Range Officer

I'm thinking about getting into BE
Currently have a Browning Buckmaster with target bull barrel

I've been researching the Range Officer. Some of the posts I've read seem to indicate that the RO is not as good as it was when first introduced.
Why would the factory open up the tolerances?

How does the Trophy Match compare?

Also, why would you get the 9mm version?

Any recommendations?

John

Ive seen a couple that were not as tight a frame/slide fit as most of them but it could have been just a fluke as ive been to two gun shows in the last month and handled many new ROs and all were a good fit. Its a assembly line gun so you cant expect custom shop quality with every one. If i was looking to buy i would try local and gun shows first just so i could handle it first before buying online. As to the tropy match, most dont have the tight fit most ROs have. There is a new 9mm RO, i guess it would be good for center fire but was probily made for other type shooting sports.

You can only shoot a .45ACP for the .45 stage so I don't see why a 9mm RO would be a good first 1911 for a bullseye shooter.

Like David said, maybe for those single stack classes in another discipline?

Is the RO still being recommended?

Thanks,
John

Keep a watch here and on the email version for used bullseye 45s.

2 newer shooters in my area each moved up to a 45. One bought an RO and the other a backup 45 from another local shooter. The one with the used pistol has made good progress and now shoots nearly as well as his .22. The guy that bought the RO has fussed with scope mounts, high trigger weight and the usual feed/eject issues of new guns.

Learning to shoot the 45 is tough enough without having to mess with the rest.

Casey101 wrote:Is the RO still being recommended?

Thanks,
John

Yes, I have a buddy that just picked up a new RO it shoots very good groups out of the box and with a little trigger work will be very nice gun and will take him to Master if he does his part.  Not sure the remarks you heard about the newer RO's not being as good are correct.  I had to put 1,000 rounds through my Les Baer before it ran to perfection - very tight when new.  That is one plus for buying used they are already broke in.


You asked about the 9MM, get the .45 which you can shoot in both the CF and .45ACP stage.  If you got a 9MM you would also need to get a .45ACP.  Most people only shoot 2 guns a .22lr and a .45.


Dave

Yes the RO is the best current out of the box gun suitable for bullseye in the under 1000.00 price range, mostly because of the adjustable sights and accuracy. If you add a red dot rail and have trigger work done, which can cost several hundred dollars if you have to have a gunsmith do it, a better deal if you have a few hundred extra over that to spend, you might want to consider stepping up to Les Baer at 1850.00 is a good choice, it will be ready to add a dot and go to a match out of the box and if you have the talent take you to high master with nothing much else but good ammo. When i started many masters and high masters told me if i was serious about shooting bullseye then buy the very best equipment i could afford. Some say to just get something that will shoot and go at it. Im glad i went with the first advice, because it has let me not worry about my scores being a reflection of my equipment. If i shoot a 6 it was me not my guns, this gives me the freedom to just work on me.

Thanks everyone!!!!!
Looked at one today... $899.00
I said it seems a little high, he said it is what it is...

John

Always try to buy something you will never outshoot...

Casey,

They make Range Officer's everyday.  You should be able to find ROs for about $750 and that gives the seller a decent margin.

Unless the guy is a local Mom & Pop and he has a good reputation, there isn't a good reason to give him an additional $150 premium for the privalege of buying the gun from him.

Here's an RO for sale in New Jersey for $750: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=385179358

Good Luck!

As far as never buying something you will never outshoot--my stock springfield shoots sub 2" groups and I paid less than $1000 for it used.  I will never outshoot that gun.

I say buy what you can afford so you can get your feet wet in this sport (as long as it's not junk to the point of creating frustration).  There is nothing stopping you from shooting this gun for a few years and reselling it for $700 if you feel an $1800-$5000 gun is what you need instead.

Available at Grabagun.com for under $750 right now
http://grabagun.com/firearms/handguns/semi-automatic-handguns/sprgfld-45acp-range-ofc-5-7rd-blue.html

Rob Kovach wrote:Casey,

They make Range Officer's everyday.  You should be able to find ROs for about $750 and that gives the seller a decent margin.

Unless the guy is a local Mom & Pop and he has a good reputation, there isn't a good reason to give him an additional $150 premium for the privalege of buying the gun from him.

Here's an RO for sale in New Jersey for $750: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=385179358

Good Luck!

Thank you, he's like 5 minutes away from me LOL

I picked up a new RO on Guns America right before Christmas for under $700 shipped.

gun show prices run 750.00- 800.00 in georgia on RO's.

I bought a RO for $430 on Gunbroker. Got it in from Texas and the barrel was junk!!! Gouges in rifling in about 3/8 from muzzle. Match barrel yeah right!! I am a pistol smith And they said we won't promise you a new barrel! I said you WILL replace it! Ok the slide frame fit is good but my new RIA is honestly a lot tighter by far. Ok the RO ... Sear was junk, hammer aok, replaced all springs with Wolff, titanium strut and firing pin. And the trigger was fit like crap! Bought a new old stock Videcki ... Now it is smooth 3.25 pull match trigger. Did not shoot it yet due to weather in PA lol...just saying!

Lampman said, wrote:I bought a RO for $430 on Gunbroker. Got it in from Texas and the barrel was junk!!! Gouges in rifling in about 3/8 from muzzle.

There is something fishy about your story--from the price you paid to the illegal weight trigger job that you put in it.  
The RO that you received is not consistent with the several others that I personally shot and handled as well as those that other forum members have seen and shot.
I'm sorry you had bad luck, but I have my doubts that it came from the factory in the state you received it.  People don't sell $750 guns for $430 if they didn't eff them up first.

yep, his only other post is about paying $750 for a junk RO with the same diatribe.

i'd disregard him...

Typo it was $750 not $430! Sorry . It was brand new from dealer and indeed was nothing to brag about from Springfield!,
It is better now but not as tight as a match gun should be! As I said my Rock Island is by far a better fit!

Can the .45 RO be converted to 9mm?
Does SA have a kit for this that anybody knows of.
I think it would be neat to shoot 9mm for practice as it's cheaper then just switch it over to .45

Thanks,
John

Casey101 wrote:Can the .45 RO be converted to 9mm?
Does SA have a kit for this that anybody knows of.
I think it would be neat to shoot 9mm for practice as it's cheaper then just switch it over to .45

Thanks,
John

Why not just get a Marvel .22 conversion?

Sorry John, but no.

The frame feed ramp angle for the .45 ACP and the 9 mm are different.  Additionally; the ejectors differ in size and location between the two calibers.

Jim

Casey,
If we get you set up reloading .45 in 200 gr LSWC we can get you making $15/100 rounds of ammo that is super soft to shoot and way more accurate than storebought 9mm.  If you are interested I/M me and I'll give you my cell phone number.  I can coach you over the phone until you meet someone closer to you.  It shouldn't take you long to meet fellow shooters when you start going to matches.

Rob Kovach wrote:Casey,
If we get you set up reloading .45 in 200 gr LSWC we can get you making $15/100 rounds of ammo that is super soft to shoot and way more accurate than storebought 9mm.  If you are interested I/M me and I'll give you my cell phone number.  I can coach you over the phone until you meet someone closer to you.  It shouldn't take you long to meet fellow shooters when you start going to matches.

Rob,
Thank you very much, that is a very kind offer.
I may take you up on it.

John

Casey101 wrote:Can the .45 RO be converted to 9mm?
Does SA have a kit for this that anybody knows of.
I think it would be neat to shoot 9mm for practice as it's cheaper then just switch it over to .45

Thanks,
John

Springfield just came out with a 9mm range officer, i havent seen one but they are getting good reviews.