Ruger Replies About the SR1911!

[*NOVA*]

Within two days of sending Ruger a message from their website, I got the following reply from Mike Fifer, the Chief Executive Officer of Sturm, Ruger:

Dear Mr. (name deleted),

A 1911 of our high quality is a difficult firearm to build, and in spite of considerable capital spending on equipment, we have not been able to hit our daily production goal of 90 guns per day on two extended shifts. Instead, we are averaging somewhere between 50 and 60 guns per day. So far we have shipped more than 8,000 SR1911s.

In response to everyone's frustration (including our own employees, who want more SR1911s), I have committed an additional $3.3 million to acquire more equipment to try to double production. Many of those pieces of equipment are showing up now (I saw quite a few new pieces of equipment when I was in the Prescott factory last week), and I am hopeful they will be tooled up and running with additional, fully-trained employees by the first of the year.


Best regards,
Mike Fifer


There you have it fans, the official word from a reliable source!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

cool!

 

[ErikO]

That is good news.

 

[NOLAEMT]

That is completely unacceptable.

If they start making more SR1911's I might actually find one for sale. In which case I will be forced to buy it, and my wife will kill me.

So no, this is not good news at all!

 

[wtxj]

I'll never get mine at 60 pistols a week.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Nice to see Ruger responding to demand.

Sometimes I wouldn't mind a "verified manufacturer contact" section on the board where we could watch Product reps and posts of recall information with no filters. (not respond to individual warranty repairs, that could get overwhelming )

It would just likely fall prey to the pushing of advertisements rather than the more humble "here's what we're working on/have produced/Invented" I'd prefer.

 

[mgmorden]

I'll never get mine at 60 pistols a week.

They're making 50-60 per day. Still will likely be a while, but not as bad as the week figure would be . If they can double that it should help a lot. Remember that the gun was only announced back in April.

I really wanted one on the 1911 centennial, but I may have to pass. I still an SOME type of 1911 from this year, so I may end up settling for an RIA instead and getting the Ruger later. In order to avoid having two .45's though, I may just get the RIA in 9mm.

 

[DammitBoy]

That is completely unacceptable.

If they start making more SR1911's I might actually find one for sale. In which case I will be forced to buy it, and my wife will kill me.

So no, this is not good news at all!

lol

 

[KAS1981]

If they make a Commander model I'm all over it.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can live with making fewer, as long as they are made right.

I finally got to see a couple of them, at a gun show in Fletcher, NC (near Asheville). Nice looking guns. One vendor had it priced at $750, another at $729. That seems a little high, but I wasn't in the market for a new gun right then anyway, let alone buying out of state and having it shipped and transferred.

 

[Racinbob]

Well, I guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer. I've had one, fully paid for, on order for over 4 months now.

 

[InkEd]

My LGS has sold a few and keep one in-stock for people to handle. It's pretty nice and the price (like all Ruger guns) makes it a pretty good value.

 

[KAS1981]

Best price I've seen so far is from Impact Guns--$650. If I wanted one I'd buy from them and wait it out.

They're selling for crazy prices on Gun Broker.

 

[TexasRifleman]

First off, don't take this as knocking the gun because I am not. I handled one a few weeks ago and it's a very nice gun, seems well worth the money.

But, I am curious what it is about this 1911 that makes people want it in a way that other 1911 makers have not been able to do. Is it just the name recognition of Ruger?

As a 1911 fan I don't care, I am happy to see the model take off like crazy, just trying to figure out what is especially attractive about this one.

 

[ohwell]

I would say its because its not only a great value for the price, Its also American made.

 

[Bobson]

But, I am curious what it is about this 1911 that makes people want it in a way that other 1911 makers have not been able to do. Is it just the name recognition of Ruger?

Fair question. From everything I've heard (reviews, etc), the gun is beautiful, seems to be exceptionally well made, fit and finish is impeccable, reliability is stellar, trigger is phenomenal, and accuracy is ...mediocre.

 

[NOLAEMT]

I don't exactly know, i think it is a combination of price point, made in america, lack of front cocking serations, and the fact that ruger is finally making a 1911.

 

[KAS1981]

A 100% USA-made 1911, with some nice features, for a great price. That and yes, I do believe some folks are just Ruger fans.

I'd love to pick one up.

 

[fal762x51]

Colts are American made, have the same features, and are selling for... less.

 

[mgmorden]

Colts are American made, have the same features, and are selling for... less.

If you're seeing any new stainless Colts with the same features (namely the beavertail grip safety and novak sights) for under $750 I'd love to know where.

 

[fal762x51]

Are you seeing many SR1911s for under $750 that are actually available?

Imaginary $650 SR1911s that have not yet been built dont count.

 

[loadedround]

I've been waiting patiently for mine since May of this year. I am now second on the list. Maybe I'll get it by Christmas?

 

[mgmorden]

Are you seeing many SR1911s for under $750 that are actually available?

Imaginary $650 SR1911s that have not yet been built dont count.

Availability wasn't what you quoted. That's merely a patience problem (and I have quite a bit of patience). You quoted price. The ones that are selling when you can find them have been going for about $750 or so - hence why I quoted that price instead of the $600-650 that they're expected to settle to once demand is satisfied.

Realistically, Colts still cost quite a bit more.

 

[Fishslayer]

That is completely unacceptable.

If they start making more SR1911's I might actually find one for sale. In which case I will be forced to buy it, and my wife will kill me.

So no, this is not good news at all!

Just move to Kalifornistan. Then ya won't need to worry about it.

 

[chez323]

I've got one on backorder at ombexpress for $591.16..... since July/August. My local gunshop has only gotten one in and it's for their rental case. I checked it out, nice looking and feeling gun that shoots very nicely. Will be patiently waiting for it, it will go nicely with my other 1911's which are also American made (Kimber).