Springfield Range Officer Hardball Gun build

Well my ordered Range Officer came in the other day. Very Pleased, cost was 700.00 I asked the seller who said they had two to pick me out the one with the tightest frame/slide fit which they did, its very tight but function's slick. So I commenced to transform it to a CMP Legal Hardball gun. It was simpler than I thought, picked up a standard hammer, grip safety & thumb safety. Everything dropped right in with only a little filing on the detent area on the thumb safety. Trigger was 6lbs and terrible, Part of this is due to the safety built into the mainspring housing which I did also change out to a old one I had already but that is a option, Some might try and just take out the guts and replace with old style but that is not legal as you would still have the safety mainspring but not in working condition. If left in place it must function as a safety is my understanding of the rules. I then  took the sear and polished it and the hammer hooks ,adjusted the spring and came up with a tolerable feel which will hold 4.25lb it will do for now, later it will get a better trigger job. I added some grip tape to the front strap and its ready to go. Ending total 775.00 but I bought  new take off parts. Id say total cost of parts if buying from midway or brownells about a 100.00 bucks + cost of the gun. This is probably the best bang for the  buck for a ballgun that actually is good enough accuracy wise to leg with.
If your a DIY kinda guy for have friends that are this is a easy way to get into competing in the CMP program.

Where did you pickup the trigger and Safety parts at@

gitkrunk wrote:Where did you pickup the trigger and Safety parts at@

Did not require a trigger, only the Hammer, grip safety and thumb safety are changed and are readily available many places. Ebay is always a good place to snag a bargain.

I mean hammer

I also am DIY kind of guy and don't like spending money I don't have to.My S&W 1911SC carry pistol now has a Springfield ILS mainspring housing with all the guts and springs and my RO has the parts off the commander. Looks/works great and the smith housing has a better grip.This won't work for everyone but don't forget the 1911 that you wouldn't dream of shooting bullseye just might have the parts you need.

How does your Range Officer shoot with hardball loads?  Any accuracy testing yet?  Would you share your load development journey with us, and results (group size, distance, loads)?

I picked up a used Range Officer, and would like to do some trigger work on it too.  I would like to lighten (replace ) the hammer spring to 19 lbs in the trigger work project.  That factory hammer spring is strong.

Buttstock,

These results aren't for David R's gun, but for another Range Officer.  See this thread for the bench rest testing: https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2551-springfield-ro-230-fmj-accuracy

Did you replace the barrel bushing yet? Curious to see if it helps with the groupings.

I have not replaced the bushing yet, it was a good fit to the barrel and it fit the frame ok, it was not super tight but it was a close fit, I plan on just swigging the back end to tighten it up, brownells sells a tool to do it im just looking for a way around buying it first. I shot some 4.3 bullseye with zero 230 fmj just breaking in the gun but out of my hand I had 4 10s and a x at 25yds.

David, as I am sure you know, you can tighten the bushing somewhat by using a large center punch to dimple the skirt where it mates with the slide.  Should be done over a mandrel so you don't egg-shape the bushing.  This is a quick-fix approach and works, but it will loosen back up with repeated removals/insertions into the slide.  It's not near as good as fitting a new bushing, but can do the job and hold for a surprisingly long time.

Its not super loose, I may just leave it for now, thanks

Any updates?

Gun shoots great, shot two CMP matches so far no issues at all except for my not being that good with iron sights. Gun is more than accurate enough to leg out with.

So why the RO vs other 1911s as a starting point?

Value, you get a lot right out of the box, just as the OP walked you through for about $800-900 you have a gun you can leg out with.  Most other options end up over $1500 by the time you have them accurate enough.  I went with a Les Baer and love it but if I had it to do over I'd go the RO route and drop in a roll trigger kit from www.kcskustomcreations.com and save myself $800 verses the LB.

Dave

I believe a springfield mil spec is around 700? RO is like 800? With the RO you get target sights. Slightly tighter frame to slide fit , and bushing... So I think. Has has a match long trigger with the over travel.

I believe the springfield and les Baer hardball 1912 are 1800 msrp

gitkrunk wrote:
......I believe the springfield and les Baer hardball 1912 are 1800 msrp

LB hardball MSRP is $1960.  CC has 5 in stock for $1840ea - good price, plus overnight shipping ($90 required by CC). 

Local gun store had 2 RO's for $739ea.  You often see them on gunbroker for 750 buy it now price.  With the money you save verses a LB you could get a Dillon 650 optioned out. 

Dave

I paid 705.00 on gunbroker for my ro, a milspec, has no adjustable sight and no match grade barrel as well as not as tight a frame/slide fit, adding these items will add double to the price if you have to pay to have it done.

I've been thinking about doing just this, was wondering how hard it would be. Thanks for the info!

easy if you have right parts

I agree that it's easy.

I see everyone talking about HardBall but I thought the CMP changed the rules and wad cutter is now legal???

Frank,

This thread was discussed prior to the rules change.  There are several other threads that discuss the rules change separately.  This one went 3 pages: https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t3584-new-eic-ammo-for-rules-change?highlight=rule+change

A Range Officer is an approved service pistol out of the box now.

Froneck wrote:I see everyone talking about HardBall but I thought the CMP changed the rules and wad cutter is now legal???

You must shoot a Jacketed round either FMJ, JHP, or a FMJ - semiwadcutter like the one shown below. 

1911 must have slab side grips,  iron sights, and a 4 trigger weight. rules are here page 33: http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Rulebook.pdf

- Dave 

Federal Gold Medal 185gr