My New Ruger SR1911 (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 4/19/2011 3:08:25 AM EDT
Back in December of 2010 I had the privilege of being invited to Gunsite for the introduction of several new Ruger products, among them the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, which I have reviewed previously.
Also present at the gunwriters' review was Ruger's then-secret SR1911, which we've been keeping quiet since. I personally am not a 1911 aficionado. I like the design and have owned several, but I'm not as familiar with the platform as some. One hundred years after its adoption by the U.S. Government as a military service sidearm, Ruger is now offering their version of John Moses Browning's classic pistol. The 1911 type has been produced in many configurations by many manufacturers in numerous countries. Some companies currently producing the 1911 use parts imported from foreign countries, whereas Ruger's new SR1911 is wholly American-made. Every pin, spring, screw, and part is produced domestically in the United States of America. The pistol is built on a 1911A1-styled frame, including crescent relief cuts on the frame behind the trigger, though it departs from the -A1 with a flat mainspring housing and a lowered and flared ejection port. Pistol specs: Manufacture: Sturm, Ruger & Co Model: SR1911 Caliber: .45ACP Capacity: 7 or 8 rounds Barrel: 5 inches (mfr) Weight: 36.4 oz (w/o mag) Trigger pull: 5 lbs 7.0 oz (tested) Grooves: 6 Twist: 1/16 right hand 
We were amply provisioned for testing. Seen here are four .50-caliber cans of preloaded 7-round magazines. Because the only thing better than shooting is having somebody else load the mags. 
...we ran out anyway. Ruger brought several more cases of .45ACP but after we burned through the initial lot of preloaded magazines we had to reload our own. On the range with the SR1911. We shot in two alternating groups. 
We also shot in low light... 
...and later in full dark with flashlights. This range session yielded no usable pictures. Later we toured the Ruger factory as Prescott, AZ, where we got to see the manufacturing of the SR1911 and various other pistols. This is the CNC machine used for milling barrels and bushings. 
At left, matched barrels and bushings before the machine. At right, after machining. 
Two SR1911 frames in the CNC machine. 
Slides in CNC machine. 
Slides after final cutting. 
Ruger's Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) used to ensure precise tolerances on all major parts. 
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Back at Gunsite, Ruger's Mark Gurney enters the Playhouse with the SR1911.
Engaging a target. 
Sheriff Jim Wilson entering the Playhouse. 
Sheriff Jim engaging through the door. 
The sheriff pie-ing. 
The Gunsite instructors and range officers. Left to right: Il Ling New, Ed Head, Chris Weare, LaMonte Kintsel. 
Left to right: Michael Bane, myself, and Jeff Quinn. 
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Ruger sent me the current production SR1911.
Included is a padded pistol case, a lock, and a bushing wrench. 
The SR1911, fresh out of the box. 
The pistol features a conventional recoil spring instead of a full-length guide rod. It is of all steel construction with no plastic parts. Frame and slide are stainless steel, as are the barrel and bushing. The frame is cast. Originally the grips were black hard rubber, but since the gunwriters' review Ruger switched to Diamondwood. My understanding is that this is a laminate impregnated with resin for greater durability with a traditional appearance. The grip pattern is the classic double diamond with the Ruger emblem. Sights are Novak 3-dots dovetailed into the slide. The SR1911 is built along the lines of the Series 70 1911s, as there is no firing pin safety block. Also of note, this model does NOT feature a magazine disconnect safety. 
Included are one 7- and one 8-round magazine. 
Over five test pulls the trigger averaged at 5 lbs 7.0 oz with a Lyman electronic gauge. This is a departure from the models tested at Gunsite, which felt considerably lighter. 
Bottom of the slide. 
Breech face and extractor. 
Rear of the slide, showing firing pin and plate. 
Barrel hood is stamped .45 AUTO. 
Polished throat. The cutout at the rear of the barrel hood is the loaded chamber indicator. 
Internal parts after field stripping. 
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Right grip panel, showing Ruger's emblem and Diamondwood grip panels.
Nicely beveled magazine well. 
Ruger's obligatory warning, as present on the dust cover. Not overly obnoxious. 
Skeletonized trigger with adjustable overtravel. Also note the pronounced magazine release. 
Skeletonized combat hammer and extended safety lever. 
Extended beavertail safety with raised memory bump. Also visible, the flat steel (not plastic) mainspring housing with not 20, not 30, but 25 lines per inch. Nicely done, Ruger. 
Polished feed ramp. 
Note the lack of firing pin safety block. 
Demonstration of the loaded chamber indicator. Note brass casing. Simple, but effective. 
Ruger's emblem on the right of the slide. Tastefully done. 
Right side view of the SR1911. 
Though I have yet to take this pistol to the range and put it through its paces, the model I tested at Gunsite ran flawlessly through countless rounds, and nobody on the firing line reported any malfunction that I am aware. Fit and finish are superb and frame to slide fit is tight with no play. As mentioned above, the trigger is heavier than that of the model tested at Gunsite, though possibly it may improve with shooting. The Novak sights are very user friendly and highly visible, allowing for quick target acquisition. The slide serrations allow for positive slide manipulation and are nicely cut to correspond with the angle of the pistol grip. The black accents of the smaller structural components nicely compliment the satin stainless steel frame and slide, and the addition of reddish Diamondwood grips adds a touch of class, recalling the design's origins while embracing a century of refinements Range report to follow. |
| Thanks for the additonal pictures. This will very likely be my first 1911-style handgun. I recently picked up an LCR, my first revolver, and have been very pleased with it. I'm finally branching out from the Glock world, and I'm happy to have a USA made option in my price range. |
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From the appearance it looks as though Ruger has a real winner here. Last Ruger I bought after a 10/22 was their LCP which was recalled and they made a big impact in my opinion by promptly notifying me plus including a free magazine. This really has my attention, it looks beautiful, and their roll mark looks very tastefully done. |
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Cast frame...
Here is a very good video about the Ruger 1911... http://www.downrange.tv/blog/the-ruger-sr1911-video/9290/ I think I have seen enough to make me convinced I want one! |
www.Quarterbore.net
My guns are not worth your life, but freedom and liberty are worth mine
My guns are not worth your life, but freedom and liberty are worth mine
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1)I have nothing against a cast frame when it is done right (ruger is the authority on casting)
2)Bells and whistles can be fun but the basic 1911 done right is something that can easily fill many needs. 3)5 lbs seems a bit heavy for a trigger but it will work fine for most folks. 4) Tight fit,well made,good design,good sights and beavertail along with strong factory support along with USA made and this gun puts lots of the other entry level 1911's out of consideration. seems like it would be a wise choice for a shooter or the base for a project gun. could be interesting to see how the priceing shakes out and if the factory can meet demand. A tip of my hat to Ruger, they have been a thorn in my side as a company that made a few good guns but could always be counted on to produce a decent gun with at least one dumb feature that made me hate it, I really see this new (Ha-1911 is new!) gun to be a total winner for both shooters and the Ruger company |
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I've been boycotting Ruger since 1996. I won't bore the masses with my experiences. Ruger's customer service and poor products has left a very bad taste in my mouth. Ruger has a habit of releasing new guns and recalling them before the ink is dry on the press release. I need to see one in person and see how it stacks up against the Springer Range Officer. Even if the SR1911 has the series 70 safety, it won't sway me until someone runs the crap out of it with no issues. It scores brownie points with me because of the lack of front serrations and it's nicely equipped. It looks good but I wouldn't trust it as far as I can throw it. Not yet anyway. |
"The Republic can survive Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
| If ruger can bring this to market for around the same price as the remington with more features I think they will have a winner on their hands. |
Originally Posted By A_Free_Man
If every 100th person stabbed a TSA dick in the eye with a Bic pen, the fuckin' TSA would behave a little better attitude
ANIMUS
Rude pricks need a serious traumatic life experience
If every 100th person stabbed a TSA dick in the eye with a Bic pen, the fuckin' TSA would behave a little better attitude
ANIMUS
Rude pricks need a serious traumatic life experience
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A Commander, Officer, and CCO would nicely round out the line. A .38 Super would be teh tits. |
"Take me to the brig. I want to see the real arfcommers." -Chesty Puller
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Make one with a rail and I'll be all over it. Hell, I might be anyway.
Better yet, make one in 9mm as well so I can just shoot Wolf in it. I lose way too many expensive 45 cases shooting my RIA Government model. |
Member of the Thin CMD Line
ARFCom's Chief GLOCK Hater
ARFCom's Chief GLOCK Hater
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Originally Posted By XDS: Thanks for the additonal pictures. This will very likely be my first 1911-style handgun. I recently picked up an LCR, my first revolver, and have been very pleased with it. I'm finally branching out from the Glock world, and I'm happy to have a USA made option in my price range. I have an LCR as well and love it. So light you forget you have it. |
Team Ranstad Member
“A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity” - Sigmund Freud
“A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity” - Sigmund Freud
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Originally Posted By Russ68:
Every pin, spring, screw, and part is produced domestically in the United States of America.
I'd buy one, if for no other reason than this. QFMFT. Make mine a 45 acp commander with factory Novak night sights please and a rail. 
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"Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado" José Martí
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Originally Posted By ZekeMenuar:
I've been boycotting Ruger since 1996. I won't bore the masses with my experiences. Ruger's customer service and poor products has left a very bad taste in my mouth. Ruger has a habit of releasing new guns and recalling them before the ink is dry on the press release. I need to see one in person and see how it stacks up against the Springer Range Officer. Even if the SR1911 has the series 70 safety, it won't sway me until someone runs the crap out of it with no issues. It scores brownie points with me because of the lack of front serrations and it's nicely equipped. It looks good but I wouldn't trust it as far as I can throw it. Not yet anyway. Wow....How can you say Ruger is even the same quality as they use to be in 96? I wouldnt EVER own certain brands too, back then, who now, have changed my mind. I know you dont want to suck up your pride, but giving a manufacture a second chance and shooting a current production ANYTHING from Ruger should give you an idea on how reliable and great their firearms are made. Ive bought 5 Rugers in the last year and all have no issues with them at all. thousand upon thousand of rounds down range. I also carry other manufactures like Kimber, S&W, Springfield and like many, others. I just cant find another manufacture currently who offers a good firearm for the money. Their customer service is also great when i call them. |
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Originally Posted By eternal24k: Ruger has been casting for Caspian for a long time, but looking at the above pic it looked like they were billet, I could be mistaken. Ruger says the frame is cast. |
Bill Tidler Jr.
Good men must not obey the laws too well.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
~100/300~
Good men must not obey the laws too well.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
~100/300~
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Originally Posted By Steve_T_M:
Can't wait to read the range reports for these Nice review OP. I too am interested in the range report. If Ruger is a different company than it was in the past then I'm glad they turned things around. I have been soured with their products and shitty customer service too as another poster above wrote and their name certainly hasn't gotten any respect in my eyes from years past. However, if this 1911 turns out to be a winner then I will give them a second chance. Their revolvers and 10/22's have always been GTG and I respect those models. It was just their semi-auto pistols and a POS Mini-14 that made me look at them like I would K-mart's version of a Polo shirt in the past. OP if you get 1k trouble free rounds then I will buy one and give it a try. Be sure to document your range reports. Thanks in advance! |
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Originally Posted By ZekeMenuar:
It scores brownie points with me because of the lack of front serrations and it's nicely equipped. Agree completely. I will be in the market for a couple or three 1911s this year. One will be a Colt, the other a Les Baer, the third... maybe this one. Looking forward to handling a ruger at the local store. |
