Ruger 1911 Commander .45 Problem

[FastCarry]

Thats a bummer to hear, wish you (and I) had good copies. I wonder what it is about this model that Ruger wont take another look at? It Cleary has some issues out of the box that aren't isolated.

I used mine in the PPM at DPC yesterday after 150 flawless range rounds. I had two failures within about 65 Perfecta/Federal round nose. I was running the gun faster than I do at the range with a mix of new Sig Sauer 8 rnd mags and 1 Mecgar 8 rnd mag so I didn't get to stop to analyze the failures.

I polished a couple more rough edges on the barrel throat and will try again when my ammo order arrives. Im not giving up on this one yet but, I sure wish it was problem free. I'm over 500 rounds on it now, it should be running better than it is.

[Excaliber]

Sounds like a classic 3-point jam - now I'm wondering if it's riding the link instead of the lower lugs, which might explain why it will only work reliably with some magazines with a different profile.

Basically the slide-stop cross-pin is meant to bear upward against the lower lugs in the locked position and stay in contact all the way through the unlocking cycle to end up bearing against the front of the lower lugs. If it doesn't, and is instead 'riding on the link', there are a few cheap options to try:

1. Shorter barrel link, about 3-thou' shorter
2. Alternatively, elongate the hole in the link slightly (in its upper side closest to the lower lugs) with a file - delicate work. Does the same thing as option 1 but with looser tolerances.

Andy, thanks very much for the suggestion - you may very well be right. That's one thing I hadn't thought of, but I'm out of patience with this thing.

I'm going to trade it tomorrow for something else.

I'm considering a Springfield Range Officer Champion, and I'm really liking a Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander for everything except the price. With everything I spent trying to get the Ruger to work, I would have been well on the way to that Dan Wesson by now.

[WildBill]

Sounds like a classic 3-point jam - now I'm wondering if it's riding the link instead of the lower lugs, which might explain why it will only work reliably with some magazines with a different profile.

Basically the slide-stop cross-pin is meant to bear upward against the lower lugs in the locked position and stay in contact all the way through the unlocking cycle to end up bearing against the front of the lower lugs. If it doesn't, and is instead 'riding on the link', there are a few cheap options to try:

1. Shorter barrel link, about 3-thou' shorter
2. Alternatively, elongate the hole in the link slightly (in its upper side closest to the lower lugs) with a file - delicate work. Does the same thing as option 1 but with looser tolerances.

Andy, thanks very much for the suggestion - you may very well be right. That's one thing I hadn't thought of, but I'm out of patience with this thing.

I'm going to trade it tomorrow for something else.

I'm considering a Springfield Range Officer Champion, and I'm really liking a Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander for everything except the price. With everything I spent trying to get the Ruger to work, I would have been well on the way to that Dan Wesson by now.

Some how money always seems to enter into the equation.

[Excaliber]

Thats a bummer to hear, wish you (and I) had good copies. I wonder what it is about this model that Ruger wont take another look at? It Cleary has some issues out of the box that aren't isolated.

I used mine in the PPM at DPC yesterday after 150 flawless range rounds. I had two failures within about 65 Perfecta/Federal round nose. I was running the gun faster than I do at the range with a mix of new Sig Sauer 8 rnd mags and 1 Mecgar 8 rnd mag so I didn't get to stop to analyze the failures.

I polished a couple more rough edges on the barrel throat and will try again when my ammo order arrives. Im not giving up on this one yet but, I sure wish it was problem free. I'm over 500 rounds on it now, it should be running better than it is.

I couldn't agree more. With CNC machining, if the design is right, this shouldn't be happening.

I'm beginning to suspect that there's a significant issue with these guns that Ruger isn't admitting to.

The positive side is that Ruger was very courteous and turned the gun around quickly each time I returned it. The negative side is that it had to be returned and even the second gun had issues (but not as bad as the first one.)

The all steel models have a good reputation, but I wouldn't encourage anyone to buy the lightweight commander at this point.

[Excaliber]

Sounds like a classic 3-point jam - now I'm wondering if it's riding the link instead of the lower lugs, which might explain why it will only work reliably with some magazines with a different profile.

Basically the slide-stop cross-pin is meant to bear upward against the lower lugs in the locked position and stay in contact all the way through the unlocking cycle to end up bearing against the front of the lower lugs. If it doesn't, and is instead 'riding on the link', there are a few cheap options to try:

1. Shorter barrel link, about 3-thou' shorter
2. Alternatively, elongate the hole in the link slightly (in its upper side closest to the lower lugs) with a file - delicate work. Does the same thing as option 1 but with looser tolerances.

Andy, thanks very much for the suggestion - you may very well be right. That's one thing I hadn't thought of, but I'm out of patience with this thing.

I'm going to trade it tomorrow for something else.

I'm considering a Springfield Range Officer Champion, and I'm really liking a Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander for everything except the price. With everything I spent trying to get the Ruger to work, I would have been well on the way to that Dan Wesson by now.

Some how money always seems to enter into the equation.

That's because no sellers seem to want to part with their guns without getting lots of it.

[rentz]

Sounds like a classic 3-point jam - now I'm wondering if it's riding the link instead of the lower lugs, which might explain why it will only work reliably with some magazines with a different profile.

Basically the slide-stop cross-pin is meant to bear upward against the lower lugs in the locked position and stay in contact all the way through the unlocking cycle to end up bearing against the front of the lower lugs. If it doesn't, and is instead 'riding on the link', there are a few cheap options to try:

1. Shorter barrel link, about 3-thou' shorter
2. Alternatively, elongate the hole in the link slightly (in its upper side closest to the lower lugs) with a file - delicate work. Does the same thing as option 1 but with looser tolerances.

Andy, thanks very much for the suggestion - you may very well be right. That's one thing I hadn't thought of, but I'm out of patience with this thing.

I'm going to trade it tomorrow for something else.

I'm considering a Springfield Range Officer Champion, and I'm really liking a Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander for everything except the price. With everything I spent trying to get the Ruger to work, I would have been well on the way to that Dan Wesson by now.

Dw is on my lust list at the moment, but I'd be scared to carry something that pricey myself .....afraid I'd drop it or scratch it
But the bobbed Wessons are so nice

[Excaliber]

Sounds like a classic 3-point jam - now I'm wondering if it's riding the link instead of the lower lugs, which might explain why it will only work reliably with some magazines with a different profile.

Basically the slide-stop cross-pin is meant to bear upward against the lower lugs in the locked position and stay in contact all the way through the unlocking cycle to end up bearing against the front of the lower lugs. If it doesn't, and is instead 'riding on the link', there are a few cheap options to try:

1. Shorter barrel link, about 3-thou' shorter
2. Alternatively, elongate the hole in the link slightly (in its upper side closest to the lower lugs) with a file - delicate work. Does the same thing as option 1 but with looser tolerances.

Andy, thanks very much for the suggestion - you may very well be right. That's one thing I hadn't thought of, but I'm out of patience with this thing.

I'm going to trade it tomorrow for something else.

I'm considering a Springfield Range Officer Champion, and I'm really liking a Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander for everything except the price. With everything I spent trying to get the Ruger to work, I would have been well on the way to that Dan Wesson by now.

Dw is on my lust list at the moment, but I'd be scared to carry something that pricey myself .....afraid I'd drop it or scratch it
But the bobbed Wessons are so nice

I went through that line of thinking too, but the experience with the Ruger LWC changed my mind.

For defense of myself and my family, I want to carry the most reliable piece of hardware I can find, and it won't be a safe queen. In a true self defense situation you want to reduce the chances of unwanted surprises (like failure to feed) to an absolute minimum. There will be enough other things going wrong to keep you busy.

For me, it's a tool, not an art collectible. If it gets scratched, I'll cold blue it or eventually refinish it.

[Sidro]

Excaliber , have you looked at Fusion Firearms? Bob Serva worked for DW, bought it in the 90's sold it 2005 and started Fusion. My edc is a Fusion bobtail cmdr in 357sig and I really love it. The only reason I don't have one of his .45 pistols is too many in safe already.

[Excaliber]

Excaliber , have you looked at Fusion Firearms? Bob Serva worked for DW, bought it in the 90's sold it 2005 and started Fusion. My edc is a Fusion bobtail cmdr in 357sig and I really love it. The only reason I don't have one of his .45 pistols is too many in safe already.

No, I hadn't heard of them before.

They look like really fine guns, but too rich for my budget right now.

Their pre fitted kits look really interesting. I'll have to keep that in mind for the future.

[FastCarry]

Did you get a chance to trade it for something?

[Excaliber]

Did you get a chance to trade it for something?

Yes.

I'm waiting for my Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander to be shipped. It should come in a couple of weeks.

[FastCarry]

Very very nice, good luck with it. Hope its problem free.

[flintknapper]

Did you get a chance to trade it for something?

Yes.

I'm waiting for my Dan Wesson Valkyrie Commander to be shipped. It should come in a couple of weeks.

You dirty dog, you got me drooling now!


Congratulations.



Flint.

[Excaliber]

Thanks, FastCarry and Flint.

Yes, it is a drool worthy piece!