R1 Stainless 1911

[PJ Hardtack]

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I'm so happy with my blued Rem R1 1911, I'm thinking of acquiring another in stainless.

A friend is dangling a Colt stainless Gold Cup in front of my eyes, but it's so ..... uh, bright! I look at it and it says "Bling! I'm a pimped out pistol!"
I love my blued Series '70 Gold Cup, and I'll never part with it, but there is something about the Spartan look of the R1 that appeals to me.

Anyone got any experience with a stainless R1 or any other SS 1911 to pass on? I remember when AMT offered stainless autos and Randall offered a stainless 1911, there were some galling issues, as I recall.

[DeaconKC]

I've used Gunslick on several stainless guns over the years, I would definitely use it on the rails.

I did get to shoot a friend's Rem 1911 a couple of weeks ago and it was a fine shooter, built right.

[Red Cent]

I vaguely recall that those galling issues were caused by using the exact same "kind" of stainless steel in the frame and the sllide. They use different "makeup" now and the galling has gone away.

"Galling is formed from two metals of the same metallurgical properties rubbing on one another and causing transfer."

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-pistols/36404-sr1911-galling-i-dont-think-so.html

[PJ Hardtack]

Red Cent - interesting link! Thanks for posting it.

I remember when the S&W SS M60 and 66 first came out. I still have one of each. I had a problem with the 66 with magnum loads  in that it would heat up and seize. S&W fixed that under warranty. The M60 has never had a single issue and is accurate beyond expectations.
Same for a SS Ruger Vaquero in .44 mag. Never had an issue.

Just because I like the looks of it, I think I'll acquire a SS R1. Just gotta convince my wife of this new 'need' ..... ;>)

[PJ Hardtack]

After emailing with someone who has 800 rds through his SS R1 and loves it, I ordered one. Had to go on a little search as they seem scarce in Canada compared to the blued models. If it's as good a gun as my blued R1, I'll be delighted.

But - my very indulgent, gun owning wife has said - "That's it for gun purchases for a while, dear." Damn, I love that gal!

[August]

But - my very indulgent, gun owning wife has said - "That's it for gun purchases for a while, dear." Damn, I love that gal!

I said that to my wife once -- "this is the last gun I'm getting for a long time."  She just laughed at me and walked away.  That's when I knew the marriage was forever.

[Lumpy Grits]

PJ, get yourself some Eezox for CLP and never look back.
Want to see pictures of your 'pimp' gun 
http://www.eezox.com/
LG

[PJ Hardtack]

"Pimp gun", you say .... Not until I put mother of pearl grips on it. I have considered jet black or white buffalo bone.

It's moot right now, as I'm waiting on 'Big Brother's' approval so the dealer can ship it to me. In the meantime, there have been multiple murders by gangstas (one a double) and a gangsta brouhaha involving baseball bats and a SWORD!

The gangstas use hi-cap magazines whereas the rest of us must content ourselves with a mere ten rounds per. Suits me. I did lightning fast reloads in IPSC for years with 7 rd mags. Got pretty good with 6 shot speed loaders as well, successfully completing them while on the run from A to B.

And speaking of "Pimp Guns", my wife wanted a Ruger SR9 with the bright stainless slide. Couldn't find one, so she bought the all black model. Like me, she's waiting on 'Big Brother' for approval. When she found out that there was a shortage of small pistol primers, she said she knew what to do about that - she ordered 2000 rds of 9mm hardball!

And a PINK holster and mag pouches from Blade-Tech! Goes with her black & pink camo shooting togs. Gotta look good, dontchaknow ..... Guys tell me they envy me my wife.

[Lumpy Grits]

How long does it take to get the "OK"?
LG

[PJ Hardtack]

After waiting two weeks for 'Big Brother's' approval of my Remington R1S, it arrived. In the meantime, I could have committed untold murder & mayhem with the other 1911s I own (or with any of the other guns I own), but the world is safer for all the BS - right?

In the meantime, several gang land murders have taken place, committed with unregistered guns by unlicenced owners. What say our libertarians about this discrepancy?

But - back to the R1S .....

It went right back into the box! When a NEW 1911 rattles like a GI beater, it's not a gun I'd own. It also lacked a bevelled magazine well, something the stainless model is supposed to have in common with the blued models.

The dealer went to bat on my behalf with the Canadian Remington importer (across the country) who was willing to refund my purchase price or ship me another gun - S&H charges both ways out of my pocket, of course!

I was risking being told that the gun was "within specs" or receiving another bummer. Not acceptable.

I took it to the local gun emporium where |I knew they had a blued R1 in stock. It had a tight slide-to-frame fit and even a decent trigger pull. We did a swap that left me out for the difference between the blued and ss models and now I wait on 'Big Brother' yet again ....

Lesson 1 - NEVER buy a gun sight unseen unless it is carved in stone that you can reject it if not up to spec.

Lesson 2 - NEVER presume that because you own one gun of a particular make, that others will match it in quality.

This applies to other makes as well, not just Remington. Lately, we're hearing complaints about poor quality, sloppy slide-to-frame fit on Ruger 1911s. SOME Ruger 1911s, that is. I know someone who has one and he is delighted with it in all respects.

And it's not just Rugers. I've heard the same about Kimbers as well, and you couldn't give away a Norc or a Para to most people I know. Then I hear about Norcs that guys rate very highly .....

Seems to be a crap shoot.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Well, that is certainly a bummer, Tim!

On the bright side, you're saved from that "cheap pimp" look a stainless 1911 might have given you!       

[PJ Hardtack]

It ain't a 'pimp gun' till someone puts mother of pearl grips on it - General George Patton

And who in hell is "Tim"?

On a better note, my wife shot her new Ruger SR9 today - Wow! The lady can shoot! I won't bore you with the details, as it would be me bragging her up, but you don't want her ever shooting at you; two paws on, one handed or weak handed. I'm tuning her up for a Black Badge course she booked in May.

I like this gun to the point where I could stand to have one in .45 ACP; and it's coming .....

As we were leaving the range, another lady showed up with a brace of CZ 9mms, one of them a "SHADOW". I tell ya guys, the ladies are taking over .....

[RattlesnakeJack]

And who in hell is "Tim"?

OMG, I definitely had a "senior moment" when I typed that ..... Todd ....   

Congrats to Sandee ..... I'll be careful to remain safely uprange of her!

[PJ Hardtack]

For some reason, I find myself gravitating to 1911s these days ..... there is something appealing about their feel in the hand and their mechanical correctness. Jeff Cooper referred to it as having a high ''index of deflection", or words to that effect. He loved high falutin' phraseology.

Not to forget, a load that carries some authority. What's not to like?

My Gold Cup is 'pimped out' with a stainless Swenson ambi-safety, stainless mag well, King wide grip tang and Millet after-market sights. Used to sport a Clarke 6" 'Pin Gun' barrel as well, in my IPSC days.

Both my R1s are box-stock, if you discount the bevelled mag well, sights, long tang and lowered/flared ejection port. More is "Bling", 'eye candy', like dressing up a work horse in racing livery.

I read that when S&W was developing their first polymer "Tupperware" pistol, they spent close to $50,000 doing computer analysis of the optimum barrel to grip angle. It turned out to be with .5 degree of that on the 1911!

John Browning got it right, the first time.