I’m considering picking up a 1911 for range use (simple target shooting) and Springfield’s Range Officer caught my eye since it looks like it’s set up for what I want to do at what seems like a reasonable price. Before I go any further I wanted to get input from people who have been around them and whether or not they are a good value for what I plan to do with one. Is this gun good to go or should I be looking at another 1911 for this purpose? This gun would be for range use only. I’ve have other guns I use for defensive purposes.
Having handled a few dozen of the SA ROs in the past few months and having shot at least 3 different samples I’d say it would be a good buy for your mentioned role. It would be be a good gun to shoot bowling pin or bulls eye comps with. Stock trigger is pretty nice too.
Sample of one in my sphere, which I’ve watched several hundred rounds pass through. When it had mags it liked, it ran well even with some really crappy ammo. Accuracy was good. The owner likes it.
A friend of mine just picked one up (lightly) used and has been very happy with it. I put a few rounds downrange with it the other day and it seemed to be a good quality pistol, with a decent trigger and fit/finish.
I had a SA Loaded 1911. It was a very nice pistol, well built and reliable with every magazine that I put in it. I really just didn’t like the 1911 Platform is the reason I sold it, but I never had any complaints on the gun. As far a range gun goes, I think it will fill that role very well and you should be really pleased with it.
I say, why not?
It’s a decent pistol.
Just about anything around the 800-1000 USD price point is generally marketed towards range use only (IMHO) with a good chance it will work right.
If I had the money to throw on a range gun only, I’d probably get a Les Baer though.
Do you have any experience with the Range Officer the OP is asking about?
Yes. What is there too add that hasn’t already been said? In-spec, reliable, and above average trigger/accuracy for the price point. Oh, I thought the finish was meh (probably how it was prepped), but for the price how can you complain. At least that was my sample.
To OP: Depending on how recent it is, it may come with a National Match barrel. Call SA with the SN and see if it does or not. If you buy it and it does not, they may replace it on their dime. SA now puts NM barrels in their entire 1911 line up.
The barrels in all NM serial numbered guns (US assembled) has always been the same stainless one piece with the custom shop models being oversized for an exact fit. The RO barrel has never changed and all guns moving forward have the one piece barrel because SA is no longer importing Brazillian made guns.
I like them alot. For the money and in a 1911, you can’t go wrong with the Range Officer… JMO
Thanks for the clarification. It’s helpful to know when input is based on actual experience with a widget, so the information and opinion can be weighed appropriately.
Its a springfield you can’t go wrong. .life time warranty. .
I walked into my LGS about 6 months ago and they had an SA Range Officer on the shelf that followed me home when I talked the owner down to $729. I was impressed with the barrel to slide lockup and the trigger. I have about 2000 rounds through it so far without any failures using Wilson ETM magazines. It’s a very accurate pistol when I do my part and a joy to shoot. I bought it with the intention of doing some upgrades but I like it so much I have left it stock.
I have one and like it a lot.
Accurate and dependable with every type of ammo I’ve put through it.
They are a good production 1911 for the price. SA has some of the best CS and you will not be disappointed. I own a Loaded model with a SA magwell and it likes Wilson ETM mags.
I have about 2K through mine, I had a 3 or 4 last round FTE in the first 300 rounds, I tightened the extractor a bit and it’s run steady since. I’m using CMC 8 round Power Mags.
Based on my experience with a SA 1911, I’d prefer they get a reputation for quality control and excellence with their handguns, rather than “great customer service.” Had to send mine in, twice, but yes…very nice people in CS.
I’ve had one for about 2 years & it’s functioned flawlessly with any of my 230gr range or carry reloads, & with all my Wilson or Chip Mc mags. It has good fit/finish for the price & is more accurate than me. The only changes I made were a set of VZ grips & a Dawson Precision tritium front sight.
I love my RO. Although it’s only got about 1k rounds through it, it’s been trouble free after a few teething issues when it was new. It’s very accurate and making long/low probability shots is much easier for me than with my other pistols (HK/Glock). The finish is so-so and is showing some wear on my particular pistol. It’s not a big deal though and I happen to like the look of honest wear on a gun. The only other complaint I have is that the thumb and grip safety could be fit to the frame a little better. The rear of the thumb safety is sharp and can be irritating after awhile and the grip safety just isn’t blended into the frame as well as I would like. The trigger in stock form is actually pretty good. It’s light, crisp and almost identical to my friend’s LW Operator. The only modifications that I’ve done to my pistol is to add a set of VZ grips. I do plan to ditch the adjustable rear sight for a plain black Harrison U-notch sight soon though. For the money, I am very happy with my RO and will keep it around for the long haul.
Some recent pics of mine:
I thought about it but when I add the initial price of the R.O. plus all the custom work I want done to it the total comes close to the Les Baer Premier II. The PII comes already how I want it, with the exception of a magwell.