"new to Ruger autoloaders" here again

[Terry Morgan]

New to Ruger autoloaders here again. With empty magazine in the Ruger Commander, I can NOT release the slide, no way. But I slipped my 1980s Colt 1911 .45 magazine into the Ruger and slide releases NO problem. Have I got a problem with the Ruger mag?

 

[Dry154]

That's a classic 1911 quirk not a problem with your Ruger SR1911 Commander mag at all.

In most 1911s including Rugers and Colts, when the slide is locked back on an empty magazine, the mag follower pushes up hard on the slide stop lug, holding it firmly in the slide's notch. That combined pressure slide tension mag spring makes the slide stop feel impossible to depress by thumb alone it's designed that way to prevent accidental release under load.

Your Colt works easier because

It has an extended slide stop more leverage for your thumb.

Older Colts sometimes have slightly different tolerances or less stiff engagement.

To release the slide on an empty mag in any 1911

Pull the slide slightly rearward just enough to relieve pressure on the stop.

Then push down on the slide stop while easing the slide forward.

No need for a new mag, spring, or gym membership it's normal behavior. Load a full mag, rack to lock back, then use the above trick if you need to drop the slide though the manual recommends removing the empty mag first anyway.

Shoot it it'll break in a bit more, but this isn't a defect. Enjoy the new stainless Commander!

 

[s4s4u]

Have I got a problem with the Ruger mag?

Could be your old Colt mag has a weaker spring. My question is, why drop the slide on an empty magazine

 

[don765]

That's a classic quirk with the Ruger SR1911 especially Commanders the factory mag's follower pushes up harder on the slide stop lug when empty, making it feel like the slide release is welded in place. It's not broken; it's designed that way because Ruger calls it a slide stop not a release, and the manual says to rack the slide by hand to load from locked back.
Your 1980s Colt mag works fine because its follower sits a hair lower or has a different profile less upward pressure on the lug, so thumbing the stop down is easy. Ruger mags are built to spec, but some folks find them stiffer than Colt Wilson ones. It's not a problem per se, just tighter tolerances or a slightly taller follower.
Lube the slide stop plunger tube heavily CLP or grease and work it back forth 50-100 times often smooths it.
Run a few hundred rounds; wear-in usually loosens it.
Swap to Wilson Combat 47series mags or even your Colt ones for range use they drop and release way easier while feeding 100%.
If you want the Ruger mags to behave, lightly file/polish the follower tab careful, small adjustments or just use the slingshot method like Ruger recommends

 

[Caftman]

You almost certainly do not have a problem with your Ruger. What you're experiencing is normal and by design for most modern, high-quality 1911 magazines. You've actually identified a key sign of a good magazine.