I like Ruger and 1911's. As I see it, the 1911 market has the bottom milspec and entry level fit guns (about $400) and then the custom end guns ($1800-2500). The guns in between generally fill in where the customer can a.) afford and b.) knows what they want. Those factors in that order.
There is a market for a better 1911 than what one gets in a standard milspec. I don't see any sense in building a GI based gun unless you are after the customizers' market. Sights are too small for efficient use, grip safety configuration is less than optimal. If you are in that ball park, the fit will be less than appealing. Why build that? Besides, all makers have gone to the more efficient modern format.
The next step up would be the Spartan class gun. Better fit and features, aesthetically pleasing. Best buy out there in a 1911 if you are just getting into 1911's. The key there, as in Toyota, etc is cheaper foreign labor. STI specs those guns and apparently their system works. The SA basic Loadeds and Kimbers Classics fill this niche, along with other makers comparable makes.
Ruger has another tier to work in and that would be the $800 to $1000 gun IF they can step up the fit and finish, both internal and out. They won't get there with all machined parts because that would be operation and labor intensive. Some MIM would have to be used and there's nothing wrong with good MIM in the right places, so lets not debate that proven point.
SIG was making the GSR in this class, went to their own parts manufacture and process and are now producing pistols which are a little loose. Colt can't produce anything mainstream without things like ill fitted and ill shaped grip safeties, tighter fitted parts or the union labor drives up the price. The SA Loaded series isn't exactly a match fit firearm. If you get even close to match fit and quality, you are popping $1400 or more with a ton of MIM in it, which loses appeal to many looking into upper end guns.
I see Ruger working, as in the LCR, in manufacture fitting approach rather than hand fitting. If they can do this with a 1911 and offer a well fitted, modern format, trigger using the Series 80 safety, nice appealing parkerizing, though not yuppie package, they would do well in the market. They already manufacture the castings for Caspian Arms, so they'd just have to work on the machining and building aspect of the gun.
The 1911 market is very competitive. The custom guns of Baer, Brown, Wilson, Nighthawk are in a class of their own. Ruger shouldn't even think about that at first. Kimber's different models are generally different cosmetics on the same guns - material use aside - yawn - no need to pursue that train of thought. They need to build a 1911 like they build all their guns...to use, durable, but with focus on fit, performance and a good trigger. Leave the pretty stuff to the customizers.
