Ruger SR1911 - quick review

T

TheJuggernaut

CGN Regular
Rating - 96.4%
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Having had an extensive visit to the range and a chance to tinker with it, thought some people looking to buy one might be interested in my thoughts.

Anyway, after I got it out of the box, the only thing that wasn't exactly as I would want it to be is the trigger. Not in any significant way but without pressure on it, it rattles a bit, back and forth.

Took it to the range, ran something like 150-200 rounds of S&B and Winchester through it. Not a single hiccup, right out of the box. My friend noticed that the ejection pattern wasn't very consistent so this may change if the gun gets dirty but I don't know how much of it was my shooting technique - it was later in the day and I was holding it quite relaxed. That being said though, I'm a crappy marksman at best and at 15 yards (the Silverdale action range, whatever that is, 10 or 15), I've never shot a handgun this well, except MAYBE my 92FS. I could put all of the bullets into a 1-2" area with minimal concentration, I'm sure a better shooter could drill holes with it.

I let my friend try it who is very experienced, especially with 1911s and he said for the money, it's an exceptional gun, running better than many $1000+ 1911s. I've tried his heavily tweaked Para and Ed Brown and while the Ed Brown is better, at my level, I really can't notice much appreciable difference.

I disassembled the main spring housing last night to have a look at the trigger rattle. I tried tightening the sear spring but that didn't help. After closer examination, the trigger bar was too short and had a mm of clearance before it engages the sear. I got some needle nose pliers and bent it out some. Also flattened the sear spring a bit. The trigger is now DELIGHTFUL. No play and while I don't have a trigger pull meter, it feels similar or even a smidge lighter than the Gold Cup I've tried.

If you're looking for an affordable 1911, especially in stainless, look no further, I promise! I really like the design too. I don't know nearly as much about 1911s as some people but I've tried enough of them to know what I like, and Ruger nailed it. The safety is enlarged but not gigantic like some of the series 80s, just right. It's also not ambi, which is great (sorry lefties). It also looks like an 80 but it's a 70, no firing pin safety.

If you say I'm wrong, I'll eat a baconator. If I'm right, I'll eat two.
 
I acquired one just two week ago and went to the range for a test run. Wow after 3 targets shot at 50 feet 30 holes all in the black !
I'll have a baconator also.
Frenchie
 
I certainly enjoy mine, to the point I'm developing some kind of 1911 fetish... I've been meaning to research how to cure the trigger rattle issue (not that big of a deal, I'm just a drama queen when it comes to my toys!), I'll look into the fix you describe, hopefully this works!

Also, if you're in my neck of the woods, I'm sure I can crank out a better burger for you!
 
How was the slide-to-frame fit?

I've noticed several Ruger SR1911s for sale, either NIB or with very few rds fired. Makes me wonder why .... ?
 
Folks get caught up with the hype, impulse buy, bills comes in, forget they have a mortgage, didn't realize 45 is twice cost of 9mm. Myriad of reasons to sell. Folks sell their python, wanna speculate on that.
Sharps '63 said:
How was the slide-to-frame fit?

I've noticed several Ruger SR1911s for sale, either NIB or with very few rds fired. Makes me wonder why .... ?
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burnaby said:
Folks get caught up with the hype, impulse buy, bills comes in, forget they have a mortgage, didn't realize 45 is twice cost of 9mm. Myriad of reasons to sell. Folks sell their python, wanna speculate on that.
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Nobody complained about the fit and finish of their python lol. There have been threads with people complaining about the sloppy slide of the SR1911.
 
I dont own an SR1911 but one of my good friends does and we shoot together frequently, and I've observed a few things with the gun that may be useful to anybody looking to buy one. The pros of the gun appears to have good overall accuracy, capable of outshooting most operators, barrel lock up is tight with no movement. The trigger was also decent out of the box but at 6lbs, with a change of mainspring and slight sear spring adjustment a consistent and crisp 4lb pull was achieved. The cons are based on my own observations and some are strictly opinion. The slide to frame fit is loose, which is something that Im not very particular about, but it does rattle, but at the price point, can a super tight slide to frame fit be expected? Probably not. I have also witnessed the gun lock back solid when dirty on a few separate occasions. No the slide stop was not engaged, the gun just stuck at the rearward position. The last time it happened, we dropped the mag, pulled the slide to the rear and watched it creep forward at a snails pace. After a thorough cleaning the problem disappeared but was strange non the less, as I have several 1911's, most of which are built to tighter tolerances, and have run them much dirtier for far more rounds and never witnessed that happen. Prior to it sticking completely to the rear several failures to feed and eject occurred, likely due to the sluggish slide action. All hard to fathom given the loose slide fit, and my only thought was that the disconnector might have been sticking up and dragging on the slide. Lastly, the finish on the 'blued' parts, particularly the slide stop, thumb safety and beavertail have all worn quickly. To me this isnt something I would ever worry about, but some people are really anal about finish wear and I feel its worth noting. All in all, would I buy one? If the price was right, yes. But I cant agree with anybody that compares them to guns that cost twice as much, which seems to happen a lot. But this is only based on what I've seen, and compared to other 1911's that I personally own. Im sure there are examples out there that have run flawlessly.
 
Firlotte.com said:
I certainly enjoy mine, to the point I'm developing some kind of 1911 fetish... I've been meaning to research how to cure the trigger rattle issue (not that big of a deal, I'm just a drama queen when it comes to my toys!), I'll look into the fix you describe, hopefully this works!

Also, if you're in my neck of the woods, I'm sure I can crank out a better burger for you!
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You're on!

Regarding slide to frame fit, relative to my limited experience, it's quite good. There is movement for sure but it is hardly a rattler. In fact, I'd say it's tighter than the Gold Cup I've tried. Obviously no Ed Brown but if you watch Ruger's video, they talk about their extensive testing to come up with a gun that's tight in the right ways to be accurate but loose enough in the right ways so a mass produced 1911 could work. Mine is obviously anecdotal evidence but there it is. Mine seriously ran flawlessly after a pile of nonstop shooting, the front 2 inches were covered with soot.

I don't think anyone can argue that this gun doesn't fit the old adage about mass produced 1911s all needing work before they run well.

Regarding the EE influx, it seems to coincide with retailers getting them, and most of them are priced above retail. Look at it this way, even if the gun does suck, how would someone know that selling a NIB one.

If you see a big bald bastard at Silverdale with a gold desert eagle and you want to try the Ruger, just ask.
 
nice review, a fair assessment

I bought mine 3May11, 2 days after official release. Have been very happy. Have shot 12081 rounds, 11885 of those my reloads, mostly 230 gr RN moly coated lead. Most of my shooting has been at weekly practical matches and monthly USPSA matches. Only problem has been front sight broke just after hitting 10,000 - I had been thinking of swapping in a fiber optic so good timing on that. I have nothing against MIM, heck it is used in aircraft, but perhaps the front sight is not a good place for MIM (thinking of 10,000 cycles of slide).

Only other mod I have done is a magwell to improve reloads in matches, got one with a nice bump that fits my hand better.

Mine has never been the slide to frame rattler that folks speak of. I never get why folks are so concerned about slide to frame fit. Has nothing to do with accuracy on John Browning's brilliant design - sights are on slide, barrel is locked up in slide, so free float on frame has no bearing on accuracy, within reason of course.

I've always been a fan of BHP, enjoyed shooting them during my service time, and bought a lightly used HP standard model down here a few years ago. But more time behind a 1911 has shown me how much JMB compromised the trigger on BHP to allow that silly mag disconnect.
 
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CdnInAz said:
Have shot 12081 rounds
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/\ :) Hey what else would you expect from a blue-noser, ex-service, ex-pat living in this excellent state? I live where can shoot outdoors all year long, can travel to/from range without a permission slip, or open carry and shoot out in the desert. So yea, I shoot more then I did back in Canada ;)

But to be honest - I got into reloading after moving here and getting into USPSA - no way I could afford to shoot that much if paying for factory ammo.

Would you be more shocked if I said there was more?? 22LR at monthly Steel Challenge matches, XD9 in Limited class, BHP in Limited10.
A guys gotta have a hobby ;)
 
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CdnInAz said:
/\ :) Hey what else would you expect from a blue-noser, ex-service, ex-pat living in this excellent state? I live where can shoot outdoors all year long, can travel to/from range without a permission slip, or open carry and shoot out in the desert. So yea, I shoot more then I did back in Canada ;)
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Oh yeah? OH YEAH? Well we have Unicorns, and we throw ###y parties. I just rode my Unicorn to one last night, punch was served!

CdnInAz said:
But to be honest - I got into reloading after moving here and getting into USPSA - no way I could afford to shoot that much if paying for factory ammo.

Would you be more shocked if I said there was more?? 22LR at monthly Steel Challenge matches, XD9 in Limited class, BHP in Limited10.
A guys gotta have a hobby ;)
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I hear ya, my 50AE made me see the light. I don't shoot a fraction of what you do but when 20 rounds can cost you 50 bucks, it gives you pause. Now I reload all my calibers except obviously the 22. But as I was warned, since getting into reloading, I don't save any money lol... I just shoot more. My first outing with reloaded 50s, I shot 100 rounds. I think some people's DEs go their entire life without seeing that many in total. I've gained a measure of restraint since...

But that's also why I got the 22. I never considered one early on since at that point it was purely how cool I found the gun - and I felt the 22s were something in-between an Airsoft and a real gun... still a pretender. Then as I got more empty shells under me, I started being interested more in the technical aspects of shooting and as you know, like everything else, nothing replaces trigger time. And even with the 9 it stings. Then around Christmas when Questar had their 15% off, I looked at the Sig 1911-22 and with the discount it was going for what the GSG is (same gun I know but I'm a brand whore), so I started looking harder. Then I was in my local department store... oh wait you used to live here, I was in Cambodian Tire. Walked past the ammo lockup and noticed 22... 22 bucks for 50... what the hell? So it's not any cheaper than shooting 40? Then I noticed the other 0 and I was sold.
 
Sharps '63 said:
How was the slide-to-frame fit?

I've noticed several Ruger SR1911s for sale, either NIB or with very few rds fired. Makes me wonder why .... ?
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Mine bought in the late fall is nice and tight. About 500 rounds through it and not one FTF or FTE.
As for seeing them sold with low round count, they are a value 1911 so some people might by getting them to try a 1911 and not liking the platform.
Plus some people don't realize how much it costs to shoot .45.
 
I have 2 Ruger 1911s,an "old" one of fairly early manufacture and a "new" one that is more recent.Without a doubt,the older one is much tighter with its tolerances.Ive read on a few of the US forums which state much the same thing.It seems that Ruger,for whatever reason,loosened up the tolerances on the newer manufacture of these guns.

Having said that,in side to side shooting off sandbags,I really cant tell the difference as regards accuracy(they both shoot very well),and they have both been reliable out of the box.These guns have been the most trouble free 1911s that Ive owned,and havent needed any tweaks to make them work(other than some adjustment of the sear spring for a lighter trigger pull).Everyone like the feel of cycling a tightly fitted frame/slide on a 1911,but practically,it makes very little actual difference as regards accuracy.I think that people are getting a bit hung up on the Ruger "rattles"and are missing out on a great,reasonably priced 1911.Ive also noticed a whole lot on NIB Rugers for sale recently.Would be interesting to find out why as well.
 
My SR 1911 is tight, more accurate than I am, prettier than i am {so's a norc... bad example}. I'm never selling this one. I had 1 issue so far in that the grip panels came loose fairly quickly. a minor torque fixed this...then they came loose again, some blue loctite and a re-torque "snap"! Grip screw broke flush off at the head with loctite on it in the bushing. Turns out the bushings are red loctite'd into the frame so forget using a screwdriver to remove them. I ended up having to use vicegrips on the bushings to get them out and thankfully the threading stayed intact in the frame, but there were some tense moments.
I replaced all bushings with stainless Kimber's blue loctite applied (they'll actually come out if need be) and blued Kimber screws, the ones from Ruger are sh1t, soft and I would recommend swapping them out prior to breaking them, because replacing the bushings are a b1tch. My nickel's worth. ;)
I've also shot the firearm when it was fairly dirty but didn't experience any sluggish slide issues, are we sure the stock recoil spring was being used in the firearm that experienced this issue?
 
My first 1911 was a Remington R1 enhanced. I had some issues with FTE and FTF when it was new but after a few hundred rounds it is running flawless now. Frame to slide fit is better than my Gold Cup NM but they are both just as accurate - actually, the fit and finish is much better than my old Colt. I guess my point is you can't go wrong with modern 1911s - everyone is making them from the same 100 year old design.

If the SR1911 came out before the Remington, I would have bought the Ruger. Stainless American made 1911 with its features for under $800 - how can you go wrong? At that price aftermarket tinkering is affordable, oh, and Series 70, easy to work on.

Damit, I still want one.
 
These are some of the best review comments I've ever read on a particular gun type/maker! Objective, to the point and not biased.

I'm always suspicious of gun magazine reviews that NEVER find flaws or faults, every gun a model of perfection and the gun maker's art; rifles and pistols capable of one hole groups right out of the box.

It would be disappointing for me to buy a 1911 only to find it had a sloppy slide-to-frame fit. I lucked out with both my blued R1s, but the ss model I swapped for the 2nd blued model sure was a rattler! Might have proven a good shooter, but I wasn't willing to find out.

I just read an article on the 1911s by Les Baer. Like most custom makers, his guns have a tightly fitted slide/frame. Strange how that is, but we hear all the time that we must put up with a loose fit on mass production guns so that they will function .....

I'd rather a tight gun come with the disclaimer - "Some wear in and final fitting/polishing may be necessary for best function and reliable operation."

It shouldn't be necessary to go through a maker's 'custom shop' to get that. The buyer is going to have to pay for it, one way or the other.
 
CdnInAz said:
Mine has never been the slide to frame rattler that folks speak of. I never get why folks are so concerned about slide to frame fit. Has nothing to do with accuracy on John Browning's brilliant design - sights are on slide, barrel is locked up in slide, so free float on frame has no bearing on accuracy, within reason of course.
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mine rattles a bit but I look at it as "Mil Spec" so if a grain of sand got in there it'd still run...:rockOn:
 
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