Thinking of switching out some revolvers and getting a 1911 - I like the shorter barrel length and handled a nice ruger sr1911 commander at cabelas this afternoon.

Anyone have any input on the ruger? Should I save up and get a smith 1911 instead?

I have the full size and love it. Its my first n only 1911. I did have the broken front sight, repaired by ruger. Problem should be gone on newer guns. Also, i have some fail to feeds. But im happy with. If you shop for a low price, it seems to be one of the best deals around.

I carry a Colt light weight Commander regularly and have for years. Perfect for daily CC except in hottest months for me.

The only 1911's I own are Colts. I've not been sufficiently impressed with the various non-Colt 1911's to buy one, although I've shot a variety of them.

It's a matter of personal preference, I'm sure.

Far as I'm concerned, the Ruger is just another Colt clone. A nice pistol, but still a clone. That said, I've never fired one. I've looked at them, handled them, but moved on. Ruger says their skeletonized hammer "provides faster cycling". I'm not sure, but imagine the difference between skeletonized and a regular ol' hammer is infinitesimal. And there are quite a few stainless 1911s out there in all sorts of configurations.

The Ruger is less expensive than some, more expensive than others. The Ruger is undoubtedly a fine weapon, don't get me wrong, but there are lots of others to choose from. I'd do a lot of looking, if I were you.

I have had a Ruger for a couple of year and it is first rate. I have no complaints at all.

I have owned and shot, in IPSC, a upgraded FS Series 70 Colt 1911, probably have over a 1000 rounds through it. It has been a good pistol, but actually nothing to write home to mother about. I have owned a Ruger SR-1911 Commander since last October. I probably have about a 1000 rounds through it. I have not had a single failure to feed or eject. The front sight has not fallen off. If anything the fit and finsh is better than what came on my Colt. The Novac sights are way better than what came with the Colt. It shoots my handloads into 2.5-3" at 25 yards. It has everything you would want/need on a modern 1911 and nothing you don't need. For the price, you get a lot of pistol with the Ruger, on that should last you many tens of thousands of rounds.

If you want a very top of the line 1911, than get a top of the line STI, a Wilson, Les Baer or an Ed Brown pistol.

__________________
Can my S&W Mdl 10 shoot +P

That should be 100,000 rounds through the Colt. As I recall I bought the thing new in 1978

__________________
Can my S&W Mdl 10 shoot +P

I haven't known anyone with any complaints about their SR1911s, but I know a lot more people with the full-size models than the Commander sized. Myself, if I were going to buy a Commander-sized 1911 for carry, I'd get one of the S&W E-Series bobtails. I've had several thousand rounds through my E-Series, including about 500 of assorted hollowpoints, and never a stutter.

I've handled but not shot them. They seem well built. Trigger wasn't the best but certainly useable.

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

I bought the full size when they first came out and really like it. It handles everything I feed it, even my light SWC loads that I used in bullseye. Because it proved to be such a good shooter, I bought the Commander size as well. I haven't shot it as much but it appears to be a keeper.

Same here. Looks really pretty, too. A lot higher price than the OP is probably wanting to pay, given the Ruger price, tho.

In all seriousness, look at the American Classic 2 1911 Commander. They are actually quite quality for the money. A gunsmith I know swears by them. Just change out the stock grips, like this guy did, which are awful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjfp5sq-3OQ

I have two full size Ruger's. One Reminton, and two s&w lightweight commanders. The Smiths are my favorite's, for a commander I want light weight, I see no reason to have a heavy commander.

The Rugers are the best full size stainless 1911's going, the Remington, the best blued one. Colts among others are not an option for me I live in Mass.

The trick with 1911's imho is to get the one that is configured the way you want it out of the box. rather than tricking one out after you get it. For example if one wanted a polished stainless one without the black controls, buying a Ruger, and polishing it and getting stainless controls would be a mistake, just get the Remington R1S instead. ED

I haven't heard a single thing bad about them, so as far as cheaper 1911's go I'd say they're the gold standard!

__________________
Still just a kid at heart

I bought one of the CMD's from Ruger not long after they became available. It was kind of an impulse buy, my first 1911. I kept it about 6 months before I decided I was tired of chasing brass and gathering components for yet another caliber. Ended up trading on a beautiful NYSP 681 and couldn't be happier!

Would buy one if they make a lightweight Commander Model. I think they will!

They really do need to expand the sr1911 line. Lightweight commander, different finishes, different calibers, or better yet conversion kits, would all sell quite well IMHO. Ed

Agreed! I've got a new SR1911 Government sized one, and so far, it's a real pip....

A $660 1911 pistol made in the USA. Can't go much wrong here...

__________________
Jorge

[QUOTE=baccusboy;138111613]In all seriousness, look at the American Classic 2 1911 Commander. They are actually quite quality for the money. A gunsmith I know swears by them. Just change out the stock grips, like this guy did, which are awful./QUOTE]

A gunsmith I know around here spoke highly of the American Classic as one of the better low-priced 1911s.

I have 2 of the SR1911 Government models and 1 SR1911 CMD. Not sure why but I shoot the CMD a bit better than the longer ones so it's become a bit of a favorite.

However, one note on the CMD. Watch Hickok45's video on this model because out of the box mine was as power sensitive as the one in his video. Fortunately I load my own ammo so it was pretty simple to load up some "hotter" loads to break it in with. BTW, one of the "hotter" loads was a 185 grain Hornady XTP over 10.0 grains of Accurate #5 for a muzzle velocity of 1050 fps. Yeah, it has a bit of a bark to it but it functioned with 100% perfection during the break in. Now I've gone back to my pussycat 820 fps 230 grain FMJ loads and have a bit of fun trying to obliterate the 10 ring at 30 feet.

Now, concerning a Lightweight Commander. My carry pistol is a Sig Sauer P239 in 40 caliber, which features an alloy frame. With that pistol I have learned that any semi with an alloy frame is NOT a good choice if you want to shoot that gun a lot. Currently I have about 4500 rounds downrange with the P239 using grease for lubrication and I would estimate that between 15,000 and 20,000 rounds fired the frame will be worn out. Because of this when I spotted a low count used P239 I snapped it up. Fact is I really like the way the P239 fits my hand and fear that someday Sig will stop making it. Point is there aint no such thing as a free lunch, alloy frames are lighter than steel but they will not last as long as a steel frame will.

I like mine just fine that I bought last year. No problems from it and have a few hundred rounds through it so far. I do need to take it out more often though.

I like Ruger. However, personally, I am not a fan of the Ruger 1911.

I will leave it at that.

YMMV.

__________________
Rather be outdoors

I have one & really like it. for the money, hard to beat.

Amen to that. Years ago I had a Colt Commander. Gave it a steady diet of GI hardball; in 1500 rounds it was a rattletrap. Now I have a Colt Combat Commander (steel frame).

I've been shopping 1911's for a long time and have rented and shot every different brand, frame type, barrel length, etc. that I could rent or borrow to shoot.

At the end of the story, I've decided that if I get one it'll be the Ruger. As someone else said, it has the most features out of the box of any of them.

As someone else also said; the only reason I haven't done it yet is that I limit myself to just a very few calibers to simplify the reloading.

I guess I'm just working up to my '1911 phase'. So when you finally see me with a 1911 and all the accoutrements you can say; "oh, he's just going through a phase." - and you'll be correct.

__________________
But then, what do I know?

I like the CMD. Its one of the best values in pistols youll find, especially at $600. Its my next gun and I dont mind the weight. I prefer steel over aluminum. Only reason I chose the 3" 686 right now is because theyre getting difficult to find.

I'm glad that I took a minute to use the search feature on the site. I was just about to bust off a new thread asking for your experiences and opinions on the Ruger 1911's.

I happened on to one this week and found it appealing enough that I would consider buying one. The particular example I found at a local gun shop was a commander sized one.

Looks like the opinions are mostly favorable here, with some having a few reservations about the gun.

The thread is a little old, so if forum members want to comment about the gun now that they have had them a little longer, I'd be interested in seeing that, hopefully a few others would be as well.

Still haven't decided about making the purchase, but this forum helps in making the evaluation. Thanks guys!

I bought a CMD after shooting a friends full size Ruger. The full size, out of the box, no wipe down, etc, No failures of any knid, and one hole groups. I actually thought I was missing the whole target, until we brought it back. After my friend that owned the gun, and another friend shot it with the exact same results. it out shot a Sig scorpion, and a Wilson on the same day. Extremely impressed.
So I bought the first Ruger 1911 I found, a CMD. With the only exception of wiping it down and lubing the rails, No failures of any kind and same kind of grouping. The exception was grouping lower left. The back sight must have been welded or something, I took it to my gunsmith to get it to move and adjust. Very anxious to get it sighted in and start carrying.
BTW other than my SW645, this is the only other gun I have had that would cycle empty cases through the mag.
I am waiting on the lightweight version. However I am going to buy the new Sig 220 in 10mm first. So many toys, so little time...
Take care and God Bless

__________________
Jesus is Lord
John 3:16

This thread has some age on it and the lightweight version is now out. I like the look of the 2 tone. I have also thought about having a 9mm 1911, so I think I will wait for Ruger to do that.

The Ruger LWC is very nice. It has a titanium insert in the feed ramp.

Attached Images

Ruger 1911.jpg (190.4 KB, 38 views)

__________________
Patriots Forever!!

This is the same gun I found in the local shop. Agreed, it is very nice. The two tone looks good!

I bought a Ruger CMD SR 1911 a while back. Excellent firearm. Carries well as an EDC in a Rosen 5JR and/or Alessi shoulder rig. No failures (other than one or two feeding issues during the first 500 rounds). Solid, well made pistol. Just my opinion that one seems to pay a lot of $$$ to have a rampant pony stamped on the side. I have had a few Colts over the years (all revolvers..no 1911s) including an alloy frame Agent, a couple Detective Specials, a Python and a Diamondback. Nice enough guns but just that...nothing more really.