[WinterWizard]

I thought some fellow 1911 fans might like a review from someone who has owned a SR1911 for one year.

I bought my SR1911 in May 2011 for $619 from my LGS. I think it was about $672 out the door after tax and background check fee. I had been wanting a stainless 1911 with exactly the features of the SR1911, so when I saw one in my LGS in early May, I jumped all over it.

THE GOOD

1) Great fit and finish. Slide to frame fit is neither loose or super tight – seems to be somewhere in that medium range. But the barrel to bushing fit is pretty tight – I can induce no movement when in lockup.

2) Very accurate out of the box. Good, but not great, sights. Several accuracy tests that I have read from reputable sources indicate that it's about a 2" gun at 25 yards. Some tests are a little better, some are a little worse. I rarely shoot past 10 yards or so, but I can make a 2" ragged hole all day at 7-10 yards if I slow fire. Firing from a rest, free hand, I can put 5 shots into essentially the same hole at 10 yards.

3) Great trigger. Felt about 5 lbs. with a clean break when new. Now it seems to have a smoother take up and lighter break, perhaps a bit over 4 lbs. Very nice trigger!

4) The gun does not seem to be magazine picky. Every mag I have tried so far works, including a few cheap Pro-mag mags.

One year later, and about 1100 rounds down range (I know, not that much, but I have had a few other guns to feed ) and this thing is still great! You sometimes think that a good thing will eventually fail or let you down in some way. Well, the SR1911 hasn't so far.

I have only done a few things to mine. I replaced the grips with some black Alumagrips and I polished the feed ramp and barrel throat even further. To clarify, the feed ramp and barrel throat out of the box were like half-polished. About 15 minutes, some Q-tips, and some Flitz metal polish, and the feed ramp and barrel throat is mirror polished now.

In full disclosure, I have had exactly 3 malfunctions and all within the first 400 rounds and none since. The first was a Cor-bon 185 gr. +P JHP (standard JHP, not DPX). The round nosedived. It seemed to me that this round had a very pointy hollow point shape and a short OAL. But who knows why it nose dived. I think it just hit the feed ramp at a funky angle and the slide pushed the back of the round up, causing the jam.

The second two malfunctions were with Federal Champion (chumpion) 230 gr. FMJ-RN. Both rounds upon inspection were pushed back, and one was pushed back and crooked! Did the jam push the projectile back, or were they like that and I didn't notice? – who knows. I will also say that all 3 malfunctions came after 80-100 rounds had been through the gun, therefore the gun was pretty dirty, especially the feed ramp and chamber. I clean my guns meticulously after each shooting session, FYI. But I have a theory that 1911's have a much higher propensity for malfunctions after you've shot about 80-100 rounds or so – more so than most other designs. Can they shoot hundreds of rounds without a cleaning and re-lubing? Sure. Would you want to bet your life on it? Hell no. Doesn't matter to me. I clean and lube my guns even if they've only been fired 5 times. I am just OCD like that. A clean gun is a happy gun.

But the next thing I would like to do is polish the chamber to slick it up a bit, but I don't own a Dremel currently – mine took a dump about 6 months ago and haven't had the money to buy another. But overall, I would say the gun is very reliable, seeing as I haven't had a malfunction in the past 700 rounds with several different kinds of FMJ and HP ammo. And the 3 malfunctions did technically take place in the "break in" period (first 500 rounds) and when the gun was dirty. So in essence, I am not worried about it. If it starts happening again, then I will re-evaluate.

Here are the few minor negatives I have to say about the gun after a year of ownership (this isn't a Ruger butt-kissing review).

THE BAD

1) The finish on the grip safety and thumb safety is not the greatest. Kind of chalky and is starting to rub off in places.

2) The trigger, as well as the grip safety, have more wiggle than I would like. I think they are probably typical for a 1911 of this price range, but I am kind of a gun snob and expect every part to be pretty snug.

3) As I already said, the feed ramp and barrel throat were not fully polished; they were polished halfway is the best way to describe it. Not a problem, as it only took me 15 minutes and a little elbow grease to bring them to a mirror shine.

So all in all, I would say I am still extremely pleased with the purchase. The best thing I can say about the SR1911 is that if feels like a more expensive gun than its cost would suggest. When I handle and shoot it, it feels like I am shooting a $1000 gun, not an essentially entry-level 1911 (well, perhaps a small step above entry level). And a few friends have said the same. A buddy of mine, who is a Kimber guy, was very impressed with it.

Obviously I have had no breakages or warranty issues.

I don't know what else to say, guys. I am not a gunsmith or gun expert. I know what I know, you know...?

If anyone has any questions I would be glad to answer to the best of my knowledge.