1911; need a nudge...

[bannockburn]

Mn Fats

I have quite a few Colt 1911s and a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. All are great guns; wouldn't keep them around if they weren't. Between the Ruger and the Springfield Armory I would go with the Ruger. I have handled the Ruger and I like the extras it comes with like the beavertail grip safety and the rounded hammer.

Some years back I was looking for a 1911 range gun and instead of just one I went with two: a Colt Government Model O1991 and a Colt Lightweight Government Model O1880XSE. Liked the basic no-frills approach of the standard Government Model and the dual purposing of the Lightweight Government Model.

 

[Mike .45]

If you dont already have one I'd look at a commander length.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

I don’t know about the Springfield, but the Ruger has a ramped bull barrel offering full case support and is bushing-less. I like the contrasting accents, and to each his own; however, if you’re already planning to swap some pieces out, I would go with the Ruger and swap the offending accent pieces out. You can also get a TALO distributed mostly black nitride finished with only the hammer & trigger contrasting.

Sam

 

[JTQ]

... the Ruger has a ramped bull barrel offering full case support and is bushing-less.

What Ruger 1911 model are you talking about?

Here is the Ruger the OP is considering

Ruger SR1911 6700

https://ruger.com/products/sr1911Standard/specSheets/6700.html

It clearly doesn't have a bull barrel, and while I don't know for sure, it is unlikely to have a ramped barrel either.

 

[Mn Fats]

Why couldn't you just build your own just like you want it?
No sense in buying something then tearing it down....justbuy the stuff you want and assemble?

I've considered it. I'm a bit overwhelmed currently. I picked two in my budget that were near what I like. I'd just like Bomars on either. I'd prefer no black accents on the Ruger but could learn to live with them. Really the main thing I dislike about the black controls is ive seen a SS 1911 with the black accents worn to metal and scratched up and I understand "honest wear" and all but I thought to myself "man that gun would look brand new if it had SS controls". On the Springfield I'd bob the hammer or put a commander hammer in. So really not much "tearing down" of either gun. But yes, someday I'd like to build one.

To all suggesting Colts and other brands, I own two Colts along with a Remington-Rand. I know Colt is quality. I like them too. But if someone asks you if you'd like a burger or a hot dog on the grill do you demand they go get a ribeye steak instead? I just want more of a quality knock around gun. Someday I WILL pick up a Dan Wesson. The one I held seemed like it could have an extra grand attached to the tag. Great value.

 

[JTQ]

On the Springfield I'd bob the hammer or put a commander hammer in.

To put a Commander hammer on the Mil-Spec, you'd need to modify the grip safety.

 

[Mn Fats]

To put a Commander hammer on the Mil-Spec, you'd need to modify the grip safety.

Yes I believe it'll work with some relief? I'd lean towards bobbing the spur hammer.

 

[Mn Fats]

What Ruger 1911 model are you talking about?

Here is the Ruger the OP is considering

https://ruger.com/products/sr1911Standard/specSheets/6700.html

It clearly doesn't have a bull barrel, and while I don't know for sure, it is unlikely to have a ramped barrel either.

Maybe the Ruger Target model in a different caliber?

 

[DairyVet]

I’d go with Ruger simply due to Springfield’s recent shenanigans with the Illinois legislature. That and my sr1911 has been excellent.

 

[entropy]

They're Kimber Jr's as in cause they have to go back to the factory? A Kimber Stainless II was in the mix for choices but after research it seems the comments on Kimber have about 3 negatives to 1 positive.

Put simply; Kimbers are great guns, if you get one that works. A higher percentage of them (vs. other makes) don't, and the ones that do usually need a 'break-in' number of rounds.

 

[Mn Fats]

Put simply; Kimbers are great guns, if you get one that works. A higher percentage of them (vs. other makes) don't, and the ones that do usually need a 'break-in' number of rounds.

I really hoped to hear Kimber QC had improved after all this time.

I've decided to order a Ruger SR1911 in the morning. I'm going to just order the Target model. Thanks for the "nudge" fellas!

I picked up a few lbs of Bullseye and a 500ct box of 200 gr lswc. Time to work up some of those classic 45 acp target loads I hear about

Thanks again.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Kimber 1911 and would not recommend Kimber 1911.

 

[Spats McGee]

. . . . I've decided to order a Ruger SR1911 in the morning. I'm going to just order the Target model. Thanks for the "nudge" fellas! . . . .

I do hope you'll follow up with a range report after a few hundred rounds.

 

[Mn Fats]

I do hope you'll follow up with a range report after a few hundred rounds.

Why certainly. It may take a couple weeks though

 

[bannockburn]

Mn Fats

Would like to hear about your initial inspection/impressions of your new Ruger SR1911 when it comes in and of course the accompanying range report.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

What Ruger 1911 model are you talking about?

Here is the Ruger the OP is considering

https://ruger.com/products/sr1911Standard/specSheets/6700.html

It clearly doesn't have a bull barrel, and while I don't know for sure, it is unlikely to have a ramped barrel either.

My mistake; I was looking at the Target model, which does have a bushingless bull barrel-I would have sworn I read ramped.

Sam

 

[Mn Fats]

I do hope you'll follow up with a range report after a few hundred rounds.

Mn Fats

Would like to hear about your initial inspection/impressions of your new Ruger SR1911 when it comes in and of course the accompanying range report.

I went with the standard sr1911. Poor picture but you all have seen them before I'm sure .

Slide to frame fit is great. Same with barrel bushing. Overall fit and finish is great. Clean, good looking gun.

I stripped, cleaned and oiled it and headed to my bench with two brands of ammo. Magtech and Tula 230 fmj. Both grouped about 5 inches or more at 25 yards off a rest. Function was flawless but accuracy was no good. Might not like 230's. In my gi 1911's all I shoot are factory 230 fmjs but this time around I figured I'd gear up to load for 45 Auto, so I wasn't disappointed.

I had Bullseye, primers, and cases. I ordered a 45 auto die set and 500 200gr swc from Falcon. After playing with some reloads I settled on the old standby. 4.0gr Bullseye 200gr swc 1.245" oal and a taper crimp set to a light 0.471". Here are the results of just today @ 25 yards: 6 o'clock hold. I need to drift it just a bit.
I've shot about 120 of these loads with only one failure to feed. It looked fine too, the best I could tell was the bullet was out of spec somehow, I didn't have my calipers but it wouldn't pass the plunk test (even with help) so I tossed it.

The lightest load I tried was 3.5gr Bullseye. No cycling issues. Super light and comfortable but 4.0gr seemed to group best of the bunch. I didn't feel like setting up the chrono but the results from the 3.5 load would be interesting. 650fps?

Trigger was semi gritty but after polishing the internals, it's smoothed up and was light enough. I'd guess 3-4 lbs. Not like my Colt, but very decent.

Overall very pleased! Thanks THR for the suggestion.

 

[bannockburn]

Mn Fats

Definitely found it's sweet spot there with the 4.0 grains of Bullseye with the 200 grain SWC! Nice bit of shooting with a very nice looking 1911!

 

[mjsdwash]

i have ran my sprinfield harder than 99% of 1911 owners ever will, and never broken anything. Its on its 7th recoil spring though. Not sure about the Ruger, but I think its ugly. Lots of "buy a Colt", but I have seen more than 1 Colt with issues.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

4.0gr Bullseye 200gr swc

Good shooting Fats.
A friend of mine that has been reloading 50+ years swears by that load.

 

[Texas10mm]

I went with the standard sr1911. View attachment 820954 Poor picture but you all have seen them before I'm sure .

Slide to frame fit is great. Same with barrel bushing. Overall fit and finish is great. Clean, good looking gun.

I stripped, cleaned and oiled it and headed to my bench with two brands of ammo. Magtech and Tula 230 fmj. Both grouped about 5 inches or more at 25 yards off a rest. Function was flawless but accuracy was no good. Might not like 230's. In my gi 1911's all I shoot are factory 230 fmjs but this time around I figured I'd gear up to load for 45 Auto, so I wasn't disappointed.

I had Bullseye, primers, and cases. I ordered a 45 auto die set and 500 200gr swc from Falcon. After playing with some reloads I settled on the old standby. 4.0gr Bullseye 200gr swc 1.245" oal and a taper crimp set to a light 0.471". Here are the results of just today @ 25 yards:View attachment 8209666 o'clock hold. I need to drift it just a bit.
I've shot about 120 of these loads with only one failure to feed. It looked fine too, the best I could tell was the bullet was out of spec somehow, I didn't have my calipers but it wouldn't pass the plunk test (even with help) so I tossed it.

The lightest load I tried was 3.5gr Bullseye. No cycling issues. Super light and comfortable but 4.0gr seemed to group best of the bunch. I didn't feel like setting up the chrono but the results from the 3.5 load would be interesting. 650fps?

Trigger was semi gritty but after polishing the internals, it's smoothed up and was light enough. I'd guess 3-4 lbs. Not like my Colt, but very decent.

Overall very pleased! Thanks THR for the suggestion.

Get a can of WST. 4.4 gr under that 200 gr SWC.

 

[Casefull]

I am surprised they cycle with such light loads. Kimber's, colt, Springfield, Ruger. Is my order for the brands mentioned.

 

[Mn Fats]

Mn Fats

Definitely found it's sweet spot there with the 4.0 grains of Bullseye with the 200 grain SWC! Nice bit of shooting with a very nice looking 1911!

Thanks bannockburn! Now I need to make a bunch. A little slow moving on the old single stage .

i have ran my sprinfield harder than 99% of 1911 owners ever will, and never broken anything. Its on its 7th recoil spring though. Not sure about the Ruger, but I think its ugly. Lots of "buy a Colt", but I have seen more than 1 Colt with issues.

I still want the Springfield for some reason, just...later. Lovin the Ruger. And yes, 1911's bring out the Colt fans like no other. If I wanted to spend Colt coin again, i'd just save a second longer and skip to DW. Jmo.

Good shooting Fats.
A friend of mine that has been reloading 50+ years swears by that load.

Thanks drunkenpoacher! I'm going to try it in my Colt and Remington-Rand this week. I expect it'll do well, they both need new recoil springs .

Get a can of WST. 4.4 gr under that 200 gr SWC.

Cleaner than Bullseye I assume is why you say that?

I am surprised they cycle with such light loads.

Same here. The SR1911 was Nib and hadn't had 50 rounds through it before I tried out 3.5gr of Bullseye. No issues. My Ma is an older lady and wanted to try it out and was limp wristing the bejesus out of it and I thought "here we go" but nope. Just one ftf with me but that was an issue with bullet.

 

[bannockburn]

Mn Fats

Always had really good results shooting 185 gr. and 200 gr. reloads, especially in my Combat Commander and Officers ACP guns.

 

[Spats McGee]

Nice shooting, Mn Fats, and thanks for the range report! I've always thought the SR1911 was a good-looking pistol.