Ruger sr1911 or springfield xdm

[bowhunterforever]

I'm shoping for my first pistol and cant make my mind up which one I should get. I have it narrowed down to the Ruger sr1911 in 45acp and the springfield xdm 40cal. I'm gonna be using it for personal carry, mostly in the woods. You guys have any thoughts? Thanks

[Heredoggydoggy]

Of the 2, I'd get the Ruger.  I had an XD45 and an XD40 and sold them both.  I got an FNX45 and an FNP40, and love them both!

[FC]

While I like 1911's, the XD or XDM pistols are incredibly reliable even dirty as hell and will take a terrific beating without stopping. That said I like the FN pistols as well, they have much better triggers than the XD's and are every bit as durable.

[superdown]

I am a huge fan of Ruger i have had great experience with their customer service even when it was completely my fault they took care of it free of charge. Having said that i am also a 1911 guy. I carry one very often. I am not a fan of polymer handguns i like metal. I have owned glocks and other polymer handguns.

[Heredoggydoggy]

One of the big considerations for me in getting the FN's was the fact that they have a hammer.  Being old school, I like a hammer on my pistols.  Once I got my first FN, an FNX9, I was hooked.  Although the XD's were good, I just can't warm up to a striker-fired gun. I don't know why FN even bothered to come out with one--but that's just me...

[JackOfAllTrades]

1911 hands down!  (Although I bought my son an XD in 40 for his birthday...)  I'm still a diehard 1911 fan. 45acp fan. Single action trigger fan. Metal gun fan... The SR has better options for sights too. More grip options.
 
-Steve

[C-Money]

Ruger 1911, no hesitation.

[thinkingman]

If you don't already own a 1911, buy one.
If you do, the XDM is a pretty rugged piece to take into the woods, and more tolerant of mud, dirt, rain, scrapes and higher capacity.

[cwuwildcat]

I've got the SR1911.  Really like it.  Accurate, never had any hiccups with hundreds of rounds through it.  I'd suggest getting it in stainless if your using it in the woods a lot and can afford it.  Great gun for the price.

[300rum]

I wouldn't go with a 1911 unless you are committed to learning about it and shooting/dry firing lots.  A striker fired pistol is so much easier. 

Ruger uses cast parts and really isn't worth the money.  I would take a look at an STI or a Springfield in a 1911 if you must have a factory 1911.   

If you buy a Stainless 1911, which you probably shouldn't, you need to run them wet to prevent galling.  Which means that you need to clean them regularly.  I hate cleaning.

If you really want a 1911, have a custom one built, they will run circles around any factory 1911.  Depending on your pistol smith, you may be able to buy your own parts.  If you have any kind of business, you can get a business account at Brownells and that will save you some money on the parts.  Make sure that you line up a smith and talk to him before you start buying parts.  You can buy the parts that you want and will be able to buy them over time, then have the pistol smith fit them.  Again, no factory gun compares to a custom 1911.  If you are on the wet side, I would look at JPL Precision.  I haven't used him but have spoke with him and seen his pistols in use.     

[Bofire]

1911, is the ruger steel? 20 years ago I would have agreed with 300RUM but now know. There are many GREAT factory 1911's, with custom you BETTER have the BEST smith there are loads of crappy 'customs' out there. steel frame 1911 5 inch is a wonderful all round gun. 45acp. I own and have owned many, carry every day for 40 years, 1911 for me.
Carl

[300rum]

I don't know of any "great" factory 1911's, serviceable?  Yes.  A Les Baer is probably as close as you are going to get to a "great" factory pistol but even then a LB isn't close.  Factories just aren't putting the same effort into their pistols as a good smith would. 

When it comes to pistols, nothing even comes close to a custom 1911 built by someone who knows how.  It is also loads of fun to be able to pick the internals that you want, the hammer that you want, the sight and sight width's that you want.  You get choices such as slide lightening, grips, checkering, undercut trigger guards, square trigger guards, bull barrels, tight bushing barrels (where you have to strain to rack the slide), slide cuts, tri top slides, true match grade barrels and on and on and on.

I have seen people who can't hit the broad side of a barn with any pistol pick up a custom and be able to shoot a plate rack, hit a man sized target at 50 yards off-hand. 

Will it cost you $3k? It could.  I would think that if you poke around you would be able to buy the parts and have one built for less then $2k.  What is a Ruger running now? $1,100 or so?  Wait a little and put the gun together over time and you will have something that will set itself apart.         

[thinkingman]

1911, is the ruger steel? 20 years ago I would have agreed with 300RUM but now know. There are many GREAT factory 1911's, with custom you BETTER have the BEST smith there are loads of crappy 'customs' out there. steel frame 1911 5 inch is a wonderful all round gun. 45acp. I own and have owned many, carry every day for 40 years, 1911 for me.
Carl

I absolutely agree.
I have spoken to 'gunsmiths' who I wouldn't let change my tire, let alone buff and fluff my 1911.
Take a look at a Dan Wesson produced in the last few years if you don't think a factory can produce a tight(too tight?)1911.
I hear even Colt has kicked and screamed into the late 20th century with CAD/CAM machinery.
I will also say if someone can't hit a pepper popper or plate with a factory Kimber, a custom with the same sights isn't the solution.
Like saying a $100k car will make an idiot a better driver.

[300rum]

I have my Kimber's and have 50k rounds (at least) through one.  They aren't bad, just not even close to the same category.  And just because Kimber stamps "custom" on their pistols, it doesn't make it "custom".   

You should try to find someone with a truly custom 1911 built by a good pistol smith and ask to shoot it, you will know what I mean. 

[300rum]

The worst 1911 I ever shot was a S&W from the (supposedly) Custom Shop.  The grip safety did not fit correctly, was very hard to depress and the trigger felt like trying to pull a bow back!  $1,200 pistol, nice paper weight though.