Ok guys I know these guns are very different but I'm looking for a $500ish pistol, I already have a.22(ruger mark iii) love it. But I'm looking for something with a little more oomph. So I have it somewhat narrowed down to the SAM 1911 in either 9 or .45. Or the ruger SR9. I really like the look of the 1911 just wondering about the reliability of these pistols. Also if I got .45 ammo is a fair bit more expensive. So in your opinions should I go all steel 1911 or polymer sr9????
SR9 or SAM 1911
- Thread starter JD22-250
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
If I were to buy a less expensive pistol it would be the SAM ...same manufacturer for many firearms with different names.
If you go for 9mm 1911, think about the smaller Commander length - it has a better feel to me. A bit more pop and a bit less slop when cycling.
I fired both my Spartan IV and SAM Omega last night side by side, and while I can shoot both to the same level of precision, the STI simply felt better to me
I can't comment on the SR9, but I'm selling my striker guns now, as they don't give me the same satisfaction.
I fired both my Spartan IV and SAM Omega last night side by side, and while I can shoot both to the same level of precision, the STI simply felt better to me
I can't comment on the SR9, but I'm selling my striker guns now, as they don't give me the same satisfaction.
The SR9 is a best buy ! I love it, feels great, lower bore axis, very adjustable sights, very ambidextrous and you know you are buying from a first rate company ! I have multiple guns, and they all have their merits. You can't go wrong with the SR9. IMO 
Rickster66
Regular
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
I picked up a SAM 1911 commander tactical a few weeks ago and have about 300 rounds through it. It is a solid well made pistol and reliable to this point. It is fairly accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Slide to frame for is excellent no looseness or noticeable rattling. I paid around 450. Great value in a. 45. My buddy picked up a used SR9 for $325. He's very happy with it. I do think think you can go wrong with either choice. Just depends on how big a bang you want.
Fair enough. But if you include tax from the dealer and shipping (unless free) and the additional mags, I think it is fine. Not a huges savings, I agree on that. But still a savings and based on low availability, if I didn't already have one, I would snatch it up right pronto.
Nice, I was just about to post a very similiar thread. I'm in an endless debate about 9mm vs .45 and 1911 vs ??
Cheers,
Do you have the SAM In 9mm. Is it just as reliable as the .45? I've heard 9mm 1911s malfunction more
I have the SAM in 1911 9mm commander length (stainless Sigma 9 actually). It is flawless so far. I've run it with 4 different mag manufacturers. There is another thread on CGN all about it. Sorry, you'll have to search for it. The commander length is purported to be far more reliable when running 9mm in the 1911 platform. I have never had a gov't length 1911 in 9mm so I have no personal experience to compare, other than my commander length has never experience any kind of issue. It is heavy too, with a heavy bull barrel. Less noticed recoil than my Shadow...athough that is not such a big deal if you are focusing on the front site. Has a great trigger, no initial take-up slack, no over-travel, only a tad heavy, which is easy to deal with. Also easier take-down than a typical 1911. I must sound like I am selling them, I am not, but boy have I been impressed! Only thing I will be doing to it is putting on a front FO sight and lightening the trigger.
SAM......have u ever heard of this manufacturer?
Ruger........yes you have for years!
Got a SR9 its a beauty and also a ruger sr1911....both flawless....... Stay away from that junk garbage flooding the market.....eg dominion arms....norinco...... SAM is poor man's 1911.....just like a V12 is a poor mans diesel.......u will find sr9s in EE all day for 400$
Ruger........yes you have for years!
Got a SR9 its a beauty and also a ruger sr1911....both flawless....... Stay away from that junk garbage flooding the market.....eg dominion arms....norinco...... SAM is poor man's 1911.....just like a V12 is a poor mans diesel.......u will find sr9s in EE all day for 400$
And why is that you think? Lol if they are so great and all....
Ruger makes budget firearms, they cast everything they can, use the cheapest materials they can, and cut corners on fit/finish on every firearm they produce.
They make good semi auto .22 rifles and pistols, decent single action revolvers, but everything else is pretty mediocre, and up until the SR9 and SR1911 their center fire pistols have been a joke. Even still they are both overpriced for what you get....a sloppy fiting, terrible trigger, with QC issues that should not be present if they are really that awsome at making guns.
And SAM has been making 1911's for almost 20 years longer then Ruger has....
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Yes, both of those pistols that I mentioned are 9mm. I have mec-gar mags, one of which has loose lips and will pop a round now n then.
I've never had a malfunction with 124gr handloads of good quality with plated bullets. Last night I shot some winchester 115gr whitebox off that I found at the outdoor range a year back. It was more snappy, had inconsistent velocity, and caused 2 failures to extract on my STI but no problem with the SAM. It was crap ammo, though...utter crap.
So in my experience 124gr ball ammo in my 9mm is as reliable as 230gr ball ammo in my 45s.
And the standard length gun is slightly more reliable than the commander when it comes to crap bulk ammo.
Also fair. I did pay that much for my Omega9 originally, before the prices were slashed, with only one mag. And they cost $30-$35 each.
I'm getting one of the thunderbolt types in 9mm when they arrive. I'll probably keep the Omega rather than take a bath on the resale of it, or wait for the right sort of buyer.
Ps - so as not to add another post. I bought a new SR1911 when they could be had for under $700 delivered. At that price it was an is a good gun. I'd in no way buy a new one at today's prices.
The Chinese make stuff to export, to the level of quality that the buyer wants to pay for. The Fillipinos LOVE the 1911....probably as much or more than the yanks do. I trust them to make a good product, again provided the dealer over here is paying them the make-it-right price.
I like Ruger, but I'll pay the SAM price for another SAM before I'll pay the Ruger price today for another Ruger. I think I'd jump up to a Springfield instead.
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Yes, they have been around for years!
It sounds like you are the one who has not heard of them.
It is not garbage junk.
You might want to check one out some day, that is, if you have an open mind around stuff like this.
Ha! Are you insinuating that what Ruger makes in a 1911 is far superior? Hardly.
I like Ruger and I have a lot of Ruger firearms but other than a #1, I would not consider what they manufacture as high-end. All very nice stuff and typically very well built, but not high-end.
