Ruger SR-1911 Is It "THE" mid price 1911?

[Tampaparadise]

Hello Gents,
Yes I know this has been debated already but here is my question and hopefully some of the old timers like me will answer.
I recently had the opportunity to shoot the Ruger SR-1911 in an indoor range in Fayetteville, Ga. I could not belileve the accuracy as well as the fit and finish of this at the time rental gun.
Here is my dilemma, the Ruger is so popular that the price is still going up and production is not making big headway into the backlog of orders until maybe the end of this month when they "might" be taking orders from distributors again. So what does this mean, a month, months or year(s)?
The reason why I am looking at the SR-1911 is because my old P94 .40 sold a few days ago to a freind in need and now I have to replace it. This is not just a hd gun but it will have to keep me alive during forays into the Honduran/Nicaragua area's on the mainland at times. We won't do specifics here. Since my last Ruger was highly relilable but boxy I wanted a 1911 again but with so many manufacturers making 1911 variations I am now totally confused.
Is this Ruger the Holy Grail of mid priced Stainless 1911's or is there another choice which is better than all the reviews I have read so far, RIA, SA, Winchester, Remington, all of them seem to have isues, more so than the ruger. I haven't considered Kimber or Dan Wesson or Ed Brown as this will be in the heat, humidity, dirt etc. in REAl service that the P94 served well for 25 years. Now I am regretting selling that old box .40 Anyway, comments are really apppreceated.

P.S. Have been lurking on HR for a while now, my first post so any flamers hack away but real comments are needed.

Mark

 

[ugaarguy]

Ruger SR-1911 Is It "THE" mid price 1911?

No. I'd much rather have the proven IMBEL forged frame and slide of a SA.

I haven't considered Kimber or Dan Wesson or Ed Brown as this will be in the heat, humidity, dirt etc. in REAl service

What makes you think a DW (or a Kimber, or a Brown) wouldn't handle such conditions?

This is not just a hd gun but it will have to keep me alive during forays into the Honduran/Nicaragua area's on the mainland at times. We won't do specifics here.

I'd buy a Springfield Loaded Parkerized (PX9109LP) which includes night sights.
Follow Xavier Breath's parkerizing treatment method outlined here - http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/02/parkerizing-truth-vs-tales.html
Finally, send the pistol to Alpha precision, and have them do their function job and test fire (item 267 here - http://www.alphaprecisioninc.com/contact/prices.htm). I know it says IPSC function job, test fire; but they're true custom 1911 smiths, so just ask them to put the emphasis on duty reliability. The best thing about this service is that API ensures the pistol will function optimally with your magazines, and your chosen ammo.

If you don't want to go to that much trouble, skip the 1911, and get a Glock or a M&P in whichever caliber floats your boat.

 

[Fremmer]

I hear good things about that pistol, but it might take a little longer to establish a track record of reliability, durability, and accuracy, and continue to sell at that price, before we can attach that label to it.

That said, I think you should buy one and give us a range report!

 

[smalls]

You'd rather take a gun with no proven track record than a Wilson or Brown?

It's probably a nice gun, and I haven't heard of many failures with them, but that comment had to be pointed out.

 

[Tampaparadise]

Price

Guys, Price is a consideration when choosing a service weapon for me. If I had to plunk down the thousand plus for a weapon I most likely would not take it into the jungle and swamps! I have used other calibers, 9mm, .40 etc. and still find that the natural aiming of a 1911 to be a desirable trait for me as well as still functioning when dirty, wet, sandy, muddy you name it. Custom weapons do not fare so well in those conditions either.
As for a Glock, and some others typical of the same type I have had a jam and/or misfeed a few times after routing around in the swamp, not something I would desire to happen again, ever. I am not so sure about parkerized finishes as I have had them begin corroding before a blued finish had. Yes it may have been that particular weapon but still... And as for taking an unproven weapon with me, that will not be an issue since i will run at least 1k rounds through it, checking everything at the 500 round mark...then total tear-down at 1k, proving is still up to me, not a shop since i am the one who has to live with it.
So in a nutshell I am looking at stainless 1911's, in the 600 to 750 range and that pretty much narrows the field. I do however welcome all your suggestions.

 

[Fremmer]

If you won't try the ruger, then get a colt government series 80 in stainless. It will be at the top or a little higher for your budget, but for a service 1911 it should work fine right out of the box. Jmho.
And I don't think you should have to do mods or send it away for work. You shouldn't have to do that with a well made 1911. But you'll pay more for it new.

 

[Stringfellow]

No. I'd much rather have the proven IMBEL forged frame and slide of a SA.

Someone step in and correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't Ruger been OEM'ing Caspian frames and slides for years? I suspect the vast majority of 1911 aficionados would take a Caspian over a Springfield.

 

[ugaarguy]

Custom weapons do not fare so well in those conditions either.

That's a very bad generalization. You can have a pistol customized for match accuracy, or service reliability, or anything in between.

I am not so sure about parkerized finishes as I have had them begin corroding before a blued finish had. Yes it may have been that particular weapon but still...

Parkerizing is porous. Leave it dry and it'll soak up water, and it will corrode. Use those pores to hold a heavy oil or light grease and Parkerizing will resist corrosion better than almost anything, and certainly better than stainless steel. Go back and read the Xavier's thoughts article already linked for a more detailed explanation.

So in a nutshell I am looking at stainless 1911's, in the 600 to 750 range and that pretty much narrows the field. I do however welcome all your suggestions

.
If you must have stainless in that price range, and keeping with a prove gun, then I'd go for the SA Mil-Spec Stainless. I still feel that the Parkerized loaded with it's enhanced ergo features, and the factory night sights, is the best 1911 for the money in that price range.

 

[treg]

To me, hearing all the "very accurate" reports on the SR1911 raises a flag in the reliability under harsh conditions department. JMB's original design was intentionally loose fitting, forgoing extreme accuracy at the range for extreme reliability in the dirt and grime of war. Tightening clearances in the name of accuracy is usually reciprocated by a loss of reliability when the gun is exposed to dirt, grime, mud, etc.

Unless Ruger has found a way around that.................

Yes, for what it is, it is probably a very good gun. But for the conditions you describe I would be skeptical.

 

[ugaarguy]

Someone step in and correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't Ruger been OEM'ing Caspian frames and slides for years?

Caspian machines their own slides from forgings they source.

I suspect the vast majority of 1911 aficionados would take a Caspian over a Springfield.

You can't peen the rails on a cast frame to adjust for looser / tighter tolerance depending on how you want the gun to run. 1911 Smiths like Stroh, Yam, and others have publicly stated their preference for forged frames over cast frames for this and many other reasons. Caspian isn't bad by any stretch, but they aren't what most folks think they are.
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/choosing-your-first-1911-some-thoughts.html

 

[cuba]

Taurus makes a feature laden 1911 out of stainless within your budget.

I have close to 18.5K of reliable rounds though mine.

 

[Upstater]

I would suggest going with an m&p less money than a ruger, stainless slide, poly frame, you can get it in 9, 40, & .45 probably something I would consider taking into a jungle.

 

[Girodin]

I think the Ruger would be a good buy if they weren't selling at inflated prices. I laugh at people tripping over themselves to pay more to be the first to get a budget gun. However, it is not personally what I would pick for a serious hard use gun anyways.

This is not just a hd gun but it will have to keep me alive during forays into the Honduran/Nicaragua area's on the mainland at times.

I'm not sure what you exact situation is but it really makes me wonder if a 1911 is the best gun for you. I say that as someone who really likes 1911s.

Here is an excerpt from an interview with Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers

Ken: You can buy an HK45, send it to Bowie and get the mods that Larry suggests — though with my hand size I don’t need them — and get Heinie sights. You’ve got a pistol one half or even one third the price of a top 1911 pistol today that is more reliable and every bit as accurate. For most anybody I can imagine if you said you need a pistol to stake your life on and you’re going to be someplace you can’t run to a pistolsmith every time you need it, if your choice is between an HK45 and a 1911 and you don’t take the HK45, you’re ****’ing brain dead.

Larry: Yeah, I agree 100%. Ken is spot on. For the average guy, it’s a far better choice. The 1911 is an enthusiast’s pistols. In order to keep that gun running you have to, it’s not optional, you have to become your own armorer to a degree. You have to be able to diagnose and fix minor problems on an end user level. If you’re not willing to sign up for that, frankly you have no business running a 1911 for anything other than occasional recreational shooting. If you’re going to put yourself in harm’s way with that gun and you’re not willing to sign up for that, then you need to avoid it. The HK45 is clearly the better choice. For the overwhelming number of people who feel like they need to have a .45 the only two real choices are the M&P45 and the HK45 and push come to shove if I’ve got to trust my life to one or the other, it would be the HK45.

We both are in agreement that if you had to go to Afghanistan for a year with just a handful of spare parts, what do you have confidence in getting the job done? The HK45. That would be my first choice. I think it is the most bomb-proof service pistol on the market. And we just saw SEAL Team Six go with the HK45 Compact for those reasons.

I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt the HK45 would not exist without me and Ken. I’m not saying we cured cancer with the HK45. What we did is just kind of show HK this is the obvious next step in a .45 caliber service pistol.

http://pistol-training.com/articles/hk45-interview-with-ken-hackathorn-and-larry-vickers

 

[Fremmer]

the 1911 has been all over the world, and it has performed well in combat. The hk is a nice pistol, but it'll never have a trigger like a 1911, and it isn't a complicated gun.

 

[jehicks87]

Taurus makes a feature laden 1911 out of stainless within your budget.

I have close to 18.5K of reliable rounds though mine.

My buddy has a Taurus 1911 and I love it. Great gun.

 

[Tex4426]

Brother Finally got his...only a 3 month wait on a waiting list paid 675 after tax...first day out of tge box second shot he drilled a dime at 15 yards...then shot a 2 liter bottle out of mid air...twice in a row...it is a pretty accurate gun...no problems with about 300 rounds through it...and ruger does have a good track record..never seen a ruger have a problem unless it was shooter error

 

[2zulu1]

Spend some time on 1911.org, Colt is doing VERY well.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Someone step in and correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't Ruger been OEM'ing Caspian frames and slides for years? I suspect the vast majority of 1911 aficionados would take a Caspian over a Springfield.

Yes, they have also been casting frames for Desert Eagle

 

[kayak-man]

I really want to like the Ruger. I've already got a couple Ruger guns, and their logo is reminicent of my class flag when I went through the fire acadamy (not my sole criteria for the gun, but its a bonus).

I've read some outstanding reviews on the SR1911, but I've heard (yes, just rumor, I know...) that now that they are being mass produced, the newer ones aren't as nice as the first run.

I've heard a lot of great things about the Taurus 1911.

Brother Finally got his...only a 3 month wait on a waiting list paid 675 after tax...first day out of tge box second shot he drilled a dime at 15 yards...then shot a 2 liter bottle out of mid air...twice in a row...it is a pretty accurate gun...no problems with about 300 rounds through it...and ruger does have a good track record..never seen a ruger have a problem unless it was shooter error

That is very encouraging news! The Ruger is two or three guns down on my shopping list, so I'm hoping that the rumor I heard was just that, a rumor.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is this Ruger the Holy Grail of mid priced Stainless 1911's or is there another choice which is better

I was worried when I read the thread's title as I didn't realize that the SR1911 had gotten over $1000 . The SR1911 might be considered by some the HG of sub-$1k priced 1911, but I think the Springfield and S&W offerings would give them a solid run for the money

I better choice in a mid-priced stainless 1911 would be the Dan Wesson CBOB or the S&W E-series

If I had to plunk down the thousand plus for a weapon I most likely would not take it into the jungle and swamps!

Why not, most folks I know who use a 1911 as a working gun have well over $1000 into it...you have to weigh what your life is worth when it's intent is to protect you under hash environments

Someone step in and correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't Ruger been OEM'ing Caspian frames and slides for years? I suspect the vast majority of 1911 aficionados would take a Caspian over a Springfield.

I would certainly disagree, as would most custom 1911 smiths

As ugaarguy posted, it isn't what many folks think they are...or even what they once were