Ruger SR1911 Accuracy put to rest

[daddyflea]

OK guys I had a pretty rough day and my shooting was not up to par. I drank two Sodas so I had Caffeine shakes and it was 95 degrees. My Stag grips got pretty slick, especially after I handled fresh lubed Cast bullets. These are my excuses.

This Pistol will shoot with almost any of them in my experience. I had some called Fliers but from these pictures I think you can determine for yourself how accurate this Pistol is.

All shots were fired from a Lasered 15 yds. These groups were almost fired from Horse Back at a trot but all that were not, were fired from a rest off my Rhino. I had no place to support my Hand but my arm was well supported.

All shots were fired using 230gr Lee Truncated Cone Cast bullets shooting 4.8 grs Bullseye using Winchester LP Mag or Standard Primers, except later shots that are noted were fired using Remington 230gr Jacketed Hollow Points using 5.0grs Bullseye and the same primers.

I used a Sharpie Pen to give group size and it Measures 3 1/4 inches from the black top to the end. Most these groups were measured outside to outside so you would need to subtract a half inch for group. I could not hold any better than this.

Here is my setup.

1st rounds were 5rds here with a called Flier

2nd target was 8rds and maybe my sight picture changed but pretty good group. No called Fliers.

3 group was 5 rds with no called Fliers

4th group was 5 rds with no real Fliers

5th group was 5 rds with a called Flier

These are pictures of the groups without my Hands in the way.

This is a picture of all the targets before I decided to add shots.

Here is where I got creative and the pressure was off so I decided to take my best target and shoot another 5 into it. This is a total of 10 rds.

This worked out good with an excellent group so I added another 5 on the same target for a total of 15 This added some drifters,

No reason to stop so I added another 5 for a total of 20. I forgot to take a picture but I had no Fliers.

That worked out good so why not add another 5 for 25 and change Bullets. This time I used Jacket Hollowpoints but I had a Flier. It was not the Pistol it was me.

Same target with Sharpie

That is what I call one ragged hole shooting.

My pistol is here

For those of you that feel the need to blow them up and look at them here are the download links. I chose 15 yds (Rock Chunking Distance) because this seemed to be what everyone wanted to see. 15 yds is the farthest Distance fired in Texas CCH classes. If you can not qualify with this Pistol you can't shoot just go home.

If I did this again I would for sure number my targets. This got confusing with all the pictures.

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[revhigh]

First .... Thanks for doing this ... it's what we've been waiting for. My comments are not meant to disparage your shooting ability at all ... I have no idea what loads you're using, or the quality of your bullets, which can all lead to quite skewed results when shooting for groups.

I'm sure you would agree that roughly 3 inch groups at 15 yards rested would result in quite a bit larger groups at 25 yards which is almost twice the distance. Even if we would say (charitably) that that would result in 4 inch groups at 25 yards ... to be honest ... that would not be good enough for me to buy at this time (or at any time) since I have multiple 1911's that shoot far better than that. But that's ME.

I was hoping that we'd be seeing groups right at 3 inches or maybe a little smaller at 25 yards, but it doesn't look like that's the way this is going to shake out. Your results seem to bear out the other reports that have started to trickle out. G&A came up with an AVERAGE of 3.6 inches rested at 25 yards, which means that probably half the groups were above 4 inches in size. Shooting Times also came up with groups right around 4 inches or a little larger, and Joe Chambers came up with 4-5 inch groups at 25 yards (albeit in high winds), so it seems that your groups are right in that same ballpark.

I really appreciate your doing this, and it confirms what I was beginning to deduce about this gun. That is ... that it's a very handsome and very reliable (from all reports) 1911 with average accuracy capabilities. Since I value accuracy as the most important trait in a gun, if this is the way they are shooting on AVERAGE, I won't buy one yet.

Thanks again for taking time to do this ... I know you have a very busy schedule and a lot of stuff going on.


REV

 

[ArmedinAZ]

First, hope your daughter is doing better, and thanks for shooting the targets for a bunch of internet whiners. :roll:

It's tough duty but someone has to do it and you stepped up to the job. Do you think your Kimber can't shoot this well?

 

[Cheesewhiz]

If that was shot by someone who shoots from a rest a lot, those targets aren't great for 45' but if that's just some shooting from a rest, not too bad at all. I can't shoot a pistol from a rest worth a crap, I'm tall so it feels stupid and uncomfortable to me, I don't shoot sitting.

I doubt this gun is a bad one as far as accuracy, a good shooter at 50' freehand probably can do a 2" to 3" group, that's my guess.
I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet but I talked to one of the owners of my best LGS and he only put fifty rounds downrange, he feels it is equal to most higher end, not custom shop, factory 1911's so far. He shot it with the new pistol owner, a guy that I know, he is a crazy collector and a good shooter, the gun shop owner said he was also impressed.

 

[daddyflea]

REV this is why I like to shoot at a longer distance. At this range I very sincerely doubt that I could hold a Wilson or other custom pistol any better. I think if you throw out all the Fliers you get a true pistol report. This Pistol shoots better than my $1200 Kimber and as good as my series 70 Colt. I think this pistol will shoot with the higher priced Pistols. This is the best groups I can hold regardless of the Pistol. I personally think this was excellent. I had more trouble shooting this close than I did at distance, maybe because I am just used to the distance.

My Daughter just regained Kidney function. This was very good news here is a link to News reports with my Handsome Mug doing an interview. Look for the E Coli Report

http://www.kxxv.com/

 

[revhigh]

Great news about your daughter DF !! Thank God !

I also don't shoot well from a rest ... at all ... I pretty much shoot at 50 feet offhand. I'm shocked that you think this pistol equals or eclipses your $1200 Kimber, although I am NOT a fan of Kimbers at all, so maybe I'm not as shocked as I say I am ... . Regular run 70 series Colts are also nothing to write home about in general, so I'm not surprised that you feel it has no advantage over the SR1911.

I have no doubt that this is a good gun ... it's just not good enough for me to add ANOTHER 1911 to an already crowded stable of 1911's. You can believe I'll be watching the reports on this gun VERY carefully. As a matter of fact I am now petitioning the owners of the site to add a sub-forum JUST FOR THE SR1911. It looks like I may be successful on this endeavor but nothing is decided yet.


REV

 

[daddyflea]

I know what you are talking about I have 5 45s myself. None of them are Glocks though.

 

[revhigh]

The only Glocks I have are a G26 for carry, and a G20, because it's 10MM ... I hate Glocks. I wish they weren't as reliable as a stone, then I could get the hell rid of them.


REV

 

[daddyflea]

The only Glocks I have are a G26 for carry, and a G20, because it's 10MM ... I hate Glocks. I wish they weren't as reliable as a stone, then I could get the hell rid of them.


REV

The last Glock I had shot every time but there was no way I could shoot any smaller than Basketball size groups at 25 yds. It also gave me Blisters on my Trigger Finger.

Watched the News report on the E Coli and what a Crock of Crap. Those Health department guys know exactly what Strain E Coli is involved because the Doctors showed me the report listing the Strain that they were required to submit. Why do Public Officials have to Lie or mislead the Public.

 

[revhigh]

Why do Public Officials have to Lie or mislead the Public.

It's what they do, my friend ... it's what they do ....

My Glocks actually shoot pretty good, especially the 20, and the G26 is exceptional for such a short barrelled gun. I just don't like them because they look and feel like crap.

REV

 

[sargents1]

Don't be too hasty there REV. The preliminary results are good. Cliff got his SR1911 on Sunday and took it out on Monday. He is pleased with it so far. Keep in mind that this is a brand new 100% American made m1911 that retails for $639.99.

I think we are going to hit the range this weekend and I plan on bringing my camera.


Here she is. Hello good Lookin'.

I'm not sure how big those dots are, 2-2.5 in I guess. There is one called flyer in this group.

This one is a little nicer, just about 2.5in...

This isn't all that great of a group, but it was done rapid fire.

 

[revhigh]

Here she is. Hello good Lookin'.

It really IS a good looking gun, even the beavertail and trigger are starting to grow on me. I like the two tone controls as well, but I do prefer it with the black double diamond grips that I've seen on a few examples. I REALLY DO NOT LIKE that grip safety ... I hate those memory bumps or whatever the hell they're called. My GSG 1911-22 has one of them and half the time the gun won't fire because I'm not pressing it in just right. Give me a standard grip safety any time. Just another answer to a question that NOBODY asked.

The truth about it's 'intrinsic' accuracy will soon become known as well, and then I'll think about adding one to my other 1911's. Time is on my side, and I have to believe that over time the production models will only get better, so there's no rush for me.


REV

 

[Mike J]

daddyflea-I would like to join in saying thank you for taking the time & trouble to do this. I don't own a SR1911 or any other 1911 but ya'all are getting me curious. I think I may have to rig myself up some kind of rest the next time I go shoot & see what my little pistols will do. I would be interested to see what kind of accuracy they are capable of.

 

[daddyflea]

No problem I think what I was trying to say earlier is that this Pistol will shoot better than I can. I need no extra accuracy. I did shoot this pistol at 100 yds and was able to keep all shots on Silhouette target. This is good enough accuracy for me.

 

[hughuno]

If "put to rest" means that the 1911 is an average performer at best, then I agree 100%.

accuracy is VERY important to me. In fact, I like my 1911s to be (about) as accurate (with match wadcutters) as my Ruger Mark II .22 LR pistol.

I have been beaten up fairly severly over on the "other" Ruger forum for raising concerns about what seems to be fairly "average" (mediocre is the word I would use) from this pistol. In my opinion, it seems no better for the money than any of the other 600-700 entry level "loaded" units.

An accurate 1911/45acp can still be reliable and not finicky. In fact, I can hand ANY of my three 1911s to my 10 year old with some (mild) match wadcutters in it and he can consistently hit bottlecaps and empty shotgun shell huils off-hand from 10-20 yards away. THIS is accurate.

An average of 4 inch groups, however, don't get it for me at all. There are of course rabid SR fan/collectors who won't care nor notice.

 

[revhigh]

An average of 4 inch groups, however, don't get it for me at all.

I'm right there with ya hughuno ....


REV

 

[daddyflea]

An accurate 1911/45acp can still be reliable and not finicky. In fact, I can hand ANY of my three 1911s to my 10 year old with some (mild) match wadcutters in it and he can consistently hit bottlecaps and empty shotgun shell huils off-hand from 10-20 yards away.

I got a $100 dollar bill that says neither you or your 10 year old will hit more than 2 out of 5 at 20yds with any 45 you got.

I am not a great shooter but I am a good shooter and I can not do that myself. I have shot on many Pistol teams in Competition.

Of course you can sit them on the ground and shoot under them all day to make them jump but you won't hit them consistently. I do that trick all the time.

 

[Lateck]

daddyflea; thanks for your work and posting!

As for how accurate the SR1911 is,,,,,,
Well I can't even see a 1" target at 25 yards. A 2" spot would be hard to see, also.

I do not know why people are trying to compare a STOCK hand gun to a Custom built???? Even HK's & SIG's are more money and are a little better.
Key words: MORE money and a LITTLE better.
One would have to lock the gun in a rest to really get perfect results.

Now, I will say that there are some people that can shoot REAL well and might be able to meet the ideals that some here want a $650 gun to meet.

I am very happy with my SR1911 but I am starting to sour on any more due to the High Standards that are pushed around that ALL 1911 should meet.

Lateck,

 

[revhigh]

I am very happy with my SR1911 but I am starting to sour on any more due to the High Standards that are pushed around that ALL 1911 should meet.

May I remind you that as far as we can tell, it was Ruger themselves that started the 1.5 inch group at 25 yards 'standard' ? We don't know who actually said it or in what context it was said, but you don't get the same story from multiple sources without there being some degree of truth to the statement.


REV

 

[sargents1]

I am very happy with my SR1911 but I am starting to sour on any more due to the High Standards that are pushed around that ALL 1911 should meet.

May I remind you that as far as we can tell, it was Ruger themselves that started the 1.5 inch group at 25 yards 'standard' ? We don't know who actually said it or in what context it was said, but you don't get the same story from multiple sources without there being some degree of truth to the statement.


REV

You know REV, the first I heard about Ruger's so-called claim was a post of yours that I read here on the internets. I dont remember seeing it on their website, or anywhere in the statements that they have put out.

Where did you get this idea? It really is kind of nutty. There are darned few handguns that will group that small at 25yds and most of them are Big $$$$.

 

[Tam 212]

There are at least one video podcast and at least two reviews out there that mention this claim from the Ruger/Gunsite SR1911 press launch.

Michael Bane's (who is, incidentally, affiliated in Ruger in some capacity) DownRangeTV video, TTAG's review mentions it and Mike Boyle's review also has it.

http://gunsgunsguns.net/ruger-sr1911/

 

[revhigh]

You know REV, the first I heard about Ruger's so-called claim was a post of yours that I read here on the internets.

There are darned few handguns that will group that small at 25yds and most of them are Big $$$$.

Tell me about it ....

Don't shoot the messenger ... see the other thread regarding this ....

Go here ..... skip to about 9 minutes and 20 seconds in .... you thought I made this up ???

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/the-ruger-sr1911-video/9290/


REV

 

[ArmedinAZ]

Someone email Jeff Quinn to measure his groups. We can trust him.

I'm going to do a little research, will make a new thread later.

 

[daddyflea]

You can never shoot any better than your Wobble area and my Wobble is pretty small but I think this is asking a bit much for a Human, when you are dealing with very small targets up close. I think you are better off shooting larger targets at distance. One thing is for sure. I teach classes where I recommend that you time your trigger pull to the exact time your sights are lined up perfect. Using this method you are guaranteed to miss every shot.

 

[sargents1]

You know REV, the first I heard about Ruger's so-called claim was a post of yours that I read here on the internets.

There are darned few handguns that will group that small at 25yds and most of them are Big $$$$.

Tell me about it ....

Don't shoot the messenger ... see the other thread regarding this ....

Go here ..... skip to about 9 minutes and 20 seconds in .... you thought I made this up ???

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/the-ruger-sr1911-video/9290/


REV

Awww, I wasnt shooting you REV, I was just ribbin ya. Sure enough, I went back and read the TTAG review of the SR1911 and they state that Ruger claims 1.5in groups at 25yds. He-said-she-said-her-Uncle's-cousin-George said so...

The guys at TTAG make their bread and butter being a bit overly critical. They complain about the SR1911 trigger, they complain about the sights, they nit-pick about the warning label, the std left-side only safety and on and on and on....

This is a 640$ all-steel, 100% American made 1911 that shoots as well as, or better than some other Far more expensive 1911's I might choose to point fingers at. Take for instance, Colt's Wiley Clapp Talo model that was reviewed in the latest issue of American Rifleman. The BEST group that gun put down was 2.5in (if memory serves) with many ranging up to 3, 3.5 or 4in. That gun costs 1300$!!! If you read the text they have nothing but praise for how accurate it is!?

BTW, the trigger on the one I have examined is very good indeed. Better than the trigger on the Remington R1 I examined. As good as the Smith and Wesson 1911 that was on the display case next to it. Leaps and bounds better than your average polymer/striker gun. And you KNOW how much I like to go on about my new G20SF.

The sights are Fine. They are your typical 3-dot sights. I like'em better than the Jumbotron sights on the Rem R1, but in point of fact...Both would serve well. The Ruger's just seem better to me. Take some small fraction of the money you saved by buying the Ruger instead of a Smith or a Springer, and spend it on swapping out the sights.

The one-sided safety is also fine for the majority of us who shoot with our right hands. Again, this is cheap and easy to change if you choose.

They complain about the accuracy, but then state that their best shooter laid down a 2in group with it....That bears repeating. These fruitcakes are complaining about a 640$ American Made 1911 that (with a competent shooter) will hold a 2in group at 25yds (75ft). I dont get it. If that was a 600$ Glock/XDM/M&P that was holding a 2in@25yd group they would be raving about how accurate it was.

I think maybe their expectations are a bit out of whack. Either that or they make their money complaining.

 

[revhigh]

They complain about the accuracy, but then state that their best shooter laid down a 2in group with it....That bears repeating.

If that was a 600$ Glock/XDM/M&P that was holding a 2in@25yd group they would be raving about how accurate it was.

I think maybe their expectations are a bit out of whack. Either that or they make their money complaining.

Uh ... sarge .... that two inch group was at EIGHT yards ... not 25 ... if you're talking about the TTAG review.

I've recently been looking at the Springfield Range Officer .... about $700+/-, bomar adjustable sights, match barrel and bushing .... supposedly shoots into 1 inch at 25 yards ... it's pretty much a no-frills TRP or Target Match .... pretty much exactly what I was hoping the SR1911 would be. A basic no frills gun, accurized, and with a great trigger .... pretty much the same price as the Ruger, but only available in blue.

See for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V2eFMBe1P0

http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/01/robert-farago/ro-latham-springfield-armory-range-officer-not-for-self-defense/


REV

 

[hughuno]

daddyflea; thanks for your work and posting!

As for how accurate the SR1911 is,,,,,,
Well I can't even see a 1" target at 25 yards. A 2" spot would be hard to see, also.

I do not know why people are trying to compare a STOCK hand gun to a Custom built???? Even HK's & SIG's are more money and are a little better.
Key words: MORE money and a LITTLE better.
One would have to lock the gun in a rest to really get perfect results.

Now, I will say that there are some people that can shoot REAL well and might be able to meet the ideals that some here want a $650 gun to meet.

I am very happy with my SR1911 but I am starting to sour on any more due to the High Standards that are pushed around that ALL 1911 should meet.

Lateck,

this is the 25 meter test target for my SIG Super Match. All five shots fit inside the FRONT 2/3rds of the trigger guard.

My Joe Marcinko 1911 (the dark blued one in pic( will hold well UNDER 3 inches at FIFTY (5-0) yards from a Ranson Rest.

I can certainly hold all my shots in a ONE INCH (or so) BLOT at 10-15 yards offhand and can hit small targets EASILY as mentioned earlier.

I routinely shoot a Smith Bodyguard Snub Nose at 25+ yards offhand at clay targets with about a 50% hit ratio.

The point is that among the LOW COST alternates (none of which I would be interested in), the SR1911 seems to be a LAST choice if one wants better than mediocre accuracy. This isn't a big surprise to me, SR has never had very good quality control. in fact, they are totally about the usual stuff, meeting price point and reducing cost per unit to the absolute lowest amount possible.

http://fototime.com/1AE4E3602A46316/standard.jpg

PS, don't expect the Range Operator to do any better than 2-3 inches at 25 yardss. This is what was reported in the mag review I saw. The Leatham comments about "1 inch groups" and "winning the national championships with this gun" are fairly ludicrous.

 

[daddyflea]

Trigger is a big thing for Bullseye. My HK does shoot better but it has much better trigger. I just wonder how good a Ruger would shoot in my hands with a good trigger?

 

[revhigh]

PS, don't expect the Range Operator to do any better than 2-3 inches at 25 yardss. This is what was reported in the mag review I saw. The Leatham comments about "1 inch groups" and "winning the national championships with this gun" are fairly ludicrous.

I'd certainly hope it could do considerably better than 3 inches ... most box stock 1911's can do that. I'd buy it if it shot into 2 inches with proof.

REV

 

[hughuno]

NT