Any feedback on Ruger SR1911

[hiram]

Any feedback on Ruger SR1911??

[wrench man]

I'm happy with both of mine.

[siamese4570]

Mine works fine. Pretty good trigger for a production gun. Well made. I like the fact that ruger got around the firing pin safety which can mes up the trigger pull.
Siamese4570

[Petrol & Powder]

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't own one. That being said, it appears to be a faithful copy of the John Browning designed and Colt produced - Model 1911.
I've had more than my share of Rugers over the years and I'm impressed with their ability to cast stainless steel. I understand the plunger tube is actually cast as part of the frame on the Ruger and not staked-on; which would be a desirable improvement. I've also read that Ruger manufactures 1911 parts for other companies, so they have some experience there as well.
The gun appears to be all steel except for the grips. Ruger can generally use investment casting to produce high quality firearms at a lower price point. I don't want to sound like a Ruger salesman but they have a long history of making strong guns that are solid values. I would have no problem taking the risk of purchasing a Ruger made 1911.

[Jupiter7]

Good for the price, not best but decent. Every one I've handled of the 5" had some rattle and barrel play. I've shot one(a buddy's) and handled at least 30 in stores, I've passed on all of them. In this price range I always recommend springfield Armory Mil Spec or Loaded model. I want to like the Ruger and have numerous other rugers but the SR1911 always leaves me a tad disappointed.

[Petrol & Powder]

"Every one I've handled of the 5" had some rattle and barrel play"
That describes 99% of the model 1911's ever made.

Accuracy in a 1911 (or any Browning style tilting barrel design) is highly dependent on the fit between the barrel and the slide so that the barrel will lock-up in the same manner with every shot. There has to be some play to allow for reliable functioning. Some are tighter than others and there's a compromise between reliability and repeatability (accuracy).

[junkpile]

I've been very happy with mine. Shoots great, accurate, no functional problems.

I don't like that it's not blued, and the trigger doesn't really fit the trigger slot well, so it does rattle around some. If you've been down the 1911 road many times already, you may not be real impressed. It really is an entry level 1911. That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it functionally.

[Jupiter7]

"Every one I've handled of the 5" had some rattle and barrel play"
That describes 99% of the model 1911's ever made.

Accuracy in a 1911 (or any Browning style tilting barrel design) is highly dependent on the fit between the barrel and the slide so that the barrel will lock-up in the same manner with every shot. There has to be some play to allow for reliable functioning. Some are tighter than others and there's a compromise between reliability and repeatability (accuracy).


Not to be argumentative but I've got 14 1911's at this point from numerous makers and multiple price ranges($2k+), the ones that are most accurate still don't have a rattle and little if any play in lock up. I've shot a good few loose to where they rattle but never any that rattled before being shot. Loose slide to frame fit was mostly what I was referring to. Not saying that they can't be accurate but the fit was sloppy when handled new and it isn't gonna get any better from shooting it. That doesn't inspire confidence for long term accuracy.

[Love Life]

Sheeooot. Every Colt 1911 I've owned has rattled like can full of marbles.

[Petrol & Powder]

The best 1911 I ever owned was a Kimber, the most mediocre was a Springfield and the worst was a Colt.
My Kimber shot as well, if not a bit better, than an acquaintance's Les Bear.
Slide to frame fit is a factor but barrel to slide fit is a tad more important. By the time the slide has moved enough to un-lock the barrel completely, the bullet is gone.

I don't want to get argumentative either but unless the gun is insanely sloppy I wouldn't pass judgment until I shot it. Of course with a new gun that usually requires you purchase the gun. I hear what you're saying about a loose gun failing to inspire confidence in long term accuracy, and having those feelings prior to purchase.
If I was in the market for a 1911 (and I'm not a huge fan of the 1911 platform) I would consider the Ruger. It might not be my final choice, but it would make the list.

[contender1]

I own 2 Springfields, 2 Kimbers, and a Ruger in 1911. My main Springfield has been a tank & dependable. The other one has been undergoing a remodel,,, to 40 S&W. The jury hasn't been given the case yet.
My two Kimbers. One out of the box was tight as a Les Baer, (One of the main reasons I bought it,) yet, at about 50-60 rounds, the hammer started following the slide. It took a trip back to Kimber. It came back with the hammer & sear in a baggie with a note that stated the "customer" had messed with the parts. I blew a fuse & called them. They explained it must have been a "newer" employee that did that. It also had fixed Novac sights. Easy to see, yet, with 4 different loads, it shot low, (10" average,) and left, (4" averages.) Now, 10" x 4" off from point of aim is NOT acceptable with any fixed sighted firearm. Another call to them and they decided to send me a replacement barrel & bushing. Nope, that didn't fix it either. I got frustrated & took it & had adjustable sights installed. All was good until about 300-400 rounds. Hammer followed the slide again. I had a match grade, custom ground hammer & sear installed & it has since run over 40,000+ rounds w/o issues. My second Kimber hasn't hic-cupped yet, and it's got a bit over 500 rounds so far.
My Ruger, out of the box, so far, with over 2000 rounds it's been fine. I've shot a few USPSA matches with it & it's accurate & dependable.

All makers can produce a lemon, or a over the top excellent piece.
Ruger lives by it's motto;
"Rugged, reliable Ruger Firearms." ANd, they are "Made in America."

[Love Life]

I'd buy one if the price was right. I'm just waiting to find a used one for $500.00 or under.

[Olut]

The Ruger is great for the money....... good accuracy, reliable, reasonable trigger without tuning, made in the USA, and fits my needs. Not quite the gun that my Colt Gold Cup Trophy is, but sure costs a lot less

[High Desert Hunter]

Between my Springfield Loaded Model and my SR1911, I grab the Ruger every time. It is more accurate, and more reliable than my Springfield. I think far too much hype surrounds the whole rattle business. The first issue 1911 I shot was loose as a goose, but would still pu metal on meat at combat handgun ranges every single time, my Uncle's Korean War vintage 1911 has had over a 100K through it, and to this day, it still puts them center mass when you pull the trigger. I don't hunt with mine, I don't compete, mine are plain and simply tools to keep me alive, so quite frankly, if it keeps them all center mass to 25 yards with zero malfunctions, I'm good to go. The only thing I will say, is the Ruger likes factory spec ammo, so when I picked it up, I really had to clean up my act and set my OAL and crimp right, but once I did that, zero issues in 2K rounds, can't say that about my Springer, and I paid $250 more for it.

[35remington]

"By the time the slide has moved enough to un-lock the barrel completely, the bullet is gone."

Ahem. Before the barrel unlocks AT ALL......the bullet is gone. The barrel/slide lockup is not subject to ANY unlocking whatsoever when the bullet is present. One.....because the gun is timed that way, and two....because the barrel can't begin to unlock when it has a bullet in it even if was timed to do so because shear forces are too great.

1911's with very serviceable and usable accuracy may rattle a bit. Shoot them first, then judge. If you spend your time shaking 1911's you haven't learned much, and if one's sole basis for judgement is shaking 1911's in a gun store practical experience has eluded you when dealing with 1911's. Shoot and find out what matters.

[daniel lawecki]

I have a Springfield 1911A1 a Colt 1911 and the Ruger shoots just as well as the others. The sights are nicely done the fit isn't bad for a factory gun. Mine has been thru thousands of cast SWC without a hiccup. For the price you get one H**l of a shooter.

[Petrol & Powder]

"By the time the slide has moved enough to un-lock the barrel completely, the bullet is gone."

Ahem. Before the barrel unlocks AT ALL......the bullet is gone. The barrel/slide lockup is not subject to ANY unlocking whatsoever when the bullet is present. One.....because the gun is timed that way, and two....because the barrel can't begin to unlock when it has a bullet in it even if was timed to do so because shear forces are too great.

1911's with very serviceable and usable accuracy may rattle a bit. Shoot them first, then judge. If you spend your time shaking 1911's you haven't learned much, and if one's sole basis for judgement is shaking 1911's in a gun store practical experience has eluded you when dealing with 1911's. Shoot and find out what matters.

You are completely correct. The word "completely" wasn't included to suggest the barrel was beginning to unlock prior to the bullet leaving the tube, just to point out that it had left the tube. Poor choice of words on my part.

[Moonie]

Stainless guns must have slightly looser tolerances than carbon steel as they are subject to galling.

[Jupiter7]

"By the time the slide has moved enough to un-lock the barrel completely, the bullet is gone."

Ahem. Before the barrel unlocks AT ALL......the bullet is gone. The barrel/slide lockup is not subject to ANY unlocking whatsoever when the bullet is present. One.....because the gun is timed that way, and two....because the barrel can't begin to unlock when it has a bullet in it even if was timed to do so because shear forces are too great.

1911's with very serviceable and usable accuracy may rattle a bit. Shoot them first, then judge. If you spend your time shaking 1911's you haven't learned much, and if one's sole basis for judgement is shaking 1911's in a gun store practical experience has eluded you when dealing with 1911's. Shoot and find out what matters.

Shaking as a sole indicator of fit ,no. Sloppy slide to frame fit as a possible indicator of sloppy fit overall, maybe. Hard to shoot them all before buying. Most folks don't understand 1911 barrel fit anyways.

[ole 5 hole group]

I do not own a SR1911 but I have recommended them to several people as a solid entry level 1911 relative to accuracy and reliability. I have shot several and they all shot very well - consistent 2.5 to 3 inch groups at 25 yards rested. If you wiggle & wobble just right a few groups will come in around the 2 to 2.25 inch group area.

I have a couple Baer 1911's with the 1.5 inch option and they will shoot a whole lot tighter groups at 25 yards and I can usually shoot under 3" groups at 50 yards rested. We are not talking the same 1911's here - the Baer IMHO is the best 1911 for the dollar if accuracy is your main concern - but the cost is right at $2K or a tad more, so unless you need or want that type of accuracy potential - you'll be more than happy with the SR1911.

[Petrol & Powder]

Jupiter7 - true, most people look at how much it costs and assume that if it costs a lot - it must be good ......?

The Ruger SR1911 appears to be the latest incarnation of that great 103 year old design with some updated improvements.

This is where most discussions about 1911 pistols end up, we just got there in 19 posts instead of the customary 40-60 posts.
It is a platform to launch a 230gr +/- .45" projectile from a tube multiple times and it happens to be spawned from the mind of John M. Browning.

The 1911 was a revolutionary design and a great firearm. It may have been the best combat pistol of its day.
It was refined over the years but I think it reached its pinnacle several decades ago and now we are just splitting hairs. I will not disparage the 1911, it was, and is, a great design but I don't pray at the alter of the 1911. We now have combat pistols that are better. The 1911 is a great gun but lots of manufacturers now make very fine examples of that design and most of them matured about 30 years ago.

The Ruger SR1911 is, IMHO, a fine, modern copy of the 1911.


If it is 100% reliable, it is reasonably accurate and it is durable; it is a fine example of a model 1911 pistol - done.

[Tackleberry41]

Hopefully your 40 conversion comes out ok. I liked how mine shot in that caliber, when it would work. It is easily the least reliable gun I ever had. Been one thing if it was one type of jam, but it did every possible kind of jam. Jammed into the ramp, stove piped, hung up on the breech face. It almost got chucked in the woods on several occasions. Finally just tossed the barrel in the drawer, and went with another caliber. Still have a small pile of mags if your interested. A 10mm Kimber, 1 mecgar 40, and 4 Metalform 40s, all barely used.

[enfieldphile]

Mine is accurate, reliable and loves cast boolits..."nuff said!

[historicfirearms]

Mine has been 100% reliable after about 500 rounds, not one malfunction. I have the commander model and love it. Last spring I bought a brand new Colt commander and had nothing but problems with it. Got rid of it ASAP and glad to have the ruger now. For the price they are a good gun.

[gknarf]

I like mine. Its fed everything I put through it. I'd buy it again!

[prs]

My full sized and CMD versions are excellent! Both lost their front sights early on, but the replacements have lasted many thousands of rounds. Mine have "tasted" nothing but my own cast hand loads. Once I learned to load for them, they feed flawlessly.

prs