Ruger SR1911, best of its class?

[bassjam]

I picked up my SR1911 in early 2014. I probably have a touch over 1,000 rounds through it, so not exactly high volume but I've had zero issues. I think the Ruger is one of the best at it's price point. To me the other one to look at is the Remington R1. It can often be found cheaper, especially if Remington is running a rebate program. From the research I've done and fondling a few, they seem to be well made guns as well. I only went with the Ruger because of their customer service reputation.

 

[MySuomi]

I bought a Ruger SR1911 officer model a few months ago. So far I have put about 1000 rounds thru it with no trouble. No sight breakage or anything like that. The machining seems very nice compared to my Taurus 1911, ATI 1911, Rock Island and Zeniths. I tend to go for lower cost weapons and do not own any Dan Wesson's or higher end 1911's.

I usually take about 10 weapons to the farm at a time to shoot. The Ruger and Kimber are the 1911's (both officers) that I have gravitated to. The Kimber has an alloy frame. The Ruger is all steel and is therefore heavier. I cannot answer the OP's question about best in class since I don't have enough depth of experience with enough 45 1911's.

But I can say that it shoots very well, has held up nicely, and is a nice looking firearm. I would not hesitate to purchase it again if I had to do it over again.

 

[USBP379]

Three articles to reference:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/1/9/tested-ruger-sr1911-target-pistol/

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/1/4/tested-ruger-9-mm-sr1911-officers-model/

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/10/3/tested-ruger-9-mm-sr1911-commander-pistol/

 

[SSN Vet]

Any discussion about the AR1911 should not leave out (gloss over) the galling issues they had on the frame rails when they first came out.

 

[USBP379]

Any discussion about the AR1911 should not leave out (gloss over) the galling issues they had on the frame rails when they first came out.

And?

Colt had galling issues with its first stainless Government models too.

 

[JR24]

And?

Colt had galling issues with its first stainless Government models too.

Right.

If they fixed the problem it seems odd to worry about what issues were in the past, especially when Ruger CS has and excellent track record.

Even if the issue may still be present, if CS will fix it then I don't consider it a big issue.

For example I consider Dan Wesson the best production gun available right now, across the board. Good fit and finish, no MIM or plastic parts (yes, I understand MIM doesn't have to be bad, but I've had MIM parts break and prefer to avoid them in 1911s if possible but I'm not militant about it. Either way I consider no MIM an upgrade), yet their stainless guns do have occasional galling problems.

In fact my uncle had it happen to him after he finally got a VBOB after drooling over mine for a few years. He called me about the gun locking up, spitting mad (rightfully so!) and I told him it was probably galling and to call DW. 2 weeks later his gun was back in his hands and runs perfect now, and is his favorite shooter.

Irritating issue? Yes. But is it worth avoiding an otherwise excellent gun if CS fixes it quick? I don't think so.

 

[Trey Veston]

The Arizona branch of Ruger, which is here where I live, does semi-autos including the AR556 rifle.

Sorry, not true. Prescott, AZ plant only makes semi-auto pistols. The AR-556 is made in the newer Mayodan, NC plant.

 

[golfer_ray]

Yes it is IMHO. Wanted a 1911 but didn't want to spend 1k on it. This is a really nice 1911.

 

[94045]

Right.

If they fixed the problem it seems odd to worry about what issues were in the past, especially when Ruger CS has and excellent track record.

Even if the issue may still be present, if CS will fix it then I don't consider it a big issue.

For example I consider Dan Wesson the best production gun available right now, across the board. Good fit and finish, no MIM or plastic parts (yes, I understand MIM doesn't have to be bad, but I've had MIM parts break and prefer to avoid them in 1911s if possible but I'm not militant about it. Either way I consider no MIM an upgrade), yet their stainless guns do have occasional galling problems.

In fact my uncle had it happen to him after he finally got a VBOB after drooling over mine for a few years. He called me about the gun locking up, spitting mad (rightfully so!) and I told him it was probably galling and to call DW. 2 weeks later his gun was back in his hands and runs perfect now, and is his favorite shooter.

Irritating issue? Yes. But is it worth avoiding an otherwise excellent gun if CS fixes it quick? I don't think so.

I consider my DW Valor to be the King of Production 1911. Others are free to disagree.

In semicustom I did own a Les Baer Premier II that was a touch more accurate but no better fit and finish in my opinion. It left in a trade on a .404 Jeffery Rifle.

I feel the RIA is an excellent pistol at it's price point.
I feel the SR1911 is an excellent pistol at it's price point.
At $799.99 the basic Colt is not a bad choice.

 

[94045]

Is Ruger’s SR1911 the best of its class? Price and quality? Reliability?

Is the frame cast in NH at Pine Tree Casting? What does Ruger/Arizona specialize in?

In my experience the 10 or 12 I've been around worked out of the box without issue. Of the occasional one that doesn't it will likely be fixed 2/3 of the time by Ruger. If you get incredibly unlucky you can sell it, use it to learn to work on and problem solve a 1911 or find a real smith (unfortunately to many gun butchers pretending to be).

 

[Electricmo]

What exactly is the class of guns we are comparing? RIA, Springfield armory, Remington, American Classic, and a host of others could be considered in the same price range. Even a Colt could be bought for around the same money if you watch which one your looking at. They are all good and I don't know how you would be able to decide outside of a long range session and side by side comparison..

 

[JR24]

I consider my DW Valor to be the King of Production 1911. Others are free to disagree.

In semicustom I did own a Les Baer Premier II that was a touch more accurate but no better fit and finish in my opinion. It left in a trade on a .404 Jeffery Rifle.

I feel the RIA is an excellent pistol at it's price point.
I feel the SR1911 is an excellent pistol at it's price point.
At $799.99 the basic Colt is not a bad choice.

I agree with all your points but the Colt. I am assuming you mean the basic Series 70, which lacks features I desire, but even so I don't find it to be better quality than a basic Auto Ordinance or even a Remington R1 that can be had cheaper (and in the Remington's case, with usable sights). At least from my experience with all 3.

The Competition model Colts I think are solid in their price bracket, the Defenders are solid, as is the Wiley Clapp line, though now that most Dan Wessons seem to be hanging out in that price point, I'd go DW every time myself in the same price bracket.

 

[94045]

I agree with all your points but the Colt. I am assuming you mean the basic Series 70, which lacks features I desire, but even so I don't find it to be better quality than a basic Auto Ordinance or even a Remington R1 that can be had cheaper (and in the Remington's case, with usable sights). At least from my experience with all 3.

The Competition model Colts I think are solid in their price bracket, the Defenders are solid, as is the Wiley Clapp line, though now that most Dan Wessons seem to be hanging out in that price point, I'd go DW every time myself in the same price bracket.

That's correct on the Colt. Most of my pistols have fluff but in reality all I really need is a little dremel work on the hammer, a little rounding of the grip safety corners and if necessary a little tuning of the extractor and minor throat.

None of my recent pistols have needed more than the minor external deburring.