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My New Ruger SR1911

8783 Views 25 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  deadduck357
10
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.
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An excellent start! The review has a solid base point and I am anxious for your continuation. I think this gun could be a very valuable asset to Ruger and everything, so far, indicates that it and the new Remington are going to be giving Springfield a run for its money. Since the gun was bought new, perhaps you might give us an idea of your "street cost" or a price range based on your local area and the various online auctions and classifieds? Also, include an evaluation of magazine performance for us and stick to the same ammo... for your testing. Once you've satisfied yourself with the Win White, then start again with whatever you think is best in defensive stuff (two entirely different performance levels).

Been doing reviews for various magazine authors for years. If you are not doing so, give it a shot. They put their name on the material, with a bit (sometimes) of re-writing... but the pay is pretty nice. Do up a nice piece, such as this, and submit it directly to them, noting that it is research and that use of your name is not important. In fact, confidentiality will be absolutely required and loose lips will get you "fired." Once you develop a rep, you would be surprised to find that guns are often presented to you for evaluation. That's the fun! Free use of new hardware. The satisfaction is in knowing you influence a lot of people.

Just food for thought on a great presentation.
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That Ruger sure is a gorgeous pistol. And it looks like it shoots great for accuracy. You've got me thinking about acquiring one.

Thanks for great review Deadduck. Looking forward to your next posts.
Very nice review! Thank you.
I need another full size 1911 like I need a 3rd ear, but that is a nice looking pistol!
7 yards?? WTH. Stretch 'er out to 25 yards, let's see how it shoots.

RJ
7 yards?? WTH. Stretch 'er out to 25 yards, let's see how it shoots.

RJ

Will do, hopefully this week if the ammo shows up and this weather gets better. 50 degree high and nasty in Texas in May :confused:
An excellent start! I think this gun could be a very valuable asset to Ruger and everything, so far, indicates that it and the new Remington are going to be giving Springfield a run for its money. Since the gun was bought new, perhaps you might give us an idea of your "street cost" or a price range based on your local area and the various online auctions and classifieds?
Thanks.

I haven't paid for mine yet, they sent it for T&E. From what others are saying on the internet it looks like the average prices are around $650
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