SA Range Officer Range Report UPDATE...I got it back from SA! See Post 22

[Rawhyde]

I tried three different handloads and three different types of factory ammo for a total of six different loadings before SA worked on the pistol.

When it was shooting bad, the groups were about the same with either of the three shooters or the six different ammo types. What I'm trying to say is groups were the same regardless of ammo or shooter. That is what led me to believe the problem was real and centered on the gun instead of the ammo or shooter.

Now that it's working right, I've had two shooters and two types of ammo. The results were drastically better. Now when one of us shoots a mediocre or bad group, we question how we made an error or jerked the shot.

I don't mind a miss or a bad shot, but I'm not happy when nobody can shoot well with a particular gun (especially a new gun that's "competition ready") regardless of ammo type. I feel like I'm not getting effective practice in that situation. I'm just making noise and wasting primers, powder, bullets, and paper while eroding my confidence.

I like the 1911 style pistol. I like the looks and the feel of it. I just want one that's accurate enough for the types of shooting and plinking that we do. Now that mine's been repaired, I want to work on developing a load for it and working on my shooting technique with it. After reading some of the comments here and talking with various makers of 1911's, I am getting very interested in getting a top quality 1911 (leaning strongly towards a Les Baer based on what I've learned so far)

What kind of ammo were you using? A higher grade of ammo, like Federal match 185 gr. SWC will probably produce much tighter groups. Some reloads will produce nice groups. Run-of-the-mill 230 gr. ball ammo usually won't shoot that well out of the best match guns.

As I said back in my orginal post try some different ammo. How can you rate a gun (any gun) with only shooting one kind of ammo (handloads at that)? No desrespect to you or your loading ability which I am sure is fine. Just some guns do better with different ammo.

I have the SA A1 loaded and it's a tack driver, it cost less the Range Officer.

I went round and round with SW over a MP45. I shoot all kinds of factory ammo, hand loaded ammo, different weights, powders. SW put a new barrel in the gun and it was still sending shots all over.I sent if back several times, with targets compared to my other 45's. Their customer service was excellent and went above and beyond but the gun was what is was. Maybe a combat gun but certainly no target gun. I traded it and got a SA XDm 45 that will out shoot the MP any day.

 

[Rule3]

I did not see any mention of other ammo used so my bad. I see you also had other people shoot it. If SA says the specs are 3.5 at 25 that really is not that bad. I always thought it was 2" but I guess they changed. If you are still not happy with it and have someone that will buy it perhaps look into the SW 1911, they are pretty darn good for the money. Unless you are planning on going into competition IMHO it's nuts to pay $1500-$2000 for a 1911.But, if you can afford it

 

[X-RingDistroyer]

Springfield 1911's

I've had reasonable experiences. Not 45 but 9mm. I bought a new loaded 9 and when I got it home it appeared loose as a goose. I took that one to my 1911 guy and had a new barrel, new bushing, and slide hand fitted. It's defenitely tight now. I haven't had a chance to check it on the range yet. I put $400 extra into it and probably own it for ever now. (It isn't stock anymore). I did the same with a SW pro series 1911. I just felt that the more of a tack driver the gun the better, more confident I am.

I did buy a SA 1911 that was off the shelf (nothing special) used. It is one of my favorites and has very good accuracy. It was made at the Imbel plant and I didn't do anything extra to it.

I would say that if you trust the gun keep it. If it gives any doubt move on. Just my opinion. I like SA 1911's.

 

[catboat]

I have a100% bone stock 45 acp Springfield 1911 Milspec (NM prefix), and it plops (5) 200 grain flat base SWC (SAECO #69) bullets sized at .452", 4.0 grains of Bullseye, .470 crimp, into a ragged hole at 50 feet/17 yards (2 hands rested, indoor range).
RANGE REPORT:. Range report: 1911a1 SA Milspec - 1911Forum

If you CALL Springfield Armory, and ask them about the milspec (and if it received any special "fitting"), they will tell you, "NO, it is a production line firearm, and does not receive any special fitting, parts, or extra attention." That's what they told me when I called. So, the Range officer is really nothing more than the MILSPEC, with an adustable rear sight, beavertail grip, long trigger (but about 5+ lbs pull, not "match" ). It's a nice piece, but it is NOT a "specially fitted" 1911.

 

[M29since14]

...I have a 45 acp Range Officer en route to my FFL as I write this. I hope it shoots as well as my $400 Springfield Armory Milspec.

Let us know how that one works out for you. The load you mention, though pretty light, is notorious for good shooting in almost any .45 out there. One of the first 1911s I bought new was a Colt Series-70 Government model which wouldn't shoot Remington ball worth a hoot but it would (and still does) shoot my handloads with H&G 068s and almost any reasonable powder/charge combination like a champ. I still have the gun and shoot it now and then. It has its original "collet" type bushing - almost 40 years later - and seems to work fine, so I guess I was lucky with that. (knocking on wood ) It's a good gun - as long as you don't want to shoot ball.

 

[boatbum101]

Reasonable expectation for 230 FMJ is 3" @ 50yds from an accurized 1911 . Any better is due to a well fit gun & a load it really likes . I too have several SA's that have been set up for Bullseye . The stock barrel , bushing & lockup leave much to be desired for a target gun irregardless of your discipline . There's not a stock mass produced 1911 that's " match ready " unless you go to the semi custom like Les Baer , RRA etc . So if one wishes better they have to me these choices : A) Send it back to SA for accurizing . B) Keep as is for SD & casual range use . C) Send it off to a 1911 'smith for the same work . D) Find a 1911 'smith local who can fit a match bushing , install a Dwyer Group Gripper ( only on a Range Queen , not for a SD gun ) , inspect / clean up engagement surfaces on hammer , sear , disconnector etc , upgrade same if needed . E) Sell it & move on . Some stock guns will shoot very well out the box , however they're the exception not the rule . If a stock gun will hold the 10 ring on a B-8 target you got a good one .

 

[Badquaker]

3 year old thread....ijs