled fine in my Springfield 9mm, so I traded ammo with him. In hindsight we should have swapped barrels to verify the problem followed the chamber, but we did not.
So, basically I’d say you could take your RIA barrel to a gunsmith and have the chamber checked and/or reamed, or just stick to ammo that works well with what you’ve got.
I usually use Blazer 124 grain but have varied brands, grains and types from time to time. My RIA never had an issue until now. Since it’s not commonly in my purchase rotation it’s really not a problem. Also, I have a crap ton more pistols and they ran the NATO rounds just fine. I have a Smith and Wesson Response 9mm PCC and she actually ran better with NATO rounds. So it’s not like I can’t use them, just not for the RIA.
Every modern firearm manufactured by RIA is +P rated, especially these made in USA facility.
I’m pretty sure your 1911A2 TAC ULTRA FS HC was made in Utah.
There is a note in the manual and also Armscor’s website provides the info:
Myself, I just pulled the extractor and gave it a slight bend to make it grip better. Takes all of five minutes to do. Then I have never shot NATO rounds, but with standard rounds, this helps. Then the next step is to replace it if it gets too rounded.
