Accuracy upgrade to the Range Officer 45

I started with a new Springfield Armory Range Officer 45,( with changed out Mainspring housing to series 70 style) these have been a great resource as a entry level bullseye gun for many new shooters.
Out of the box the range officers offer a good frame to slide fit, adjustable sights for those that want to shoot open sights and now are great guns to use for CMP once called "hardball" matches. Many have said their stock RO has good 50 yard accuracy shooting 3'' and less at 50yds, but I have read of many that were in the 4-5'' too. I've known a well respected bullseye pistol smith for many years named David Salyer who lives in South Carolina, Dave has built many pistols for many people including building the owner of Accuracy X  Steve Huff his first bullseye gun. In my case I wanted a accurate back up wad gun, so I turned to Dave to build it for me. Mr. Salyer  is known for good work at reasonable prices. Dave offered me several options, his Accuracy tune up, consisted of tightening the original bushing, a trigger job and adding a clark or al marvel scope rail. This goes for around 200.00 including parts and labor.I opted for the better package so I would have no doubt my gun was a tack driver. He installed and hand fitted a premium Kart Match barrel ( known for supreme 50 yd accuracy in the 2'' range) and Kart busing, did a medium roll trigger job, drilled, tapped and installed a clark scope rail  added the correct recoil spring per my info on what dot and loads I intended to shoot. He then did a full test firing and accuracy session after which he had his Salyer logo engraved on the slide (optional). I added a Wilson front checker piece that is held on by the grips (10.00) and a 1'' ultradot . I must say I was well pleased with the finished gun. Barrel lockup was tight, gun cycled smooth and trigger was very nice. I took it to the range and it functioned perfect, and was extremely accurate. Total cost for this package was 550.00 + return shipping. If your on a budget, or just want a good competitive gun at a reasonable price this is defiantly a good option.  Also all removed parts are returned to you. Another plus was turn around time for his services run about a month or less. As to guaranteed accuracy. Quote from Dave>
"I do not Ransom rest anymore. Costs my customers too much. However, I guarantee x-ring or better at 50yds when tested with good ammo. My customers typically get sub 2 inch with ASYM or AA match loads. Usually get ragged X-ring with Valiants 160 lswc's. When bullseye pistols are put together without compromise they group tightly."
 
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 Dave can be reached at
;David Salyer
755 Tysons Forest Dr.
Rock Hill S.C.   803-327-6902

Looks great.

Very nice. I sent my RO off to him on Friday for a similar set of mods.. How does the rear sight dovetail look with that rail? Hard to tell from the angle of your photo.

there is a void where the sight was, no way around that due to the way Springfield set it lower than the top of the slide but it also leaves room to add a slide racker, brownells sells a few different styles of them, I might add one later.

Nice gun !! great price only $550 to make that RO an X ring shooter!!
All it needs now is a Aluminum Bronze shoe for 3 hole trigger

I just happen to have one im going to try on it this sunday

Hi Dave; The one I sent was for a solid trigger you'll need the one with the 4 set screws. Don't think the screw will fit between the holes.

Ok I will try it on my other gun, it has a solid and I plan to shoot both in the match

How well did the range officer do at 50 yards stock prior to Salyer's work?

Tim:H11 wrote:How well did the range officer do at 50 yards stock prior to Salyer's work?

Never even checked, I wanted a Kart match barrel for its un questioned accuracy as well as it being properly fitted by Dave.
Ive heard stories from many about the RO out of box accuracy and there were more good than bad so its luck of the draw I guess.

Having owned a sold a RO I was very happy with the gun stock.  I am a big Springfield fan and have not been unhappy with any product I have purchased from them.