I stand corrected...
Yet, still unsure why this is even coming up (not you, but dahermit’s post). Sometimes I wonder why I even post here.
What is wrong with the Ruger SR1911?
- Thread starter dahermit
- Start date
I stand corrected...
Yet, still unsure why this is even coming up (not you, but dahermit’s post). Sometimes I wonder why I even post here.
I bought the CMD a few years ago, Ruger replaced the first one, mismachined slide. I returned the replacement because, too much movement at rear of bbl(loosey goosey lockup). shot low, threw brass in my face. Ruger installed a long link(not really a repair), corrected ejection, told me they don't care if it shoots low as long as it groups they don't care where it shoots. I had them install a black sight so I could file it down. Surprisingly it's a good shooter and the long link hasn't caused a problem so far. I did install a Colt seat spring and boosted the hammer, has a good 3-1/2# pull now and I replaced the bat wing safety with a small Colt safety. I really like it in spite of the problems. Stuff like this usually spoils a gun(or other item) for me and I get rid of it.
wild cat mccane
New member
While a great price, for just a bit more you get more known and better options.
I also wonder as well, before the SR1911 Ruger really didn't have a high level firearm in its whole inventory. People who want a 1911 probably notice that more than other buyers of a specific gun type.
I also wonder as well, before the SR1911 Ruger really didn't have a high level firearm in its whole inventory. People who want a 1911 probably notice that more than other buyers of a specific gun type.
As with Post 30, I had two front sights fracture while shooting. Ruger replaced both broken front sights. This earlier production Ruger 1911 wasn't sighted in well. I believe the later/current Ruger 1911s now have a different height front sight (hopefully doesn't break) and are sighted in better (I don't recall whether my POIs (points of impact) were too high or too low). Ruger uses its own dovetail dimensions and aftermarket front sights don't readily fit.
My slide stop lobe also broke off (@~10,000 rounds). I had another in my parts box (Kimber brand I think) which worked without additional fitting.
I replaced the rear sight with an adjustable Novak sight to dial in the POI. Not Ruger's fault, but this adjustable sight's adjustment screw later fractured while shooting sending its parts flying. I bought another.
My groups were just not as tight as I wanted. I replaced and fitted a new front bushing which tightened up my group a bit more, but still weren't to my liking. I later sold this 1911, but do miss the "Commander" size as I now only have three 5" 1911s left to use.
The parts breakages were inconvenient as it was ~month between each front sight breaking and getting the slide back from Ruger with a new front sight. I liked the integral plunger tube as I've had a plunger tube break on another brand of 1911 (again, very inconvenient with a 3 month turnaround for that one [Guncrafter Ind.]).
The main reason for selling it off was it was just not accurate enough for my expectation. I just couldn't keep it within 6" at 15 yards. I just decided I might as well carry my 5" 1911s for just an extra .75" of barrel length but with more confidence with my accuracy potential. Otherwise, the Ruger's feeding-reliability was fine as long as recoil spring were changed ~every 2000 to 2500 rounds.
My slide stop lobe also broke off (@~10,000 rounds). I had another in my parts box (Kimber brand I think) which worked without additional fitting.
I replaced the rear sight with an adjustable Novak sight to dial in the POI. Not Ruger's fault, but this adjustable sight's adjustment screw later fractured while shooting sending its parts flying. I bought another.
My groups were just not as tight as I wanted. I replaced and fitted a new front bushing which tightened up my group a bit more, but still weren't to my liking. I later sold this 1911, but do miss the "Commander" size as I now only have three 5" 1911s left to use.
The parts breakages were inconvenient as it was ~month between each front sight breaking and getting the slide back from Ruger with a new front sight. I liked the integral plunger tube as I've had a plunger tube break on another brand of 1911 (again, very inconvenient with a 3 month turnaround for that one [Guncrafter Ind.]).
The main reason for selling it off was it was just not accurate enough for my expectation. I just couldn't keep it within 6" at 15 yards. I just decided I might as well carry my 5" 1911s for just an extra .75" of barrel length but with more confidence with my accuracy potential. Otherwise, the Ruger's feeding-reliability was fine as long as recoil spring were changed ~every 2000 to 2500 rounds.
Attachments
"...cast frames..." Your vehicle's engine block is cast too. Ruger built their entire business on investment cast parts.
It most like due to nobody thinking of Ruger when they hear 1911/A1. Might have to do with the "most standard, aftermarket 1911 parts and accessories." though.
It most like due to nobody thinking of Ruger when they hear 1911/A1. Might have to do with the "most standard, aftermarket 1911 parts and accessories." though.
Ruger's first firearm was his .22 pistol (its shape was based on his earlier enterprise...an electric drill), with no investment cast parts. Also, his original .44 Carbine receiver was not an investment casting. So your statement that his whole "...business was built on investment casting..." is not totally correct. However, in latter years your statement would be more or less accurate.
I know that Ruger does not make the MIM sights on the SR1911, but your post begs the question: Was that slide stop a MIM part as are the sights?
Other than that...wow! That was a whole lot of failures for one gun. One would hope that Ruger has addressed the problem of brittle MIM parts from their sight provider. Anyone have any current info on that issue?
stinkeypete
New member
What’s wrong with it? Same thing as with their AR-15.
Some may call it “snobbery” and others may call it “tradition” and others may call it whatever the marketing strategy is where Ford is making GT40 race cars...
To me, a good 1911 should have a foundation that is “1911 mil-spec” out of tradition and because there is 100 plus years of built up craftsmanship working on that platform.
When I was buying a bullseye custom 1911, my pistolsmith emphasized the metallurgy of the frame and slide- like wood, some alloys of steel are simply easier to machine and work. Forged frames are a known foundation without possibility of porosity. It used to be Caspian, Colt, Springfield were known to have “good steel” and Norinco was a budget choice. Stainless is right out, as it tends to gall. These were the frames every guy at Camp Perry was shooting.
Ford spends a fortune to make the GT40 race car to beat Ferrari. Why? Ford makes its money selling every day cars and trucks. Then they go and make a NEW GT supercar. Why? Marketing. Stupid as it sounds when buying a minivan, people are thinking they are buying a little bit of supercar.
It’s tough to sell a gun that is “almost a 1911” even though it shoots fine and costs less. No one is sending their SR1911 to have $3,000 worth of tuning, accurizing and customization done to it, so the primitive brand oriented brain assumes they are “not good.” Stupid marketing brains. Branding.
Hunting single actions? Ruger.
.22 rifle? Ruger.
Little pocket pistol? Ruger.
Over and under shotgun??? Nope. To compete against “the Europeans” one can’t be “just as good” at the mid level, you need to be stunning. Or really inexpensive. Look on gunbroker for over and unders, sort by price to see a wide array of scatter guns that cost more than my car. My primitive brain says “yeah, you can’t go wrong with a Beretta. Look at that $30,000 one!”
AR-15? Heck no. Ranch Rifle? Yes! Don’t try to compete with Colt for snobbery or a bunch of guys bolting together parts in the shed for low price. Someone decided that they needed to offer one though, so they make em.
What’s wrong with the SR1911? Nothing except a marketing problem. If they made a 2011 version (double stack race gun) and sponsored a pack of shooters to clean up all the championships, suddenly it’s good. Same gun.
Some may call it “snobbery” and others may call it “tradition” and others may call it whatever the marketing strategy is where Ford is making GT40 race cars...
To me, a good 1911 should have a foundation that is “1911 mil-spec” out of tradition and because there is 100 plus years of built up craftsmanship working on that platform.
When I was buying a bullseye custom 1911, my pistolsmith emphasized the metallurgy of the frame and slide- like wood, some alloys of steel are simply easier to machine and work. Forged frames are a known foundation without possibility of porosity. It used to be Caspian, Colt, Springfield were known to have “good steel” and Norinco was a budget choice. Stainless is right out, as it tends to gall. These were the frames every guy at Camp Perry was shooting.
Ford spends a fortune to make the GT40 race car to beat Ferrari. Why? Ford makes its money selling every day cars and trucks. Then they go and make a NEW GT supercar. Why? Marketing. Stupid as it sounds when buying a minivan, people are thinking they are buying a little bit of supercar.
It’s tough to sell a gun that is “almost a 1911” even though it shoots fine and costs less. No one is sending their SR1911 to have $3,000 worth of tuning, accurizing and customization done to it, so the primitive brand oriented brain assumes they are “not good.” Stupid marketing brains. Branding.
Hunting single actions? Ruger.
.22 rifle? Ruger.
Little pocket pistol? Ruger.
Over and under shotgun??? Nope. To compete against “the Europeans” one can’t be “just as good” at the mid level, you need to be stunning. Or really inexpensive. Look on gunbroker for over and unders, sort by price to see a wide array of scatter guns that cost more than my car. My primitive brain says “yeah, you can’t go wrong with a Beretta. Look at that $30,000 one!”
AR-15? Heck no. Ranch Rifle? Yes! Don’t try to compete with Colt for snobbery or a bunch of guys bolting together parts in the shed for low price. Someone decided that they needed to offer one though, so they make em.
What’s wrong with the SR1911? Nothing except a marketing problem. If they made a 2011 version (double stack race gun) and sponsored a pack of shooters to clean up all the championships, suddenly it’s good. Same gun.
Cowboyfromhell
New member
I had a cmd about 6 yrs ago, my first 1911. It would not get through a box of 50 without a ftf or other malfunction. Sent it back to ruger but the confidence just wasn't there so I sold it off. It also seemed to have rust spots under the grips. Ymmv...
Back when they first came out I was looking for a 1911 myself and at that time both the Springfield Mil-Spec and Ruger were about the same price. I chose the Springfield over the Ruger because it had a forged frame and slide. It turned out to be a great choice as it's never failed to feed, never.
When my son 'liberated' my Mil-Spec, I got another Springfield for myself, a Range Officer, and that too is a great shooter. Both of them are 'NM' s/n and both are very accurate, smooth, and solid. If you want to call the fact that Ruger's aren't forged a 'problem' then that's the one that I took issue with.
When my son 'liberated' my Mil-Spec, I got another Springfield for myself, a Range Officer, and that too is a great shooter. Both of them are 'NM' s/n and both are very accurate, smooth, and solid. If you want to call the fact that Ruger's aren't forged a 'problem' then that's the one that I took issue with.
I bought the SR1911 when they first showed up and were a little hard to find. Had a small problem with mine, it would only feed FMJ rounds and nothing else. Sent it back and Ruger fixed a few thing on the gun. Happy as I could be when shooting one day I looked down the gun and somebody had taken my front sight. Called Ruger sent it in got a new front sight. I have many, many rounds down the barrel and I love the gun. I always loved the gun even with minor problems it had. I carry it somedays and it hits the range with me most visits. I haven't heard many bad things about the SR 1911. Why many don't talk about it, I would guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Master Blaster
New member
Apparently Ruger is making some semi custom high end guns too:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/882995283
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881815999
Doug Koenig Custom Competition models over $2000
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/882995283
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881815999
Doug Koenig Custom Competition models over $2000
stinkeypete
New member
I love you man, but that’s not a “high end” 1911. It’s a nice Custom Shop Ruger. It’s competing with Wilson Combat and it’s marketing at half the price. Wilson Combat is “high end.”
We could have a whole chat board about how Wilson is over priced compared to X, Y, and Z young company offerings or how for that price you should save up for the real custom you want... but Wilson doesn’t need to explain anything about their offerings- their 1911 is a 1911 (not close to it), they have a forged frame and top quality parts top to bottom. They have the competition wins and experience to back up their offerings.
Ruger has to explain that it’s “not quite” a 1911. They have to explain their cast carts are as good as forged. They have to explain they don’t spend a lot of money supporting a competition team.
Wilson has to explain their price. Mostly they do that by saying “sorry, do you want on the waiting list?”
We could have a whole chat board about how Wilson is over priced compared to X, Y, and Z young company offerings or how for that price you should save up for the real custom you want... but Wilson doesn’t need to explain anything about their offerings- their 1911 is a 1911 (not close to it), they have a forged frame and top quality parts top to bottom. They have the competition wins and experience to back up their offerings.
Ruger has to explain that it’s “not quite” a 1911. They have to explain their cast carts are as good as forged. They have to explain they don’t spend a lot of money supporting a competition team.
Wilson has to explain their price. Mostly they do that by saying “sorry, do you want on the waiting list?”
1911_Hardball
New member
Good question. Another good question is:
Has anyone here personally seen a cracked cast .45 ACP 1911 frame? Not "my friend said his cousin's, friends's barber's podiatrist's plumber had one"; but personally seen.
claydoctor
New member
I have over twenty 1911's. The cheapest is a Springfield GI model and the most expensive is a Cabot Vintage Classic. None is a Ruger. It could be the best made 1911 on the planet but the name RUGER on the slide of a 1911, just does not compute. It's like seeing John Wayne show up at a gay rights rally. 
I have 2 SR1911’s a 45 Commander with roughly 15,000 rounds through it. It’s one of the early guns, and the front sight has been replaced. That’s the only issue, the sight has been fixed for years so it’s a non issue. I replaced the recoil spring around the 10,000 mark just out of preventative maintenance.
My other is a 10mm target, I bought it right at the beginning of covid and only have 1000 rounds through it, so far. I don’t expect to see any issues with that one either.
My other is a 10mm target, I bought it right at the beginning of covid and only have 1000 rounds through it, so far. I don’t expect to see any issues with that one either.
"...it was better made than a couple of Colt 1911s I've owned." That is a subjective and or ambiguous statement. Can you explain exactly in what way it was "better made" than the Colts you have owned?
Ruger has a reputation for making durable, affordable handguns.
Some have excellent reputations-their single actions in particular-and some are less than class-leading, like their Ruger American series.
After positioning themselves as a 'budget' brand, it's hard to introduce a premium product; far easier for a 'premium' maker to move into 'budget' products.
And while I've owned (and still own) 1911's with cast frames, I prefer forged frames, and will pay more for them. In a world with Kimber and Springfield Armory making forged pistols at prices similar to Ruger's, that's a deciding factor for many.
Larry
Some have excellent reputations-their single actions in particular-and some are less than class-leading, like their Ruger American series.
After positioning themselves as a 'budget' brand, it's hard to introduce a premium product; far easier for a 'premium' maker to move into 'budget' products.
And while I've owned (and still own) 1911's with cast frames, I prefer forged frames, and will pay more for them. In a world with Kimber and Springfield Armory making forged pistols at prices similar to Ruger's, that's a deciding factor for many.
Larry