Ruger SR191911 vs. S&W 1911 E?

DavidB2 · January 15, 2013, 12:56 AM

I am looking at either the SR1911 or the S&W 1911 E down the road. Any thoughts about what should be my preference. The Ruger can be had for $150.00 cheaper. Didn't know if the E series 1911 was that much better. Thanks.

Noreaster · January 15, 2013, 01:56 AM

Guy at the gun shop told me that the Ruger 1911 was having some QC issues lately and they had to send the last batch back due to slide to frame fit. Ruger factories are reportedly working 24/7. Sad to hear because I'm a big Ruger fan.

rrockefe · January 16, 2013, 07:47 PM

In the past, I've read nothing but positives on the S&W. Don't own one so can't speak from personal experience, but the reviews have usually been very positive. I was seriously considering one before I finally went with a Les Baer. They are pretty scarce.

JWT · January 16, 2013, 08:41 PM

Would be interested in more specifics on the Ruger SR. 1911 'issues'. First time I've heard or read of any problems with them. Had a long discussion with a very knowledgeable sales person at the gun counter in Sportsmanship Warehouse yesterday and all he could do was rave about the Ruger. He's been a big 1911 enthusiast for many years, owns several, and considers the Ruger as well made as guns selling for hundreds more.

flotter390 · January 16, 2013, 08:50 PM

I've had the new S&W series E and they have done a hell of a job on the gun for the price point.

I do not think you can go wrong with the series E.

Fred

Mrgunsngear · January 16, 2013, 10:57 PM

I have a railed Eseries---it's a beast.

TunnelRat · January 16, 2013, 11:03 PM

I had issues with my E-series SC out of box, lots of them. But a trip back to S&W saw it come back working fine. It's probably a coin toss.

geetarman · January 17, 2013, 07:17 AM

I have both guns. My first SR1911 would not run. Extractor tension was the issue and it has had no problems since.

The 1911E would not run. I cleaned the gun before taking it to the range and got the recoil spring in backwards. Just following directions in the manual

The manual has been corrected, or so I have been told. The gun runs fine now.

I think you will see the build quality on the 1911E is quite a bit better than the SR1911.

I just bought another SR1911 and plan to shoot it this morning.

I don't expect to have any problems. I will report back if I do.

AdrianVall · January 17, 2013, 09:21 AM

I've been wanting a S&W e series for a while now.. can't find them at all! I passed on a railed e series a few months back at $750 and I've been kicking myself ever since!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy via Tapatalk

geetarman · January 17, 2013, 09:41 AM

^^^^^^^^ I feel your pain. I don't see them around here either.

geetarman · January 17, 2013, 12:10 PM

Just got back from the indoor range and took the SR1911 over to try out.

I ran two boxes of 230 gr ball from two manufacturers and had zero failures.

Shot the gun at 21 and 30 feet and am pleased with what I see. No adjustment of sights required. I used a boresighter on it yesterday and it looked to be dead on at 25 yards +/-.

This is my second SR1911 and I had none of the issues I had on the first one.

It is no Sig or E series Smith and Wesson or Dan Wesson in terms of quality of build.

There is some play in the slide that I do not see on the other guns but it runs.

I will probably take it to the outdoor range tomorrow and try to get a few more rounds downrange.

I am not disappointed at all.

TacticalDefense1911 · January 17, 2013, 01:41 PM

Other then the external extractor on the E-series there is not much to dislike about the gun (and they have actually done an excellent job on the EE by all accounts). The E-series has a forged frame vs. the Rugers cast frame, more enhancements like front strap checkering and a flat-top slide, and from my experience with the two, the E-series has better workmanship. The E-series would be an easy choice for me here.

SgtLumpy · January 17, 2013, 04:10 PM

I'd likely buy either one today if I could find one. I like the looks of the S&W rounded butt commander length.

They're both pretty scarce.

Sgt Lumpy - n0eq

USMC EOD · January 17, 2013, 09:44 PM

I bought the Ruger SR1911 about a month and a half ago. I've already put about 300 rounds through it (230 grain FMJ-RN handloads), and it is sweet as can be. 250 rounds were in one sitting. Not any issues with it at all. I'm glad I have it. Now that it is "broke in", I will be trying some hollow points to see how they work.

DavidB2 · January 21, 2013, 12:26 AM

I am wondering what is the cheapest that I can find the S&W E 1911 for; either on a dealer or on the internet? I got some months to save up; but I won't be able to swing it if the gun is over $800.

SgtLumpy · January 21, 2013, 03:46 AM

Quote:

I am wondering what is the cheapest that I can find the S&W E 1911 for

Simple answer is, there aren't any available. Wait a while till things calm.

They will.

Sgt Lumpy - n0eq

TacticalDefense1911 · January 21, 2013, 03:38 PM

Before the crazy push a base E-series could be had for less then $800 and could be found as low as $750. Railed version have always been around $1100-$1200 with ones occassionally popping up for a little less.

January 15, 2013, 12:56 AM	#1
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	Ruger SR191911 vs. S&W 1911 E? I am looking at either the SR1911 or the S&W 1911 E down the road. Any thoughts about what should be my preference. The Ruger can be had for $150.00 cheaper. Didn't know if the E series 1911 was that much better. Thanks.

January 16, 2013, 10:57 PM	#6
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	I have a railed Eseries---it's a beast. __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

January 16, 2013, 11:03 PM	#7
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	I had issues with my E-series SC out of box, lots of them. But a trip back to S&W saw it come back working fine. It's probably a coin toss. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

January 17, 2013, 07:17 AM	#8
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	I have both guns. My first SR1911 would not run. Extractor tension was the issue and it has had no problems since. The 1911E would not run. I cleaned the gun before taking it to the range and got the recoil spring in backwards. Just following directions in the manual The manual has been corrected, or so I have been told. The gun runs fine now. I think you will see the build quality on the 1911E is quite a bit better than the SR1911. I just bought another SR1911 and plan to shoot it this morning. I don't expect to have any problems. I will report back if I do. __________________ Geetarman Carpe Cerveza

January 17, 2013, 09:41 AM	#10
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	^^^^^^^^ I feel your pain. I don't see them around here either. __________________ Geetarman Carpe Cerveza

January 15, 2013, 01:56 AM	#2
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	Guy at the gun shop told me that the Ruger 1911 was having some QC issues lately and they had to send the last batch back due to slide to frame fit. Ruger factories are reportedly working 24/7. Sad to hear because I'm a big Ruger fan.

January 16, 2013, 07:47 PM	#3
rrockefe Member Join Date: August 15, 2007 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 42	In the past, I've read nothing but positives on the S&W. Don't own one so can't speak from personal experience, but the reviews have usually been very positive. I was seriously considering one before I finally went with a Les Baer. They are pretty scarce.

January 16, 2013, 08:41 PM	#4
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Would be interested in more specifics on the Ruger SR. 1911 'issues'. First time I've heard or read of any problems with them. Had a long discussion with a very knowledgeable sales person at the gun counter in Sportsmanship Warehouse yesterday and all he could do was rave about the Ruger. He's been a big 1911 enthusiast for many years, owns several, and considers the Ruger as well made as guns selling for hundreds more.

January 16, 2013, 08:50 PM	#5
flotter390 Member Join Date: June 19, 2007 Posts: 24	I've had the new S&W series E and they have done a hell of a job on the gun for the price point. I do not think you can go wrong with the series E. Fred

January 17, 2013, 09:21 AM	#9
AdrianVall Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 144	I've been wanting a S&W e series for a while now.. can't find them at all! I passed on a railed e series a few months back at $750 and I've been kicking myself ever since! Sent from my Samsung Galaxy via Tapatalk

January 17, 2013, 12:10 PM	#11
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	Just got back from the indoor range and took the SR1911 over to try out. I ran two boxes of 230 gr ball from two manufacturers and had zero failures. Shot the gun at 21 and 30 feet and am pleased with what I see. No adjustment of sights required. I used a boresighter on it yesterday and it looked to be dead on at 25 yards +/-. This is my second SR1911 and I had none of the issues I had on the first one. It is no Sig or E series Smith and Wesson or Dan Wesson in terms of quality of build. There is some play in the slide that I do not see on the other guns but it runs. I will probably take it to the outdoor range tomorrow and try to get a few more rounds downrange. I am not disappointed at all. __________________ Geetarman Carpe Cerveza

January 17, 2013, 01:41 PM	#12
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,277	Other then the external extractor on the E-series there is not much to dislike about the gun (and they have actually done an excellent job on the EE by all accounts). The E-series has a forged frame vs. the Rugers cast frame, more enhancements like front strap checkering and a flat-top slide, and from my experience with the two, the E-series has better workmanship. The E-series would be an easy choice for me here.

January 17, 2013, 04:10 PM	#13
SgtLumpy Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 779	I'd likely buy either one today if I could find one. I like the looks of the S&W rounded butt commander length. They're both pretty scarce. Sgt Lumpy - n0eq

January 17, 2013, 09:44 PM	#14
USMC EOD Member Join Date: January 6, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 60	I bought the Ruger SR1911 about a month and a half ago. I've already put about 300 rounds through it (230 grain FMJ-RN handloads), and it is sweet as can be. 250 rounds were in one sitting. Not any issues with it at all. I'm glad I have it. Now that it is "broke in", I will be trying some hollow points to see how they work.

January 21, 2013, 12:26 AM	#15
DavidB2 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2008 Posts: 129	S&W E 1911 Price? I am wondering what is the cheapest that I can find the S&W E 1911 for; either on a dealer or on the internet? I got some months to save up; but I won't be able to swing it if the gun is over $800.

January 21, 2013, 03:38 PM	#17
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,277	Before the crazy push a base E-series could be had for less then $800 and could be found as low as $750. Railed version have always been around $1100-$1200 with ones occassionally popping up for a little less.