GSR -- Looking before I leap

[Morrisey]

I'm considering the purchase of a NIB GSR Revolution Stainless with the following specs (which I believe are all standard):

Caliber 45 ACP
Trigger Pull SA 4.5 - 5.5 lbs
Overall Length 8.65 inches
Overall Height 5.5 inches
Overall Width 1.37 inches
Barrel Length 5.00 inches
Sight Radius 6.5 inches
Sights Novak® Night Sights
Weight w/ Mag 40.3 oz
Mag Capacity 8 Rounds
Available Finish Stainless
Grips Custom Shop

This is the model without the tactical rail.

As this is a new pistol, I'm assuming it has a serial number above 7,000, which I've seen on other threads could possibly be the demarcation of a quality shift. :eek:

So I have two questions:

1) What should I be aware of, both pro and con, about the latest versions of this pistol? Any red flags?

2) The dealer wants $800 (plus tax) on this. I'm thinking there should probably be about $50 worth of wiggle room in that price, and I should be able to get it for $730-750. Or am I dreaming?

What do you think?

Tom

[BTF/PTM]

Get a P220 with night sights if you want an outstanding Sig .45 pistol. Nuff said.

[Morrisey]

Get a P220 with night sights if you want an outstanding Sig .45 pistol. Nuff said.
I've always heard good things about the P220. But as I compete with a 1911, I would like to have my cool-weather carry gun be a 1911 as well.

After perusing the site, I'm also thinking of an XO stainless.

Tom

[grimloktt]

I have two Sig 1911s. I bought them unaware of there initial problems and therefore had no bias when testing.

I have the Revolution C3 and the Sig Target. I don't have thousands down the pipe, as I try to only shoot until I get tired at the range; however, they've been fantastic shooters. They're very accurate, and I love the tweak on the slide shape. I haven't had any problems with their performance at all and feel lucky to now own two.

The only cons are holster availability. There are some out there--just not as many as traditional styled 1911s. Also, it almost looks like they jammed the front sights on and didn't finish them. Not a big deal and not really noticeable, but I'm very anal about things---so I noticed.

I think you'll be happy with your purchase.

P.S. Sig recently dumped lots of money into their manufacturing lines. To me this means newer machines which equal more precise parts. Additionally, no MIM... :D

Ohh...the triggers are FANTASTIC on these guns. Less creap than my Wilson and light...probably around 4 or less!

[sigmax]

Ok...I will give you me 2 cents. ANY 1911, production or otherwise, can be perfect out of the box. They can also be problematic out of the box, If you purchase this do so with the understanding that the 1911 platform can require come fitting or correction before it will run perfectly. I have sent 2 of mine back mainly because they were serial #'s under the 7000 mark and the extractor they were using back then was of a poor design, so don't let the serial # scare you.

They have also made some frames that were dimensionally incorrect, however, these are extremely rare and other producers including Caspian & Smith have done the same thing. As someone who had a Generation I the Revolutions are a improvement by a huge factor and from talking with Sig I believe that they are solidly behind continually improving their 1911. By the way they are dropping the GSR name plate and are switching to Sig Sauer 1911 sometime in the future.

A good 1911, and I believe the Revolution is a great value compared to it's rivals, has ergonomics that even my 220's can't beat. They are extremely accurate, reliable when setup properly, and carry extremely comfortably. No firearm is perfect but I really think they are a great option you will enjoy.

[JDLV4_0]

You may want to check out the GSR Reliability Poll (http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=38412) I've been looking at them for a while now, they should in theory fit my Galco Avenger OWB, I've been thinking of a Carry Model or the XO.

I talked to a Sig rep for a couple of hours a month or two ago and he said that a lot of the problems have been worked out and part of the issues they were having was a bad batch of frames and/or slides that were out of spec from their supplier.

I think I'll still be waiting for a while before I venture into a Sig 1911.

[MOBrad]

I too have a Sig GSR Target model, its awesome. I am going through a police academy and have shown it to several of the instructors, I let them shoot it and my old Nighthawk Talon II, every single one of them said they liked the Sig GSR better than the Talon II. They thought the Nighthawk was a great gun, but the Sig was noticeably better.

Go figure!

[akr]

I had no more trouble with my Sig XO feeding when I just started using my Taurus PT1911 mags in my Sig. My Taurus works great with both Sig XO and Taurus PT1911 mags.

[Morrisey]

It's sounding as though I would be wise to have some non-OEM mags handy if I get that SIG. As it happens, I have five gunsmith-tuned 7-shot Metalform mags with round-top steel followers in my range box -- those are what I use in my wad gun.

I have never been a big fan of 8-shot mags, anyhow. It's not just the dimple or lack thereof -- it's that, after the fifth round is loaded into any single-stack mag, the angles start to add up noticeably, and the noses begin to drop on the top rounds. At least this is my experience. Tripp Research has a follower that is supposed to cure this, but my "poor man's cure" is to load fewer than eight. On my competition pistol, I never load more than five (which is all the shots allowed in a Bullseye string, anyhow).

I'm now leaning toward an XO, BTW. Seems like a ton of gun for the $.

Tom

[grimloktt]

I've only used the factory mags with zero problems...

[akr]

I'm now leaning toward an XO, BTW. Seems like a ton of gun for the $.
Tom

Absolutely. Let some say what they want. No mim or plastic parts...they are all solid. A little tweaking may be necessary, but any problems would most likely come from the magazine.

[Morrisey]

The odd thing is that the XO pretty much delivers what I want. I'm indifferent about the night sights; in defensive situations, I have trained myself to be a point-shooter, so the Novak night sights become extraneous. And I actually wanted the Ergo grips, rather than wood (plus, if I want to change to wood anytime, I have grips in my parts box). So the XO seems to satisfy my wants and needs admirably. I do have some concerns about the holster fit (I prefer a holster that encloses the length of the slide and barrel, as this protects the crown of the barrel and the front sight -- which I do use when target shooting :D). But I think I can find a holster that'll work (and I'll just carry my little .380 poodle-shooter until I do).

Tom

[Bill in Ohio]

I have a new Sig Platinum (full size) and it has been flawless with any ammo. Very, very accurate pistol.

I had a Sig Carry that was very bad.

Based only on two guns, I wouldn't advise or discourage. Bad experience or not, this Platinum is a great gun.

[Rangemeister]

[QUOTE=grimloktt]I have two Sig 1911s. I bought them unaware of there initial problems and therefore had no bias when testing.

I have the Revolution C3 and the Sig Target. I don't have thousands down the pipe, as I try to only shoot until I get tired at the range; however, they've been fantastic shooters.
The only cons are holster availability. There are some out there--just not as many as traditional styled 1911s. Also, it almost looks like they jammed the front sights on and didn't finish them. Not a big deal and not really noticeable, but I'm very anal about things---so I noticed.[unquote]

I feel your pain as it regards holsters. However, I tried the old wax paper trick and now I have two very fine leather holsters that work great. If you are looking for kydex, I feel for you right now.
Great gun the C3.

[Gila Jorge]

I just bought two Sigs: one was the Platinum Carry and the other was the Elite Stainless both in 45acp and both are fine so far...not one hint of problems whatsoever...both amazingly accurate...they are both keepers...
as far a fiddling with trying to work the seller down on price I wonder that they don't actually charge more for these guns than the 1100 I paid...but then I not a bottom feeder...I enjoy a fine relationship with my local dealer and get excellent service as well...these guns are worth 15-1600 in my book..

[JRI]

I bought 2 at the end of 2006. Stainless w/rail and Nitron wo/rail. One has the "manhole cover" the other does not. One is in the 11,000 range and the other is in the 8,000 range. Both have functioned perfectly out the box.

I wouldn't hesitate and IF something goes wrong Sig will fix it.

[Morrisey]

Oh, wow. I just saw a Dan Wesson Commander Classic Bobtail today -- only MIM part is the safety, but that's made by STI.

I think I need to find another job so I can buy two new stainless 1911s for myself for Christmas!

Tom

[nra-life-member]

I have several of the 1911 XO's from Sig.. Very Nice.. Very Functional.. I also have the P220 (W. German).

Start with the 1911 if you want a 1911 (You will like it). The P220 (Older W. German) is a must as time and funds allow.

Good Luck!!

PS. No rails.. I hate rails..

[Reconvic]

5= 220's and 2 GSR's nothing but perfection on all my .45's never even one problem.

[nra-life-member]

Per the Magazines, I use the Novaks and the Metalform Elites.. All are running at 100%!

[73Driver]

I have a Platinum in the Government size and it has been a perfect gun right out of the box. I use the Cobra Mags and they too have been perfect. The only issue I have had with the gun is the MSH chewed into my hand the day I broke the gun in (600 rounds.) I filed the spot (laniard connect) down and and have had NO problems since. I did the FPS small radius modification as well as making it a Series 70 (installing the shims) and it is a wonderful gun.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/73Driver/CIMG1107.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/73Driver/CIMG1116.jpg

Sam

[Longslide]

Iit Sure Looks Great! ;)

[G-Dawg]

From the Sig site:


" The all stainless steel frame and slide of the GSR XO are machined to exacting tolerances and hand-fitted to insure reliability and performance. The frame features 25-line per inch checkering on the front strap and both the frame and slide are de-horned for comfortable full-size carry. Like all SIGARMS products the new Revolutionâ XO pistols contain only premium internal parts including a match grade barrel, hammer/sear set and trigger. That means no plastic and no MIM parts. "

Impressive for a production gun



http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3401/19110102yx9.jpg

[Reconvic]

Well said G- Dawg and very true i love Sigs I have 8 of them and 2 GSR so far.

[Morrisey]

Well. I'm still planning on getting a SIG ... eventually. But for the carry gun, I wound up getting a Dan Wesson Bobtail. It was nothing against the SIG; I still think it's an amazing pistol. But there were some things about the DW that I really wanted (like the bobtail), and my feeling on a carry gun is that you want to modify it as minimally as possible. With the DW, all I'm planning on doing is changing the grips and running Tripp mags. I must admit that I also like the fact that, with the DW, I can pretty much have my pick of carry holsters.

So. Maybe a SIG for next Christmas!

Tom

[grimloktt]

I did the FPS small radius modification as well as making it a Series 70 (installing the shims) and it is a wonderful gun.

Sam

Could I get some details on this? What is a FPS small radius? Why did you make it a series 70? Thnx!

[Reconvic]

Could I get some details on this? What is a FPS small radius? Why did you make it a series 70? Thnx!
Firing Pin Stop, I use a .062 Radius on mine. EGW sells them and buy a O/S one to fit it correctly to avoid clocking of your extractor. &3 driver must have used TJ's shim that replace 2 parts that make it a series 70, the plunger and spring on the slide is no longer needed, hence a series 80 is converted to a series 70

[73Driver]

grimloktt,

As I understand the story, the US Army told John Moses Browning the original design was too hard to rack the slide. Being the mechanical genius that he was, he simply enlarged the size of the radius on the firing pin stop. This caused the first point of impact on the slide to be further up the hammer, giving a mechanical advantage to the slide as it started converting kinetic energy (movement / recoil) into potential energy (compressed main spring.) Thus the slide racked easier, however the side effect was to increase the felt recoil to the shooter. By going back to the original small radius FPS, you take away that mechanical advantage from the slide and reduce the "sensed recoil." This was the way "The Master" intended the gun to react.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=13060&highlight=small+radius

By replacing the series 80 safety parts (a solution in search of a problem, quote from Hunter I believe) some resistance in the trigger mechanism is removed, thus reducing the trigger pull. For the remaining trigger to fit properly, you must install a shim (bought mine from Brownells) to take up the area beside the sear, disconnector, and hammer for correct function. I advise DO NOT do this to a carry gun! (I am not a lawyer, I don't play one on TV, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night!) Lawyer for the sleaze you shot defending your home, "you willfully disabled a safety device on your weapon..." You can fill in the rest of that story. ;)

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=975&highlight=series+parts

Happy New Year to all,
Sam

[grimloktt]

Thank you for the explanation.

[Reconvic]

Thank you for the explanation.
Anytime we are all here to help one another.

[BBYRFT]

I wanted to chime in as well with a +1 on replace the mags. I got the Wilson Combat mags and all is well. I have had one miss fire (several 1000 down the pipe), but it was a bad primer issue (that's wolf ammo for ya) and 0 FTF after the mag swap.

[Gila Jorge]

I have the 220 Stainless Elite and the Platinum Carry...both 45acps and love them both although the 220 is a bit large for my hands it shoots beautifully as does the 1911
Platinum Carry...no hiccups from either...I did change out the trigger on the Platinum and changed the grips to rosewood Sig grips..as I just don';t cotten to retro styling of the Platinum...sure do like the feel and the reliabiltiy and both shoot far more accurately than I do...very happy with both...