First 1911, I've taken the plunge with a Range Officer

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Dnaltrop

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When the wife says " you should go buy a new gun, It's been too long" one does not hem and haw, one says thank you, and takes her with him. When she suggests that I've been considering a 1911 for a long time and I'd probably enjoy one, I took her advice. (it was this or a .480/.460 revolver)

Spent yesterday combing the local stores in my price range, found a used Ruger 1911, but unfortunately someone scooped it before I came back for it today. A Kimber felt good, but as someone with "less than stellar luck", for my very first one, I wanted a warranty that lasted for more than a year. No appropriate RIA's caught my eye. (Missed the .22 TCM by a few days). Stores are fairly cleaned out around here right now.

Would have preferred US made, but the Range Officer felt fairly good in the hand, both to myself and the Missus ( who actually suggested she may steal it for her CCW if we change the rear sight out for Fixed) Nothing against South American guns, but most of my experience comes from Bersa in that vein, with a few hit or miss Tauruses mixed in.

Will be a few days till I can hit the range and work it out, Till then I'll be fiddling with it and becoming familiar with the platform. Hopefully pick up some .45 acp dies for the press as well. I'll be collecting another Shoulder rig for this one eventually.

Any advice for the neophyte other than "don't idiot mark it!" ;) ? First time deep cleaning/lube/ Assembly tricks?

Public shaming for buying the "wrong" 1911? Let's hear it folks.
 

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Good choice. It's what I should have bought instead of a mil spec. But it didn't exist back then.

Don't get frustrated if there are minor function issues until you have several hundred rounds downrange. It's a bummer sometimes but it happens sometimes with 1911s. One day they just start working right.

Lube goes on the rails, barrel locking lugs, where the barrel and bushing rub together, and anywhere you see the parkerizing wear from shooting. Park also likes to have a light coat of oil or CLP or whatever you like best. Thumb safety can be sticky at first and might need you to cycle it on and off a few hundred times while watching tv and it will become nice and smooth.

Shoot it a lot.

Also get a .22 upper for it for cheaper practice if you don't reload.

Enjoy!

J.
 
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Public shaming for buying the "wrong" 1911? Let's hear it folks.
Click to expand...

Absolutely not! You picked a nice one! Those have a reputation for being shooters, and I would expect nothing less from yours. My only suggestion.... get ready to have to find a new one for yourself, the Mrs. will get that one, that's a given ;)
 
you found a used ruger 1911 and were able to walk away for a day!?!? impressive! i would have had my wallet out so fast it would be smoldering from air friction! lol

seriously though, you made a good choice. let us know how she shoots.

BTW: good luck keeping that one away from your wife! looks like you maybe should have bought two...
 
Shaming, ***? To heck with them, that's a nice pistol! Let us know how she shoots.
 
The scouting trips were myself and the 3 year old, and she was trying to climb the glass cases every time I put her down. I should have toughed it out and bought it on the spot.

Oh well, maybe I'll find the Commander Ruger when the wife decides that the Springfield is "hers" now.
 
I bought my Range Officer in March 2012 I have approximately 1500 rounds through it. I added a little additional extractor tension at 200 rounds after a few stovepipes, it's run like a champ since :)

Harrison Design makes a fixed rear sight for the LPA cut if you decide to go that way.

Enjoy!
 
Excellent choice. I personally think the Range Officer is one of, if not THE best buy in the sub-$1200 1911 market right now.

+1 on the Harrison rear sight, if you decide you want a fixed sight.
 
Nothing wrong with that choice at all. I prefer to keep mine pretty well lubed when breaking them in but everyone has their own method. If you haven't had a SA 1911 before, at first it may be a little disconcerting with the short trigger reset but give it a thousand rounds before making a judgement, it WILL grow on you. Good Luck.
 
So your wife suggested you needed a new pistol, very specifically a 1911, and then hinted she might borrow it more or less full time?

You do realize she just hornswaggled you into buying her a new carry gun, without the "guilt " of asking you to spend money on her? :p I bet she talks you into allowing yourself dessert at the restaurant and eats 2/3 of it herself, too. (mine does).

I forsee another 1911 in your near future. :D
 
You bought a nice shooter. Nice thing about adjustable sights is you can zero them in for your handloads at the distance you want to shoot from. Enjoy! :)
 
Hope it shoots as great as some are saying it will for ya!
 
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Congratulations on the RO. I looked for one for several months, and finally located one at my regular LGS. This one was used, but unfired, and it came in on a trade for a "plastic fantastic". I remedied the unfired condition that day, and it's a dream to shoot. I got mine for $700, and change, out the door. It has the box, holster, mag holder, etc.

This is my second Springer. I've got a Model 1911-A1, nickel finished, in .38 Super. It's another that's a dream to shoot.
 
Was going to drop the 3 year old off with grandma, finally test it out/break it in, car started having loss of power issues.

Mechanic found ONE fouled spark plug, was taking it out for a solo test drive.

Got T-boned by a Jeep. Runs great though! Mechanic's insurance/Jeep owner paying for the repair and a rental assuming it's not a total loss.

Range report eventually, just not today.:banghead:
 
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