This was my first 1911. I bought it very soon after it came out although the serial number was in the 2000+. The guns had issues and, as is the case with 1911 aficionados, and SIG fans, many people were disappointed or incensed at the 1911 design and quality. It came out in 2004.

Mine however, was perfect. It was 100% reliable, far more accurate than I would ever be and was easy and smooth to handle. I was obsessed from that point on.

Unfortunately, it’s life-cycle was very troubled. SIG had their early versions, probably sub 600, made changes, lots of changes and different parts, Matt McLearn was rather absent from the result. Eventually, SIG stopped production all together and later revived the gun as the GSR Revolution, later just the 1911 and in the gaps there were plenty of “parts” guns with Revolutions coming out (the red box guns) with older GSR early parts.

Documentation and history is sketchy. It’s hard to find out what the originals were made of, when there were changes and what changes were made, much shrouded in mystery or only pieces in various person’s memories. Caspian was involved and later sold “kits” from overruns of parts.

I eventually sold mine, figuring I could buy a better 1911 and after a couple of broken extractors, one on the original gun and one on a first gen GSR Revolution. However, the obsession hung on and eventually I went in search of another GSR looking for the earliest serial numbers I could find. I have two now, both have been reworked, one is early 500s and the other early 2000s. I still love the gun. These I will not part with.

Anyone have a “first gen” GSR, pre-Revolution, sub-1000 or sub-600 serial number GSR? I’d love to see pictures.











Here is the older one. Same work done. This one does have noticeable "hammer lean", one of the infamous issues with the GSR.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SIGWolf,

I have an original GSR, serial number in the 3200-range.

It's an excellent shooter now, but required some significant work. Among other issues it seemed to chew through extractors with some regularity until I found the replacement unit made by EGW. It also suffered from very inset grip safety and some serious hammer lean that a local gunsmith fixed for me. It's been a champ ever since correcting those issues and shoots very well.

I just checked mine. I have an early Revolution Carry sub 200 serial. So not exactly what you are looking for. Took 300-500 rounds to become reliable, but now is lights out, tight, and accurate. Wonderful gun.

That's a fine-looking pistol

I wound up with one in the 16K range when they renamed them "GSR" for Granite State Rail. Mine has been used extensively in IDPA and USPSA matches and has run well thru all the match abuse I could dish out. The trigger on mine was superb out of the box despite the series 80 workings inside.

I do recall all the whoopla over the original pistols and who made them and the faults them seemed to have.

I also remember the hue and cry of the true 1911 aficionados about haw Sig bastardized the 1911.

This one will stay with me also. With the weight of the pistol, it is very pleasant to shoot.

RMD

Here's a shot of mine with its original grips next to what it's currently wearing, I liked the look of the orange wood grips, but didn't like the feel all that much.

^^^^ That is spectacular. Are those Hogue grips?

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
^^^^ That is spectacular. Are those Hogue grips?

Thanks, I like them too. They're LOK 1911 Classics with a thumb relief. I have several sets and find that they're very comfortable to shoot without chewing up your hands.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
That's a fine-looking pistol

Thanks boss. It's a real pleasure to shoot. I've shot some of the semi-customs and I'd put this up against guns twice the price.

quote:

Originally posted by guido_sst:
I have an original GSR, serial number in the 3200-range.

It's an excellent shooter now, but required some significant work. Among other issues it seemed to chew through extractors with some regularity until I found the replacement unit made by EGW.

I also had two extractors break, one on the original GSR and one on a first gen Revolution. EGW sent me a replacement free and asked to have the broken extractor so they could determine what happened. I believe they provided that part and others for the GSRs for a while. Although there really isn't any documentations about those sorts of things that I can find.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGWolf:

quote:

Originally posted by guido_sst:
I have an original GSR, serial number in the 3200-range.

It's an excellent shooter now, but required some significant work. Among other issues it seemed to chew through extractors with some regularity until I found the replacement unit made by EGW.

I also had two extractors break, one on the original GSR and one on a first gen Revolution. EGW sent me a replacement free and asked to have the broken extractor so they could determine what happened. I believe they provided that part and others for the GSRs for a while. Although there really isn't any documentations about those sorts of things that I can find.

I was told by their CS that they had a run of extractors that was over hardened and brittle, they sent me a handful for free at one point to keep the gun running while they waited on a new batch that was properly treated. Standup people all the way around.