Late word on SIG's GSR .45 ACP problems?

[Nando Aqui]

I shot a Colt MkIV S70 Gold Cup in competition for years about 30 years ago, and it was great. But I stopped shooting matches, so I got rid of it about 10 years ago. (Yes, bad decision...)

Now I am shooting an HK USP .45 Tactical that I really like and intend to keep. However, I want a 1911 again, and have been looking around. I had not realized how many models there are now!

I had the field norrowed to one of the Kimber models (didn't know which one yet) that run between $800 and $1300, or a Springfield TRP for about $1200. But then I learned about the relatively new SIG SAUER GSR (around $875) and started reading about it.

From what I have gathered, the Sig GSR is a fine pistol, but there were some problems initially. I understand the problems ranged from poor workmanship and finish, to badly fitting parts.

Does anyone have any information about whether the problems have been resolved?

Thanks for your time,

Alex

 

[Smoke]

I can't respond to your specific questions....

But, you do know the Sig has an external extractor? I had heard that was part of the recurring problems. I haven't even seen one of these in the flesh so all I have is internet and gunrag hearsay.

Smoke - doesn't like external extractors.

 

[Quintin Likely]

I think I remember reading something about the hammer or grip safety being fitted poorly and Sig ended up changing the supplier of one of the those two parts.

If/when they ever come out with one minus the light rail, I'll look into it. I like Sigs, and I like 1911s, but I don't like the light rail.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Do a search - there are a number of threads here on the GSR.

I went to buy one but when I felt the trigger, I wound up with a Kimber CDP.

Trigger on the sample I had did not compare to the Gold Match I owned or the CDP I walked out with . . .

 

[lindermant]

here's an 11 page thread from the Sig Forum titled: Sig GSR Good, Bad and Ugly

http://sigforum.com/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=674608412&f=430601935&m=91310994&r=91310994#91310994

 

[agony]

I'm one of the early GSR owners. Had mine since March. It had a few probs at the beginning--walking extractor pin, poor hammer to gripsafety fit, supertight barrel bushing, and a stripped grip bushing. SIGARMS was very helpful in getting it fixed. They paid for shipping, and turned it around in two weeks, with friendly phone calls on it's progress along the way.

It has been flawless since, and is probably the most accurate 45acp I own currently.

Advice: Try to look at one first before buying. Supposedly, they are refitting current production GSRs with better parts. The finish alone may turn you off, as there are machine marks on places where they shouldn't be.

 

[JohnKSa]

The GSR was the first gun that made me feel like I wanted to buy a 1911...

Reading about the "issues" owners have had with it made the feeling pass.

Just not ready to shell out a Kbuck on something that's likely NOT to work right the first time.

I'll probably buy an H&K Expert instead.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I picked one up from a Forum member, virtually unfired. It was an early model. (He bought, gave it to a gunsmith for mods, and months later, the gunsmith still hadn't done the work.) By then, he was focused on a different gun -- sold it to me.

Mine has been absolutely flawless. Accurate and reliable. A high 3-digit serial number.

I've had SIGs, but this is the one I like best -- by far.

 

[Billy Sparks]

I picked up a GSR at the last Greensboro gun show (late Aug.). I have ran about 300-400 rounds through it without any problems. Like several others I was very hesitant to try a version 1 of a pistol. Runs great and I really like it.

 

[tc300mag1]

I was in the same boat but loooking more in the 700-900$ range for a new 1911 and i ended up going witht he springfield loaded over the sig and the same priced kimber..

If you went with the Trp you would be happy to i love my uncles trp now i need to shoot the loaded and it side by side

 

[cslinger]

I am a certified dyed in the wool SIG-A-HOLIC and even though I was sure some of the other 1911 folks probably make a better 1911 then SIG the thought of a SIG 1911 had me all a flutter.

Now my problem is I have played with about 10 examples and each and every one differed from the other greatly. Fit and finish ran the spectrum from awesome to downright shoddy. Trigger pulls rand the spectrum from pretty darn good to double action 1911.

This level of variation really turned me off. The parts used to build the GSR are absolutely top notch it just seems as thought the folks and or machines putting them together haven't found their groove yet.

One of these days I will probably come across a good one and pick it up but only because I am a SIG Nut. If I were in the market for anything other than a nostagic piece or something odd then I would probably be shopping high end Colts or low end Baers or something.

My two cents.

Chris

 

[Dave Sample]

The two I saw and handled at the last Shot Show were underwhelming, to say the least. They were very hard to handle and had the 18 pound recoil springs in them that Mat McClaren seems to think is the way to go. These were Caspian Platforms and the parts were OK if you like to put flashlights on pistols. I will pass on this one. Thanks, but no cigar.

 

[shooter.45]

I have one of the Early ones. And have had zero problems very accurate gun. I have about 350 rounds thru it so far. Fit is great and they have no MIM parts thats one of the reasons I bought it. Its built like a Tank.

 

[fastbolt]

I don't have any personal experience to go by, not having shot or even handled one. However ... a bit of second-hand heresay, or heresy, if you prefer ...

One of the guys at work came through to qualify with his new P220, and while we were talking he told me how & why he'd gotten it. Seems that his new GSR just hadn't proven to be reliable when he was trying to shoot it, and whatever was causing the problem(s) apparently couldn't easily be resolved by the factory. They offered him the opportunity to exchange it for another gun, and he chose the P220.

I have no idea what that means ...

How could you screw up what's essentially a parts-gun, anyway?

It wouldn't be the first time someone belatedly realized that JMB was somewhat ahead of his time, and had an insight into firearms that may have seldom been equaled.