Ruger SR1911

[johngalt]

Dad just got one, for the price it seems like a decent quality firearm, and fairly closely adheres to John Browning's original design.

It is a Series 70 design, meaning it has neither the Series 80 or Swartz firing pin safety. To accomplish the same purpose, it has a titanium firing pin with extra heavy springs.

It is clearly a mass produced firearm and not custom fitted - the barrel link does not lock up the barrel to slide perfectly tight, there is a little bit of movement when pushing on the barrel hood through the ejection port. It is better than a lot of factory pistols I have looked at though.

It has some of the usual accoutrements - beaver tail, fixed night sights, extended slide release (but thankfully, no ambi safety).

Ok but not spectacular trigger. Crisp but a bit heavy, I'm guessing close to 5 lbs.

As to be expected, it has a cast frame. The finish is the normal-for-today matte black finish - no high polish blue like the old Colts.

It has not been fired yet, so I can't comment on accuracy or reliability.

I had been thinking about getting one, after seeing one in person I'm thinking harder about it. It isn't a target gun, but looks like it should be a good defense gun.

 

[GKC]

The finish is the normal-for-today matte black finish - no high polish blue like the old Colts.

I have a SR1911 CMD (4.25" barrel.) Mine is a matte stainless finish, with some of the hardware (slide stop, mag release button, thumb safety, grip screws, and grip safety) being matte black.

It is a production gun, but accuracy is certainly acceptable. It is also reliable, and a great value. I use the Ruger-branded 7 round mags in mine (which are made by Checkmate, I believe.) I don't like flush fit mags, so I added some Ed Brown bumpers to the mags (the base plates are already drilled and tapped.)

 

[spad124]

I've liked the SR1911 since they were announced. When they were first sold they were sold above MSRP. I waited and bought one about a year ago from my LGS. He had one for a decent price.

In my opinion it's a nice looking 1911 with the right "upgrades" over the basic 1911A1 pistol. While the pistol is serviceable out of the box, Ruger didn't hand fit and tune every pistol leaving the factory. If they did the pistol would probably cost double what it does. I appreciate that Ruger left it for the owner to tune it, leave it stock, or have it tuned sometime in the future.

As with most Rugers the SR1911 gets better the more you shoot it.

 

[bigggbbruce]

It is clearly a mass produced firearm and not custom fitted - the barrel link does not lock up the barrel to slide perfectly tight, there is a little bit of movement when pushing on the barrel hood through the ejection port. It is better than a lot of factory pistols I have looked at though.

That was the issue I had with a CMD.. Accuracy was garbage without good lock up. So instead of working on it I traded it off.

 

[Toyman]

I bought the first one my shop got it for $625 and can not advise how many rounds through it. Trigger and accuracy is acceptable.
Last spring the slide stop broke and I replaced with a Wilson extended one.
I sent the broken one to Ruger at Prescott, AZ. asked for replacement and comment and never received either.

 

[GKC]

I sent the broken one to Ruger at Prescott, AZ. asked for replacement and comment and never received either.

That's very unusual for Ruger...usually they are very prompt and responsive.

Edited to add: after I posted my comment, I went back and re-read you post. When I first read "slide top" I thought you meant the top of the slide had broken. (I assume you meant slide stop.) I couldn't imagine letting that go!

 

[Toyman]

It was slide stop not slide tracking show delivery to Prescott address.
I did not follow up with phone call.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I have one I bought in 2012 that now has over 8500 rounds through it without so much as a hiccup. The most reliable 1911 I have ever owned!

 

[Arik]

Traditional 1911s were never tightly fitted guns. That came many decades later by people who wanted to shoot bullseye. How tight one is really doesn't say anything about quality or reliability but it's something that's been said and repeated long enough that it has become a defecto "standard". Not long ago I got to handle a very clean, original 1918 still in box and wrapper. It wasn't all that tight. Nice gun but not what many think a 1911 is, or was

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[6GUNSONLY]

I have two Ruger 1911s, both Commander length, one is all-steel the other alloy frame. Ive been extremely pleased with both. I'm not a 1911 snob when it comes to custom fit, target accuracy, and such, but I have owned a bunch of 1911 style guns over the past 40 years, mostly Colts with a few others. I think these guns by Ruger represent a very good value for the money, and are as good as most of us can make use of. Mine have been extremely reliable and accuracy more than acceptable, for me anyway. Like any other decently designed and engineered 1911, they can be customized infinitely to suit the individual owner's taste and needs. As far as the cast frame, I think Ruger's success with cast parts over the years makes this a non-issue. Just my opinion, of course. I'm happy enough with mine that the all-steel one is my bedside gun, with an extra mag and a good flashlight.

 

[joeintexas]

For the money I don't think you can beat the SR1911. Mine has been perfect right out of the box, no hiccups. I would guess over 3000 rounds fired now, mostly reloads. I rotate it with the S&W 1911 and the 4566. I bet you would enjoy having one.

 

[spad124]

Traditional 1911s were never tightly fitted guns. That came many decades later by people who wanted to shoot bullseye. How tight one is really doesn't say anything about quality or reliability but it's something that's been said and repeated long enough that it has become a defecto "standard". Not long ago I got to handle a very clean, original 1918 still in box and wrapper. It wasn't all that tight. Nice gun but not what many think a 1911 is, or was

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I agree that a lot of people forget the basis of the 1911 that Arik points out. The pistol had to first function in a lot of adverse conditions such as the trenches in WWI. The fact that a 1911 can be tuned and fitted to also be a competitive pistol says a lot for the basic design

 

[daddio202]

I have had my full size sr1911 for about 2 years now. With around 3000 rounds through it I just recently replaced the recoil spring with a new one. They are great guns very dependable and pretty accurate. Sr1911's are not as accurate as revolvers but can get you within a 6 inch radius at 25 yards which to me is good enough. Can not beat them for the price if you ask me!

 

[LVSteve]

How tight one is really doesn't say anything about quality or reliability but it's something that's been said and repeated long enough that it has become a defecto "standard".

"defecto standard"

I see what you did there.

Consider that one stolen.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have had my full size sr1911 for about 2 years now. With around 3000 rounds through it I just recently replaced the recoil spring with a new one. They are great guns very dependable and pretty accurate. Sr1911's are not as accurate as revolvers but can get you within a 6 inch radius at 25 yards which to me is good enough. Can not beat them for the price if you ask me!

Did you really mean "6 inch radius" or 6 inch diameter? A 6" radius is 12" in diameter.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[GKC]

It is clearly a mass produced firearm and not custom fitted - the barrel link does not lock up the barrel to slide perfectly tight, there is a little bit of movement when pushing on the barrel hood through the ejection port.

I forgot to mention that on mine, there isn't any movement when I push on the barrel hood. It locks up a tight or tighter than any other 1911 I've had. The loosest 1911 I've ever had was a Taurus.

 

[Targets Guy]

I'm a big fan of the Ruger SR1911.



and the lightweight Commander



and the Ruger SR1911 9mm

 

[johngalt]

Traditional 1911s were never tightly fitted guns. That came many decades later by people who wanted to shoot bullseye. How tight one is really doesn't say anything about quality or reliability but it's something that's been said and repeated long enough that it has become a defecto "standard". Not long ago I got to handle a very clean, original 1918 still in box and wrapper. It wasn't all that tight. Nice gun but not what many think a 1911 is, or was

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Yes, the original design had some slop. One of the Army requirements was all the parts had to be interchangeable between pistols, which meant loose tolerances. That is ok with me, my old Colt has been converted to a target pistol.

I'm not concerned with the barrel link. With my Colt I found that the bushing is more critical. The link isn't tight there either but even so it is good enough to shoot bullseye.

 

[bowzette]

I have a LW CMD 9mm. Like the other comments it is reliable and and accurate for SD and action shooting. I'm shooting cheap Freedom Munition loads and it groups well with these. I had my GS work on the trigger. I like it better than the trigger on a Dan Wesson I have, but the DW needs more break in. I also changed the sights to combat style adjustable rear and Dawson Precision FO front. This is working well for me. I really benefit from the FO front. I lust after another DW-a light weight alloy frame model-just for the fit and finish and no work to do on it out of the box. But the SR1911 is doing so well I have a difficult time "rationalizing" another purchase (I'm sure I'll find a way