Qustion on New 1911 Versions

View · by **sawgrass** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:47 pm

I held a new Ruger Commander at Gander in Woodbury a few days ago and I thought the finish on it was very poor.
Not nearly as good as a Govt. Ruger that I bought when they first came out.

If I were going to purchase a production 1911, I would save enough to get a Springfield TRP and call it good.

View · by **Snowgun** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:57 pm

What people need to do is buy a gun and then learn how to do their own upgrades.

View · by **Eric Marleau** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:20 pm

About a half hour ago, I read a review in Guns and Ammo on the Ruger Commander. The guy said that he got about
3 3/4" groups at 25 yards.
Not too good, but considering the price of the gun, not bad either I guess.

Eric

View · by **Le Pistolero** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:21 pm

That's probably better than I can reliably shoot at 25 yards.

View · by **Snowgun** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:26 pm

Le Pistolero wrote:That's probably better than I can reliably shoot at 25 yards.

If you mean freehand, you aren't the only one.

View · by **goatroper** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:31 pm

When I was looking for a new 1911, I found that the value and features found
in the Sig 1911, could not be beat for the price. Not to sure about the "chart",
but they come with Novak night sights, 25-line per inch checkering on the front
strap and 20-line per inch on the mainspring housing, a full beavertail grip safety
with speed bump and a extended thumb safety. Sure they changed the slide profile
On some models but you can get the standered also. One thing you have to live with
is the external extractor, not how JMB did it but I have no problem with it. And if
you have not yet guessed, I really like my new SIG.

View · by **Metal Bird** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:56 am

I am all about the Rock Island (Armscor) 1911, any of their models. They are series 70. May not look the prettiest but they shoot straighter than I can and have great customer device and warranty coverage. Tho I am no expert, relatively new to the platform.

View · by **rugersol** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:14 am

goatroper wrote:Not to sure about the "chart" ... full beavertail grip safety

IIRC, more than a couple years ago, they came with a "full" beavertail ... the last couple years, they come with the cut-outs! :roll:

... kinda interesting, actually ... I've never seen an "Elite" P22X with anything but a "full" beavertail?!

View · by **Le Pistolero** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:40 am

One thing on the chart that I don't entirely understand is the "Pin Block."

I guess that's a safety feature on the firing pin........is it a critical feature?

View · by **rugersol** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:53 am

Le Pistolero wrote:One thing on the chart that I don't entirely understand is the "Pin Block."

I guess that's a safety feature on the firing pin........is it a critical feature?

Ya, it's a safety ... the firing-pin/striker moves along the bore axis ... the firing-pin-block safety moves 90° to that axis, to either block the firing-pin/striker's movement, or allow it!

Typically, the trigger is the means by which it's activated/deactivated ... at rest, the firing-pin/striker is blocked!

This is what's also known as a "drop safety" ... if the gun were dropped ... depending on a great many thing ... the mass of the firing-pin/striker could be such that a chambered round could be fired!

On 1911's w/o such a safety, a titanium firing-pin is sometimes used ... at which, it lacks sufficient mass, to fire ... in such a situation!

... or ... don't drop the gun! :shock:

ETA: basically most any semi-auto pistol ... including more than a few 1911's ... manufactured since around the 1980's (if not before) ... have this type of safety! ... and offer no comparable models, without it!

View · by **Metal Bird** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:51 am

And that is the difference between the "Series" designators. Basically the Series 70 are the Pre-1983 guns. Series 80 redesigned slightly adding the firing pin block safety. There is also a Series 90 as of current that consist of the 3" barrel and a dual captive recoil spring. Essentially just marketing names but it helps determine whats inside.

View · by **rugersol** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:07 pm

Metal Bird wrote:And that is the difference between the "Series" designators. Basically the Series 70 are the Pre-1983 guns. Series 80 redesigned slightly adding the firing pin block safety.

... good catch!

here's a few pics, as well ...

no firing-pin block safety (can be seen by locking the slide back) ...

firing-pin block safety (can be seen by locking the slide back) ...

neat diagram showing how it works ...

View · by **gunforhire** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:18 pm

Snowgun wrote:What people need to do is buy a gun and then learn how to do their own upgrades.

View · by **Le Pistolero** on Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:24 am

Well, the firing pin block doesn't seem to be a deal breaker.

All in all, as I look at the 1911s, the allure seems to be tradition and image and status rather than sheer practical application.

I'm not sure if I want to go there now that I have learned more and considered the options. Maybe I've loved the idea of the 1911 more than the actual weapon.

In my old age I'm beginning to be impressed more by sheer efficiency and practical performance.

Maybe a Glock 21 is actually the winner in the .45 caliber race? Handsome is as handsome does?

View · by **Snowgun** on Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:40 pm