Springfield Armory Springfield Range Officer for first 1911?

cec2

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May 10, 2019
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Hi, new member here. I'd like your thoughts and opinions. I'm a grandmom who enjoys shooting when I can. I enjoy learning about guns and I own several, but no 1911 yet.

My oldest grandson (age 23) really likes 1911s although he doesn't have one. I'm thinking of buying one for him for his college graduation, although he thinks I'm buying it for me. (I'm trying to accumulate a small collection so that I can leave all my kids and grands a gun.) We would both like a classic styled one, .45, with wooden grips. I've heard good things about the Range Officer for that price level, and he likes the looks of it. We've never seen one in person. We want something that is good to go right out of the box. We don't do tournaments or anything, just some casual shooting. Hoping to keep the price close to $1000. I want something nice, but not high end of course, and not low end either.

He first wanted a Sig but I think he may have changed his mind after learning about this one. He is "helping me pick one out." :)

Pros and cons of the Range Officer for our purposes, and any other thoughts? I don't want to make a bad choice. Many thanks!
 

Babboonbobo

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Welcome and what an awesome grandmom thing to do!! I have not had a range officer but have heard plenty of good things and see the model recommended quite often.
Hopefully someone will chime in soon that has one as I'm sure some members do.
 

Fred_G

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I have a full sized RO in 9mm. Has been a good gun. Not a fan of the MIM parts. If I were looking, I might look around a bit in the classifieds here. There is a Dan Wesson and Sig close to your price range...

Note on the MIM parts, unless you shoot a lot, they probably won't be an issue. Have fun shopping for your 1911!
 

Krunchnik

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Feb 21, 2019
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I have owned the RO Classic when they first came out and are a quality firearm-I never liked the parkerized finish but that's just me.The pistol operated without a flaw.
 

Maligator

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I have a Range Officer stainless .45 purchased about a year ago. It was a little tight when I first got it and the return spring was very stiff. After about 200-300 rounds it became very smooth and a great shooter. I'm not a competitive shooter and am not a big fan of the adjustable rear sight, but it will work until I decide to change it out. I carried a Glock 21as a duty gun for years and always bragged how accurate and smooth it was. Still love my G21 but the RO outshoots the Glock, especially at 25 yards.
Long story short, I don't think you would go wrong getting a RO, either in 9mm or .45. They are sweet guns.
 

cec2

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May 10, 2019
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Thanks so much, guys! I definitely want us to go look at one. He works a lot so we haven't had a chance yet.

I know there are some good deals sometimes on used guns, but I just don't feel like I have enough knowledge to be trying to buy a used one, and he doesn't, either. I might still take a look at those, though.

I really appreciate all the replies. Many thanks!
 

Dave

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Dec 4, 2018
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Thanks so much, guys! I definitely want us to go look at one. He works a lot so we haven't had a chance yet.

I know there are some good deals sometimes on used guns, but I just don't feel like I have enough knowledge to be trying to buy a used one, and he doesn't, either. I might still take a look at those, though.

I really appreciate all the replies. Many thanks!

Hit your local gun show. Range Officers in my area can easily be had for $800...sometimes less. I have both the 9mm and .45 and find them to be very nice guns. I wouldn't worry about the MIM stuff (keeps cost down). By the time you wear them out...gun will need to be refurbished anyway. Few people shoot that much! Have fun!
 

easy10

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Apr 3, 2019
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take a look at the Range Officer Elite, much lighter. Comes in Compact and Champion sizes. The Compact is maybe 1/4" shorter. Also an Operator version with extras, e.g. rails and better sights.
 

fieldgrade

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Re: Range Officers

I've recently sold a Dan Wesson Valor full sized 1911, a Wilson CQB, and giving my son a Colt Govt I've done a lot of work to.

Shockingly, the RO that I "souped up" for matches is my favorite 1911.

4896
 
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Rooster

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I'm your Huckleberry
Hi, new member here. I'd like your thoughts and opinions. I'm a grandmom who enjoys shooting when I can. I enjoy learning about guns and I own several, but no 1911 yet.

My oldest grandson (age 23) really likes 1911s although he doesn't have one. I'm thinking of buying one for him for his college graduation, although he thinks I'm buying it for me. (I'm trying to accumulate a small collection so that I can leave all my kids and grands a gun.) We would both like a classic styled one, .45, with wooden grips. I've heard good things about the Range Officer for that price level, and he likes the looks of it. We've never seen one in person. We want something that is good to go right out of the box. We don't do tournaments or anything, just some casual shooting. Hoping to keep the price close to $1000. I want something nice, but not high end of course, and not low end either.

He first wanted a Sig but I think he may have changed his mind after learning about this one. He is "helping me pick one out." :)

Pros and cons of the Range Officer for our purposes, and any other thoughts? I don't want to make a bad choice. Many thanks!
Next to Dan Wesson, I think Springfield makes a very good factory gun. I have shot a Range Officer in 9 mm. As someone mentioned earlier, it took 300 or so rounds to break in. My friend who owns it says it has been 100% reliable once past break in .

The gun is as accurate as my Dan Wesson or custom guns . If my budget wouldn't allow for a Dan Wesson, my next choice would be a Range Officer. I've shot other Springfields and have been impressed by those as well. From my experience, the RO would be a treasure for graduation . Get one for yourself too !
 

Mike D

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Nov 13, 2018
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Another choice worth looking into would be a Remington R1. I have had one of those for years, and it's a good shooter. I did spend a few bucks on it for a "tune up & trigger job when I got it, but nothing but feeding it since. Also, a few more dollars, but you should at least look at a Dan Wesson Vigil, in either 9 or 45, GREAT basic gun, ready to roll out of the box. Good luck on your search.
 

mm1911

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Oct 9, 2018
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I concur with the RO and R1, I think Remington has rebates right now and the R1's under 500(if I remember right). I wouldn't worry about mim, the 1911's I shoot in IDPA matches are mim, never an issue in at least 5 years. But if your budget is 1000 per gun you can really up the features with beaver tail, sights hammer etc. I appreciate the A1 style but just for little better shooting experience, I'd go for the upgrades, you can get tricked out Rock Island with just about everything for 600ish, the 1911 world is your oyster! And good for you, fine thing you are doing!
 

jpy15026

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Nov 14, 2018
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Clinton Pennsylvania
Hi and Welcome,
I have eight ( 4 pictured) different 1911's everything from Colts,Sigs,Kimbers,and the Springfield Range Operator Champion Elite.
Between them all the RO is by far the most accurate and my favorite 1911 ; )
jpy15026

490249034904
 
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