Rethink Ist 1911,now Ruger vs Remington R1

S

Skeets

Member in memoriam
All the good replies to my OP re;45ACP,good CS,and under $2000.You guys have given me a much better way to this.The1911 would be mainly used for informal target shooting and long walks here on the farm.In my head are two 1911's now;Ruger SR1911 vs Remington R1.Which one would you buy and why?Your replies mean a lot. Thanks,Skeets
 
I have the R1 and am happy with it. I have read a lot of positive reviews on the Ruger. I think you should go take a look at both and decide which one you prefer.

It is a win - win with either.
 
I certainly wouldn't turn either of them down for free. Having to pay for them, I'd lean toward Ruger, simply because I have 4 Rugers now. I do like their Commander sized 1911, and it will likely be my next weapon.
 
In my view....you need to find the gun in stock / and buy the one that has the best trigger in it... ( how it breaks, how it resets, minimum if any slack or creep )..../ in the price range you're looking at - the triggers will not all be the same...( some will be terrible .... and they will vary a lot from one specific gun to the next )....based on what I've seen.
 
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You to read this post from a 1911 addict. This guys collection is astounding and he does an indepth review on about every 1911 on the market, including the ones you're looking at.
 
I've handled the Ruger when they were just rolling out to gun stores and it felt great. I do own a plain jane blued R1 and it's a perfect combination of features for a traditional 1911. To me, it's more like a 1918 Colt with a far better bluing and usable white dot sights. The match grade bushing and barrel are just a bonus. I think it really depends on what you're looking for in your 1911. The R1 is more traditional with practical upgrades and the Ruger will be totally new school. I just prefer the look of the R1 so that was the choice I made.
 
I own two Remington R1's, I picked the best two out of about 7. The two I picked had slightly better triggers and slide to frame feel than the other 5. So I have to agree with BigJimP's post. I bought them because there was a big sale with a rebate on top at the time so I feel like I got an amazing deal at around $440 out the door on average for each. One blued and the other stainless.
both are very accurate although the stainless shoots a little low... maybe 3" at 25 yards. They are awesome guns and I love them both having put about 300 rounds through each. I have had feeding issues with both of them but I've determined it to be a problem with the factory provided magazines. So they should be all sorted out now that I'm using different mags.

I love the plane jane GI look and I didn't have a regular GI style 45 1911 at the time, so that's partly why I got them. However the Ruger is much more comfortable to shoot a lot due to it's beaver tail grip safety. Also I prefer the long trigger on the Ruger, and the Ruger looks great too.

At this point, if I had to chose between the two it would come down to what I want out of a 1911 regarding features... more? Or less? I think both will be accurate, reliable, and enjoyable.

If I did not own a 1911 I might choose the Ruger for it's features and flair. However if you could get one a lot cheaper than the other you might find your self going for the best "deal". And then again, maybe a stock looking GI pistol is more your style, and in that case go for the R1.

Good luck. Pick out a nice one!
 
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I have both and my preference is the Ruger on account of the extra features that I prefer (beavertail, extended safety, extended trigger).

Both are fantastic, reasonably priced 1911s that have, for me, performed every bit as well as their much more expensive counterparts.

I think you'll be plenty happy with either, you just have to see what features you want.
 
If I overlook my terrible experience with Remington and the early R1 that I sent back twice before getting it replaced due to a cracked frame, I would probably say either one would serve you well.

Unfortunately it's hard for me to forget that, so in that vein, if I were you I would most certainly buy a Ruger, which I did when I traded the R1. Good Luck in your choice.
 
I've got the R1 and it is by no means original now. I got it as a "learner 1911". If I was to do it all over again, I'd just get the Ruger. I was originally looking for a Ruger and couldn't find one any where.
 
As stated, individual guns have pluses or function better than others of the same model. In this price point, one will just feel better in some way if you have the opportunity to compare several of the exact same model and make. If it has had someone assemble it with care, engineered to be mindful of it's intended role, and functions correctly, with adequate sights and a good enough trigger, than it fits the role for me in the capacity you described. So, I buy the one I like. In mass produced guns, that is all you are obligated to get and, all you can ask for.

Handle as many of both as you can, find the one that stands out, and buy it. And remember, according to internet hear say and my personal experience, if a problem does arise, Ruger will make Remington look 10th rate in the way they will deal with it. I know guys who have sent back Remington owned and managed Marlin's and waited a half year or more to get them back. I recently sent a pistol back for a mistake I caused and, received it back within 6 days. Fixed. On their dime too. God Bless
 
Between the two I'd lean toward the Ruger. But wold get the Talo black nitride model.

1. The Ruger is SS.
2. Ruger as a company has a great reputation in general for lifetime customer service.
3. That particular model comes with night sights.

The Remington's I've handle were very nice, but...
 
Of these 2 the Ruger is a better pistol IMHO but there are better values in 1911s then these 2 again IMHO.
 
The Remington was on my list as my "next" purchase, then the Ruger came out. I followed that with the Ruger 1911 CMD. Still haven't pulled the trigger on the Remington, but it remains on the list.

--
Mike
 
Let's face it.....you cannot go wrong with either pistol, i prefer thr R1 simply due to it being the closest to a 1911 without frills. My ss R 1 is a nice shooter and there have been no malfactions in digesting about four hundred reloads.
 
I have both a Remington 1911 R1S and a Ruger SR1911 Commander. Of these two guns, I give the nod to the Ruger. Both have been very reliable -- feeding, firing, extracting and ejecting reliably. Some specific comments on each gun:

Remington
1. The R1S's barrel bushing was too tight resulting in barrel springing (and vertical stringing groups). Remington would have fixed it, but I replaced it with a EGW angle bored bushing. Problem solved.
2. The R1S shot low -- Remington sent me a shorter front sight and this cured that problem.
3. The trigger pull is very nice with a crisp release. The trigger pull is smoother than the Ruger -- but the Ruger has less rounds through it so time will tell.

Ruger
1. The gun was returned to Ruger due to erratic ejection. They repaired the extractor and returned the gun very quickly.
2. It shoots nice groups to the point of aim.
3. My particular gun is tight (slide to frame and locked barrel to slide -- a good thing in my view).
4. Ruger Customer Service is has an excellent reputation if you ever need it.
5. I like the thumb safety and the Beavertail on the Ruger better than the R1S.
 
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Ruger's favorable history of good customer service would be the difference for me. That said, both are good pistols and I doubt you'd regret purchasing either one.
 
Of those two I would buy the Ruger and have. I would also look at the SA Range Officers also unless you have written them off for some reason.
 
I love the basic Remington R1. Love the look and feel. I compared the R1 to a Ruger SR1911 side by side and much preferred the R1. The overall feel and the trigger. Hammer bite isn't a problem for me and I prefer a basic 1911 like the R1.

Then last month I bought the R1 Commander. I compared it to a Colt Commander and again preferred the Remington. There's just something about the feel of the R1 and I finally figured out that it's the short trigger and flat mainspring housing (an unusual combination). I put a flat MSH on my old Colt Government Model 1911A1 and loved the improvement (for me).

Don't forget the R1 $75 mail-in rebate has been extended through July.

If you want the bells and whistles then of course look hard at the Ruger and more expensive Remingtons.
 
Neither, I would look for a Kimber from the late 90's. Of course I'm always a big fan of buying a slightly used pistol that was made 20-30 years ago, not just 1911s. Most new pistols rather suck compared to what was made years ago. :confused:
 
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