SR1911 - Casting flaw on frame - common ?

[pctech]

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

 

[mattsbox99]

No flaws on mine.

 

[buscadero]

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

 

[piccolo]

Hi Guys, 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

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!!

 

[Verndog]

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.

 

[revhigh]

Pretty sure Ruger would replace that, but the question of how long comes up.

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

 

[Verndog]

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

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.

 

[revhigh]

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.

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

 

[piccolo]

Their response will most likely be that it's fine ... if it ever causes a problem .... we'll fix it for you. REV

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.

 

[Verndog]

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

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).

 

[revhigh]

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

Doubtful, if the slide was cast properly there would be zero gaps / voids.

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

 

[Old Anchorage Cop]

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.

 

[Verndog]

First ... the SLIDE is the thing that fits on top and SLIDES back and forth VD ...
REV

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.

 

[revhigh]

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 .......

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

 

[revhigh]

Thanks for clearing that up Rev.

I know you knew .... LOL.

I own 3 Rugers that for all practical purposes, function and look "perfect" with no visible defects.

We're talking about 1911 frames ... not revolvers or polymer pistols.

So, Ruger can say what they want, but the defect plain and simple should not be there .....

Agreed ... but it IS on an entry level $600-650 1911 ... you don't get much more for that price unfortunately, except in a few cases ...

REV

 

[revhigh]

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

Yup ... Pine Tree supposedly has always made all the castings for either Caspian or Essex 1911's ... I forget which one ... someone here will probably know.


REV

 

[Verndog]

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

OK Rev, here is the $1,000,000.00 question. Say you waited 3 months for your SR1911 and it finally got in. You went to the LGS to pick it up and upon inspecting you saw a similar example of porosity in a machined area of the frame.

Would you accept this gun, or ask for another pistol??

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If I'm not mistaken, that flaw appears to be on the feed ramp . . . correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd be concerned about it. I'd want it replaced, and would so inquire of Ruger.

JMHO, of course.

 

[revhigh]

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

OK Rev, here is the $1,000,000.00 question. Say you waited 3 months for your SR1911 and it finally got in. You went to the LGS to pick it up and upon inspecting you saw a similar example of porosity in a machined area of the frame.

Would you accept this gun, or ask for another pistol??

Ya know VD ... that's a VERY tough question. And I TRULY mean that. I've kind of lost most interest in the SR1911. The more and more that I think about it ... and the more and more that I shoot all my other 1911's ... the more and more I think that I don't really need one ... and it would even be silly to buy one ... given the amount of 1911's that I currently own.

Would I like to have one if I could get one easily at the price I want to pay. Sure .. why not ? Will I actively search one out and pay a premium price ? Nope ... not a chance. I'm pretty sure that by the time they become readily available that I'll have lost most interest in it.

Getting back to your original question. To be honest ... I probably wouldn't even have inspected it to that degree to find it ... so I probably would have been stuck with it. I'm not used to discovering that kind of flaw with the guns that I buy. Having said that ... when I DID discover it, I wouldn't be pleased. I most likely would shoot it ... and unless it was spectacular in terms of accuracy ... I'd probably dump it. Unfortunately ... when I have a product with a flaw like that ... it ends up being the only thing I can think about when I hold that product ... whatever it is.

Same with cars ... I can have the nicest car in the world ... but if it gets a ding in the door ... I have to get it fixed, because all I see when I look at the car is the 'ding' in the door. LOL


REV

 

[revhigh]

If I'm not mistaken, that flaw appears to be on the feed ramp . . . correct me if I'm wrong.

WOW !! You're absolutely right Ale !!! There would be no polishing that area.

I never connected that thought with the spot on the frame until you just mentioned it. Duh ...

Given that ... I'd want it replaced too. That whole area gets uglier and uglier the more I look at it ... the whole area looks questionable. You can blow that pic up with the magnifying glass if you click on it, and it's not very pretty.

REV

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Thought so. Yeah, I zoomed in. Nasty.

I'd not worry too much about a small casting flaw if it were in some insignificant part of the gun not visible except during a full strip. That hole is in a critical part of the feed path, and besides it's plainly visible any time the slide is open.

There's a relatively frequent occurrance of a "hole" visible between the loading gate area of some New Model single actions and the area just inside where the transfer bar resides. We've seen pics here. It's not in a critical place and with the gate closed it's invisible. If it weren't too big and I otherwise liked the gun, I'd likely ignore it . . . if I liked New Models.

 

[Verndog]

...Unfortunately ... when I have a product with a flaw like that ... it ends up being the only thing I can think about when I hold that product ... whatever it is.

Exactly!!

Same here, and I think many whom take serious pride and care of their belongings would feel the same. It would not matter what Ruger said, I would dwell on that every time I cleaned it, and would prob. end up not wanting to shoot and clean when there were other choices on hand.

I've seen Ruger fix things as minor as small paint chips, and small machine marks, and that void appears much worse then that!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If it were me, I'd call Ruger's Customer Service department and discuss it with them, offering to send them the nice pictures you have taken.

I would very politely let them know that I am disappointed in the lack of final inspection, and that I expect to have the firearm fixed (new frame) or replaced. I would not get into an argument with them, but would ask to speak to increasing levels of management, including the CEO . . . calmy, cooly, and with perseverance . . . until I got satisfaction.

Good luck.

 

[freakindawgen]

If I'm not mistaken, that flaw appears to be on the feed ramp . . . correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd be concerned about it. I'd want it replaced, and would so inquire of Ruger.

JMHO, of course.

It's actually just ahead of the ramp. It's the area that the barrel bears down on after firing and I'm guessing it was machined a bit to get the curved area to accept the barrel. Now whether that gets enough force or beating after enough rounds, there might be a possibility it could crack.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Ya know, I think you're right.

I just tore down a 1911 and checked, That "wound" is not on the feed ramp, but is just in front of it.

Makes it a little less significant IMHO . . . but I still wouldn't like it.

Thanks for keeping me honest.

 

[pctech]

Guys,

Thanks for all of the responses.

The casting flaw is not on the feed ramp, but the area above it.

I haven't decided if I am going to pursue this with Ruger or not. The gun is a great shooter, and I would hate to get a replacement that doesn't function as well.

If I do contact Ruger, I'll be requesting a complete replacement gun, rather than just a new frame. I would never be satisfied with the gun knowing that it didn't have the original frame. Just one of my quirks, I guess.

James

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

C;mon...........25 posts and all we do is beat the issue to death with no solution or final. Someone call Ruger Service and get a resolution.......... :shock: :roll:

 

[revhigh]

Their response will most likely be that it's fine ... if it ever causes a problem .... we'll fix it for you. REV

Spoke to Ruger today - I have the same flaw as pctech - and was told it shouldn't be a problem.

From previous page ....

 

[Verndog]

From previous page ....

Yes, but the OP is still deciding what to do. So now we're up to 27 posts with no answer for him...way to go Rev!
(sorry to add another post to point this out...but someone had to )

 

[revhigh]

Yes, but the OP is still deciding what to do.

Do you think that the OP's answer from Ruger would be any different ?? Ruger already answered the question.

Doubtful Ruger will do anything without a failure of some sort ... can't really blame them for that .... the gun will probably go 100,000+ rounds without an issue ... maybe more ... I certainly wouldn't want that gun though.

If I had that gun ... I'd politely and respectfully go up the chain of command and lobby for a new frame or a new gun at each level. I bet with the right approach you'd get a 'one-time exception' for 'customer satisfaction'.

REV