Advice on 1911 Impulse Buy.

[.357 magnum]

I had been looking for a New .45acp. To make a long story short. I bought my FIRST 1911. It is a Ruger SR1911 with a [5] inch bbl. I am wondering most of all is it DEPENDABLE? Second is it Accurate? Also why is the the Trigger Ventilated? I have owned handguns for 38 years and this is my First 1911. Any advice is appreciated. Also Is it easy to clean? Thank you in Advance.

The Best to All!

Frank

 

[tuj]

all 1911's field strip for cleaning easily, particularly if they don't have the two-piece full-length guide rod. The only tool you might want is a bushing wrench which you can get from Brownells.

accuracy is all relative with 1911's; they can be tuned to be some of the most accurate pistols in the world, but out of the box, the one you are looking at is unlikely to disappoint at moderate ranges. Ammo is critical in extracting maximum accuracy from a 1911.

 

[mnhntr]

I have one that is very reliable with FMJ or RN profile bullets. Not so reliable with SWC profile bullets not matter how I seat them. As with any pistol if you are going to carry it you need to run a test with the ammo you will be using. It is very accurate and a very easy to maintain pistol. You will enjoy it. The 1911 is very customizable. If you do not like the trigger there are hundreds to replace it with.

 

[another pake]

.357magnum,

1911s have a way of growing on you. I'd be surprised if it didn't become a favorite. Still, some decide that it's not the gun for them.

Most 1911s are very reliable, but the way to find out is to run ammo through em and see. Once you develop your grip, and as a pistol shooter already I don't think that'll be an issue, you should have no problem. Many times factory mags can be fussy, but there are alternatives. As for accuracy, your technique, your ammo, your commitment to range time are the issues. Most 1911s are more accurate than their owners.

I do load my own with 200g SWCs and couldn't be more pleased with them for paper. But I also practice and keep a few mags full of Gold Dot HPs just in case.

Enjoy it!

I know that I love mine, currently a Les Baer.

 

[tarosean]

Shooting it will answer most of your questions...

Field stripping is also simple for cleaning.

 

[critter]

I have one of those but with a commander length barrel. Mine has NEVER had a malfunction of any kind and is quite accurate indeed.

IMHO, you have picked one of the best-for-the-money 1911's on the market. They are great as is for most any use. They will also make WONDERFUL starting points if you later get the urge to customize it to whatever level you wish.

If you are new to the 1911, I would suggest the following:
1. Break it in with a few boxes of 230 FMJ with a cleaning and lubing after each 100 rounds.
2. Be sure you hold it firmly or you MIGHT get 'limp wrist jams'. Probably won't.
3. Enjoy the heck out of shooting it. Don't baby it as it will get even better with use.

You done good!

 

[rswartsell]

Lots of you tube videos for stripping the 1911. Find a good one and use it to walk you through the first couple of times and you will agree, pretty easy. As with any mechanism with metal to metal contact points, they tend to get a bit more comfortable with themselves after a few down the pipe.

 

[ldsgeek]

all 1911's field strip for cleaning easily, particularly if they don't have the two-piece full-length guide rod. The only tool you might want is a bushing wrench which you can get from Brownells.

accuracy is all relative with 1911's; they can be tuned to be some of the most accurate pistols in the world, but out of the box, the one you are looking at is unlikely to disappoint at moderate ranges. Ammo is critical in extracting maximum accuracy from a 1911.

A 1911 is easy to detail strip with no tool except those provided by the gun and one .45 ACP cartridge, assuming it's not tightened up to match grade specs. This would include removing the grips, John Browning designed the grip screws to be removed with the rim of the cartridge and the bottom lip of the mag to fit the notch in the barrel bushing. I used to be able to detail strip one in 4 minutes and reassemble it in 6.

 

[Mike J]

I bought a SR 1911 about 6 months ago. So far I like it. I haven't really gotten to shoot it that much. Life has kinda gotten in the way but to date I haven't had any problems. Field stripping isn't that hard. Instructions are in the manual. Mine came with a bushing wrench though I don't usually use it. This is my second Ruger & I haven't had to use their customer service but they have the reputation of being very good. If you have any problem they will make it right.

I hope you enjoy your new gun.

 

[bozzman3]

Don't buy a 1911.If you do you will catch the bug.When you have the bug you WILL BUY MORE 1911S.Also you will be mad that you waited 38 years to get one!!

 

[azrn]

a 1911 is like a girlfriend that keeps getting better with time. it is the warriors weapon that becomes the extention of the warrior to the extent of being one with them. azrn

 

[cavman]

I have found this guy's video, and two follow up videos, very good

http://youtu.be/SEBrkF0sMgI

 

[MDI_Weapon]

I have a SR1911 that I have shot quite a bit over the last few months. Mine is a great shooter - accurate and reliable with everything I have ran through it.

I did a bit of polishing on a few parts (feed ramp, sides of trigger bow, etc.) but nothing I wouldn't have done on any other 1911. I ended up putting different grips on mine because the wooden factory grips were taking a bit of a beating with daily carry. Then I fit an Ed Brown tactical thumb safety as the factory one was just a little too easy to click off and my thumb just likes the way the Brown tactical thumb safety feels even though the Ruger factory thumb safety is amazingly close in terms of width, angle and so on. Hmmm. I swapped out the factory sear spring for a Cylinder and Slide light sear spring and tweaked it a little until it hit a flat 4.0lb trigger pull on every try -- that took about 0.25lb or so off the factory pull weight but improved the overall feel of the trigger quite a bit. Mine also had a very slight burr on the frame inside the trigger channel that would have smoothed out with a few break in sessions at the range but a light pass or two with an extremely fine cutting flat needle file and some 1000grit took care of it much more quickly. I have an STI trigger in the parts box I may drop into it -- it's a 1911 so rotating a few parts in and out of it is basically impossible to resist even if I just end up swapping back to the factory parts sooner or later. That is just another aspect of the 1911 bug -- there are so many aftermarket parts for it that it is almost impossible to try out all of them in one lifetime...but that in no way means I am not going to try to test out at least 99% of them.

Speaking of which, if you haven't looked at Brownells 1911 catalog, go to their website and download it as the range of aftermarket 1911 bells and whistles is well worth a look and a fine way to waste a few hours (and possibly a few thousand $). You will likely curse me later for that suggestion.

Mine works fine with 200gr lead SWC...gotta love those large, perfectly round holes they leave in paper.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

Here's an in depth video on field stripping the 1911. http://youtu.be/GD_g-o2H8us?t=2m20s There are several ways to field strip, but, this guy goes nice and slow.

1911 pistols run best when well lubricated, I use a combination of light grease on the parts that slide and oil on the part that rotate.

Enjoy!

 

[.357 magnum]

Thank you Gentlemen!

Wow! Great answers! I learned a lot. I just wanted to Thank everyone that responded! It is Great to have such knowledgeable and Kind People on THR.

Thanks Everyone!

Frank

 

[tuj]

A 1911 is easy to detail strip with no tool except those provided by the gun and one .45 ACP cartridge, assuming it's not tightened up to match grade specs. This would include removing the grips, John Browning designed the grip screws to be removed with the rim of the cartridge and the bottom lip of the mag to fit the notch in the barrel bushing. I used to be able to detail strip one in 4 minutes and reassemble it in 6.

Yes, this is all true. I have no idea how tight the OP's gun is, however I have a Les Baer PII 1.5" with many many rounds through it, and the bushing is STILL incredibly tight, even out of battery, and requires a bushing wrench. I have an STI Spartan and the bushing on that is no problem. Just saying, its a $3 tool that's not bad to have on hand.

 

[benzy2]

How well does your barrel fit the gun? The few I've seen all had poor barrel fit. The barrel to bushing was loose (not a huge problem but not ideal) and more of a worry was the chamber end. When fully locked up, the chamber could be moved up and down maybe a 1/10 of an inch (didn't bring tools to the gun stores to measure). That makes me more nervous. If yours is tight, it should be a keeper.

 

[jjones45]

It will be dependable once you shoot the heck out of it to test it's dependability. The Achilles heel of the 1911 design is the magazines. Most of the problems you will have are magazine related and just a simple purchase of some high quality mags will solve 90% of the problems. As far as accuracy, a 5" 1911 is cream of the crop, at least in my hands. Vented triggers look cool and are lighter in weight. Never shot a sr1911 but I have heard good things.

 

[sauer1911]

BOZMAN3 I concur. I started with a Sig Sauer Black Nitron 1911. I now have one in black, stainless steel, and a match grade TTT. It has both the black nitron frame, a stainless slide and a match grade barrel.

I really do want more of em.

be safe

 

[Welding Rod]

Only way to know is to shoot it .

Guns contain many small parts with close clearances. Two guns from the same manufacturer can vary from accurate and reliable to inaccurate and unreliable. Especially from Ruger.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

I have a 1911 that when you shake it the sound is like a metal bucket with screws in it. Fires feeds everytime and hits where its aimed.

Love it, heck I love them all.

 

[Nickb45]

You made a good choice with the Ruger. I bought a CMD a little while ago, over 10,000 rounds out of it and no malfunctions. It's my everyday carry, and my steel challenge pistol until I build a 5".
After a few hundred rounds it will be a lot smoother when you cycle the slide. The bead blasted finish is a little rough when new but it smooths out a lot.