by Rich Grassi

The SR1911, a value-priced 1911, fired a 96% on the FBI Instructor Bulls-eye course using ASYM Precision Ammo.

We covered the SR1911 in April. The gun discussed was one of a number of preproduction samples used at Gunsite. Shortly thereafter, an SR1911 showed up here. I had to re-qualify for HR218. Never having fired the piece, I took it along with both factory-supplied magazines - an 8-round extended and a more-typical 7-round sample - and a pair of Wilson Combat magazines. I took a box of ASYM Precision Match ammo, a Blade-Tech Stingray Belt Holster, and Blade-Tech dual magazine pouch as well. The Stingray holster, while a nice range rig, is approved for IDPA. Using it for concealment isn't a stretch. When it was all said and done, I cleaned the course. About anyone could do that and I was pushing those time limits right up to the end, but the resulting group from all fifty rounds was less than six inches round. The Ruger's short, crisply breaking trigger helped. Weighing in at a little under five pounds, I felt no particular concern a few weeks later when I had to go out of town and I wanted to have more than a five-shot .38 for protection. The SR1911 went along, spare magazine in tow along with the five-shot .38 revolver. I don't like carrying light-trigger guns for business. There's too much chance it could "get away." The SR1911 filled the bill. The Government length sight radius didn't hurt, nor did the Novak sights. This gun has the Ruger wood stocks. No offense but I found the Hogue rubber panels more comfortable for me. I can fix that. The SR1911 functioned fine with the ASYM Precision Match ammo, though it is loaded light. The recoil spring is more spry than the usual 16 pound unit found on the typical full-size 1911. The gun cried out for more shooting but, between weather and another mission, I was unable to get it to the range until last week. Wow.

The SR1911 did just fine on a qual-style course using Black Hills 230 grain JHP ammo.

This was the first live fire I'd done since I'd qualified almost two months ago and I started by posting a Law Enforcement Targets FBI-IP 1 target. This is the bulls-eye target used to determine who gets into firearms instructor school and, once there, who gets to stay. A total of thirty rounds are fired - ten from 25 yards and 20 from fifteen yards. Slow-fire, timed and rapid fire are the stages. Timed and rapid are a bit more brisk, the target being closer. Of course, FBI students are using Glock 22 pistols and service ammo too. I didn't feel like I was cheating by using a sub-$700 1911 but I did wince at using the fine ASYM Precision Match ammo. I figure it evened out as I shot a 96% score. The interior of the ten-ring was chewed to pieces. I had a pair of "8's," no doubt my fault. I decided to try a more brisk handling drill with the SR1911. For that I used Black Hills 230 JHP ammo and an IDPA-style target. At ranges from 25 yards to four-yards, I gave the SR1911 its workout. When we finished, I had one out of the "-0" ring with all in the head box. The Black Hills ammo was noticeably more abrupt than ASYM. I finished out by running various handling drills using Federal Gold Medal Match ammo. This was the 185 grain FMJ semi-wadcutter that's not supposed to feed in normal 1911s. It fed just fine and shot embarrassingly well out of the SR1911. The SR1911 is a handsome pistol. It could use some hand work inside. As to the outside, I don't think I'd be in a hurry to change a lot. If you're in need of a hardworking value priced 1911, the SR1911 is here. Buy it. For more information, see www.ruger.com/products/sr1911/models.html, www.blade-tech.com/SRB-Sting-Ray-Belt-Holster-IDPA-Approved-pr-939.html, http://store.chencustom.com/, and www.black-hills.com/.