Dispelling myths/range report: Sigarms GSR

[DunedinDragon]

After reading a number of posts regarding problems with the Sigarms GSR, I decided over the weekend to go ahead and take the chance on one. For clarification purposes, this was the GSR Revolution model without the rail, so it really wasn't that much of a chance.

First off, let me explain, I'm a Glock guy. I've never owned a 1911 in my life, but from the moment I held the GSR and tried the trigger, I realized what all the 1911 guys had been complaining about on the Glock trigger.

The GSR trigger pull is TRULY amazing!! When I brought it home and showed it to my son, his response was, "what...another pistol??" I then let him dry fire it and he said, "okay...this is MY pistol."

I was able to take it to the range on Sunday. For comparison purposes I shot about 300 rounds through the GSR, and about the same through my Glock 21. Although the differences were minimal, they were noticeable. In both cases I was able to consistently maintain a fist-sized grouping at 60 feet, but after a while the Glock tended to rise toward the right a bit. In my opinion that probably had more to do with shooter fatigue than anything else, but I think the size of the Glock 21 along with it's trigger pull and sights tended to fatique me more on a long series of shots. Additionally, the Glock series were a bit longer due to it carrying more rounds than the GSR. I had no misfeeds on either gun and was shooting a combination of Federal FMJ and Wolf FMJ.

I was talking with the range officer and he mentioned they had heard a few reports about the GSR trigger pull not being consistent after a while. I can't say I experienced anything like that, but then again he wasn't sure if those reports were about the railed GSR or not.

Overall I have to say that the next time anyone asks me what my "favorite" handgun is in my collection, I'm probably going to tell them it's my GSR. That's a hard pill to swallow for a Glock fan. But the fact is, it's an absolutely beautifully finished gun and it shoots like a dream. I will also tell them it's purely a range gun and I'd never consider using it for carry...that's what I have my Glocks for. But when it comes to making myself feel great about my shooting at the range...this is the gun to have.

 

[1911 guy]

No Carry?

You've got a perfectly good 1911 and don'tplan on ever carrying it? What's your address? I'm coming over with torches and pitchforks.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Yes, that was my reaction too. You finally discovered 1911s, and you won't carry one? Why on earth not? You shoot better with it, therefore it could very well be the factor that one day saves your life. I have been carrying a 1911 for many years, on a daily basis. I would never consider carrying a Glock for self defense, as I won't trust my life to a plastic gun with a staplegun like trigger. Additionally, Glocks are more dangerous for that purpose, because if someone snatched it out of your holster, they can just pull the trigger and shoot you. A 1911 requires you flip the safety off, and most bad guys don't know that. Tests have revealed that most people who attempt to snatch a 1911 and shoot cannot do it. No one has any problem snatching a Glock and shooting it. Additionally, snicking the safety off, if you know it's there and have practiced with it, takes exactly zero time off your draw and fire. What is your reason for not carrying a gun that, in at least two ways, is superior to the gun you carry?

 

[DunedinDragon]

To each their own. I've been around guns long enough to make a good practical decision about what works for me in terms of carry or other uses. That doesn't mean the 1911 wouldn't be a good carry gun, just that I'm perfectly comfortable and accurate with my carry guns...and not nearly as concerned about protecting the finish on them.

I bought the 1911 strictly for the purpose of target shooting and it's very capable at that. The frame is simply too large (and heavy) for concealing it the way I like to conceal. For the same reason I don't conceal carry my Glock 21. If I were camping or out in the woods, however, and was open carrying I'd carry the Glock 21 simply because I feel it's more dependable under adverse conditions (rain/mud/etc.) and again, I don't care what kind of abuse it gets. It's not meant to be pretty. I bought my Glock 19 and my Taurus PT111 for everyday carry sidearms depending on the weather and how I have to dress. In my arsenal each gun has it's special purpose for LOTS of different reasons. I shoot them all equally well and practice with them all every week.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

To each their own. I've been around guns long enough to make a good practical decision about what works for me in terms of carry or other uses. That doesn't mean the 1911 wouldn't be a good carry gun, just that I'm perfectly comfortable and accurate with my carry guns...and not nearly as concerned about protecting the finish on them.

Isn't it stainless steel? Besides, your life is more important than the finish on your gun, isn't it? Carry what you shoot best, I say.

I bought the 1911 strictly for the purpose of target shooting and it's very capable at that. The frame is simply too large (and heavy) for concealing it the way I like to conceal. For the same reason I don't conceal carry my Glock 21.

Actually, I bet you haven't tried concealed carrying the 1911, or you wouldn't be saying that. There are more surprises in store for you, I think, about the 1911. It is a little known secret that the full sized, full weight, 1911 is about the best handgun (that's practical for self defense) there ever was for comfortable concealed carry. You just need the right IWB holster. The flat sides and uniform narrowness of the thing makes it hug you very securely and comfortably, so you can support more weight without noticing the increase, and the length of the slide/barrel only adds to it's position stability, which amounts to greater comfort. I find it more comfortable by far than carrying my little compact Glock in similar fashion. You will too, if you give it a try.

If I were camping or out in the woods, however, and was open carrying I'd carry the Glock 21 simply because I feel it's more dependable under adverse conditions (rain/mud/etc.) and again, I don't care what kind of abuse it gets. It's not meant to be pretty. I bought my Glock 19 and my Taurus PT111 for everyday carry sidearms depending on the weather and how I have to dress. In my arsenal each gun has it's special purpose for LOTS of different reasons. I shoot them all equally well and practice with them all every week.

You just got through saying you shot the 1911 better. Now you say you shoot them equally well. Which is it? I think you are just reluctant to form the conclusion that leads to so many of your pet favorite guns being permanently put in the safe or sold off.

By the way, do you think I worry much about the finish on my daily carry gun? Here's a picture. You tell me. I've been carrying it 24/7 for a long time now. You get a scratch you don't like, it polishes right off in minutes.

 

[DunedinDragon]

You just got through saying you shot the 1911 better. Now you say you shoot them equally well. Which is it? I think you are just reluctant to form the conclusion that leads to so many of your pet favorite guns being permanently put in the safe or sold off.

As I said, to each their own. Yes, I do shoot the GSR "marginally" better than my other handguns AT 60 FEET. The all shoot equally well within the distance of what I'll most likely need in an SD situation.

I don't think I'm any more reluctant to form a conclusion that leads to selling off "pet" guns than you are about assuming that everyone else in the world that doesn't see it your way is obviously flawed in their thinking.

To each their own...

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

As I said, to each their own. Yes, I do shoot the GSR "marginally" better than my other handguns AT 60 FEET. They all shoot equally well within the distance of what I'll most likely need in an SD situation.

I don't think I'm any more reluctant to form a conclusion that leads to selling off "pet" guns than you are about assuming that everyone else in the world that doesn't see it your way is obviously flawed in their thinking.

Well, I suppose that whenever anyone makes an assertion, combined with logic and facts to support it, in contradiction to someone else's statement, one could say that he thinks the statement is in error, no? It's called making an argument. You are then free either to make a counter argument or assent.

To each their own...

Actually, it's "to each his own." The feminists have been on a crusade to rid the English language of its traditional rules of grammar (they cannot stand words suggesting maleness), and it appears that they've made significant inroads into your usage. Let's try to preserve the language, shall we? "Each" is singular, so the use of the possessive plural "their" in relation to it would be incorrect. Instead, it is correct to use the possessive singular, which in this case is his. But, yes, to each his own.

 

[DunedinDragon]

Well, I suppose that whenever anyone makes an assertion, combined with logic and facts to support it, in contradiction to someone else's statement, one could say that he thinks the statement is in error, no? It's called making an argument. You are then free either to make a counter argument or assent.

Or...you're free to not be bothered arguing over something that's obviously a personal preference and spend your time on something more productive...

PS: I didn't say you were in error. Your choice is right for YOU.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Or...you're free to not be bothered arguing over something that's obviously a personal preference and spend your time on something more productive...

PS: I didn't say you were in error. Your choice is right for YOU.

Correct. I asserted that you were in error on a number of points, one of which being your apparent preference for preserving the finish on your gun over preserving the life in your body. You merely criticized me for presuming to suggest that you were in error on something. How presumptuous of me to do that. All viewpoints are equally valid, and no one should argue otherwise. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

 

[JohnKSa]

Wow...

The guy buys and likes a 1911, and gives it a good review, but decides that he's not going to carry it--and that's considered sufficient grounds for public chastising.

What's more, in the process of chiding a fellow gun owner for his personal preference, this (no doubt well-meaning) 1911 proponent treats us to a diatribe in which we learn about HIS personal preferences regarding "plastic guns" and "staplegun triggers."

And they say that Glock owners are cultish.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Wow...

The guy buys and likes a 1911, and gives it a good review, but decides that he's not going to carry it--and that's considered sufficient grounds for public chastising.

What's more, in the process of chiding a fellow gun owner for his personal preference, this (no doubt well-meaning) 1911 proponent treats us to a diatribe in which we learn about HIS personal preferences regarding "plastic guns" and "staplegun triggers."

And they say that Glock owners are cultish.

I already pounded my chest and said my mea culpas for presuming to present my arguments in opposition to another's viewpoints. I will never do it again. Promise.

 

[f4t9r]

Its a great gun , you will love it

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. As has been noted, everyone will need to make their own subjective decisions on what is "right" or "best" for them.

I appreciate it that things seemed to have settled down by folks sort of taking a step back and not continuing the thread in the direction that it was heading.

Thanks.

 

[Pilot]

I have a couple of 1911A1's. I don't carry them either. They are strictly range toys. I prefer a smaller, lighter gun for CCW. Someday, I''l get an alloy framed, Commander sized 1911 for carry, but my full size, all steel 1911's are pampered, not carried.

Nice report on the GSR.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Oooh! The pain! The supreme fighting handgun called a "range toy." I can't take it. Have any of you folks ever actually tried carrying one in a good IWB? I am not superman. I'm 5'10" and 200 pounds. In order to be sure I'm still carrying my all steel 1911A1 at the end of the day, I have to reach back and feel that it's still there. Otherwise, I don't know I'm carrying anything. The benefits of an all steel full sized 1911 .45 are 1) fast second shots, due to low felt recoil, 2) longer sight radius, and 3) they shoot really well. Those combined with it being a .45 ACP makes for a damned fine choice for concealed carry. But there I go arguing in support of my opinion again. I'm told that when someone disagrees with my opinion, I am not supposed to present an argument, so forget what I just said.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Enough.