Ruger SR1911 LW commander
- Thread starter Proz76
- Start date
You're interested specifically in the Ruger? Very little track record upon which to base an opinion.
Colt's been making Commanders for over 60 years, and they know what they're doing.
Mine is an early Series 80, and though I have only a thousand rounds through it, I've had no issues at all.
The aluminum frame is not as strong as a steel one, so there could be the "issue" of the frame wearing-out before your great-great-grandson inherits it, but that's part of the trade-off in replacing steel with aluminum.
Some report that magazines with metal followers, any that don't have a positive means of preventing the follower from tipping forward, can damage the frame. The damage is cosmetic, and you can't see it unless you go looking for it, but there are lots of mags with followers that don't tilt.
Colt's been making Commanders for over 60 years, and they know what they're doing.
Mine is an early Series 80, and though I have only a thousand rounds through it, I've had no issues at all.
The aluminum frame is not as strong as a steel one, so there could be the "issue" of the frame wearing-out before your great-great-grandson inherits it, but that's part of the trade-off in replacing steel with aluminum.
Some report that magazines with metal followers, any that don't have a positive means of preventing the follower from tipping forward, can damage the frame. The damage is cosmetic, and you can't see it unless you go looking for it, but there are lots of mags with followers that don't tilt.
Bought one a few months ago. Went back to the factory due to numerous FTF's. Came back 2 weeks later with an adjusted extractor. I have had 2 additional FTF's in the last 500 or so rounds after the trip back to Ruger. Accurate with a decent trigger. Overall, I don't think it compares to my Springfield.
colt
I know you can never go wrong with a colt but from what I can tell there is not much difference except for the price tag. The Ruger seems to have the most for your buck. the Ruger seems to a great pistol but they have only been making them for a few years now. so I figured I better do some research before buying.
I know you can never go wrong with a colt but from what I can tell there is not much difference except for the price tag. The Ruger seems to have the most for your buck. the Ruger seems to a great pistol but they have only been making them for a few years now. so I figured I better do some research before buying.
g.willikers
New member
Didn't Colt make an all steel Commander size 70 series at one time?
Pretty sure a guy I knew had one in .38 Super.
Pretty sure a guy I knew had one in .38 Super.
Parts from a given manufacturer could be drop-in for that company's products, but no guarantees that any "1911" part will fit a specific "1911".
Mags should be universal, but you will find as many people swearing at a given brand, as swearing by them. Anyone who claims that a given mag magically cured their gun, has a defective gun not a magic mag.
Firing pin disconnectors are more of a nuisance, due to the additional parts, than they are a functional issue; there will be as much variation among triggers that don't have a trigger-operated firing pin block, as there is between those with and those without.
Mags should be universal, but you will find as many people swearing at a given brand, as swearing by them. Anyone who claims that a given mag magically cured their gun, has a defective gun not a magic mag.
Firing pin disconnectors are more of a nuisance, due to the additional parts, than they are a functional issue; there will be as much variation among triggers that don't have a trigger-operated firing pin block, as there is between those with and those without.
Yes, I have one. However, the locking lugs were milled incorrectly so I had to have the slide and barrel (the barrel lugs were beat to junk by the incorrectly milled slide), so I ended up with a "FrankenColt"...the original frame and a Colt 9mm slide (the only Colt Commander slide I could find),with a Colt .38 Super barrel.
I've had my Ruger lightweight commander for a few months now and am very happy with it. It can be considered a 70 series since it relies on a titanium firing pin to make it drop safe rather than the colt 80 series design.
Unlike other aluminum frame 1911s you need not worry about the feed ramp getting gouged because Ruger installed a titanium piece on the feed ramp.
I chose the Ruger because it had the features I wanted. I'm keeping it and using it as my primary off-duty weapon because it's earned my trust. The only change I've made to it is to change to a Greider short trigger. The only malfunction I've had has been with a new Wilson 47D magazine (not the first problem I've had with a Wilson in a 1911).
Early production SR1911s did have a problem with the front sights breaking but that seems to have been corrected.
Unlike other aluminum frame 1911s you need not worry about the feed ramp getting gouged because Ruger installed a titanium piece on the feed ramp.
I chose the Ruger because it had the features I wanted. I'm keeping it and using it as my primary off-duty weapon because it's earned my trust. The only change I've made to it is to change to a Greider short trigger. The only malfunction I've had has been with a new Wilson 47D magazine (not the first problem I've had with a Wilson in a 1911).
Early production SR1911s did have a problem with the front sights breaking but that seems to have been corrected.
Thanks
Thanks, I have been doing all the research I can on the Ruger as mush as Id love something like a Colt or a Springfield or one of the even more expensive 1911 Ruger seems to be the biggest bang for your buck. On YouTube I haven't seen much bad on them but hey what do I know my EDC is a SCCY that I love. I have found myself wanting more of a range gun but then came across the Ruger and it appears to be something that I could CC and enjoy shooting at the range.. This will be my first 1911 so its a learning curve. Thanks again!
Thanks, I have been doing all the research I can on the Ruger as mush as Id love something like a Colt or a Springfield or one of the even more expensive 1911 Ruger seems to be the biggest bang for your buck. On YouTube I haven't seen much bad on them but hey what do I know my EDC is a SCCY that I love. I have found myself wanting more of a range gun but then came across the Ruger and it appears to be something that I could CC and enjoy shooting at the range.. This will be my first 1911 so its a learning curve. Thanks again!
Go ahead and buy it. I had a ruger cmd( the all steel version) and sold it. Regretted ever since. Ended up replacing it with a Colt but that's neither here nor there.
I never had a single issue with that ruger. But if I ever did I would have full faith in Ruger to make it right. I've never had a thing wrong with any of my rugers but they say customer service is spot on.
Buy with confidence.
I never had a single issue with that ruger. But if I ever did I would have full faith in Ruger to make it right. I've never had a thing wrong with any of my rugers but they say customer service is spot on.
Buy with confidence.
Bought one last year for winter carry. Has the traditional recoil spring plug set up, which I prefer. Good sights, trigger and pleased with purchase. The muzzle crown did look like cut off sewer pipe, but had the tool to fix that. As previously mentioned you don't have to worry about chewing up the feed ramp. The plunger tube is cast with the frame, which keeps it from working loose in light weight frame.
Put thin grips on it, and keeping it.
Put thin grips on it, and keeping it.
I also owned a series 70 CC in .45cap and purchased. LW Commander in 1990.. I think. Still own the LWC, even put a proof load thru it, friends double charged reload. Feed ramp isn't gouged but put few jacketed rounds down range. All of the problems with the shooter I read about but did not experience. I have never owned a Ruger 1911, but they look like a heckuva deal.
I know a few guys with them and they have been very happy with their guns, no problems to speak of. I would of picked one up if I did not already have my Kimber Pro Carry 2, the Ruger gives you great bang for your buck and has a super customer service department. I have used them on a Vaquero that need adjustment and they were great. I would go to them if I were looking for another 1911.
1969Colt1911
New member
Seems everyone that gets into 1911 pistol shooting gets into one favorite. Could be they shoot and love Ruger 1911, but their Remington is better. Or the high dollar Wilson is accurate, But Colt is way prettier. I know all I want is the next one I choose.
I have both of the all steel Ruger 1911's; the 5" full size model, and the 3/4" shorter, CMD. Both are first rate 1911's, comparable in every way to the Colts costing hundreds more. I've owned more than a half dozen Colts over the years, spent hundreds on match grade bushing/bbl. assemblies (Wilson) and had them fitted out by good gunsmiths. But those Rugers flat out astounded me with their reliability and accuracy. I'm getting groups that average 2" or better at 25 yds with 200 gr LSWC's and a moderate dose of Win 231. Their only drawback is their weight, great for a range gun, but on the heavy side for daily carry.
With all the LW version's great features, plus the titanium insert in the feed ramp area, als well as Ruger's sterling reputation for customer service, I'd jump on the LW. For carry it beats the heavier versions by quite a margin and the only draw back I can see in your future is for the various shooting games (IDPA) etc. that have very high round counts. In my opinion, an all steel frame is better suited for a gun which is used for thousands of rounds a year.
HTH's Rod
With all the LW version's great features, plus the titanium insert in the feed ramp area, als well as Ruger's sterling reputation for customer service, I'd jump on the LW. For carry it beats the heavier versions by quite a margin and the only draw back I can see in your future is for the various shooting games (IDPA) etc. that have very high round counts. In my opinion, an all steel frame is better suited for a gun which is used for thousands of rounds a year.
HTH's Rod