Finally got myself a 9mm 1911. (Why did I wait so long?)

[Kingcreek]

No range report yet but just I picked up a Springfield Armory Range Officer Champion (lightweight) 9mm. I've got 30 years of history shooting .45cal 1911's but this is my first 9mm. I like the commander size and weight of this one with alloy frame. Its not likely to become a primary CCW but of course that could change. Filed my gear up promo so I am expecting 4 free mags in addition to the 2 that came with it. I'll shoot it some before deciding but it might get some light trigger work, maybe checkered front strap. I think I will really like the stock sights with FO front. If I get my promo mags in time I might use it for an upcoming defensive pistol class.

 

[Az-quailhunter]

Yes....why did you wait? I have 3, and love them. 2 Colts, 1 DW. Also have 3 .38 Supers....Colt and 2 DW. Great choice, and if you reload
its pretty darn cheap to shoot. Enjoy!

 

[red rick]

I really enjoy my DW PM 9 as a range gun . Cheap ammo , very accurate and very little felt recoil .

I am sure you will enjoy your SA RO 9mm just as much .

 

[highlander 5]

I've 3 1Ruger,Springfield Armory and a RIA plus a S&W in 9x23 Win. You have fun with them I guarantee.

 

[Reloadron]

Enjoy your new pistol and congratulations on getting it. I have been waiting to find a nice Colt Series 70 in 9mm since I gravitate towards those older Colt Series 70 guns. Last time around was at a gun show and the guy had a OK looking series 70 9mm but also a pristine series 70 38 Super so I grabbed the 38 Super. I figure the 9mm will come along. Anyway, enjot that new pistol, they are a pleasure to shoot.

Ron

 

[bullseye308]

I have the 5" Range Officer 9mm and absolutely love that thing. I also have the 4" RO Champion in 9mm that is just as good. Both are tack drivers and the recoil is barely noticeable. I'd love to get the Range Officer Operator for the rail and I just might be done buying any more.

 

[Tallball]

I have a full-sized steel one. The recoil is squat. Getting back on target is nice and quick. It's a nice platform for 9mm, imho.

 

[CNobbe]

I love my old Springfield Ultra Compact 1911 in 9mm. Bought it used a while ago and it's made me want to own many more 1911s in 9mm.

 

[bannockburn]

Kingcreek

Yes why did you wait so long? I must confess I have never had a 1911 in 9mm. as it's original caliber. What I have done is added a 9mm. barrel assembly and magazines to my .38 Super guns for my 2 In 1 convertible 1911. My favorite is my Colt Commander with a stainless slide and aluminum frame.

 

[gotboostvr]

I think an all steel 9mm 1911 would be just the thing for IDPA Enhanced Service Pistol division.

If I ever get back into it I'd shoot either that or CDP (75BSA or 1911)

 

[mljdeckard]

Just got my RIA double-stack 9mm/.22 TCM combo, I love it, except I am having extractor issues.

I love 1911s, but 9mm bullets have become so good, there is little difference if any in actual effectiveness. Higher capacity, less recoil, and more hits is a better advantage than any diameter.

 

[Kingcreek]

Got to shoot it a little today. What a sweet shooting handgun! Quite accurate with the only load I tried (Winchester white box). I didn't have much time but I'm impressed with the recoil impulse and controllability even with the LW alloy frame.
Very happy with it so far!

 

[Olympus]

Out of all the 1911s I've owned over the years, I have found my absolute soulmate in the Springfield Range Officer Operator in 9mm. I've always loved the feel and shooting experiences of 1911s in general, but this gun in 9mm just takes that love to a whole new level. It is simply the smoothest, sweetest, softest shooting 1911 I've ever shot (and I've shot a LOT of different 1911s). I think now that most companies have figured out how to produce a reliable 9mm 1911, you're seeing more and more models coming offered in 9mm. Congrats on the gun and welcome to the fun zone!

 

[rondog]

I have a RIA Tactical model in 9mm, I like it quite well!

 

[TomJ]

I picked up a Dan Wesson Guardian 9mm a few months ago. It's a joy to shoot, and along with my CZ's is the most accurate gun I own.

 

[M1key]

Colt Lightweight Commander in 9mm was my daily carry gun back in the 70's. Wish I still had it, but one can't relive the past--at least not for what one costs today. So I have moved on...and on.

Good luck to the OP

M

 

[bikerdoc]

I have rhe Taurus PT 1911 in 9 mm stainless. 5 years of great performance

 

[jhb]

nice pistol. congrats amd enjoy 'er.

i prefer 1911s in only .38 super and .45acp or gods caliber. the other calibers i prefer other better suited platforms, but i can understand why ya like the 1911 in 9mm.

 

[wally]

I have rhe Taurus PT 1911 in 9 mm stainless. 5 years of great performance

I've one of these, but I shoot my RIA Tactical far more -- the stainless always tells me I should clean it more often

 

[doubleh]

I have rhe Taurus PT 1911 in 9 mm stainless. 5 years of great performance

I recently purchased one of these. I've said for years if I ever ran across one I was going to buy it. A few months ago I stumbled across the first I had ever seen in a gunshop and it came home with me. It's been great so far and I expect it to stay that way. I wanted one because the one I own in 45 has been so good over the years. I already had an RIA tactical compact in 9 mm so the 1911 & 9 mm combo isn't new to me. Cheap plinkin'.

 

[Gun Master]

I got an original Colt Commander in 9mm, about the early 1960's, when they first came out, and liked it.
Wish I still had it, but due to LOM (lack of money) at the time, I sold it.
Same old sob story.

 

[Fiv3r]

Well as always, THR enables me again

I had a bit of fun money, and I was planning on picking up something impractical ar one of the LGS. Maybe a mini revolver or something exotic that wouldn't break the bank, etc.

However, sitting in the used section was a LNIB Springfield Range Officer of the Compact variety. 4" barrel, Officer grip length. 8+1. Came with all the SA goodies (minimalist holster, double mag pouch, 3 or 4 replacement fiber optics, cleaning brush, keys for the gun lock, hard case, etc).

I have been looking at a lightweight 1911 for carry when I can pack more than an lcp but don't need a duty size SIG or revolver.

This little darlin' gives me the sight radius of a Commander with the packable silhouette of an Officer. The aluminum frame and lightweight ammo make it very comfy on the hip in a Venom OWB slider holster.

Taking it down is a bit of chore. The captivate spring and bushingless bull barrel mean that you need to use a small spacer to snap on the guide rod to field strip it. Likewise, getting the link to line up takes a bit of wiggling and shaking. Certainly not SIG P320 easy and a touch more difficult than a full size GO.

However, I don't even know if this gun was fired more than a few times. There doesn't appear to be any wear between the steel and aluminum. About the only thing that might be home spun is it looks like a hastily feed ramp polish was done, but I don't think it will come into play.

About the only bummer for me was that the guy removes the nice slim wood grips and replaced them with finger groove rubber grips....yuck.

But for $520 I'm not going to complain!

 

[Kingcreek]

About the only bummer for me was that the guy removes the nice slim wood grips and replaced them with finger groove rubber grips....yuck.
But for $520 I'm not going to complain!

Great bargain! for that kind of deal you can replace the grips with something really nice and pick up a couple extra mags. (MSRP on that is $899.)

 

[Fiv3r]

Great bargain! for that kind of deal you can replace the grips with something really nice and pick up a couple extra mags. (MSRP on that is $899.)

I know! I'm actually wondering just WHY it was so discounted. Looks like it was about $599 and knocked down to $549. I'm wondering if the whole combination of it being a shorter grip with a slightly longer barrel and chambered in 9mm makes it more of a niche gun?

I bought some ammo along with a holster and my total came to $602 and some change, but I only brought 6 bills with me. I joked with the guy about running $2 on my credit card and he just knocked off a bit more on the gun. I actually got enough change back to buy lunch at Burger King

I'm not 100% sure it's been fired more than a few times. I doesn't have much if any holster wear, no bright wearing on the rails where the steel wore off the finish, no idiot scratch. About the only thing I have found wrong with the gun is that if I chamber the first round then drop the magazine to top it off, it seems that the first cartridge's rim must be dragging the one below it forward. If I drop the mag, it sticks. When I pull it out, the second round pops free and tumbles out the mag well

I dunno if its a mag issue or an extractor issue or a break in issue. I haven't shot it yet, so who know how it will behave. It cycles them manually just fine. I'm hoping to run a couple hundred rounds through her tomorrow. HOPEFULLY, she turns out to be a good deal All I have is 115 gr. I might pick up a box of 147 and see if that helps.

 

[TN Outlaw]

I have a RIA Tactical full size in 9mm. I love that gun. Its a pussy cat to shoot and its my most accurate centerfire pistol. And with some cheap Fed bulk to boot. Not sure if i just got lucky or they all shoot this good but i have guns worth double or more that cant hang with it. Plus its just fun!

I like the idea of those SA RO's and how small and light weight they are. I bet they are a nice mix of small and light for CC and enough gun to shoot well. Also in 9mm they are cheap to practice with too.