I haven't fired a Ruger 1911 yet, the only one I've had any experience with was one that my LGS got in last year after they first came out. I field stripped it, inspected the parts and workmanship, and tested the action and trigger. It seemed OK, reasonably well built, with decent machining and tolerances. The trigger was acceptable, although with a bit of creep and, as is typical of nearly all factory guns these days, especially Rugers of all descriptions, far too heavy. That, of course, can be remedied. Overall, a decent 1911, but, IMHO, not quite to the quality level of Colt or Springfield.
If you are truly looking for the "best bang for the buck," take a look at Springfield's Range Officer. I picked one up not too long ago, and it is head and shoulders above any other 1911 in the less than $1,500 price range, in my opinion. Slide to frame fit, bushing fit and barrel to slide fit is so tight it needs no modification for serious target competition, yet the slide is smooth in operation, with no roughness. The trigger is very smooth and crisp, although a bit heavy (mine broke at just under 5 lbs when new, now is about 4.5 lbs after about 150 rounds, that is where it will stay until I do a little work to bring it down to 3.5 lbs or so, where I like them). Some things SA doesn't advertise include: 1) the feed ramp is polished, 2) the chamber is flared and polished, 3) the breech face is smoothed around the firing pin area, and, 4) the firing pin channel in the slide is deburred. The foregoing four items comprise a "reliability package" offered by most smiths and custom shops at a cost of $150-$350. My gun has operated flawlessly, and is extremely accurate, the last several groups have been right around an inch to inch and a half at 25 yards offhand, I expect they will tighten up a bit when I get around to shooting it from a rest. I followed a typical rifle barrel break-in procedure, i.e., fire one round, clean, fire one round, clean, etc. for the first 15 rounds, then fire five rounds, clean, fire five, clean, etc., until 65 rounds, then fire a magazine full (7 rounds), clean, another magazine, clean, etc. to a total round count nearing 150, I have had good results in attaining accuracy from my rifles and handguns using that technique. The other features are pretty much self-evident, and I consider the adjustable sights to be a major benefit - I like to be able to adjust the sights to suit the loads I use, the individual gun, and my hold. BTW, I have used adjustable sighted guns (rifles and handguns) in actual combat, and have never had them "knocked out of alignment" or any of the other supposed combat-related drawbacks attributed to them by arm-chair experts, so I don't consider them a drawback for such use. I haven't had any problem carrying it concealed, either, although that was just in simple "test runs" around the house, as I want another few hundred rounds through it before carrying it as a defensive weapon. BTW, it has operated flawlessly to date, reliably digesting factory FMJ ball ammo, RNL loads, 200 grain LWSC and factory hollow points. I usually carry my Colt Lightweight Government Model as my primary carry weapon, but this Range Officer is fast becoming one of my favorite guns. The other day, I was bouncing cans with each round offhand from 50 to 75 yards - it is a great shooter, and lots of fun! I like it more every time I take it shooting!
Whatever you buy, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
If you are truly looking for the "best bang for the buck," take a look at Springfield's Range Officer. I picked one up not too long ago, and it is head and shoulders above any other 1911 in the less than $1,500 price range, in my opinion. Slide to frame fit, bushing fit and barrel to slide fit is so tight it needs no modification for serious target competition, yet the slide is smooth in operation, with no roughness. The trigger is very smooth and crisp, although a bit heavy (mine broke at just under 5 lbs when new, now is about 4.5 lbs after about 150 rounds, that is where it will stay until I do a little work to bring it down to 3.5 lbs or so, where I like them). Some things SA doesn't advertise include: 1) the feed ramp is polished, 2) the chamber is flared and polished, 3) the breech face is smoothed around the firing pin area, and, 4) the firing pin channel in the slide is deburred. The foregoing four items comprise a "reliability package" offered by most smiths and custom shops at a cost of $150-$350. My gun has operated flawlessly, and is extremely accurate, the last several groups have been right around an inch to inch and a half at 25 yards offhand, I expect they will tighten up a bit when I get around to shooting it from a rest. I followed a typical rifle barrel break-in procedure, i.e., fire one round, clean, fire one round, clean, etc. for the first 15 rounds, then fire five rounds, clean, fire five, clean, etc., until 65 rounds, then fire a magazine full (7 rounds), clean, another magazine, clean, etc. to a total round count nearing 150, I have had good results in attaining accuracy from my rifles and handguns using that technique. The other features are pretty much self-evident, and I consider the adjustable sights to be a major benefit - I like to be able to adjust the sights to suit the loads I use, the individual gun, and my hold. BTW, I have used adjustable sighted guns (rifles and handguns) in actual combat, and have never had them "knocked out of alignment" or any of the other supposed combat-related drawbacks attributed to them by arm-chair experts, so I don't consider them a drawback for such use. I haven't had any problem carrying it concealed, either, although that was just in simple "test runs" around the house, as I want another few hundred rounds through it before carrying it as a defensive weapon. BTW, it has operated flawlessly to date, reliably digesting factory FMJ ball ammo, RNL loads, 200 grain LWSC and factory hollow points. I usually carry my Colt Lightweight Government Model as my primary carry weapon, but this Range Officer is fast becoming one of my favorite guns. The other day, I was bouncing cans with each round offhand from 50 to 75 yards - it is a great shooter, and lots of fun! I like it more every time I take it shooting!
Whatever you buy, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
