I stopped in the local LGS yesterday to check on their inventory and found what I've been looking for in stock - a Ruger SR45 with stainless slide.  I read a review on it a couple of months back and decided it was on my short list.  After a couple hundred rounds this morning, here's what I found...

 

I shot the Ruger in between two other .45's - An alloy frame commander (Kimber Pro Carry) and a stainless full size (Para GI Expert).  Of the three the Ruger is the softest, with noticeably less felt recoil than either of the 1911s.  I was surprised since the Ruger is much lighter.  The grip on the Ruger also felt odd at first - very thin with a long reach.  Ruger designed the backstrap to be easily reversed, from arched to flat.  As soon as I did that the grip felt "right".  Not as natural as the 1911, but comfortable.  With the soft felt recoil it was very controllable.  After the first 100 rounds, groupings were within 3 inches at 7 yards free hand.  

 

The only oddity was when inserting a full mag.  Insert it soft and it was a non event.  Slam it in and the slide would release, loading the first round.  Not sure if this is a defect, a feature or something that will go away after break-in.  It came with two mags and both did the same thing.  Otherwise the gun ran flawlessly right out of the box.

 

Trigger pull was a bit heavy at first but seemed to smooth out.  I don't claim to be an expert but it felt fine.  It's the only striker-fired handgun I have and I'm happy to own it.

 

Anyone else have one and can share their impressions?

 

I have had my SR 45 for 5 months and have put 750 rounds through it. The reason I bought it was because I love my SR 40C. the SR 40C is by far, the best striker fired trigger I have ever had.

 

The pros of the SR 45 are:

 

Feeds everything I put through it (except Ultramax remanufactured, which also had the same result in my 1911 and Sig 220. It is just crap) 

Good ergonomics that lead to a very accurate pistol.

11 rounds of 45 ACP on tap.

 

The cons.

 

Trigger is not as good as the 40C. Galloway smoothing kit ($60) took care of that. I love the tigger now, so no longer a con.

Slide does not always lock back. I think the slide stop spring needs to be replaced. I may send it back to Ruger after I replace the orginal parts.

 

Overall I think the SR 45 is a very accurate, reliable pistol for the money and love shooting it.

 

Cheers

 

Gski

The only oddity was when inserting a full mag.  Insert it soft and it was a non event.  Slam it in and the slide would release, loading the first round.  Not sure if this is a defect, a feature or something that will go away after break-in.  It came with two mags and both did the same thing.  Otherwise the gun ran flawlessly right out of the box.

 

I have no experience witht he SR45, but the "auto forwarding" you are describing is common to all semi-auto pistols and is neither a defect or a design feature.

 

If you hold just about any pistol at the correct angle and seat a loaded or partially loaded mag (it won't work with empty mags becasue the slide lock tab on the mag follower will engage the slide lock and keep it engaged) with enough force, the slide will go home. 

 

The act of slamming the mag home allows the slide to move to the rear just enough under inertia to remove the tension on the slide lock. This allowing the slide lock to fall out of the slide lock cut in the slide, which then makes the way clear for the slide to go into battery.

I have no experience witht he SR45, but the "auto forwarding" you are describing is common to all semi-auto pistols and is neither a defect or a design feature.

 

If you hold just about any pistol at the correct angle and seat a loaded or partially loaded mag (it won't work with empty mags becasue the slide lock tab on the mag follower will engage the slide lock and keep it engaged) with enough force, the slide will go home. 

 

The act of slamming the mag home allows the slide to move to the rear just enough under inertia to remove the tension on the slide lock. This allowing the slide lock to fall out of the slide lock cut in the slide, which then makes the way clear for the slide to go into battery.

I can understand how that might happen, but it's never happened to me before with any of my other semi-autos.  Beretta 92, Sig 229, numerous 1911s.  How common is it?  Would replacing the slide stop spring make a difference, especially given the Ruger is new?

It is very common and I do not believe changing the spring on the slide stop would help.

 

It all depends on which angle you hold the pistol and which angle you hat the grip. The pistols will be somewhat unique in this aspect of it, requiring a slightly different grip or location to slap when seating a mag.

 

Some people like this and plan for it as part of their relaods. I personally think that is a mistake as I have had the slide auto forward on an empty chamber numerous times.

I can do the slam and slide goes forward on just about all my guns. I love the feature as it saves some time when shooting USPSA and IDPA. So don't complain about it practice it and get used to it and be glad you can do it. I have seen people try it and can't do it!!

If I only trained for gun games then it would be a different story, but I carry a gun everyday - and while I do shoot in some competitions the gun I carry isn't for games.

 

I have had enough empty chambers with auto-forwarding that I consider any reload where it occurs a malfunction and I will fully run the slide again to make sure there is a round in the pipe regardless of if I am jacking a live round out or not. The fraction of a second gained by the auto-forward is simply not worth the possibility of a click when I really need a bang. I have more at stake then points or a finishing position and I will not train for a reload procedure that I can't bet my life on.

It is very common and I do not believe changing the spring on the slide stop would help.

 

It all depends on which angle you hold the pistol and which angle you hat the grip. The pistols will be somewhat unique in this aspect of it, requiring a slightly different grip or location to slap when seating a mag.

 

Some people like this and plan for it as part of their relaods. I personally think that is a mistake as I have had the slide auto forward on an empty chamber numerous times.

 

I swapped out the spring from my SR 40c and put it into the SR 45. The issue went away. I'm pretty sure it is the spring. Unfortunately, Ruger does not sell the sprin. My only choice is to send the gun back to them to have it replaced