Ruger Firearms recently introduced the world to the new Ruger Target 1911 full sized pistol chambered in .45 ACP. The pistol is packed full of features that many shooters had been asking ruger to put on their other 1911’s for a while. The pistol is listed on the company’s web site @ www.ruger.com, but shipments of the new pistol aren’t suppose to start until after SHOT Show 2017. I’m sure that this pistol will give many attendees at the show to stop by the Ruger booth for a quick look.
What we know about the pistol for sure is that it will be build in the Prescott, Arizona facility and be using some new methods that Ruger has not previously used. The pistol’s barrel and barrel bushing will be made out of the same stainless steel bar stock. I assume this will be to offer consistency and the same hardness of the two pieces that slide over each other. The pistol is going to be a classic series 70 design and feature Bomar style adjustable sights as well as checkered G-10 style grips which seem to be standard on most 1911’s these days. The rest of the features are similar to most other 1911’s on the market: Ambidextrous safety, flat mainspring housing, lowered and flared ejection port, and a lightweight skeletonize trigger.
The majority of industry writers and pundits agree that the 1911 market is just as saturated as the AR-15 market. It is basically broken down into affordable models like the Springfield and Smith & Wesson 1911’s and hi end models like the Wilson Combat, Les Baer, & Republic Forge 1911’s. It’s a hard market to get into as most of the major players in it have a cult like following, the new comers to the market are trying hard but its an uphill battle.
The Ruger 1911 at first glance just seems rather “Blah” to me. I’m sure it does the job perfectly fine but It’s just a day late and a dollar short in my opinion. I would be curious to see the total number of 1911’s sold the last five years and see how the price points break down and what models are selling best. I know that information will most likely never be made public but it’s and interesting thought.
The list below was taken from the Ruger.com homepage and lists the suggested MSRP of the new pistol and the overview of the features and manufacturing techniques Ruger is employing with this latest offering. Take some time to read them over and let us know what you think of the Ruger Target 1911 or the 1911 market as a whole.
Thanks
Rick
SPECIFICATIONS FROM RUGER.COM
- Precision CNC-controlled machining process results in a superior slide-to-frame fit and smooth slide travel.
- The stainless steel barrel and bushing are produced from the same bar stock, on the same machine, for improved accuracy.
- Positive barrel lock-up allows for superior accuracy out of the box.
- Classic, original 1911 Series 70 design.
- Traditional design with replaceable grip panels and checkered backstrap.
- Lightweight, aluminum, skeletonized trigger features an adjustable over-travel stop and provides a very crisp, no creep, light trigger pull with a quick, positive reset.
- Skeletonized hammer is lightweight and provides faster cycling.
- Oversized beavertail grip safety provides positive function and reliability.
- Extended thumb safety and slide stop lever for improved, positive manipulation.
- Integral plunger tube for slide stop and thumb safety is not staked and will never come loose.
- Oversized ejection port and extended magazine release enhance competition performance.
- Features a standard recoil guide system and flat mainspring housing.
- Visual inspection port allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.
- Rear slide serrations allow for positive grip.
- Accepts standard, aftermarket 1911 parts and accessories.
- Also includes: swaged link pin; titanium firing pin; two stainless steel magazines; bushing wrench.
- Ambidextrous Manual Safety
