Posted: 2/25/2013 8:08:53 PM EDT
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I'm currently looking for a new 1911, and I'm trying to decide which models I do and do not like.
The S&W E Series has my eye, but the only one available to me right now is the TA model, and that one's a bit above my reach. I think I'd probably snag a base model if I saw one. I think I've ruled out Sig because the bump in their grip safety is too damn big. I've pretty much eliminated Remington on general principle. I've found myself looking at the Springfield Armory Range Officer. The price is about right, and I kinda like the fact that it's not a flashy design. I don't like not knowing if it's American or not, and I damn sure don't like the fact that it has a goofy internal lock in the backstrap. What is Arfcom's opinion of these things? |
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The Range Officer basically is a TRP without all the bells and whistles. It has the same level of hand fitting and finish as the TRP which is why it has better accuracy than most. If you don't want the lock just switch it out with standard internals and backstrap, thats what I did.
Also check out the Sig Nitron, that is a lot of gun for the price, I have one and really like it. |
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Is it true they only fire one round per second? 
http://aug-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/11903837.jpg It's three to five seconds between each shot here. 
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Quoted: The Range Officer basically is a TRP without all the bells and whistles. It has the same level of hand fitting and finish as the TRP which is why it has better accuracy than most. If you don't want the lock just switch it out with standard internals and backstrap, thats what I did. Also check out the Sig Nitron, that is a lot of gun for the price, I have one and really like it. The RO has adjustable sights, while the TRP (the non railed models, anyway) have fixed combat sights. That makes a huge difference to some people. My first 1911, a brand new MC Operator, will be arriving at my fun shop tomorrow. |
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I'm currently looking for a new 1911, and I'm trying to decide which models I do and do not like. The S&W E Series has my eye, but the only one available to me right now is the TA model, and that one's a bit above my reach. I think I'd probably snag a base model if I saw one. I think I've ruled out Sig because the bump in their grip safety is too damn big. I've pretty much eliminated Remington on general principle. I've found myself looking at the Springfield Armory Range Officer. The price is about right, and I kinda like the fact that it's not a flashy design. I don't like not knowing if it's American or not, and I damn sure don't like the fact that it has a goofy internal lock in the backstrap. What is Arfcom's opinion of these things? If you like the Range Officer, consider an STI Spartan. The Spartan doesn't have that goofy lock. I thought the Range Officer was made in Brazil. |
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Quoted: The Range Officer basically is a TRP without all the bells and whistles. It has the same level of hand fitting and finish as the TRP which is why it has better accuracy than most. If you don't want the lock just switch it out with standard internals and backstrap, thats what I did. Also check out the Sig Nitron, that is a lot of gun for the price, I have one and really like it. I just switched the internals and kept the mainspring housing supplied with the gun on my TRP. Works fine just disables the lock. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I'm currently looking for a new 1911, and I'm trying to decide which models I do and do not like. The S&W E Series has my eye, but the only one available to me right now is the TA model, and that one's a bit above my reach. I think I'd probably snag a base model if I saw one. I think I've ruled out Sig because the bump in their grip safety is too damn big. I've pretty much eliminated Remington on general principle. I've found myself looking at the Springfield Armory Range Officer. The price is about right, and I kinda like the fact that it's not a flashy design. I don't like not knowing if it's American or not, and I damn sure don't like the fact that it has a goofy internal lock in the backstrap. What is Arfcom's opinion of these things? If you like the Range Officer, consider an STI Spartan. The Spartan doesn't have that goofy lock. I thought the Range Officer was made in Brazil. Some SA forgings are made in Brazil, but AFAIK all the finishing work is done here. |
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I'm currently looking for a new 1911, and I'm trying to decide which models I do and do not like. The S&W E Series has my eye, but the only one available to me right now is the TA model, and that one's a bit above my reach. I think I'd probably snag a base model if I saw one. I think I've ruled out Sig because the bump in their grip safety is too damn big. I've pretty much eliminated Remington on general principle. I've found myself looking at the Springfield Armory Range Officer. The price is about right, and I kinda like the fact that it's not a flashy design. I don't like not knowing if it's American or not, and I damn sure don't like the fact that it has a goofy internal lock in the backstrap. What is Arfcom's opinion of these things? If you like the Range Officer, consider an STI Spartan. The Spartan doesn't have that goofy lock. I thought the Range Officer was made in Brazil. That's the problem with Springfield. It's hard to know where shit's made. I have no problem buying imported guns. Hell, some of my favorites are imports. That said, there's something about buying an imported 1911 that just ain't right. |
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I'm currently looking for a new 1911, and I'm trying to decide which models I do and do not like. The S&W E Series has my eye, but the only one available to me right now is the TA model, and that one's a bit above my reach. I think I'd probably snag a base model if I saw one. I think I've ruled out Sig because the bump in their grip safety is too damn big. I've pretty much eliminated Remington on general principle. I've found myself looking at the Springfield Armory Range Officer. The price is about right, and I kinda like the fact that it's not a flashy design. I don't like not knowing if it's American or not, and I damn sure don't like the fact that it has a goofy internal lock in the backstrap. What is Arfcom's opinion of these things? If you like the Range Officer, consider an STI Spartan. The Spartan doesn't have that goofy lock. I thought the Range Officer was made in Brazil. That's the problem with Springfield. It's hard to know where shit's made. I have no problem buying imported guns. Hell, some of my favorites are imports. That said, there's something about buying an imported 1911 that just ain't right. I've had a Kimber, a Sig, & two Springfields (one TRP and one Loaded model). I've had NO issues with any of them. Also, the STI Spartan uses frames made by Armscor, same company that makes the RIA 1911. |
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For those worried about them furriners making the Springfield Armory 1911s, it may comfort you to know that the slides and frames are forged by Imbel in Brazil.
Since Imbel made (among other things) FALs, and continues to make the most sought-after receiver for the FAL, I'm quite happy with my SA 1911s (including the Range Officer) being Imbels. The ILS is pretty unobtrusive, but I've replaced all mine anyway. It's cheap and easy to do. |
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Is it true they only fire one round per second?
http://aug-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/11903837.jpg It's three to five seconds between each shot here.
I have once fired 2 shots in less than 10 seconds, freshman year in hs. 
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| My friend has one and I just finally got to shoot it a few weeks ago. I really like the RO. I used to own a Springfield Mil Spec 1911, it is one step up from the GI. My mil spec always jammed even after replacing springs and using different high quality mags. I finally sold it. |
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As alluded to above, if this is for CCW, skip the Range Officer and the Spartan. The rear sights on them aren't well suited for that. The slides are cut for them too, so swapping them isn't a simple affair I've been told. Not for CCW. This is strictly a fun gun. |
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Harrison sells a replacement rear sight if you want to ditch the adjustable.  |
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Harrison sells a replacement rear sight if you want to ditch the adjustable.
Thank you for that. A new sight might be in the making for my Target Loaded. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Harrison sells a replacement rear sight if you want to ditch the adjustable. Thank you for that. A new sight might be in the making for my Target Loaded. Very welcome. Harrison makes good stuff. |
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My SS Target Loaded-it's like the RO, but without the forward slide serration-has been very reliable. I haven't shot the shit out of it, but it seems to be a well made M1911 and I haven't had any FTF or FTE yet. It is well made and beautifully finished. It was assembled in the States, as indicated by the "NM" that precedes the SN.
Things I don't like: MIM parts such as hammer, sear, disconnector, and slide stop (MIM parts aren't as good as billet or forged parts, regardless of what we're told). Full length guide rod (makes dissembly needlessly complicated) Locking mainspring housing (it's ok, but I'd rather not have it). Big "ordnance wheel" emblazoned on otherwise handsome grips. All of that is fixable, but I wish SA, Inc. would just ditch the MIM parts, lose the locking mainspring housing, go back to a standard guide rod and plunger, and go with simple, diamond checkered walnut grips. |
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Harrison sells a replacement rear sight if you want to ditch the adjustable.
Thank you for that. A new sight might be in the making for my Target Loaded. Very welcome.
Harrison makes good stuff.
It looks to be a rugged and handsome sight. |
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My SS Target Loaded-it's like the RO, but without the forward slide serration-has been very reliable. I haven't shot the shit out of it, but it seems to be a well made M1911 and I haven't had any FTF or FTE yet. It is well made and beautifully finished. It was assembled in the States, as indicated by the "NM" that precedes the SN. "Assembled?" So, are all their forgings foreign? |
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My SS Target Loaded-it's like the RO, but without the forward slide serration-has been very reliable. I haven't shot the shit out of it, but it seems to be a well made M1911 and I haven't had any FTF or FTE yet. It is well made and beautifully finished. It was assembled in the States, as indicated by the "NM" that precedes the SN. "Assembled?" So, are all their forgings foreign? AFAIK, the frames and slides are all forged in Brazil. Some of those parts are then shipped to CONUS for final machining and fitting. That's why you don't see "Brazil" on all their 1911s. That's what I've read. I have no idea how true it is. My SS Target Loaded is marked on the right side of the frame right behind the slide stop pin: Springfield Inc Geneseo IL USA NM 1234XX My son's parkerized M1911A1 Loaded is marked in the same place without the "Geneseo IL USA". On the front of the frame on the bottom of the dust cover forward of the trigger guard, it's stamped "Brazil", and "Made in Brazil" under the grip panel on the right side. It's a nice pistol, so it doesn't bother me (or the boy, either). |
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AFAIK, the frames and slides are all forged in Brazil. Some of those parts are then shipped to CONUS for final machining and fitting. That just might bump SA of the my list entirely. The STI Spartan is similar. Frames and slides made in Phillippines. Small parts made in the USA by STI, final QC done by STI. Given the spotty track record of Kimber, for example, I wouldn't say American 1911s are perfect. I suppose if I had to have an American 1911, I'd look for a used, unmolested Colt and modify to suit my needs. Preferably a Colt CCO. 
FWIW, my STI Spartan is my most accurate handgun and it's a pleasure to shoot. Only thing I changed were the grips, from the stock smooth wood to black rubber. |
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AFAIK, the frames and slides are all forged in Brazil. Some of those parts are then shipped to CONUS for final machining and fitting. That just might bump SA of the my list entirely. The STI Spartan is similar. Frames and slides made in Phillippines. Small parts made in the USA by STI, final QC done by STI. Given the spotty track record of Kimber, for example, I wouldn't say American 1911s are perfect. I suppose if I had to have an American 1911, I'd look for a used, unmolested Colt and modify to suit my needs. Preferably a Colt CCO.
FWIW, my STI Spartan is my most accurate handgun and it's a pleasure to shoot. Only thing I changed were the grips, from the stock smooth wood to black rubber. My desire to buy an American 1911 has less to do with quality and more to do with tradition. An American buying a Philipino or Brazilian 1911 is kinda like a Japanese person buying a samurai sword made in India. I'd rather go with something American, regardless of whether it's a classic 1911 or one with modern features like a rail and external extractor. FWIW, I already have an old Colt MkIV Series 70, but it's a bit sentimental, so I'd rather put that on a safe queen status. |
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My desire to buy an American 1911 has less to do with quality and more to do with tradition. An American buying a Philipino or Brazilian 1911 is kinda like a Japanese person buying a samurai sword made in India. I'd rather go with something American, regardless of whether it's a classic 1911 or one with modern features like a rail and external extractor. FWIW, I already have an old Colt MkIV Series 70, but it's a bit sentimental, so I'd rather put that on a safe queen status. Buy another Colt. You don't get more traditional than that. 
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My desire to buy an American 1911 has less to do with quality and more to do with tradition. An American buying a Philipino or Brazilian 1911 is kinda like a Japanese person buying a samurai sword made in India. I'd rather go with something American, regardless of whether it's a classic 1911 or one with modern features like a rail and external extractor. FWIW, I already have an old Colt MkIV Series 70, but it's a bit sentimental, so I'd rather put that on a safe queen status. Buy another Colt. You don't get more traditional than that. Maybe, but it doesn't seem like you get much for the money. A plain-vanilla Colt is just shy of Dan Wesson money. |