steel frame 9mm 1911 from Ruger

frontstuffers · Apr 29, 2017

So as not to hijack Jesse4rmAZ's thread on the above subject I decided to start a new one. I find it curious how many people are interested in the all steel models of the 9mm, .45s (and other autos). This past Wednesday night, on the American Rifleman, they did a review of "I have this old gun" (I think that was the segment) about the Star Firestar. They explained how these pistols were pretty much the birth of the compact auto and easy to carry concealed. They came in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. I have one of each in the blued version. (side note: Yay me) The paradox to these pistols is the weight. They were great compacts and shoot well, but the weight drove people away from these. Now, here we are years later, and people are "requesting" all steel semi-autos.

So! What do you folks think? All steel just a new fad or have we gotten over the "weight" factor? Personally, I have carried the Firestars along with an SP101 in 3" and several poly frames including the SR's and the SR 1911's. Since I do not carry on a daily basis, I haven't had any real problems with any of them

Interested in what you folks think on this issue. and to clarify, all steel.....to heavy and a fad or are people over the weight thing?

Thanks in advance for feedback on this.

Bill

steve1701 · Apr 29, 2017

All steel for me. I don't mind the weight!

DGW1949 · Apr 29, 2017

The only handgun this old dinosaur owns which is NOT fully crafted from steel is a lone OM .357 BH, if that tells ya anything. :wink: .

As to trends in what most people look for in a sidearm though, I don't think that packing around a "heavy for size", all steel handgun will ever be the norm which it once was, because people themselves ain't the same as they once were.

DGW

Terry T · Apr 30, 2017

Yep, at nearly 71, I'm not what I once was! :shock:

I have both alloy frame and steel frame SR1911s - I really like the LW 9mm - carries well and shoots very well. :D
I'm not big (5' 5", 153 lb.) so ..... little harder to hide a big, heavy gun.
It's nice to have the option but I really prefer the LW.
Terry T

SR1911SHOOTER · May 3, 2017

frontstuffers said:
So as not to hijack Jesse4rmAZ's thread on the above subject I decided to start a new one. I find it curious how many people are interested in the all steel models of the 9mm, .45s (and other autos). This past Wednesday night, on the American Rifleman, they did a review of "I have this old gun" (I think that was the segment) about the Star Firestar. They explained how these pistols were pretty much the birth of the compact auto and easy to carry concealed. They came in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. I have one of each in the blued version. (side note: Yay me) The paradox to these pistols is the weight. They were great compacts and shoot well, but the weight drove people away from these. Now, here we are years later, and people are "requesting" all steel semi-autos.

So! What do you folks think? All steel just a new fad or have we gotten over the "weight" factor? Personally, I have carried the Firestars along with an SP101 in 3" and several poly frames including the SR's and the SR 1911's. Since I do not carry on a daily basis, I haven't had any real problems with any of them

Interested in what you folks think on this issue. and to clarify, all steel.....to heavy and a fad or are people over the weight thing?

Thanks in advance for feedback on this.

Bill

Bill,
Ditto on the old style guns, I have a couple of 1903s, a couple of 1908s, For the youngsters those are Colts.
And, .22, 9MM, Super .38, .380 baby rock and several .45 Acp, all 1911s. Three of the .22s I built
myself with Sarco frames.
Blackie

bayou5252 · May 3, 2017

Steel is real.........

frontstuffers · May 5, 2017

Thanks for all of the replies. I found them interesting. For me, I don't mind the weight to much. But, like I said, I don't carry everyday either.

dakota1911 · Jun 11, 2017

I may have recorded that "This Old Gun" segment. I will have to look for it. Not sure the date of the Star. In 1911 land the Colt Commander grew out of the Army Tests for a new pistol in the late 40s and they wanted it in 9mm NATO (9x19). The size restrictions gave us the 4.25 inch barrel/slide and the weight restrictions gave us the the Aluminum alloy frame. Those tests were cancelled and Colt started selling it to the public in 49 although the first year of real production was 1950. When Colt sold it to the public they also chambered it in 45ACP and 38 Super in addition to 9mm.