Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10
Users’ Rating (Click a star to rate this gun.)
Summary: Mike Boyle’s review and rating of Ruger’s SR1911 pistol, including a range report, Ruger’s MSRP and photos, and user ratings and comments. (Click here to see all Boyle’s gun reviews.)
Editor’s Review
Without question, the 1911 pistol is the most copied and imitated pistol of all time. It has served as springboard for other designs, grown and shrunk, and been rendered from various types of weight-saving materials. Various manufacturers have tinkered with its innards, hoping to create a better mousetrap.
Some of these variants have filled a useful niche, but most have proven inferior to the original. Like most pistoleros, I own and shoot many different types of handguns, but I always come back to the 1911, and the ones I favor don’t deviate a great deal from the original Browning design.
Ruger’s new SR1911 meets this description. Although the SR1911 isn’t really “new,” Ruger does this pistol right, which is far more important.
Ruger has actually been at the 1911 game for some time. Ruger turns out major components for other firearms companies and has been building the frames for one highly regarded manufacturer of 1911s for several years. Would a totally Ruger-built 1911 have some appeal? The powers-to-be at Ruger thought so.
The Details
The SR1911 is a full-size 1911-style pistol chambered in .45 ACP and crafted of stainless steel that embodies many classic features. The slide is crafted from bar stock, as is the barrel, while the frame is cast. There was once a notion that a cast frame is somehow inferior to a milled one, but it really hasn’t played out that way.
Casting makes for very precise tolerances and low manufacturing costs. It also allows a manufacturer to do things that would prove impossible or too costly using other methods. Example: The plunger tube on the SR1911 is integral to the frame instead of staked on. On occasion, staked tubes have been known to come loose, causing all sorts of problems.
The SR1911’s external dimensions are pretty much on par with other service-size 1911s. Total length measures 8.67″ with a barrel length of 5″. The SR1911 stands 5.45″ tall and weighs 39 oz. Its external geometry is identical to other 1911s, so holster availability and fit will not be a problem.
Traditional features include an internal extractor and rear slide serrations. The SR1911 utilizes a standard plug-style guide rod, just as John Browning intended. Dinosaur that I am, I’ve never warmed up to full-length guide rods on a 1911 that just make takedown and reassembly more difficult and offer no tangible advantage on a defensive pistol.
Likewise, a standard barrel bushing is also part of the package. The bushing’s fit was snug, but I had no problem removing it without using the provided bushing wrench.
The frame-mounted safety and slide stop are both slightly extended. A beavertail grip safety with a palm swell is also part of the mix. The beavertail prevents hammer bite, while the palm swell ensures safety deactivation should you take a hasty grip.
Sights include a low-profile Novak rear sight and front post in the popular three-dot pattern. Standard Colt dovetails are cut into the slide, and this makes fitting of aftermarket sights a snap.I, for one, was happy to see that the SR1911 does not utilize the superfluous Series 80-style firing pin safety. Instead, Ruger employed a low-mass titanium firing pin, which should eliminate an inertia discharge due to a dropped gun.
Factory specs call for a trigger weight between 4–5.5 lbs. I didn’t have a trigger scale during my informal test, but I would guesstimate trigger pull on my sample ran just a little south of 5 lbs. The skeletonized aluminum trigger features an adjustable over travel stop, and my sample had very little slack before it dropped the hammer. The hammer, too, is a skeletonized affair with an oval slot.
The flat mainspring housing is nicely checkered for a positive hold. The hard rubber stocks on my sample contributed to a non-slip grip. The black grips, along with the bead blasted grey/silver finish, help give the SR1911 a handsome, yet serious business-like appearance. (Note: The pistol will apparently ship with wood grips but also include the black Hogue rubber grips.)
Two magazines, one holding seven rounds and the other taking eight rounds, come with the SR1911. I’ll confess that the logic of different capacities is lost on me, but I’m a happy camper any time I get more than one magazine with a 1911.
Range Report
Back in December, I traveled to Gunsite Academy to get some hands-on experience on the SR1911. I had the opportunity to run more than 400 rounds through the SR1911 and was able to form some opinions on the latest spin of this classic pistol.
The SR1911 did not disappoint. I experienced a single stoppage that I quickly cleared, and other than that, reliability was absolutely perfect. I fired mostly 230-grain ball loads, but my test pistol also digested a small quantity of Hornady JHPs without missing a beat.
In fast-paced combat shooting, the SR1911 really began to shine. As long as I held up my part of the bargain, I was able to place shots in the middle of the target, and my experience was hardly unique among the other two dozen writers in attendance. After giving it our best throughout the afternoon, we returned to the range in the evening and gave the SR1911 a workout in low light.
The next opportunity at Gunsite, I spent a morning shooting the SR1911 at distances ranging from arms length all the way back to 25 yards. Although I wasn’t able to perform an official accuracy evaluation, I can’t dispute Ruger’s claim the pistol can shoot 1.5″ groups at 25 yards.
My final test drive consisted of multiple runs on the man-on-man shoot-off used in Gunsite’s 250 pistol class. Again, the SR1911 rose to the occasion. I thought the trigger was especially nice for a production gun, helping me in that never ending quest to shoot straight and true.
Final Thoughts
This pistol holds little in the way of surprises but performs every bit as good as pistols retailing for considerably more. At a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $799, it’s only slightly more expensive than imported pistols that offer far less.
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb predicting that variants of the SR1911 are not too far down the road. A blackened stainless copy shouldn’t be too hard to pull off. Compact and enhanced versions are probably also in the cards.
Thirty years ago, there was one domestic manufacturer of 1911 pistols. Frankly, I’ve lost track of the number of outfits currently bringing this timeless pistol to the marketplace, but suffice to say, it’s a bunch. To make an impact in such a competitive market, your product better be good. In that regard, the Ruger SR1911 scores well.
Mike Boyle served as a captain with the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement and recently retired after 27 years of service. Mike remains active, teaching recruit, in-service and instructor level classes at the police academy. He’s also on the board of directors of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.
The Specs
| Caliber | Capacity | BBL | OAL | Height | Width | Weight |
| .45 ACP | 7+1, 8+1 | 5″ | 8.67″ | 5.45″ | 1.34″ | 39 oz. |
Note: Ruger also offers two commander-style versions of this gun, a steel-framed SR1911 Commander and an aluminum-framed SR1911 Lightweight Commander.
Pricing
MSRP: $799
I found a website offering a pre-order for this firearm at:
http://www.woodburyoutfitters.com/The-Ruger-SR1911-Centerfire-Pistol-P11758C1728.aspx
Make small parts stainless steel.
I got the first Ruger sr1911 in the state of Michigan.
I think it is one of the finest 1911s i have ever owned.
I shot 1.5″ groups with it at 25 yards with 6grans of universal and a 230 grain lead .
I will put it up against any 1400.00 Kimber.
It is just as nice if not nicer and half the price !!!
One can not argue the quality and performance of the SR1911. However, one must also take into account, Ruger has so miserably failed in their ability to produce and deliver these 1911’s in a timely manner they are no where to be found! If you inquire with Ruger, you get nothing but “lip service” and excuse after excuse. Let’s begin by not buying this product and perhaps teach Mike Fifer a lesson in economics and simple supply and demand.
I agree with Mark. I look every day at several gun websites. Nothing, or back ordered. I also look at springfield 1911s and remington 1911s. Ruger is going to be left out in the cold if they don’t get on the ball. I notice the RO 1911 from springfield is getting cheaper and cheaper to purchase. I would not be surprised if remington follows the same path path. Only so many buyers of 1911s. Someone needs to ask ruger what the problem is. Or is it Davidson’s
Why is this gun so hard to find?
Is Ruger asleep at the wheel?
Why is this gun so hard to find
Has Ruger dropped the ball on this one?
I agree with yuri; the small parts should be stainless also, unless theres some technical advantage to using carbon-steel (i.e., strength; better wear characteristics from using dis-similar metals; vendor supplied parts, like sights, unavailable in SS, etc.).
Actually, I suspect all the carbon-steel parts on these first-release guns may be vendor supplied, since theres a zillion sources for such parts and not having to tool-up in-house for every piece may be one of the factors behind the low price.
I have no idea what the production figures are for this model so far, but failure to meet the demand may be more a testament to the demand for the product, than an indication Ruger’s dropped the ball. Personally, I’d rather wait a bit to get a good gun, than have quality issues crop up, like those Smith & Wesson experienced in the ’70s, when trying to meet the demand for M66s, or more recently with PPKs.
I JUST GOT MY 1911 RUGER & IT IS THE BEST PISTOL OUT OF THE BOX THAT U CAN BUY . I CANT SAY THAT ABOUT MY KIMBER SOLO
I got mine today! Called online Cabelas and had one in the local (closest) store in a couple days..
I put one in layaway at Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare MI its a great place to buy a gun. I have a Ruger 1911 there. Put in layaway when the Ruger CEO was there in June, his name is Michael Fifer. It really looks good and all the reviews I have been good. It comes with Two magazines.
I just put a down payment on a Ruger SR1911. I had a chance to shoot one that a friend has and it’s a great pistol. With my handloads and cast bullets, I was getting 25 yard 5 shot groups of under 2″ from the bench, which is about as well as I can do with any pistol with open sights. I like the 1911 and own quite a few, from very basic military models and GI guns made by a typewriter company and one made by a sewing machine company to some expensive custom jobs. The Ruger SR1911 is the best $688 45 ACP that I have ever seen. Accuracy is great, fit and finish is superb, it works great and has the features that I want: Novak sights, SS, good trigger without any silly firing pin safety, stock GI except where needed: feed ramp, sights, ejector port etc. The “issue” of a “cast” frame with a few writers is meaningless; Ruger uses investment casting to save costs without compromising quality..just like they do on other guns. Some “experts” state that cast frames are bad; I hate to tell them that all forgings start out being casst, so do all “billets” etc…..This Ruger is a great gun and the only problem that I see is supply.
I have not shot this gun, but I am anxious to purchase one. I was going to buy a Kimber, but I just found out about the Ruger which I have always been a fan of.
@ Roger Torgenson: I have placed an order for one of these guns. I have no idea when I eill get it, maybe around christmas. I think that the popularity of this gun caught Ruger by surprise. Ruger says that they are working around the clock trying to catch up.
Just received my SR1911 two days ago. I am impressed. Quality fit and finish that you would only expect from guns three times the price! The frame to slide fit is snug, yet very smooth, with no binding. After break in, I assume there will be a certain amount of play. That play facilitates reliability. The trigger is probably breaking @ 4-4.5 lbs, with no creep, and it breaks cleanly. Can’t wait to try it out on the range. I can say it was well worth the wait! Great job, Ruger! 🙂
I was fortunate to get my SR1911 back September. I was one of only a hand full of people to get one in the state of Arkansas. Not sure if Ruger is doing this to cause a buzz about the gun or if they just can produce the guns. Either way I can assure you they are definatley worth the wait. This is a phenominal gun for the money. I own two other 1911’s (Kimber and Colt) and I would say this is just as good if not better. I have put about 3000 rounds thru it and only had one jam because the mag was not seated or pushed in all the way (my fault not the gun). If you are looking to buy one of these guns I highly recommend them. Plus if you can get one it makes people jealous 🙂
I work in one of the largest gun shops in the midwest. I have been fortunate to have been able to shoot most all of the 1911’s manufactured. I have shot and own an SR 1911 and love it. The reason the guns are hard to find is because Ruger has placed quality over quanity. They are 30,000 guns behind but they do not plan to speed up prduction.
This gun shoots better than it looks. I’ve only fired 30 rds but it is fun too shoot.
no comment on this gun .still waiting on delivery.
i still think that Ruger dropped the ball on this
one. Oh, well,all things come to he who waits.
I ordered my SR1911 sometime in May last year thru B&S Guns in the Dallas area, finally got it first week last October. Fun of my life the following day at the range. I know my new SR 1911 will be my favorite for a long time among my few collections. More than 1000 rounds and no hiccup so far. Very reliable and accurate.
Ive been a Ruger fan for many years and do own a few to say the least! I however do have a bad taste in my mouth after purchasing the Ruger 1911. I had a problem right out of the box in which the gun was denting the mouth of the shells Bad! Repeated shooting did not improve the situation. I called and e-mailed ruger with all contact information, photo’s etc… and a month later still can’t seem to get a real person on the phone, (stay on hold for 30 plus minutes and I finally give up, leave message), or to even resopond to the e-mail and photos sent to the e-mail address they supplied me in the inital contact! My thought’s are this! If your going to sell gun’s then at least show some customer respect! If your going to make a 1911 it sure shouldn’t have a problem that was associated with the original design! I guess I’ll have to take it to a gun smith to repair as Ruger won’t even respond! Thanks for nothing, RUGER!!
need some help. first of all I love the gun its really nice smooth trigger, great grip and superb accuracy. I have only one problem with this gun. I purchased this gun new and right out of the box when I went to shoot it the first time the trigger fails to reset each time I am firing it with ammunition. At home when dry firing it resets. I am thinking that it has to deal with the trigger arms to the back grip safety and that these arms are sticky to the magazine any help is great
Hi Anthony . . When you are firing with ammunition, try to cock it to the full and see what happens. I’m sure a lot of SR 1911 fans would like to hear from Ruger about your problem.
Anthony, without asking alot of questions just try this! With an empty gun, pull the slide back and lock it back with the slide stop. Put a full magizine in and use the slide lock to release the first round into the chamber, do not try and help it or anything just let the slide ram the bullet into the chamber! If that doesnt work, try this, AGAIN with an empty gun! Look at the bottom of the trigger there is a small allen head screw near the bottom of the trigger, take the proper size allen wrench and back it out at least 1/4 of a turn 1/2 is even better to see if that fixes it. The screw turns counter clockwise when looking down the barrel of the gun, clockwise if looking at the rear of the gun! If not you might have some internal problems and need to talk to Ruger, but good luck with that as I never could! Hope this helps!!
Jay
I had this gun since last Feb. 2012 when I first shoot of 200 rounds the handle was loosen. When I go its crat home I tried to tighten it the grip panel screw, you know what? The screw was broken and stock inside the grip panel bushing. I decided to remove all the bushing but one left wont be able to remove it because its so tight and the screw bushing is so soft aluminum crapped. So I have to find a Lock smith gun shop to help me to remove this bushing screw. I dont recommend this gun, Im thinking to trade in and find the best 1911.
I bought at local gun store. Paid full msrp but glad to get. What a great gun! Shoots very well and easy to break down. I looked for 4 months. Glad I found one. Has become my favorite pistol. I looked at the Springfield version but a friend has one and did not recommend it. I love this gun!
April 2012 it was my birthday. I decided to go to the gun range and stopped off at my local gun shop. While looking around the store I asked the sells person about several brands of 1911s and price. He pulled out the white box and said we got these in today and this is the last one. When he opened the box I fall in love with this beautiful work of art. I checked out the features handled the gun and said I’ll take it! As I was fill out the paper work a guy walked and said can I look at that SR1911 again, sells guy said the man right here is buying the last one. What a great Birthday and the gun shots as good as it looks. God bless America.
Belated happy birthday and congratulations John for a wise decision. You’ll enjoy your new toy. Take good care of it and you’ll have good company forever.
Ordered the SR1911 in Nov 2011 and it just arrived at my local gun shop on June 7 2012. With that said the pistol is great. The fit and finish are excellent and it is a great shooter. No problems at the range however, I used Wilson Combat magazines. I am very please with the SR1911, just wish I had received it sooner.
Bought it in December of 2011 and it shoots perfectly. Never had a problem with it. I can feed it any ammo and it never has a failure. Very accurate shotting gun. Can’t understand the negative comments as this is one fine 1911 and would recommend it to anyone.
Excellent gun
This is the first 1911 that I have OWNED. Shot and carried many G.I. .45s in the past. This piece is a superb example of the manufacturers craft. Feel, fit and finish are all fantastic. I really like the color change at the barrel end of the slide after shooting a few mags. It does go back to normal when is cools off. I modified mine with an ambi safety since I am a lefty. For flash I installed a set of blue and gold “Don’t Tread On Me” grips. Bring on the salt spray.
Worth the unGodly wait..
Found mine at a gun show in Prescott Valley a week and a half ago. Put 100 rounds through it with no problems. Very accurate. i own several 1911s. This is my favorite. Have been shooting 1911s for over 25 years Great gun. Thank you Ruger.
just got mine today at a farm king supply store! have yet to fire it but im sure i’m gonna love it! very lucky to have it!
I called Cabelas and was told they had 12 coming in and I could be number 8. 3 weeks later and it was in. I haven’t fired it yet – I’ll try it out tomorrow. I have a Springfield EMP 9mm that is very well made so it will be interesting to see how the full size Ruger compares.
Ive owned and shot more 45’s than one can imagine and even though the Ruger has the looks, the machining/clearances was the worst I’ve ever seen, even in foreign gun copies of the 45. Accuracy was poor at best. Was a good candidated for a complete reworking. No thanks Ruger!! Won’t buy another!
well it seems that every gun has an owner who isnt satisfied so this is nothing new.. i just bought one and havent shot it yet but i will find out pretty soon.
Take a magnet to your Ruger – any Ruger – in many places it barely sticks to the steel Ruger uses. On my Colt and Springfield, and even on my Llama, you can barely pull a strong magnet off. Now, tap a Ruger with a BRASS hammer, and you will dent it, whereas it will only leave yellow marks the will come off with solven or elbow grease on my forged and milled guns. Not my opinion. Simply a fact. For whatever it’s worth, those are facts. This bothers me and is why I lost my lust for Rugers.
I know I’ll be hated for saying so, but RUGER METAL IS SOFT. IT IS NOT NEARLY AS HARD AS GENUINE FORGED AND MILLED STEEL. CASTING STEEL IS CHEAPER THAN FORGING AND MILLING. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THESE ARE FACTS. I’ve scratched and dented so many Rugers through routine handling I’ve tired of them and finally stopped lusting after them. They do work great, and they do LOOK great. But they do NOT look great for long if you used them. They scratch and dent MUCH too easily. It is almost as though they are made from aluminum. They are GREAT guns, but they are SOFT-metal guns.
I agree facts are facts! The Ruger 1911 is indeed soft, can easily file and or sand it. I don’t know what grade or quality of stainless Ruger is using , there are quit a few. I work with and make items from stainless and use high quality non-magnetic stainless. The amount of nickel in the stainless is what makes it non-magnetic and also helps to support the chromium which gives it the non staining properties. In some case when stainless is worked by casting, anelling etc… the stainless can become magnetic somewhat, it depends on the original quality of the stainless and the amount of ferrite in the mix.I do know that stainless of high quality is non-magnetic no matter what! I will not buy another Ruger 1911 as the quality is not typical of Rugers of the past and because of the disappointment in this gun, I will very closely screen any Ruger I consider from now on!
JP, thanks for pointing out that stainless steel is supposed to be less magnetic. I didn’t know that. I am glad to hear from someone else who is willing to speak out about the quality of Ruger steel. I’ve often been made to feel that it is unacceptable to say anything that might be construed as ‘anti-Ruger’. I just want people to know that I KNOW there IS a considerable hardness difference between Rugers CAST STEEL and some other makers FORGED steel, and also that I am not crazy or wrong to say so.
I really have to disagree with you George. Are you a metal expert? I also don’t hit my guns (any guns) with any kind of a hammer. I also don’t file or sand on it either and wonder why would anyone want to even do that. You could do that with any 1911 pistol but why?
My SR1911 and my SR9C are fantastic and would not trade them for another brand. I would really like to hear your facts instead of your bias talk.
I don’t mind if you disagree with me Marc, but you can’t disagree with the facts. Ruger metal is soft.
So back it up with facts not just words. I don’t agree with you and my SR1911 is a fantastic pistol so again, back up your comments with facts.
PS, I am not saying that Ruger doesn’t make great guns. I would be a fool and a liar to say that. I AM saying that after 35 years of handling firearms I have come to realize that the steel Ruger uses is quite soft compared with the steel used in the other guns I own or have owned. For example, I recently had a custom knife maker do some decorative file work for me, and when he doing my Vaquero he giggled as he worked and said the metal was very soft and easy to cut. I was watching him work and I was surprised at the ease with which his files cut the Ruger steel compared with the steel on my Springfiled Armory GI 45.
Another example – I once was gently drift adjusting the rear sight on MK II pistol with a small brass hammer and noticed that the small brass hammer had slightly dented the reciever steel. I was rather surprised at this. I could give other examples but fanboys will only say ‘why would you do that’ or ‘who would do this’ or ‘are you a metal expert’ etc etc. I’m just saying this: Ruger steel is the softest steel I’ve seen used in firearms, and I’ve seen many firearms. If two handguns bump; the Ruger gets the scar every time.
And, Marc; I am not a metal expert and can’t provide any facts that will satisfy you. But my statements above are true and factual. I’m sorry if I upset you it wasn’t my intention.
I’ve owned Rugers for many years and you are the first I’ve heard to complain about that. Your opinion but yea I disagree with it. My Rugers are some of the finest guns I’ve ever owned and I can’t even imagine Ruger using an inferior metal I their guns. That would,be pretty stupid on their part and cost them in sales, yet their sales have increased. No, not buying into,that one.
Oh, another example that bears mentioning here – I was using some cartridges I reloaded for my USFA Rodeo (VERY hard steel) in one of my Vaqueros and discovered that (if memory serves) the cartridges were a little bit too long for the Ruger so I got my cylinder stuck. (my bad for sure, should have checked and not assumed) Anyway, I used a small pocket knife to help free the lead bullet that was binding at the forcing cone. I wound up carving a nice little nick into the side of the Ruger’s top strap. I was really disappointed at my carelessness, but also astonished that a small pen knife could so easily carve into a gun like that. I realize that my statements make it easy to dismiss me as a hack and a goon, but I am being honest.
Besides, it’s we hacks and goons that need that most durable equipment!
Personally I think you just hate Rugers. As I said had many and never had a problem with them. Never nicked one or damaged the metal.
No I don’t hate Rugers. I think they are great guns. And I’m not saying that other manufacturers don’t have their faults. For example, I was looking closely at my newer Colt 1911 (o1991A1) and noticed that, holding the gun upside down, there is a distinct assymetry of the frame on either side of the trigger guard. It looks like the guy who milled it simply decided it would just be too hard to spend as much time on the left side as he did on the right. At first I assumed there was a part inside the frame that needed all that extra metal to be there! But there isn’t. It’s just sloppy work. My Springfield GI45 looks better in that area. Sad. These sort of things were just not allowed in the good old days. And in my experience, Ruger has been very, very consistent in the quality and appearence of their guns. Nothing is perfect, but Ruger definately takes pride in their work.
Well George here is something very interesting. I posted this on the Ruger form and asked a question to others about, if they thought Ruger metal was soft and a moderator named Terry thought I was bashing Rugers so he banned me, wow couldn’t believe that one.
Just email him and tell him those were my comments, not yours. But it does raise a red flag, doesn’t it?
Don’t have his Email as I cannot get on the site now. Wow, I couldn’t believe the sensitivity of that dude guy is a complete idiot. I looked at the Remington’s today, not bad.
Marc, please understand that Rugers are certainly among the finest firearms available, and they are American made, which still means something to many of us. It is just my personal gripe about the hardnest of the steel, and I won’t be brow-beat or insulted into silence. Most people, especially die-hard Ruger fans, will point out that the difference between the investment cast steel Ruger uses and say for example, the forged and milled steel United States Fire Arms is currently using is not really important under normal circumstances, and the cost-savings Ruger realizes by using the lost-wax casting method is significant (although I suspect it is primarily significant for Ruger, not us, the buyers) and also allows some ‘benefits’ such as the integral plunger housing on the Ruger 1911 mentioned in the original article above which would be impossible or at least impractical using traditional gun-making methods involving forging and milling. I’ll close with this – given the choice between the Ruger 1911 and a Springfield Armory Range Officer, I would choose the Range Officer despite the fact that it is manufactured outside of the USA. The reason? It is forged and milled, and not cast.
PS, the Remington uses cast steel, at least for the frame, to keep cost down.
http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=154
“The Springfield Armory 1911 full-size GI model boasts a steel-forged frame, slide and barrel.”
I have looked at the Rang Officer and do like them. I have other Springfield pistols and they all are very well made.
Springfield makes excellent 1911’s. Now, my advice for when it’s time to buy a single action .45 (cowboy gun/Peacemaker) — buy a United States Fire Arms revolver. A Rodeo if you can find one. I believe they may have been discontinued because they are too expensive to manufacture. Real forged and machined steel. Also, no transfer bar safety system. Just remember to always only load 5 cartridges if you plan to holster it or to not fire 6 rounds immediately, just like the old days. You simply CAN NOT BEAT the trigger and hammer pull-back feel of this classic design. And you could hammer the nails back into you horses hooves with these USFA guns. Just be careful it doesn’t bump into your pretty Ruger Vaquero. ; )
curioug george, It’s sad to say that people just “Can’t stand the truth” Ruger bashing (or any other brand) is allowed, if some are so personelly affected by others comments, or if some person can’t take it, they need to stop rerading forums and take a chill pill! I for one in stating what I did earlier is and was from experience. I for one don’t bash, ban or get angry at peoples opinions, esp if based on first hand experience. To answer why a person would sand,file and or do other so called things to a gun, is to work on it, correct and or modify it to be a real accurate and trust worthy firearm. The SR1911 I received was a real POS in my opinion, in comparsion to my other Rugers and I completly went through the gun to fix misalignments, bad tolerances and correct bad casting and milling. Like I said before, not a typical Ruger in my opinion. Ruger did the casting method to save money and pass the savings to the buyer, personelly I would rather have paid a little more for a better made gun, instead of having to rework a new one to get there. I do however own a one of a kind SR1911 now and what I will pass down to my kids one day! In fact one of the Rugers I own is older than I am, 1954 model, passed down from my grandfather and it still shoots like a champ, I doubt the SR1911 will last half the rounds that gun has had through it! I can take a box of spare and or disguarded 1911 parts and put one together that many a person who didn’t know what I had done would claim, “thats a good gun” after shooting it, as it indeed would shoot fine, would I carry it for personel protection or put my life on the line with it, NO!. Experience is the best teacher, that is if we are humble enough to learn from it! I hope all can read information and stop getting thier panties all in a crack and deal with it!
All have a great day!
Whoever these guys are downtalking Rugers couldnt have too much experiense with firearms. I own 15 or so rugers and never ever had a problem with any soft metal on them.My first one was bought 35years ago and owned about 30 or 40 since then.If rugers are so soft why does your reloading manuels specify to use loads for Rugers only in Rugers. I saw a head to head demonsration between Super Blackhawk vs a Smith and Wesson 29 on reloads slowly increasing powder until the Smith blew two chambers out and the top strap peeled back.Soft steel huh?? Ruger still shooting.
Rugers use more material to compensate.
Well Cliff, the fact is that every firearm is built within a given safety margin anyway! I’ll bet without even reading the test you so speak, the S&W far exceeded the limits of standard factory loaded ammunition! There are some Rugers that are built to exceed the normal margins of factory ammunition for the few who perhaps want to hunt dinosaures or something else larger! Those are also only available in certain calibers. The material itself is made thicker in the areas of concern, otherwise you open yourself up to all kinds of sue happy individuals. I for one am refering to only the SR1911, as is this thread. I own more Rugers than any other make, so read a bit more carefully please. I’ve been around firearms and in particular 1911’s for over 46 years, learned the things I do know about weapondtry from very knowledable individuals, gunsmiths, metal workers, marksmen, forgers and the like! The point being here is, you can’t be objective in your opinion by being married to one brand, caliber and or make of firearm. In my opinion Ruger was very smart in jumping on the 1911 band wagon, it is and will probably remain a very good selling market. I would venture to say the 1911 is probably one of the most copied designs of any firearm around, John Moses Browning genius!
Thank you Mr. Browning where ever you are!
I also, after a complete rework and inspection of the one I own, SR1911, that Ruger more than likely only manufactures in house, the slide and frame, all else are over the counter parts that any of us can buy from god knows where!
Happy shooting one and all! Don’t forget to value that freedom either!
I don’t hate Rugers. I’m just put off a little by my experiences regarding the relative softness of their steel.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question376.htm
Ya, me either or otherwise I would’nt own a single one but own many, just very disappointed in the SR1911 quality! At least in the one I received! I can only hope it was a fluke gun that slipped through the quality control cracks!
I was working on an old H&R 622 revolver last night (replaced the plastic mainspring head) and given my skill-level and ability, if it had been a Ruger I was working on it would have looked like someone was chipping at it with an axe by the time I was finished. As it stands, the old H&R came out unscathed. I’m telling you, there is a HUGE difference in the hardness of some good old-fashioned firearms forged steel vs Rugermetal. A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
just got my sr 1911 can not wait to try it. All my hand guns are rugers and are very fine Guns!!
All my rugers have been excellent guns. I just have a problem with the softness of rugermetal. Forged steel it aint.
After reading many blogs and reviews I decided it was time to buy my Ruger SR1911. I took a number and waited for my turn at the gun counter. The clerk checked his computer inventory and returned with two unopened Ruger boxes. I bought the first one he opened up and handed to me. No waiting, no hassels! After 300 rounds, and while using a Uncle M holster the front sight broke off. Ruger gladly replaced the front sight after I shipped the 1911 to them. I love this gun!! My wife fired her first 45ACP with this pistol and the recoil and hand controls were well within her limits. I give it a 10.
I have owned and fired many different ruger hand guns over the last 30years . Most of the time ; I packed them in a cross drawholster as I was a working cowboy on several different ranches out west .the one I’ve had the longest is my redhawk 4.5 inch. Barrel 44.mag and I paired it with a winchester trapper model of the same cliber but I also carried 45 long colt black hawks and vaqueros plus a couple super single sixes when I was working on the buffalo river in Arkansas and outside the deeror bear season ; only 22 calibers were legal to carry in that area .my point is thatI never had one single problem with any of them but I never owned one of their semi automatic hand guns yet ! From my past experiences with avery thing else and even a few rifles made by Ruger ; I have been dying to purchase a 45 1911 from them as my needs have change somewhat and a pistol would suit my conceal carry needs better than a revolver and add a couple rounds per loaded mag than I can put in a Cyl ! Even my vaqueros didn’t seem to be particularily soft to me !and I don’t baby my guns as I ride for a living and even in brush country ; I never noticed a problem with softness of metal.My holsters leave a lot of the gun uncovered for ease of drawing them so it isn’t like they are all inside the holster and well protected either . How ever ; it is possible that there is a difference in the steel they use to build the 1911 pistol .I still will be getting one as I always have been satisfied with quality and finish as well as performance with every single ruger I owned or fired .Their toughness and reliability is legendary for pete’s sake and my own personnal experience . As an auxilary sherrif in Oklahoma ; I did use a couple of them as my primary side arm for a few years and never felt under gunned or unsafe while packing a 357 security six or a gp 100 either . Now all departments are using pistols instead but untill now Ruger didn’t have any 1911 s for me to use ! Living in rural areas all my life ; I prefer the 45s and 44sover anything else except maybe the 357 for a while back than !I am willing to bet that I will be very happy again with their new 1911 and have a hard time believing that Ruger would start putting out crap guns made with soft steel after so many years of building very good weapons with exceptional quality and reliability !In the accuracy department ; I always was satisfied that y guns always performed to the best of my experience and ability . Always producing tighter groups from a bench rest etc…than I ever could of hand but still letting me get the job done without fail no matter what I was shooting at or hunting…!I am not married to the brand and have several other guns made by different makers but when it comes to go in the outdoors for long periods of time and camping or working cattle etc.it is always one of the Rugers I stick in my belt holster before leaving the house ! More often than not ; it is my 44 mag redhawk that I’ve had since 1983 and after so many thousands of rounds went thru it ; still shoots great and looks great and has never failed me once !The winchester 44 mag I pair it with since 86 when it first came out in that model has been just as reliable to .If I lived where open carry is allowed ; I wouldn’t even bother getting a pistol but I am living in Florida and have to carry concealed .I will be packing a back up for a long time before thrusting any new gun as my only weapon and that isn’t saying anything bad about Ruger or any other makers . I just need to be double sure about a new gun before betting my life on its reliability and it takes a while to be able to shoot enough rounds thru one to get to that point with me . My family depends on me for their protection as well and I take my responsability towards them very seriously and wouldn’t gamble with their lives by using an unproven gun !
I’m not bashing Ruger – just saying. Rugers are cast, not forged, and cast steel is cheaper to manufacture and considerably softer than forged steel.
Just got mind a week ago and took it to the range today.The first shot at 25 feet bulls-eye. I know it was just luck but this gun is unreal. This gun is just as good as any 1400.00 gun on the market today. I was shooting real cheap ammo Tula ammo from walmart 230 grain and keep all shots with in 5 inches at 25 feet. For me that was great as Im not a great shot. Love the gun and only payed 699.00.
Well its been 15 months sense I bought mine and still after shooting hundreds of rounds through it, still no problem.
After a couple months of searching, I got my SR1911 Commander at Academy today. It’s a beautiful gun. Paid $729 and it looks easily like $1000 or more. Very tight and all the parts have a nice finish. No rough edges like some. Can’t wait to shoot it!!
BEAUTFUL WEAPON, AS NICE AS MY SIG 45 5INCH SCORPION, AND THREE HUNDRED CHEAPER. HAVE SENT TWO SIGS BACK, ONE WOULD NOT FIRE BUT ONE ROUND WITH OUT SLIDE LOCK COMING ON.SAFETY. THE OTHER WOULD NOT LET U REMOVE THE SLIDE RELEASE, CABELAS TRIED WITH A SCREW DRIVER, BEFORE WEAPON WAS FIRED.REFUNDED MONEY.
I love this gun. Very accurate very reliable. 1000 rounds no fails. I now own several 45s I would have loved to take this weapon to Iraq instead of the M-9
had a kimber, which i sold some time ago. decided to get another 1911 since money is not so tight. tried out a sr1911 at a local range and was impressed. one recently appeared at a local shop and i could not pass up on it. standard size model NIB for $719. pound for pound when it comes to quality it holds its own easily compared to my old kimber. dollar for dollar, well, you be the judge. $719 vs. $1500? for the money ruger sr1911 is a great value without sacrificing quality. if you ever find yourself in a position where you are afraid your money is going to evaporate or have way too much of it, by all means get a kimber. (custom covert II soooo hot) but for the working stiffs like me, this is a great purchase. no regrets. will not be selling this 1911.
I own a SR1911 commander. First off – there are various grades and alloys for stainless steel, and it is softer than steel. Second – forged steel has better strength than cast. But in no way does that mean using cast steel in manufacturing the frame will cause the it to fail. A lot of guns now have aluminum alloy frames.
My first 1911, my kids bought it for my 45th B-Day…WOW, what an amazing gun right out of the box!
bought my sr1911 a year ago gun runs flawless great accuarcy however ive noticed it is starting to rust. surface corrosion on both the slide and frame have become a real problem despite cleaning and storing in a dry place. I own many 1911s which i handle and store the same way and have never encountered this problem before. any ideas
The new Colts rust quickly too
Interesting string.
I just took my new SR1911 out for the first time today. Tight gun (more so than my RemRand, after 70 years obviously, and a bit more so than my Officer’s ATI); good looking, and to this relative amateur, the fit and finish are as good or better than any gun I own (>3, let’s just say…). Accuracy is limited by me, and not the pistol. Not concerned that it won’t do the job, if required.
The ‘soft steel’ argument is interesting. True, stainless is less magnetic than plain steel; there must be SOME difference in hardness, though I don’t know whether it will prove relevant. For a ‘working gun’ (e.g. police work), I suspect it would get dinged up.
For those of us who carry infrequently, it’s likely to prove a minor difference.
That, however is the opinion of an ‘experienced amateur’.
I contacted a local sporting goods and gunsmith store and asked to buy two Ruger SR1911’s with consecutive serial numbers for myself and my son’s upcoming birthday. It took a month but I got them just as I asked so I think Ruger is stepping up production. We have fired over 300 rounds of cheep target range rounds through both guns with no problems. I have a friend with a Kimber and he tried to talk me out of buying these but after shooting a few rounds he has changed his mind and is also considering buying one. FYI, I paid <$650 each…..
I have 2 sr 1911s very happy with both shoot and functions great
Would anyone care to have the frame Brinnell tested to determine the actual hardness and then compare this to other products? Unscientific opinions concerning things like metallurgy are not very helpful. I am not a true fan of any stainless item when subjected to abrasion. Stainless is gummy by nature and acts funny when heated. But it won’t rust, which I assume is the point of using it in the application. I would have been good with a carbon steel blued version of this gun or any 1911. But the. Gun I bought shoots nice is accurate and serves my needs as a home protection device. But,my main objective was to find a gun that would stop a perp and not kill anyone three houses away.
Gary, I work with stainless in the making of small parts. The stainless used in firearms will indeed rust, any stainless that attracts a magnet will. True stainless is too hard for the making of firearms parts and by the way is Non magnetic. Stainless come in many levels of grade just like iron or steel. The hardness of most stainless firearms parts on a scale of 1 to 10 is around a 5 or 6, some maybe a 7 at best it has to be workable as the harder stainless is the more likely it will leave small pits, chips etc when milling grinding and working it, not to mention it’s expensive. Hope this helps!
Have been wanting a 1911 for years. I collect guns very slowly with a lot of research done on each as my disposable income is limited. When I first saw and handled the Ruger SR 1911, I fell in love with it. I read all the reviews I could find and that helped cement my decision. I bought it today and could not be happier. With so many preferences and opinions out there, no gun will EVER get high marks from everyone, but the SR 1911 is the one for me. At half the price of most I looked at and nearly an equal quality comparison…..it is a no brainer for a guy on a budget.
If I had to head for the hills tomorrow in a “shit hit the fan” type of situation ; it would be mostly Ruger weapons that would make that trip with me …..! Redhawk 44 mag paired with 44 mag Ruger carbine . 22/45 paired with 10/22. And now their version of 1911 45 acp paired with a hi point 45 acp carbine only cause Ruger doesn’t make a 45 acp long gun yet…..! A VZ 58 7.62 × 39 with folding stock plus a Winchester 1300 pump defender model 12 gauge with folding stock as well would round of the list of weapons I’d take with me no matter what . The rest of my guns I would burry in case I got to come back for them at a later date if I survived the crisis !
Old vet. Wanted a 1911 that (1) didn’t break the bank, (2) was relatively true (field stripping and cleaning) to my Army issue 1911, and (3) performed well shooting. It passed on all accounts. I’ve been pleased with my SR1911 after a couple of thousand rounds. No stove pipes or mis-feeds ever, and it still looks good. It was a good value purchase and I recommend it to anyone who wants to own and shoot one of the great weapons that served many a soldier well over many conflicts. Can’t say that I ever hit any of my weapons with a hammer or took a file to them. 😉
I’m glad you’re happy with it! Just don’t let your Springfield GI 45 get too close!
I am now a proud owner 5 Sr1911
8.75 stars. As for forged being superior to cast, it is not a proven scientific fact. How many sets of Ping cast golf clubs have been sold in the last 50 years?Many more than forged blades. Casting when done well by great craftsman, although not as attractive as forged golf clubs nor pistols, serve the purpose of each instrument well.If the American liberals could circulate news about cast weapons cracking or misfiring, it would be in liberal sports pages.Its a matter of confidence.Whether its a six iron to an island green or a noise in the night, if you cannot nhave confidence in what you reach for in your golfbasg or nightstand, it becomes a scary situation.I have faith in American gun manufacturers, not so much in liberals.
I’ve now run over 4,000 shots through the 5″ and around 2,300 or more through my CMD.I was glad to see that Ruger has an aluminum CMD available now.It will make carry on long trips and excursions lighter. I am hopeful that Ruger will bring out a 9mm version for practice at the range.MY current rugers have run flawlessly on hollow points. I try to shoot what i carry as I am sure most people do as well.
I have owned and shot many 1911’s in my 40 plus years of shooting. The Ruger tops the list of everything I asked it to do. I have never had a jam in the 500 rounds of 230 grain home loads I have feed it so far. The trigger is very good, and the finish is beautiful. I would put this up against anything in it’s class up to the 4000 dollar range. If you buy one you won’t be disappointed. Home run Ruger!!
I gave a Commander Model and it works very well. Most 1911 I have bought need a little bit of tuning to run 100%, but this one ran great with no need for tuning. The only thing I did was to give a trigger job to reduce the trigger pull from 5.5lbs to 4.25lbs. The gun is well built and fast vs. forged depends more on the quality of the casting, and in this case it is very good quality.
Thanks for asking. I have the full size Ruger 1911. I have had colt’s in the past and shot many different models and makes. I find the Ruger superior to the Colt and Kimber. I know your thinking this guy hasn’t shot a Kimber….yes I have and the Ruger is everything the Kimber is. But….you knew this was coming….it needs about a thousand rounds through it to naturally smooth it out. Or you can do my trick with graphite lock cleaner. Just flow some in all the moving parts and shoot a box of ammo then clean it very well….it will make it as smooth as glass.
These Ruger 1911’s are NOT superior to Colts in any way shape or form. I’ve never owned a Kimber so I can’t speak to the quality of their firearms. Ruger’s guns are cheaper for a reason. They are not made as well as many other brands of firearms. I’m not bashing Ruger at all as they make some fine revolvers and cheap pocket guns but that’s about it.
Realize this dialogue is a bit dated, but I just picked up an SR1911 and brought it to the range for the first time. This is my new carry gun. As the target I had up was pretty well used by the time I pulled the SR1911 out I aimed a 5-round mag at one of the numbers on the target. Granted I was only firing at 10 yards, but those five rounds were so tight the number was obliterated. Ran multiple fully loaded mags through it with mix and match loads including round nose and JHP’s without a hiccup. Have never seen this kind of accuracy out of the box with any semi-auto outside of a 22.
I am glad that so many owners are very happy with their Ruger .45 1911s.
I love most Ruger firearms and was merely pointing out something I discovered.
Would I buy another Ruger?
Absolutely.