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
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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