SR1911 10mm Review

[Good Ol' Boy]

So I finally got to shoot my new Ruger 1911 in 10mm. Initial impressions are the pistol is outstanding, 10mm has more kick than I thought it would and I need a decent front sight.

I've shot factory. 40 loads out of service pistols and now that I've shot factory 10mm loads out of the same I'm amazed that anyone would say that production 10mm loads are "just like" .40 production loads. No, their not.

Anyway, today's rounds were Sig 180gr at an advertised 1250fps and 629flbs, S&B 180gr at just below 1200fps and around 550flbs and PMC 170 JHP that I actually bought by mistake, rated at around 1200fps and 550flbs.

The Sig ammo definitely had the most percieved felt punch, followed by the S&B. The PMC was actually the most accurate and least felt recoil despite having the most enormous fireball. The fireball from this ammo was really quite ridiculous.

I like my new pistol just fine. I need more time with it but this was my first time shooting 10mm. It shoots well and has an excellent trigger. My Lyman averaged around 2.5 - 3lbs with next to no take up and a nice break. I'm going to try and procure some more potent factory loads and practice some more with the modest stuff. Either way this sure ain't no .40, or .45.

JFYI, an apples to apples, Sigs .40 180gr ammo is rated at 985fps and 388flbs.



For those that haven't seen the gun in question here it is....

 

[Lucky Derby]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nice! Welcome to the addiction.

Those Sig rounds are nothing to thumb your nose at. They’re pretty warm compared to a lot of factory 10mm.

Glad you like it!

 

[roc1]

I agree love my Ruger 10 as well. I put a Vortex Venom on mine haven’t quite got it down yet but sure is fun working on it. I bought Cabelas Herters ammo and reloading for it to. My loads seem hotter but not pushing it hard yet. Great addition to my 1911 family. Glad you like it
Roc1

 

[sparkyv]

So I finally got to shoot my new Ruger 1911 in 10mm. Initial impressions are the pistol is outstanding, 10mm has more kick than I thought it would and I need a decent front sight.

I've shot factory. 40 loads out of service pistols and now that I've shot factory 10mm loads out of the same I'm amazed that anyone would say that production 10mm loads are "just like" .40 production loads. No, their not.

Anyway, today's rounds were Sig 180gr at an advertised 1250fps and 629flbs, S&B 180gr at just below 1200fps and around 550flbs and PMC 170 JHP that I actually bought by mistake, rated at around 1200fps and 550flbs.

The Sig ammo definitely had the most percieved felt punch, followed by the S&B. The PMC was actually the most accurate and least felt recoil despite having the most enormous fireball. The fireball from this ammo was really quite ridiculous.

I like my new pistol just fine. I need more time with it but this was my first time shooting 10mm. It shoots well and has an excellent trigger. My Lyman averaged around 2.5lbs with next to no take up and a nice break. I'm going to try and procure some more potent factory loads and practice some more with the modest stuff. Either way this sure ain't no .40, or .45.

JFYI, an apples to apples, Sigs .40 180gr ammo is rated at 985fps and 388flbs.



For those that haven't seen the gun in question here it is....



View attachment 830517

I had to tweak my trigger quite a bit; was yours 2.5# pull wt. OOB? And yes, those SIG rounds are decently hot for factory rounds, they are my favorite...but hotter rounds can be had via handloads, if you like that. I do

Nice grips, by the way.​

 

[John G C 1]

wow, 2.5 out of the box! Most reviews say the trigger is a bit heavy, but seems like you got a nice one for target shooting!

 

[.455_Hunter]

Roughly full performance 10 mm ammo from the big ammo companies is a recent phenomenon. 10 years ago, you were lucky to get 50 fps above the equivalent .40 loadings, with the Silvertip and Hornady being about the only exceptions. Back then, I chronographed some 180 gr PPU out of my 5" 1006 and got barely 900 fps, enough to kinda cycle the gun, but not lock back on an empty mag. We are currently in a happy time for 10mm ammo selection.

 

[ATLDave]

I think 10mm in a 1911 is a fairly hard kicker - the single-stack backstrap just doesn't spread out the load like the double-stack grips. But they sure carry flatter!

 

[BC17A]

Thanks for the review, congrats and welcome to the Ruger 10mm club.

I have the same gun, and other than the black front sight, I love it. I don't find it any more harsh than a 1911 in 45 cal until you get in the full-power range. Nothing like seeing the chrono read 1300+. I'm in the process of fitting a 38 Super barrel&bushing to mine just to have some variety without having to purchase another 1911. It actually fits tighter (better lock-up) than the 10mm bull barrel so I think it'll be a winner.

 

[JR24]

Roughly full performance 10 mm ammo from the big ammo companies is a recent phenomenon. 10 years ago, you were lucky to get 50 fps above the equivalent .40 loadings, with the Silvertip and Hornady being about the only exceptions. Back then, I chronographed some 180 gr PPU out of my 5" 1006 and got barely 900 fps, enough to kinda cycle the gun, but not lock back on an empty mag. We are currently in a happy time for 10mm ammo selection.

Indeed. When I got my 10mm the Remington green and white box I had were similar, 180 grain at under 1100 fps.

The stuff the OP shot seems pretty decent.

Nice Ruger OP!

 

[rpenmanparker]

Beautiful Ruger.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I bought one when they first came out. This is a great pistol!!

The ammo choices are much better now then 5-6 years ago. Most companies started loading the ammo to higher pressures. You could always get Buffalo Bore or Underwood ammo if you want the really spicy stuff, or you can always roll your own and have some really hot stuff.

I changed the grips and put an orange dot on the front sight. These were the only issues I had with the pistol.

I was very impressed with Ruger's debut 10mm.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

On the trigger I edited my original post, I thought I had put 2.5 to 3lbs but apparently not. Of the few averages I took they were between 2.5 and 3lbs, yes out of the box. I also saw some reviews on YouTube where folks were getting more like 5lbs or so. Dont know what to say but based on the way it feels I feel like my Lyman is probably fairly accurate.


On the front sight I did paint it white before I shot it but I've been looking online at options. Looks like Dawson makes a fiber optic. Any suggestions? Also I've never changed sights on a 1911, anything I should know? I've got a LGS that will do the frontsight for $25.


Thanks for all the replies folks...

 

[tommy.duncan]

On the front sight I did paint it white before I shot it but I've been looking online at options

I was going to change my front sight out and my daughter suggested her bright orange nail polish for a range trip.
Still have not changed the sight out.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I was going to change my front sight out and my daughter suggested her bright orange nail polish for a range trip.
Still have not changed the sight out.

A white base coat helps too. Makes the color brighter.

 

[WestKentucky]

If you reload... Berry’s truncated cone 180s and AA7 work well... been at least 3 years since I loaded anything 10mm so I forgot the charge weight, but what you see are exits from a 7 yard passing run. 3 hits in the heart on the drivers side, 2 exits on the passenger side and one mangled bullet under the skin after breaking a rib on each side. The cut on the leg was from barbed wire as he tried to jump one last fence but kinda managed an enthusiastic flop. The power is there, so is the accuracy. I would hesitate to carry this load though for fear of overpenetration.