Range report Springfield Range Officer Elite Champion 9mm

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Bartojc

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i posted a thread a little bit ago that I was looking for a 1911 in 9mm and preferred the "commander" or 4.25" barrel size. After looking for a number of weeks I made a decision a week ago and picked up the Springfiled Range Officer Elite in the Champion sized 9mm. Supposedly the elite part gets you a better trigger, match grade bull barrel, and some special black finish over the regular Range Officer.

I had never shot a 1911 before today so I have nothing to compare it to. I own two other 9mm pistols so I can compare to those even though they are drastically different. They are a Ruger SR9c and a Smith and Wesson Shield.

Ammo used were my reloads of Berrys 115gr plated over w231. It's a mild load and my first concern was if it was enough to cycle the 1911. I had read horror story after horror story about finicky 1911's and plenty of warnings from purists saying the 9mm won't work just get a .45. I loaded up the 2 mags and tempted fate anyhow. To my delight everything cycled properly for both mags. Loaded up again and gave it another run. Perfect. HMmmm I like this. Tried some more, and then switched to the other pistols for comparison and back to the Springfield for some drills, etc.

All in all I shot about 130 rounds through it and not one fault right from the start. It fed properly, ejected properly, and locked open when empty just like it is supposed to. Recoil compared to my other two is very light. I know 9mm is not heavy recoiling to start with but in a 1911 it is really nice. When switching between pistols is when you really notice it. Almost like shooting a rim fire, but not quite :).

Accuracy was good. I don't have any pictures but at 7-10 yards I easily shot it as well as I did my other pistols that I have had for a number of years. I suspect it is quite a bit more accurate, and with almost no recoil very easy to shoot. At 25 yards it was definitely more accurate. Standard 2 dot rear sights and a red fiber optic front. The red front shows up nice, and they give you extra rods if you want to change color. My cynical mind says they must figure they'll fall out so they give you spares :)

The trigger is what Springfield refers to as their Gen 2 trigger. No idea what that means vs their standard but it is a nice trigger pull. Not a lot of creep and breaks like glass every time.

Break down of the pistol is fairly easy. There is no barrel spacer as this model has a bull barrel. Take down is a little different and requires a supplied "tool" be inserted to keep the recoil spring compressed for disassembly. Other than that I figured it out and was able to reassemble in short order.

The finish is black. It is not blued but some coating of some sort. Looks good, I'm not to picky on shine or looks as long as it protects from corrosion I'll be happy.

All in all I am really happy with my purchase. It was my first 1911 and my first Springfield. To me there seems to be value to this at $900 in comparison to other Colts, Rugers, Dan Wesson, Kimber, etc.

If anyone is looking at this model and especially in 9mm I think you would be pleased with a purchase. I shoot weekly so I should be running up the round count quickly as it is now my new favorite shooter :)

Jeff
 
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Nice write up, thanks!

All of my 1911's are .45's, and I like the 1911 "commander" sized 9mm's as they seem just about right in size and heft to make it a dream to shoot. Someday I will stumble upon one in a store that screams "take me home!

Stay safe!
 
Bartojc

Good range report! Glad you like your new Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite Champion in 9mm. As Riomouse911 just posted, I also like the Commander size in a 1911 as it "feels" just right in terms of it's proportions and balance. I also have a tendency to buy Commanders in .38 Super and add a 9mm. barrel assembly for a 2 Guns in 1 Convertible!

TKOQiby.jpg
 
HMmmm I like this.
:D
Sounds like it is working out well for you.
I think the more you shoot it the more you will like it.:)
Really happy with my 1911 9mm "Loaded" model Springfield.
Probably 20K+ rounds on it. Very few hiccups.

Brownells 10rnd 9mm 1911 mags work well for me and are reasonably priced.
 
Here is the link their site wasn't working right when I made the post last night.

https://www.brownells.com/magazines/handgun-magazines/magazines/1911-9mm-magazines-prod84195.aspx

With these mags my gun feeds FN, HPs and RNs fine and is not picky about the OAL.
(will feed empty case as well)

No issues with the factory mags but they are only 9 rnds.

I had issues with one aftermarket mag can't recall if it was Mec Gar or Metalform only wanted to work with 9rnds (10rnd mag). Mec Gar I think but could be mistaken.
 
as it is now my new favorite shooter
YES!!!!
9mm in a 1911 is just sweat!
My 9mm 1911 quickly became my favorite range toy.
XD is bed side. Hope to never use it but better it fell into the system than my 1911 if something was to happen.
Since I am in CA I can't have more than 10rnd mags (unless I had them before the ban) for my XD or P226 so with a 10rng mags the 1911 holds the legal limit.
Sad that the XD and P226 are strangled here.
Can't wait to retire and move to a "free" state.
 
Good write up and I found it interesting because I also have the same 2 other 9mm guns you own. The only 1911s I have shot have been full sized and in 45acp. I own a Springfield Mil-spec model. I suspect the longer sight radius compared to your other 9s helps with accuracy as well as a nice single action trigger
 
Good write up and I found it interesting because I also have the same 2 other 9mm guns you own. The only 1911s I have shot have been full sized and in 45acp. I own a Springfield Mil-spec model. I suspect the longer sight radius compared to your other 9s helps with accuracy as well as a nice single action trigger

I suspect you are correct with regards to the sight radius of the longer barrel. That and the better trigger. I've always shot the other 2 well for what they are. Just such a difference when switching between the three. The wow factor was in full effect. I would not hesitate to get another in 9mm.

-Jeff
 
Nice write up! I've been thinking about one of these for a while. I have a couple of 1911's in .45, a Ruger SR1911 Commander and Taurus PT1911 full size.

As others have stated, I really like the 1911 in commander size. It just feels right to me.

Did yours come with 4 mags and a range bag or something like that? I was thinking the Elite came with some accessories.
 
As others have stated, I really like the 1911 in commander size. It just feels right to me.

Did yours come with 4 mags and a range bag or something like that? I was thinking the Elite came with some accessories.

I really like the commander size. They now come with range bag, 2 mags, bore/barrel brush, extra fiber rods for front sight. I think there was a special when they first came out mid 2017 when they shipped with 4 mags, holster, and some other stuff. The range bag is nice enough, but I don't need it. I would have traded it for another mag or two.

-Jeff
 
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The Brownells have the spaces in back so they look like the Metalform in Walkalong's pictures.
Except coated with some kind of black "slippery" stuff. (Xylan)

My "Loaded" model came with 2 9 round mags, holster and a 2 mag holder.(oh cleaning brush)
Holster is really not bad still use it. Mag pouch is nice.
 
I have the 5” Range Officer and the 4” Champion and absolutely love both of them. Incredibly accurate and soft shooting, definitely more fun to shoot than everything else I own.
 
Ordered one of the "Brownells" mags. I'll compare it in person to the Checkmate I have.

$4 shipping and $1 to the NRA.
 
Oh yea.

Colt Series 80 .38 Super with a 9MM barrel. Too much fun for one person.
Colt Series 80 .38 Super With Storm Lake 9MM Barrel Pic 2.JPG

Came with Nighthawk grips on it. Leupold/Gilmore sight crapped out.
Colt Series 80 .38 Super Pic 3 @ 85%.JPG
 
Thanks for the write up. I recently traded for a Compact RO Elite 9mm. It did come with the range bag, 4 mags, holsters, etc. A nice, complete setup. A fine gun that exudes quality. The short grip can bother my hand after so many mags, but otherwise an excellent performer. Enjoy yours.

Springfield_RO_compact_Elite.png
 
The Brownell's 9MM 1911 mag came Friday. I have not yet had the chance to try it but it is identical to the Metalform Mag I have except for the Logo. I expect it to perform just as well as the Metalform did in my previous test.

Checkmate and Brownells Mag Comparison Pic 1.JPG Checkmate and Brownells Mag Comparison Pic 2 @ 52%.JPG
 
CDNN had those exact same 10rnd metalform mags on sale for $14.99 recently. I bought 8 of them and they work well. If they go on sale again I'll probably buy some more. They were branded as Zenith and they have made in USA stamped on them. Finally a pistol mag that's not stupidly overpriced!
 
Another note.

The Wilson mag I tested in the other thread has a spacer in the back of the mag like the Metalform but it looks like hard plastic instead of metal. The feed lips are very, very, similar, but release the round a hair later. The Wilson follower appears to be identical to the Metalform and Brownells.
 
Good stuff guys thanks !! Still looking for some 10 rounders. No one carries mags for 9mm locally. I'll just have to remember to order some when I'm ordering ordering something else.

-Jeff
 
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