SR9 or SAM 1911

[Ceska]

I have no hands on experience with the SAM 1911 but fwiw, every time I shoot the wife's SR9 I am very impressed.

Personally, I disliked Ruger's semi auto pistols until they made the SR9. I would recommend one and shoot it in any gun game.

 

[Beeguy]

True of course but this hardly needs to be stated. You must know by now that the term "1911" is used in common language to describe the "1911 platform". Not unlike "Kleenex" is used to describe a "tissue".


You don't know why people praise them (SAM I am speaking of) because your mind is closed to hearing anything good anyone has to say about them.


Although it is true they are well priced, the reason that makes them a bargain is because they (SAM I am speaking of) offer a comparable product for a lower price. I also have a Kimber .45 ACP in the 1911 platform (sorry, not a Colt) and the SAM I have is just as tight, just as nice handling and just as consistent shooting. Also, the SAM is built as a "series 70", which many "hi end?" manfacturers (including Kimber) do not. Based on the quality of my SAM, it would not be out of line for it to be priced at $750. It may not be the bargain it is at its current pricing, but it would not be out of line.

It is cool that you have an opinion but it doesn't carry much weight until you can say you have experienced one (a SAM I am speaking of) first hand. You sure have a hate on.

I have owned both kimber and sam. Sam is good value for money but mine didn't compare to my kimber. I also had to replace the front sight on my sam as it was the wrong height.

 

[clk1]

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????

+1 for SAM

 

[enefgee]

I'm not particularly a fan of the 1911, they're not really designed to be manufactured using modern production techniques, and the majority of out of the box 1911's really need the attention of a decent smith to be 100%. That said, the 1911 is virtually a religion in the Philippines and kids start working in factories making them at a young age and progress through the factory doing different jobs, by hand. Sort of like us in the 1940's and '50's. So a SAM 1911 isn't a bad idea - a 45 though, will cost a fortune to feed. In a very short time, you'll spend more on ammo than you did on the gun. So if money's an issue, a 9mm is a better answer. That said, the Ruger isn't the best example available for the cost, they were designed to sell for a price, the controls are small enough to be a pain in the butt and there are a whole lot of small, stamped metal parts in them. If I was looking for a $500 9mm gun, I'd look for a Girsan Beretta clone, or a lightly used Glock or M&P.

 

[AaronGer]

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....

Pretty harsh assessment of ruger. Everybody makes guns at difference trim levels but the Rugers I've handled have been solid guns. They have a good rep for customer service too. That said I handled an sr9 and was disappointed. If I were in the market for a 9mm I would anti up a little more cash and pick something a little better.

Sam seems to be pretty popular and the lower operating costs of building outside of North America gets a lot of bang for your buck.