Springfield Armory 1911 or Ruger SP101

There really isn't enough information here to make a choice. Are you using these guns for concealed carry and self-defense?

If so, I've carried a full-size M1911 for more years than I care to mention.

1. It's flat and easy to conceal.

2. It's easy to shoot well.

3. It holds 9 rounds versus 5 for the SP101. And as John Farnham said, the most common cause of a stoppage in action is running out of ammunition.

4. The M1911 can be reloaded lightening fast when you carry a spare magazine or two.

Now if I were carrying the gun in the woods, I'd go with a revolver -- because they don't scatter the empties in the leaves. But I'd want something a bit more than the SP101 -- with at least a 4" barrel and preferably 6".

tercel89 said:

Looking at which of these two would you guys choose and why ?

1. Springfield Armory 1911 .45acp plain jane version , like a Mil-Spec with no bells nor whistles

2. Ruger SP101 .357mag

I sacrificed two of my polymer guns to get the funds to get a good ole metal pistol for me and my son to shoot and last a lifetime. I narrowed it down to these two. I have owned them both in the past and both are built like a brick ***** house and tough as nails. Plus both are designs that go way back in time . The 1911 is over 100 years old and the revolver goes even further back , so both are proven designs still used today. I am presently reloading so these two will even support that hobby well. I grew up in the 70's and 80's and have watched the polymer/plastic guns arrive and I like them but I just want a good ole metal tank. So which one of the two I mentioned and why ? Thanks for the information .

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Since you don't mention using the gun as a carry gun it's six of one and a half dozen of the other (likely the same as a carry gun too). Both guns are well made and with proper care and maintenance will last a lifetime. Me? I would choose the 1911 but only because I want another 1911 to use as a project gun conversion.

I have a few 1911s as well as solid 357 revolvers and really enjoy shooting both about equally. Other than not wanting to donate an existing 1911 to a project it would be a toss up for me. Would be nice if you could get your hands on each as a loaner (rental) and see which trips your trigger.

Ron

When faced with that choice, I bought a Springfield G.I. stainless. It is my "off hours/around town" gun.

My employer has an overbroad "no weapons" policy so I don't risk it clunking around at work, but short of that it's common for me to wander around town during a Dallas summer in shorts and a tee shirt, with the 5" G.I. IWB in a hybrid holster on a rigger belt (not necessarily looped through pants loops e.g. with gym shorts, just around my waist).

If more of my life was spent out where the four legged critters are bigger than dogs and tougher than raccoons I would probably lean towards the sp101.

CWL said:

You said that you want a "metal tank". If that is the case, go with the Ruger.

I'd say the SA is more like a reliable pickup truck.

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Well said.
Like others here I have both. I carry both, though not usually at the same time.
If it was going to be my only handgun....I'd have to go with the Ruger. Mine is the 3".

At the end of the day... a good 1911 just can't be beat.

You really could not go wrong with either one. Having said that I would vote for the 1911. Great for a range toy and excellent for home defense. The Ruger is a wonderful handgun, but for "ME" it is a little heavy for a carry gun and a little small for a range toy.

BUT; having said that, they are both iconic guns.

I agree that you have not given enough info for a proper choice to be made. If you have other guns for other uses flip a coin... if not it really depends on how ya will be using this. I agree a gp100 is more equivalent to a full size 1911 and as versatile.

Q. How do you start an argument on the Internet? A. Leave an opinion!!

The SP101. Easier to conceal, should you want to. Ruger customer service is tops in the industry and your Great Grand-children won't have a problem getting it serviced! The .357 Magnum is a proven man-stopper as much as the .45 ACP is, BUT.... the SP101 can shoot .38 Special, 38 Special +P, or the .357 Magnum so you have three different loads to shoot.... and three times the chance of finding ammo.

IMHO

I have both a 2.25" and a 4" SP101 and without a doubt the 4" with it's longer barrel and adjustable sights would be a FAR better all around gun for anything other than concealed carry. As much as I'm a bonafide fanboy and love Ruger's little bomb proof SP in it's snubby configuration, unless you NEED a snubby, it's a far less satisfactory all around gun. The 3" version is better and would bear consideration for concealed carry and range use, but the 4" is THE pick of the litter in the SP series IMHO.

I will always choose that 1911 over that revolver.

I have both a 2.25" and a 4" SP101 and without a doubt the 4" with it's longer barrel and adjustable sights would be a FAR better all around gun for anything other than concealed carry. As much as I'm a bonafide fanboy and love Ruger's little bomb proof SP in it's snubby configuration, unless you NEED a snubby, it's a far less satisfactory all around gun. The 3" version is better and would bear consideration for concealed carry and range use, but the 4" is THE pick of the litter in the SP series IMHO.

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I design and make my own holsters and have evolved a "tuckable" IWB that makes a 4" as concealable as a 2".

1911.

I love revolvers, but never "got" the SP101. Too big and heavy to justify it's 5-shot capacity, and it's got the ergonomics of a 2x4.

I don't get along with the grip safety of the Colt design. I greatly prefer a revolver.

I tell you, I'm a revolver guy BUT, one of the few revolvers I do not like is the SP101. For a very long time the only semi-auto I owned was a Springfield 1911A1 GI model. (still do) I feel the SP101 is too large and heavy for what it is and I would go with the 1911. If you asked about a S&W M60 my answer might have been different. (or the M640 or M649)

Based on your provided criteria, I'm assuming these only to be range toys. You reference sharing with your son which leaves me thinking you cant share a CC. So...

Are you and your son the type that A: Enjoy the occasional mag dump rapidly squeezing off shots and satisfied with hitting a target the size of a watermellon....

B: Tend to take a little more time to refine each shot and really hone in on a quarter size group....

or C:Love the deep felt blast of a big caboom and the palm bruising kick of a stout load?

If A is the answer then I would choose the 1911.
If B, Then I would urge you to consider changing from the sp101 to a 4" gp100, but given the options would still choose the sp101 if it was a 4" and then put some good grips on it.
I had a 2" and it was a great little shooter with the 38s but I always wanted a 4".
If C, I'd definetly go with the Sp101. It's a little revolver that can handle big boy loads all day long and gives a great "Tee Hee" effect.

JRWhit said:

... Enjoy the occasional mag dump rapidly squeezing off shots and satisfied with hitting a target the size of a watermellon....

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That's a credibility-killing exaggeration.

My Springfield G.I. is hardly the most accurate handgun ever sold, but:

1) at 7 rounds, a mag dump isn't a heck of a lot different than a cylinder dump. And yeah, for carry it is 7+1 but who loads the +1 at a range?

2) I have never seen a watermelon smaller than about 6". Yes, you can hit a target that size, but you can also hit one quite a bit smaller. Mine can deliver 4" groups at 25 yards if I haven't stoked up on caffeine.

If you want a mag dumping monster along 1911 lines, line up for a .22 TCM from RIA. 17+1 rounds of muzzle blast and mayhem sending a bullet down-range fast enough to pop a binary explosive. I have one and its my mostest funnest range toy evar right now. It too is capable of decent accuracy - I have seen reports of 1.5" groups from a ransom rest...dunno...I can just say mine is plenty accurate as pistols go.

Just a general example. No argument over accuracy here just general directions go in based on the listed options. Let's not split hairs over simple differences in wording.

To me the SP and ’11 are pretty comparable. Both are heavy but concealable guns that emphasize power over capacity. I would lean towards the SP for woodsy stuff (I would have fewer qualms about deer hunting with an SP) and the '11 for everything else.

In reality anyone who is really debating these two should probably get a 10mm 1911 and be done with it.

As far as the GP, I am sure they are nice. I don't have a use for one but they must keep them on the market for a reason.

gotta go springer, love me a 1911.

unless it was a springer against a smith k frame. then it would have been the smith. love me a k frame.

Since you didn’t give the option of both, I voted for the SP101. Not necessarily because I don’t like the 1911, I do, but because I’m getting to old and decrepit to chase brass. :banghead:

I voted for the SP101. I like the 1911 as a range toy, but I am not a fan of external safeties (and a grip safety) on a ccw piece. I agree with those who said the 3" version may make more sense than the 2". The ability to go from .38, to 38+p to .357 loads is a plus to me.

Nice find. happy shooting.

I am a fan of the .357 revolver and the .45 auto. In my opinion, you will not go wrong either way. I guess what it boils down to is your preference to revolvers over autos or vice versa.

1911 everyday of the week.
I bought a SP101 3'' for the wife. It's a decent gun, built well, but I should have just bought a S&W.

As a range toy, either would work. If I had a choice for CCW, it would be the 1911 every time.