Rock Island Armory 1911 A2 (22tcm and 9mm) 

That’s interesting about the not going into battery issue with the 22tcm. I had a rock island 1911 in 45 several years ago and it had the exact same issue, wouldn’t go into battery occasionally. I tried the same thing as you, shooting it a lot, running the slide over and over while watching tv or whatever, but still the same issue. I was about to try some different springs, but then I thought maybe there are some small burrs or something on the slide rails, so I took just a dab or so of polishing compound and smeared it on the rails, then reassembled the pistol and racked the slide several times. I then cleaned it very good to remove any residual abrasives from the compound, lubed it, and reassembled again. Took it to the range and it hasn’t had an issue since. Just thought it odd that you’re having similar issues with a rock island 1911 and thought I’d share my fix. Great video by the way, love you’re channel.

2 videos at the same time? We don’t deserve so much happiness but thank you Paul!

Just casually staring at us while dumping rounds...

I felt that last sentence "I've been very disappointed" right in my soul. RIA better get their shit together! You do not disappoint PH!

Thanks for making the RIA 22 TCM 1911 video.

Best gun channel ever.

Your face while blasting the ground was priceless. Almost as good as the point blank watermelon.

I had my spring replaced and some trigger work upgrades done by Rock Island on my double stack 22 TCM and it has worked flawlessly for the last 6 years.

Had my double stack 22 TCM since 2014 and it had some spring issues so I sent it back and they fixed it. Its been perfect ever since.

Great information as always Paul! I purchased a full-size single stack 22 TCM/9 mm combo a few months ago and initially was disappointed with the performance of the TCM configuration due to FTRTB and FTE. After firing approximately 500 rounds with no improvements I decided to look elsewhere for solutions. As a hand loader I started measuring case head expansion with the factory TCM ammunition and noticed that some of my case heads had expanded almost .003”of an inch!!! I actually had one case that the primer fell out after firing. I also hear complaints about their rifle with heavy bolt lift after firing..... sounded like high pressure to me causing the FTE issue. After hand loading to slightly lower velocities, my FTE issues stopped completely! I also resolved my FTRTB issues by installing a 9 pound Wolff recoil spring. The gun has been 100% reliable the last 200 or so rounds and is VERY accurate, and I am still pushing a 40 grain bullet to around 1900 ft./s at 30 feet from the muzzle. I think if Rock Island would install slightly heavier springs and stop loading their ammunition so hot it would be a winner handgun off-the-shelf.

I love some .22 Turner Classic Movies.

I’ve realized why I like your videos so much. A majority of the gun channels on YT go on ad nauseam about imperceptible differences in trigger pull, sight height, stippling, and a whole host of other things that nobody is going to think about when they’re getting shot at. You don’t. You’ll voice your opinion on things you do and don’t like about certain guns, but you aren’t some “gun bro” shooting in the desert sunset over peppy music, while bitching about guns that cost well north of $1K. You give us facts, not conjecture. Thanks PH.

I’m watching a 3 minute ad for you Mr. Harrell, I truly do appreciate your dedication to our entertainment and education 👏

Hands down, one of the top 10 Harrell videos.

I think I know where the difference of things like magazine capacity comes from. I own the 22 TCM/9mm 1911 A2 as well as the 22 TCM rifle and love both. My magazines, which I ordered at the time I bought my Pistol do in fact hold 18 rounds of 22 TCM but only 17 rounds of 9mm. That being said, my pistol is a very low production serial number. The pistol, 4 extra magazines and the rifle were all bought and paid for before they were ever imported to the US. I pre-bought the pistol and mags, then later the rifle (when I heard it was coming out) after talking to Fred Craig, the developer of the 22 TCM round itself. My pistol is old enough that it still has the "Billboard" Rock Island across the entire left side of the Pistol and if I have been told the truth by Armscor, they were among the first shipment of pistols, followed by the first shipment of rifles ever imported to the US. Perhaps quality control was better for the first shipment for some reason. My TCM has literally thousands of rounds through it and has never given me issues. I also own a Rock Island 1911 in .45 ACP which has the Rock Island Billboard as well, but it is so old, it only features the single Cannon on the Shield and has also never had a single malfunction, ftf or fte whatsoever. FMJ, HP, +P, it has always eaten them all and spit out the projectiles with, what I can only describe as, joyous accuracy. That is the reason I ordered my TCM. Good experience with Rock Island/Armscor. (I own several other RIAs as well.) Now, my RIA .45ACP 1911 is not of the quality, fit or finish of some of my other firearms, but it is every bit as accurate and reliable as anything else I own, including Kimber and Springfield. More so than the Kimber if I am honest, although the Kimber is very pretty. That being said, in a tight situation, I'll take reliable over pretty all day long! One last thing, I keep hearing people say the TCM is a hollow point. I don't really think that "Dimple" on the front of the .22 TCM bullet counts as a true hollow point. It's barely an indentation. I have always thought of it as a Golf Ball type dimple, to create a low pressure zone in front of the bullet. Works for Golf balls, why not bullets? Anyway partner, thanks for the reviews, I enjoy them all. - USAFVet. and official "old Fart"

I hope to never have Paul give me that look and say he has been disappointed

I have an RIA M1911 ROCK ULTRA FS HC - 10MM and it has had no malfunctions to date. I have put about 500 rounds through it. Double stacked mag, a lot of other great features, and it ran me under $700 new. Hard to argue with it.

I bought a 22 TCM for Christmas, was about to send it back because the 22 TCM was not extracting. The issue was the hot 22 TCM case would expand faster than the gun would grab the case. I polished the throat of the chamber and ran about 4x boxes of 22 TCM9R and now all the regular 22 TCM seems to run with no issues. And the fireball from the gun was worth the effort.

I was surprised to see his rock island 1911 is malfunctioning with 22tcm. Mine had a few malfunctions right out of the box. After 100 rounds I've never had a single malfunction in more than 1000 rounds. Maybe bad spring? Who knows? excellent video, thank you Paul!!!

Thanks for making my week...two nearly back-to-back videos!! I have to admit, that 22 TCM interests me. Well presented, well done.

A guy came into my work the other day and started telling me about the TCM 22 after seeing my sidearm. When I got started to research it, I was rather pleasantly surprised to see that our buddy Paul of course has a comprehensive video on it. You seriously rock brother, cheers!

ad astra - to the stars Paul dropping that Latin knowledge

Hello Paul, big fan from Brazil here. Although I really enjoy all kinds of videos you post, i'd like to suggest more videos about (in)famous shootouts, like the Miami Dade one. Keep the great work!

This is one of many videos I've seen in as many days on the 22TCM / 9MM. This is the first one illiterated the double stack, AND pointed out the weak recoil spring of the 22TCM. Good video, and yes, I would call you a PROFESSIONAL.

I was thinking of purchasing one just for the 22tcm until I watched this video. Thank you Paul for your information all of these years. God be with you and your family at this time!

Wow! I've had my RI 22 tcm about 1 year. Well over 7 or 800 rounds of 22 tcm. Not one flaw. I've never changed it to 9mm. So I can't say how mine would be with 9mm. Very happy with 22tcm rounds. It always draws attention. As you said. Loud and throws a big flame

Did anyone else see PH exhaling smoke after mag-dumping the 9mm at the end of the video?

As always Paul, Another great video, one of the few I watch all the way thru

Thank you sir! A nice pair to watch :)

I own the Rock Island Ultra FS HC in 10mm (16+1) and if you think the double stack 9mm/22tcm requires a big hand, you should see this one! However, the all steel slide & frame help mitigate recoil substantially. Thanks for the double dose of videos today Paul!!

"And this gun fits my hand better" greatest quote ever,

Lol, I knew that was a temporary fix the second you mentioned stretching the spring; been there, done that myself. But the steel always goes back to it's original heat treated position in my personal experience. Sounds like the recoil spring weight was a bad match and requires a spring that's a few pounds stiffer. I've experienced that too on a number of pistols over the decades whether from long use or just a bad match such is in your case. When I bought a DESERT EAGLE 10" barrel a couple of decades ago chambered in another high pressure bottle neck the 440 CORBON I had the same extraction issues. What finally solved it was when I polished out the chamber with polishing rouge and a dremel with a polishing wheel.

Paul, loved the two videos. Felt like xmas👍

I have one and really like it. I had two feed issues in the first 100 rounds and after that it has been flawless. I like the way both barrels print very close to one another. I also have the RI 45 HC and it is decent as well, but both have the finger groove Houge grips which fit me better.

I just found your channel and videos. Let me say I really enjoy them and appreciate the attention to detail in a large quantity of them. Thank you, you have a new subscriber.

Update to my comments 10 months ago: I've put another 1,000 of 9mm/22TCM through mine. A friend loaded a bunch of custom TCM for me with 35 grain ballistic tip bullets. They shoot so nice. The hand loading process tends to grease the brass a little and the TCM has been more reliable than with "dry" brass, and I still add a drop of oil every few rounds to most mags. Of note, through load testing we learned that factory TCM ammo is already loaded really hot, and replicating that with hand loads created pressures that nearly reinflate primers upon firing. I'm no expert, but for me that reinforces the idea that you need to keep your chamber clean and brass oiled to run TCM reliably. The brass is being crushed hard against the chamber walls with much more pressure than what's generated with 9mm, so TCM needs a little attention to run well. Really, I just think the engineers need to spend a little more time on the chamber design. For example, see the E2 chamber in the POF USA rifles. I think something like that that would do it.

Two vids makes my day! Thanks Paul!

Does anyone else try to work "this gun fits my hand better than this one does" in to everyday conversation? Asking for a friend.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the double stack 22TCM . The other video you posted, 22 TCM vs 5.7x28 vs 7.62 Tok helped me decide to try a 22TCM! I chose one of the single stack models , as the double stack didn't fit my hand as well as the single stack.

One of if not the best gun channels on RU-vid!

Solid & consistent videos. You're the man Paul!

I have a Rock Island Armory 1911 (GI Series) in .45 and it's been quite reliable, so far. I bought a couple weeks before the first video featuring the 22tcm/9mm pistol in this video. It stovepiped once on the first mag, but since then there have been zero issues and it hits right where you point it. Good solid gun.

Two Paul Harrell videos on the same day and it's not even Christmas! 👍

My single stack 22TCM has been very reliable with 22TCM ammo (I haven't even tried out the 9mm barrel since the 22TCM is such a 'blast'). I did have an early QC issue with the pistol however. It comes with an ambi safety and the switch on the right side wouldn't activate/engage, while the left side worked as intended. Ended up being the 2 pieces didn't fit together due to improper machining. Before sending it back to RIA, I took a chance and bought a replacement set of safety switches off Ebay. They fit together perfectly and fixed the issue in the gun.

Always love the impromptu firing Paul does, like a 6:56, where he's not lined up to a target or anything. Proves his point about 9x19 reliability succinctly.

Paul needs a new table😃

To be honest I am not really that into guns/firearms and most of them are illegal here anyway but I just love listening to you talking so calmly and fluently. :)

I own one of these pistols and have since very early on. I have had the same malfunction but only very rarely and only when the gun was in need of cleaning. That said, it does not run well at all when dirty, it needs to be clean but when clean mine runs very well.

I like how Paul raised his voice immediately after dumping the mag, and then brought it down so the microphone could level out. That's a guy who really knows his equipment.

I took a break from Paul’s videos, and this was a nice one to come back to.

Wolf spring makes an 8# 1911 spring that I use instead of the 7# spring from RIA that seems to eliminate the the FTF and extraction problem when shooting the .22.

Tanks for sharing Paul. I was actually considering the purchase until I seen this.

This might be worth mentioning, might not, as Paul might say, "You be the judge." I've found over the years that manually stretching a spring is a sub-optimal remedy at best, getting a stronger return spring is usually the more reliable way of fixing that kind of problem. That does rely on there being a stronger spring available for that platform and configuration. If so, I'd recommend it. If not, then I'd do the same thing in that place.

Thanks for the video. I own this firearm as well as the MAPP 22TCM9R version. I experienced the same ejection problem on both when first shot. Did some searching and found out that the problem is the ammo and not the firearm. Checked 20 boxes of 22TCM and 20 more of 22TCM 9R. Case length varied between 1.025 to 1.035. No problems on any cartridge at 1.030 or less. Anything over caused ejection problem. Out of 2000 rounds checked I found 2 boxes above 1.030. I returned for replacement and no problems. Hopefully Armscor has this issues fixed.

I have the single stack. For the most part it cycles well. But every so often you get a hot load that splits the case and fails to eject. I think it's a ammo quality control issue. I reload my own with 10.8gr of IMR 4227 and it cycles flawlessly. With only a 100fps hit. No case splitting. I've tried slower powders that really gum up the works.

“.38sp vs .327mag vs .357mag” Perhaps?

Mine did the same thing with the 22 tcm. Sent it back to RIA. They said it could take up to 6 weeks to repair. Got it back in 2. Dumped a box of each through it yesterday . No issues.

My son has one of these and has had great luck with it. When we shoot indoors and he shoots the TCM, all of the shooters squeeze their hearing protection down a little tighter and retreat to the back of the room.

Paul, I made the mistake of subscribing to another channel... looking for info and tips on shooting the .460V I shoot the heavy stuff fine, which is the reason I got it, but I am terrible with the lighter stuff. So I made a comment on this site and this guy is like, "I teach people how to shoot for a living, what is it that you do?" Long story short, I wish I never looked elsewhere. lol These experts that are out there that think so highly of themselves... it just gets sickening. You are by far the most professional and courteous gun guy that shares his knowledge.

I wish most documentaries would adopt a style like Paul has.

Right in the beginning, I love that you can still see the two dimes stuck in the front of the table from the "Can You Shoot Dimes Out Of A Shotgun?" video.

I've actually been debating whether or not to buy a Rock Island 1911 in 9x19. Thanks for helping me pull that trigger!

I can shed some light on the magazine capacity confusion. The normal flush fit mags, in this video, hold 17. The mags available with an extended baseplate, designed to be compatible with the 1911A2 FS Tac Ultra (model 51947)'s magwell, will hold 18 rounds. The normal mags do NOT fit the 51947 model, only the mags with the baseplate will work; but the mags with the baseplate WILL fit the normal A2 models.

Excellent video Paul. Thank you as always for making the video!

6:58 SPIDER!!!

I have had the single stack model for a couple of years now. I had none of the reliability issues you had. I do have to run mine clean when running .22 TCM. It' will run dirtier with 9mm. Like you, I've had good luck with getting 22 tcm and 9mm to print in the same spot. I did have an issue with the ambi-safety not wanting to go back together. I have simply used it without the right side safety.

I have had really good luck with my single stack 22TCM. I think that round does better coming out of a single stack gun. There’s much less friction on the rounds. The other advantage is that you can buy 38 super magazines so you aren’t stuck buying Armscor magazines.

Two videos in one day?! Hallelujah!!!!

I have the same RIA 1911 A2 9mm/22tcm gun and the 22tcm functions flawlessly, but the 9mm has serious problems that are similar to the ones Paul experienced in this video (especially trouble with the case ejecting/extracting properly). I sent it to them and they sent it back to me saying that it was working. It continued to have the same problems after I got it back. I have heard about a Wolf spring kit that helps. -- Paul, you make great videos, I appreciate your work. Thank you.

Thumbs up for fitting your hand better! I miss gun drama Johnny...

Hey Paul, I've shot the 22 TCM version a good bit and I think I may know the issue causing the jams. Did you change the recoil springs when you swapped the barrels? The one I shot only jammed when it still had the 9mm spring in it and we forgot to change it to the 22 TCM spring.

I love this round. I wish I would have learned of it years ago.The single stack is a 7 round and they make a aluminum frame commander and officer size for CC now. Its also the only pistol I have ever bought that comes with 2 barrels and shoots 2 calibers! I hope Paul gets his sent in to RIA and they fix whatever is causing his erratic FTF. I cant stand having something that doesn't work right 100% of the time. Mine has a different extractor for the 22TCM I wonder if that was what RIA changed to fix the erratic performance Paul had?

Thank you for a no sugar coated right out of the box review.

great job on both of the videos paul!!!!!! two videos in one day is what I call a good day!!!

I'm never disappointed in your videos.

I know this is an old video paul, and it might be smalll beans, but it might actually doubly contribute to the problem you explained, the 1911 is Recoil operated not Simple Blowback operated, so the recoil needs to use energy to unlock the breech first, then blow the slide back, then close with enough force to lock the barrel lugs back up into the slide and into battery. Adding weight to the slide and putting a smooth barrel and turning it into a simple blowback operated gun might alleviate all issues. Or it will cause casings to rupture and blow up in your hand. Can't say I won the gamble

I have that same pistol. I had some failure to eject with the TCM, so I emailed Rock Island. They said I should oil the rounds for a few mags. So, I would put a small drop of oil on every other round as I loaded mags. That cured it. But, much as I like shooting TCM and hitting steel targets at 50-100 yards, I got tired of buying expensive ammo. I have about 1500 rounds of 9 through it, no problems. My biggest gripe is I bought the iron sight version before I realized I could have bought it with fiber optic sights for $100 more. Fiber optic sights make iron obsolete.

Paul, I have the single stack version and with the 22TCM barrel in, it shoots 2.5 inches left of center and the 9mm shoots 2.5 inches right of center. The 22TCM also needed a bit of chamber polishing to correct an extraction issue although to be fair some of the factory ammunition had a burr at the front of the brass that seemed to make this much worse. Mine has settled down and has become reliable but as much as I like the 22TCM for it's fun factor the 9mm has proven to be much more reliable in my case and if I had to trust it with my life I would go 9mm.

2 in one day! You're spoiling your fans. Great job.

Excellent video very professional.

Paul, you are awesome!

awesome video. Thanks Paul

That poison ivy is keeping a safe distance from Paul.

I’ve always been a fan of 22 turner Classic movies

I stumbled on your channel a few days ago and i must say I really enjoy your explanation with everything you do. When you are explaining about the rounds you are shooting and you pull the box from your jacket is great. I have a huge Interest in Firearms and since coming from Australia where well basically everything is illegal it makes it hard. I have had many trips to the US to visit friends and probably my most memorable is when i visited my Police Office friend in Atlanta. He took me to the Outdoor range with the SWAT Sergeant and took me through the qualification shoot they all must pass. He brought all his Personal and SWAT Weapons to shoot and on the second day just told me to shoot anything on the table and go have fun. Your voice and explanations bring back those memories and that's why i enjoy watching you videos. Keep up the Good work and having different videos to everyone else. I noticed in your videos you are mostly iron sights, do you not like scopes on your rifles?

I'm on my second one of these. The first one I bought had some issues with fit & finish, though it funcitoned properly. I sent it in to Armscor in Nevada and they sent me an all new pistol that was much nicer. I've fired a few hundred rounds each of 9mm and 22 TCM with no issues. FWIW I think recoil spring quality in Rock Island guns can be spotty. Like your example mine has a fantastic trigger. Unlike your example mine has a different POI when switching between barrels. I really like the 22 TCM round and enjoy shooting it more than 9mm out of this pistol.

Love that grandpa stance.

Dad has had some issues with both his 22TCM/9mm and 45 from them. The 45 was fixed replacing the platic backstrap spring housing of the grip plastic failed. And the 22TCM/9mm had some issue went back and is functioning great. Replaced barrel and spring. Said was wrong spring and now has two sets. And paint marked them for easier ID. (Yes had some when he got them). Brother has one too and had some issues on 9mm side but 22tcm worked great. Me, I just stick to my VP9 for 9mm and my wheel gun for 357 Mag.

.... Ad astra.... even learned a new phrase today !

I had the same problems with my single stack TCM, ended up sending it back to get fixed and since then it's been flawless.

Once again, came for the intro music , stayed for the jacket!

This video supremely underscores the term stone faced.

I have a single stack tcm and a double stack....Crazy me removed the grips on the double... and stuck Talon Grip on it. And it works very well with thin gloves. You really should try it!

I love RIA in general. Have heard some issues with the conversion 22 tcm and 9mm. I personally carry the Tac Ultra CS (officer size) in 45 acp at appendix. It is one of my favorite firearms.

I found your channel, sir, from the video about the single action revolver as a self defense. Best video on the subject by the way. Thank you for the great information

This man is the personification of America

Paul you are a Beast!

Paul you Sir are legend my man.

Paul is the man..trust him implicitly

I carry a RIA and I've carried custom 1911A1s in the past. But the only multi-caliber firearms I have ever taken seriously are the Sig modular pistols. Even with the P250 and P320, I never purchased a second caliber conversion kit and just stuck with the 9mm. I've never had a good shooting experience with a caliber-converted firearm.