Another 1911 - Rem R1 (pics)...

[loutent]

So was at a LGS last week and they had a few Remington R1 factory demos selling for $499 - they also had "new" ones for about $175 more. I can't resist a bargain, so I picked a demo up - not a scratch on it. Now 2 months ago I bought a Ruger SR1911 - after 300 rounds, I get feed issues about every 50 rounds with the Ruger - still working on it - might be the magazine. I haven't yet shot the R1.

As you can see, the R1 is not finished as nicely as the Ruger IMO, but for a basic $500 1911, I can live with it if it is reliable - we'll see.

My next 1911 is going to "something special"

Some pics:

Note the casting seam visible on the grip front:

 

[27145]

I think that is a great looking gun.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Remington R1

I'm very interested in how it performs. The intell. on this gun was that Big Green had a heckuva time making one that would run. They called in independent outside experts to help.

 

[617X10]

That's probably a bunch of baloney from the competition. As much literature as there is on the 1911, and with modern CNC equipment taking out the guess work, any gun company out there should be able to put out their own version. And it looks like I'm right judging by the list of companies producing 1911's. I've got a 1911R1, and have experienced only one stoppage in 750 rounds. One round didn't feed all the way into the chamber, and that was probably from getting pretty dirty during an extended range session. That's an inherent design flaw for all 1911's, due to the angle a round must follow before it can enter the chamber. If mine's any indication, they work fine.

 

[rjgnwdc]

Great looking R1 congrats... any pic of th SR?

 

[HotRoderX]

I like the R1's they seem like really nice pistols for the price. I almost got one when I was shopping for my first 1911. I ended up having to pass thought since the LGS was off there rocker on price it was like 732. Would still like to add one to my collection some day for the right price. I would like to here how it does at the range and if you have any long term problems with it.

 

[loutent]

Great looking R1 congrats... any pic of th SR?

Sure - I posted these a while back - I think the SR1911 s better finished - possibly because I'm partial to SS for 1911's.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/195738-stumbled-sr1911-pics.html

 

[Engineer1911]

S&W 1911 Target model in SS is a thing of beuaty. But I like my Rem R1 and all its cousins.

 

[Fishslayer]

I'm very interested in how it performs. The intell. on this gun was that Big Green had a heckuva time making one that would run. They called in independent outside experts to help.

That's understandable. It's not like that technology has a whole lot of history to draw on...

 

[kewpie]

That's an inherent design flaw for all 1911's, due to the angle a round must follow before it can enter the chamber.

"Inherent design flaw?" Really?

I never had those problems with any of my Colts - incl a 1943 A1, Pre-Gold Cup NM, 2 70's Commanders and 2 70's Gov't models. IIRC the angle of feed ramp to magazine-well C/L is critical as is the feed ramp angle from vertical and mag-well C/L. (There is/was a firmly fixed standard for 45's) I would bet that angle is inconsistent on pistols that exhibit consistent failures-to-feed after every 4th or 5th, etc round, (and esp last round) allowing that the magazine lips and follower angle are properly set. Also cast frames have exhibited high spots along the bridge and other frame areas.

I never had to check anything other than magazine config and follower angle - I would bet that modern problems (i.e copies of the real 1911) are most likely due to 'currently inherent' imported steel, out-sourced mfg., casting tolerances, and other sloppy mfg. (meaning those over-priced guns needing to be 'broken in.') The pre-Gold Cup NM was hand fitted to just-movable / minimum tolerances, then lapped to function like a Colt should.

I looked @ an new R1 a few weeks ago and its lack of finish was mindful of some more carefully made capguns of yesteryear. Even the surfaces looked 'grainy.'

 

[617X10]

That's an inherent design flaw for all 1911's, due to the angle a round must follow before it can enter the chamber.

"Inherent design flaw?" Really?

I never had those problems with any of my Colts - incl a 1943 A1, Pre-Gold Cup NM, 2 70's Commanders and 2 70's Gov't models. IIRC the angle of feed ramp to magazine-well C/L is critical as is the feed ramp angle from vertical and mag-well C/L. (There is/was a firmly fixed standard for 45's) I would bet that angle is inconsistent on pistols that exhibit consistent failures-to-feed after every 4th or 5th, etc round, (and esp last round) allowing that the magazine lips and follower angle are properly set. Also cast frames have exhibited high spots along the bridge and other frame areas.

I never had to check anything other than magazine config and follower angle - I would bet that modern problems (i.e copies of the real 1911) are most likely due to 'currently inherent' imported steel, out-sourced mfg., casting tolerances, and other sloppy mfg. (meaning those over-priced guns needing to be 'broken in.') The pre-Gold Cup NM was hand fitted to just-movable / minimum tolerances, then lapped to function like a Colt should.

I looked @ an new R1 a few weeks ago and its lack of finish was mindful of some more carefully made capguns of yesteryear. Even the surfaces looked 'grainy.'

I don't care about your experiences with your guns. I'm talking about all 1911's in general. Go to a dealer, look at the feed angle for a Beretta, then look at the feed angle for a 1911. The one with the straight shot into the chamber is going to have less problems than the one that slams the bullet into a ramp. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Why do you think so many companies producing 1911's suggest using round-nose FMJ in the owner's manual? Colt, huh? Yeah, I hear they used be a pretty good gun-manufacturer back in the day. Now all they do is make an overpriced version of 3 gun designs you can get from almost anybody else. AR's, Single Actions, and 1911s. Thank goodness for nostalgic suckers I guess.

 

[DeadAye]

Funny thing - The 1911 was designed around hard ball ammunition.
There's a reason for that.

Most *1911* pistols out there are more correctly identified as *1911 type* pistols.

 

[LHS]

Can the R1 be converted to left handed, or can any 1911's for that fact?

(I'd prefer a S&W 1911 myself, but for a first one maybe a little less pricey.)

 

[617X10]

Funny thing - The 1911 was designed around hard ball ammunition.
There's a reason for that.

Most *1911* pistols out there are more correctly identified as *1911 type* pistols.

The gun was designed around a cartridge that had already been specified by the ordnance department. I've read some of the history. They shot live animals to determine what would kill most quickly. If you want to get nit-picky, that's your choice. Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Remington, IMI, and plenty of other companies have been emblazoning their weapons with 1911. If it has a swinging link, single action sliding trigger, single stack magazine, thumb and palm safety, and comes in .45 ACP; then 1911 sounds like a pretty good description to me.

 

[Stevie]

I bought a 1911 R1 a few months ago.

Remington's attention to detail ain't quite up to snuff...but the pistol's preformance is superb.

Problems I've had: bad casting/machine-work inside the frame dustcover caused the frame to wear a line in the slide's finish(apparently common problem with the R1)....The slide-stop lever's nubbie stuck into the magwell way too far..causing the ammunition to have to 'jump' around the lever nub....rear sight set screw came loose....some hollowpoints won't feed...some will..I notice that the same ammo that causes the Rem problems also causes issues with my Springer milspec.

Rem 1911 R1 good points: The gun has been remarkably reliable(even with the slide-stop issue, which I fixed anyhow). Accuracy is excellent. The gun isn't magazine-picky..will work with about any of my pile of crappy 1911 mags. Trigger-pull is very good(despite the series 80 safety).

I'm liking my Remington 1911.

 

[LHS]

If it has a swinging link, single action sliding trigger, single stack magazine, thumb and palm safety, and comes in .45 ACP; then 1911 sounds like a pretty good description to me.

I had a guy in a gun store tell me a M&P 45 was a "1911" style pistol. He said it was based on the frame style and overall appearance. I just said "really?", and walked away.

 

[40cal]

Remington Arms Co. New York, USA

Mine has been flawless with FMJ & JHP, a great shooter.
an ambi. thumb safety is about the only part it really needs for a lefty, IMO.

Rock Solid Remington .45