The Ruger SR1911 is a traditionalist’s dream, employing a “Series 70”-style firing system. Ruger chose to make the pistol from stainless steel for added hardiness and corrosion resistance.

Gun Details
I had the opportunity to work with Ruger’s new SR1911 during a writer’s event at Gunsite in December 2010. Ruger hosted the event for the 1911 and Scout Rifle at the world famous facility—what better place to introduce two guns that helped define what Gunsite is all about? While there, Gunsite instructors Chris Weare and LaMont Kintsel put the group through a short training course, including a number of the school’s more famous drills. Over a two-and-a-half day period, I put more than 600 rounds through my loaner gun without cleaning it and never suffered a single malfunction. I was also very surprised at the level of accuracy the gun displayed. My past experience has been that can either make it accurate (read that tight) or reliable (read that loose), but having both is oftentimes fleeting. Ruger seemed to have found the right combination, and my school gun ran unhindered while being capable of placing unsupported shots inside a 4-inch circle at 25 yards…even with my old eyes!

Additional enhancements include an oblong, serrated Commander-style hammer and extended beavertail grip safety.

Everyone in attendance was very impressed with the gun. Gunsight Master Instructor Chris Weare, who owns his share of 1911 pistols, told me that he liked the Ruger version enough to buy it—if you have ever met Chris you know that he doesn’t give such an endorsement readily.

While Ruger’s gun is considered a Series 70 1911 (no trigger bar plunger safety, original style barrel bushing, but has titanium firing pin), they took the time to study the classic design and see where they could make it better without messing with Browning’s brilliance. Enhanced instead of “improved” is the best term to describe what Ruger has done with this 1911.

The attractive checkered hardwood grips feature an embedded Ruger logo.