Well, I gave up!

[ctom3]

I really wanted an SR1911 to use as my shooter when I decided that I should retire my Remington Rand while it is still in good condition. However the only ones I have seen locally were last summer at a chain here in Houston that wanted $730.00 each for them. I passed and put myself on a couple of waiting lists. They are out of them now, but I was told by more than one of their locations that they will probably kick their price up the next time they get them. No other stores have seen them or have any idea when they will get them.

I happened to drop into a shop in College Station on Black Friday who had a stainless Springfield Armory Mil-Spec for $660 plus extra magazine and box of cheap ball ammo. They were going to throw in free range time, but I didn't have the time for it. Plus, I didn't want to shoot it until I had torn it down to inspect, clean and lube it. So, they discounted it another $10.00. Nice guys. I was also impressed with the young guy that helped me. He was very knowledgeable and eager to help, even though they were really slammed. Kudos to Champion Firearms. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but it feels really smooth after cleaning it and 200-300 dry fires.

It is a really close match to the SR1911, except for what appear to be mim versions of mil spec trigger, hammer, slide release and grip safety. While I may have lost a little on those items by going with the SA, I did end up with a forged frame. Besides, I can upgrade those parts pretty inexpensively. It has a trigger lock, but that can be eliminated pretty easily. Like the SR1911, it uses a titanium firing pin, but it is their smaller 9mm. It is not to 1911 specs. However, this is a small thing.

I really wanted the Ruger, but at least I now have a good quality basic 1911 that I can shoot. Besides, there is nothing keeping me from one if price and availability get right.

 

[The Wall]

There's always next year. Springfield makes great guns for sure.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I have the Springfield Armory 1911 PX9151LP "Loaded" ( http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=3 ) I love this gun. I ordered TWO (2) SR1911s back in June, already bought and paid for "price lock guarantee" Just awaiting for mine to arrive.

Springfield armory makes an outstanding gun! I used to have a Kimber! I still have the Springer, go figure...

[EDIT NOTE]
One of them was ordered for my dad for Father's day and already came in and he has his!

 

[boomer1]

I have ceased my search to the SR1911. The reality is that Ruger's SR1911 level of production was, and still is, woefully inadequate! I have been on the search for the elusive SR1911 in the Seattle area since the model's release earlier this year, and have yet to even see one!

I wanted to purchase a 1911 model in the year of the centennial anniversary of JMB-designed model adoption by the US Army. I have given up on the Ruger SR1911, and recently purchased a Sig 1911 XO Black pistol. It is a real beauty, made in New Hampshire.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-xo-black.aspx

I have also sent an email to Mike Fifer, CEO of Ruger, expressing my dismay at Ruger's SR1911 production shortfall and my resultant Sig purchase.

YMMV,
boomer 8)

 

[cowboydave]

If you get a reply from Mr. Fifer let us know what he says. Thanks
Dave

 

[Blackmore]

If you get a reply from Mr. Fifer let us know what he says. Thanks
Dave

Good luck with that. I emailed him requesting they sell the export model Gunsite scout rifle (stainless and no flashhider) in this country. Nothing but crickets. :roll:

 

[boomer1]

If you get a reply from Mr. Fifer let us know what he says. Thanks
Dave

Good luck with that. I emailed him requesting they sell the export model Gunsite scout rifle (stainless and no flashhider) in this country. Nothing but crickets. :roll:

Yea, I am not holding my breath waiting for a response from Mike Fifer. I fear I would get cyanotic......lol :lol:

YMMV,
boomer

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I just found out I may not get that SR1911 till after Jan. :-(

 

[Hazama Yakiba]

Check this out--> http://www.gunsamerica.com/992158084/Guns/Pistols/1911-Pistol-Copies/Ruger_SR_1911_45_ACP_Semi_Auto.htm

 

[Gregg1LE]

Check this out--> http://www.gunsamerica.com/992158084/Guns/Pistols/1911-Pistol-Copies/Ruger_SR_1911_45_ACP_Semi_Auto.htm

Very low serial # on that SR1911.......

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Not a bad current price...........Think current production SN range is in excess of 10,000; subject gun was probably built in late August........

 

[ArmedinAZ]

Boomer1, that SIG is a good looking pistol. Let us know how it shoots.

The add-ons, external extractor, and different slide cut takes it a bit off of standard G.I. spec, the strict traditionalists won't cotton to it... :?

Too bad Ruger couldn't sell you a 1911.

 

[boomer1]

Hey Armed,

Yeah, I am pretty certain that the strict 1911 traditionalists won't care for the mods that SIG made on their 1911 model. But hey, then again, it's my pistol not theirs. I get the distinct impression that my XO will be a real tack-driver. I have done a field strip, clean, lube and a safety/function check on it. I am quite impressed with the fit and finish of Black XO. I am of the understanding that it is all American-made in New Hampshire. I am really looking forward to taking it to the range.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm

I am a Ruger fan. Heck, I own around eight of their firearms. :!: The only service that was ever rendered on any of them was when my venerable P85 was recalled back in the 90's. However, as I see it, the production rollout of the SR1911 should be an embarrassment to the folks in Prescott. I may buy a SR1911, or any other Ruger product, in the future, hard to say.... :?:

YMMV,
boomer 8)

 

[H.H. Hipshot]

Saw one at a show in Allen, Texas today. Unfortunately for me, it was already under a purchaser's arm.

Next time I will be there when the doors open, not 15 minutes later.

HHH

 

[Ruger Packer]

I am a Ruger fan. Heck, I own around eight of their firearms. :!: The only service that was ever rendered on any of them was when my venerable P85 was recalled back in the 90's. However, as I see it, the production rollout of the SR1911 should be an embarrassment to the folks in Prescott. I may buy a SR1911, or any other Ruger product, in the future, hard to say.... :?:

YMMV,
boomer 8)

Why should it be an embarrassment??? The gun is a success!!

 

[rsi705]

Saw one at a show in Allen, Texas today. Unfortunately for me, it was already under a purchaser's arm.

Next time I will be there when the doors open, not 15 minutes later.

HHH

That one in Allen was tagged at $799. When I walked away the purchaser was waiting on the kid helping him who was on the phone talking to the boss finding out if they could come down. Don't know what it ended up going for but I do know it was gone less than 20 minutes after the door opened.

 

[boomer1]

I am a Ruger fan. Heck, I own around eight of their firearms. :!: The only service that was ever rendered on any of them was when my venerable P85 was recalled back in the 90's. However, as I see it, the production rollout of the SR1911 should be an embarrassment to the folks in Prescott. I may buy a SR1911, or any other Ruger product, in the future, hard to say.... :?:

YMMV,
boomer 8)

Why should it be an embarrassment??? The gun is a success!!

I agree with you the gun is a success!!! I wanted one since its release. The production rollout, i.e. production quota, is obviously inadequate, as evidenced by chronic supply shortages since release 7 months ago.

YMMV,
boomer 8)

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Boomer, I softly suggest you go back thru the historical posts on this matter, allowing more information for you to digest. The SR1911 is not the only firearm that Ruger produces. Further The President has noted they are ramping up production. We don't always get what we want, when we want it........ :roll:

 

[boomer1]

Good point....thanks..



boomer 8)

 

[ctom3]

I am certainly not in a position to say whether or not there was miscalculation of demand on Ruger's part. There is a delicate balance between development and tooling costs, timing and the need to start seeing some kind of return on investment, even at the cost of knowingly introducing it with an inadequate production rate. Of course, I have no idea of what total start up costs are, but I am willing to assume a couple of generalities. First, there is certain equipment that by necessity of design is dedicated to SR1911 production that also creates a bottleneck in production rate. I assume that it is running at 100% capacity. If that is the case, the only way to get any significant increase in rate would require the investment of 100's of thousands of $ in additional tooling. Then there is the question of whether or not there is floor space and qualified personnel available to install and run it. I would also be willing to assume that they have a superb bunch of product managers and accountants that looked at all of this and decided that they would have to accept the downside of not meeting demand for a year or two. It would be a disaster if they tooled up to meet initial demand, then had to idle 1/2 of it when sales tapered after meeting the initial rush.

Of course, from my side of the fence, I wanted a Ruger, but I know there are a number of very good manufacturers out there and I quit waiting. I also think that the prices will continue to escalate unless somehow supply catches up with demand. Unfortunately for them, that can happen if there are enough others such as myself who decide to quit waiting.

I still want an SR1911, but since I now own the Springfield, getting one will have to be entirely on my terms, and that is pretty cheap.

 

[dlidster]

... However, as I see it, the production rollout of the SR1911 should be an embarrassment to the folks in Prescott...
boomer 8)

Why should it be an embarrassment??? The gun is a success!!

+1

I just got back from a USPSA match. I'm starting to use my SR1911 as often as my CZ 75 B. The gun attracts some attention and is well-liked, even by the high-end STI guys.

As I've said, I've had mine since the first week in May and am within a week of shooting 6,000 rounds. From people I talk with (as opposed to listen to on web sites), the SR1911 isn't all that hard to find if you really want one. The owner of the small LGS where I bought mine (for $645) said he has sold about three dozen since last May.

Ruger has sold more than 10,000, according to what I've read on this forum. So, some people are finding them. I truly believe that if a person really wanted one, he could get on the phone and find one within, say, 250 miles, no matter what state he lives in. If he's just waiting for it to show up in a specific LGS, I don't think he really wants one as badly as those of us who already have one and are really enjoying it.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

The fact that your "small LGS" says he's had 3 dozen and others have had 1 or 2 or none points to obvious distribution problems. How can anyone think otherwise? Ruger could solve this with a few phone calls.

It just can't be too much to ask to be able to go to your favorite LGS and buy a Ruger. My favorite local LGS buys from Davidsons and has had 1 so far.

 

[revhigh]

The fact that your "small LGS" says he's had 3 dozen

I would need to see PROOF of a 'small LGS' getting 36 or so SR1911's ....

Without that kind of documentation I would very highly doubt it.

It just would make no sense unless the LGS owner had very strong connections within Ruger ... which could certainly be possible .... and that would go a long way to explaining it. It would also say a lot (and not good) about Ruger's distribution system.


'Whenever' .... is soon enough for mine ....


REV

 

[dlidster]

The fact that your "small LGS" says he's had 3 dozen

I would need to see PROOF of a 'small LGS' getting 36 or so SR1911's ....

Without that kind of documentation I would very highly doubt it.

It just would make no sense unless the LGS owner had very strong connections within Ruger ... which could certainly be possible .... and that would go a long way to explaining it. It would also say a lot (and not good) about Ruger's distribution system.

'Whenever' .... is soon enough for mine ....

REV

The fact that I said it would be adequate proof to those who know me. I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it to be true. And I resent any implication that I would say otherwise.

The LGS with whom I dealt is not a particularly easy man to get along with. But his prices are fair and he takes enormous pride in the prompt payment relationship he has with his long-time distributor. He says that why he gets guns when others don't. I take him at his word.

The fact that a LGS uses Davidson's as a distributor means absolutely nothing. Hundreds of dealers and sellers and web-based operations use Davidson's. How does that factor into this conversation? And I'm not sure about the meaning of "Ruger's distribution system." Ruger is a manufacturer. Other independent businesses distribute them.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

SELECT, small LGD who hold a RUGER DAY/Days Promotion will receive multiple Rugers. Mine had a dozen SR1911 out of the gate and another 25 in Sept. There's your proof.
AS I HAVE STATED more than once, here, go to the Ruger website and look up special promos/events. Find one in your arena and go buy a gun......... 8)

 

[revhigh]

And I'm not sure about the meaning of "Ruger's distribution system." Ruger is a manufacturer. Other independent businesses distribute them.

Ruger doesn't distribute/allocate their products to their distributors ????


REV

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Good point. Like, how does lipseys, davidsons, etc. get them? They have been allocated forever.

I ordered 2 back in june from my dealer. About two weeks apart. One arrived a few months ago. May not see the other in time to put it under the tree. I cant blame my dealer, he gets what the distibutors send him. I cant blame the distributors. Only Ruger's allocation system, or the lack there of. There is obviosly a problem. My dad already has the sr1911 that arrived already. It was for fathers day.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

And I'm not sure about the meaning of "Ruger's distribution system." Ruger is a manufacturer. Other independent businesses distribute them.

Ruger doesn't distribute/allocate their products to their distributors ????


REV

Of course they do rev. But I understand the need to resort to such rhetoric when trying to get the point to some around here. It should be common sense.

There is a problem in the system somewere.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

SELECT, small LGD who hold a RUGER DAY/Days Promotion will receive multiple Rugers. Mine had a dozen SR1911 out of the gate and another 25 in Sept. There's your proof.
AS I HAVE STATED more than once, here, go to the Ruger website and look up special promos/events. Find one in your arena and go buy a gun......... 8)

This is the first I have heard of it
Details man!

 

[The Wall]

SELECT, small LGD who hold a RUGER DAY/Days Promotion will receive multiple Rugers. Mine had a dozen SR1911 out of the gate and another 25 in Sept. There's your proof.
AS I HAVE STATED more than once, here, go to the Ruger website and look up special promos/events. Find one in your arena and go buy a gun......... 8)

This is the first I have heard of it
Details man!

Here's the link that Hawkeye is talking about> http://www.ruger.com/links/rugerEvents.html
Thanks Hawkeye