RugerForum.com

Hi Guys,

I'm a huge Ruger fan, and bought an SR1911 right before Thanksgiving. It has quickly become one of my favorite pistols.

The overall quality is excellent, but I can't help but notice this ugly casting flaw every time I field strip the gun for cleaning.








I'm wondering if anyone else here has noticed similar casting flaws on the frame of their gun.

James

No flaws on mine.

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Buy American, it may be your own job you are saving!

I'd contact Ruger. That is a porosity problem and you don't know if there are more defects within the frame that can't be seen. I believe that they would want to know. Do you remember what color sticker was on it?
Jim

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I have an identical flaw on mine in same place. I may try sending a pic to customer service for their opinion. The gun is so new I haven't even had a chance to shoot it yet!!

That is called porosity, and it's a defect in the casting caused by a void, bubble, lack of material in the one spot. If it's in a high stress area then it could get worse, otherwise it's just an eyesore. No it should not be there, and personally on a higher $$ weapon such as that I would not live with it. Pretty sure Ruger would replace that, but the question of how long comes up.

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SP101 .327 mag. w Crimson Trace
SR9c - stainless
Security Six 4" .357 mag. Bicentennial Edition
NRA | CCW

Doubtful they would replace that if you ask me .... HIGHLY doubtful. If that were the case ... they may have to 'replace' many of the guns out there.

That won't cause any issues whatsoever, and that's most likely exactly what Ruger would say.

It would be interesting to hear what they DO say though. I'd want to be first in line ... because after a few people get their guns replaced (if they even do) they'll quickly be changing their tune to 'it won't have any effect - don't worry about it'.

There could be dozens of unseen gaps in any of the frames that you'd never know about without magnafluxing every gun. Their response will most likely be that it's fine ... if it ever causes a problem .... we'll fix it for you.


REV

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They may say that but the void in right in a machined area meaning it needs to be close tolerance there. IMO dirt, buildup, debris could catch in there and cause interference....at least it's slightly possible. Also with porosity what you see is not necessarily all that's there, It could open to a larger void down farther...possible at least.

_________________
SP101 .327 mag. w Crimson Trace
SR9c - stainless
Security Six 4" .357 mag. Bicentennial Edition
NRA | CCW

Agreed .... which is why I stated this .... above ....

There could be dozens of unseen gaps in any of the frames that you'd never know about without magnafluxing every gun. Their response will most likely be that it's fine ... if it ever causes a problem .... we'll fix it for you.


REV

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Spoke to Ruger today - I have the same flaw as pctech - and was told it shouldn't be a problem. I'm going to leave it at that. I'm confident that if it ever breaks Ruger will will do the right thing.

Doubtful, if the slide was cast properly there would be zero gaps / voids.
And the other side of that coin, I have to wonder if the hundreds of slides they recently scrapped out was a porosity issue like shown, and some simply got through that weren't suppose to. Often these things don't show up until you start cutting on them (finish machining the slide).

_________________
SP101 .327 mag. w Crimson Trace
SR9c - stainless
Security Six 4" .357 mag. Bicentennial Edition
NRA | CCW

First ... the SLIDE is the thing that fits on top and SLIDES back and forth VD ... the FRAME is what we're talking about here ....

Evidently Ruger IS saying that the frame was cast properly. Perfectly ? Maybe not. But properly ?? Sure ... It'll be fine.

If you want a PERFECTLY forged and machined frame ... buy a COLT ... or one of the others below that generally cost more and have a FORGED frame.

Some 1911 makers and their frame designs below .... clearly what most people consider the 'best' 1911's have FORGED frames ... this prevents any 'air bubbles' from being present in the frames.

Is a FORGED frame absolutely necessary to make a good 1911 ?? Probably NOT. Is a FORGED frame absolutely necessary to make a GREAT and ultra-durable 1911 ... probably so. Note that almost ALL the cheaper import guns which some people here so vehemently decry ... have the EXACT same frame type as Ruger, and that the 'Made in Brazil' Springfield Armory 1911's actually have a FORGED frame. Most 'top-line' 1911 builders will ONLY use a forged frame as a base for their custom 1911's. Anybody care to guess why ?

Colt - Forged
Springfield - Forged
Kimber - Forged
Rock Island - Cast
Charles Daly - Cast
S&W - Forged
Auto Ordnance - Cast
Para Ordnance - Cast
Essex (frames) - Cast
Wilson - Forged
Les Baer - Forged
Brolin - Cast
Ruger - Cast


REV

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Everything I have read indicates the 1911 frame is investment cast but the slide is machined from commercial bar stock.

BTW, Pine Tree Castings..... owned by Ruger...... has been making cast 1911 frames for many years. They are not new to this game.

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Mark

Thanks for clearing that up Rev.

My bad, you are correct that the pic is the frame not slide.

As far as having to buy a Colt for perfection, I own 3 Rugers that for all practical purposes, function and look "perfect" with no visible defects.

So, Ruger can say what they want, but the defect plain and simple should not be there, and we've come to expect better. That said, I don't doubt it may well function fine.

_________________
SP101 .327 mag. w Crimson Trace
SR9c - stainless
Security Six 4" .357 mag. Bicentennial Edition
NRA | CCW

Or worse yet .... water .... or moisture ... and you know what happens to water when it freezes ...... Gee ... I wonder why my slide won't move in the cold weather ....

Not good ... hopefully it's not a prevalent problem.


REV

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REV

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