Question about mechanical accuracy of SA Range Officer 1911.

[CPshooter]

Hi all,

Recently picked up a Range Officer 1911. My first time out with it, I was surprised to find that I was shooting my Walther PPS 9mm better even though it has a little 2-finger grip on it and a barrel almost half the length! Then when I field stripped it for cleaning, I checked the barrel-to-bushing fit as well as the bushing-to-slide fit, and the only word I can use to describe it is "loose." The bushing rotates in the slide with absolutely zero resistance and almost feels loose. It's just hard to tell because it's rotating slightly as I try to wiggle it to check how much play is there. Same with the barrel. I can't seem to find any wear marks where it makes contact with the bushing as it locks up. Several of my other pistols, including my old Baer Custom Carry show distinct wear towards the end of the barrel where it locks up with the bushing or slide. There is no evidence of a tight or "precise" fit between the barrel and bushing in this case.

I'm not super familiar with the mechanics of a 1911. This is my 2nd one and I only shot the Baer once before I sold it. I could just be paranoid and the gun could be perfectly fine. However, something tells me that the "TRP-level of attention" put into the accuracy of this gun really isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

Anyone else with a Range Officer care to comment on their experiences so far?

 

[CPshooter]

One more thing...

Towards the very end of the muzzle, almost to the crown, there appears to be some mill marks on one of the "lands" of the rifling. They are cut perpendicular to the length of the barrel and very small, but noticeable nonetheless. I don't think they are causing any of the steel to stick out past the surface of the "land." Rather, they are cut into it. So I don't think anything is rubbing the bullet as it leaves the muzzle, but I also wonder if this absence of material on the rifling land is causing the bullet to leave the barrel off-center by just a hair. Not sure how all this works.

If it was a cheap $400 GI 1911, I wouldn't care at all. However, the Range Officer is supposed to be a reasonably priced competition gun with superb accuracy right out of the box. I'm having a tough time believing it can be THAT good, considering what I've already experienced so far.

 

[Texan Scott]

I've never shot a weapon that wasn't more accurate than I am. (I.E., its inherent mechanical capacity for accuracy outstrips my ability to see, point, and hold straight.)

If you actually have a gun that shoots worse from a rest than you do offhand, something's wrong with it.

 

[CPshooter]

If you actually have a gun that shoots worse from a rest than you do offhand, something's wrong with it.

I wouldn't know this because I haven't put the gun on a rest. Hmmm.....the local range rents them out for a buck. Problem is it no longer has a rear sight on there. I took it off to replace it with a Harrison fixed rear, but right before I took a file to it I noticed a burr that was hanging into the U-notch on the sight. It slipped past QC and wasn't deburred properly. Mr. Harrison himself was up front about it and his communication could not have been better and faster. I have a new one already on the way. Just not sure if I'll have it by Saturday. If I do, I'm going to try and install it so I can hit the range on Sunday. Not even going to bother with the factory adjustable again...

 

[Coltdriver]

So get a barrel bushing and fit it and see if it improves. My stock Colt Officers was a bit on the loose side too. Not as loose as you describe but enough to benefit from a tighter bushing. I got one from egw and spent an evening fitting it. Its a fairly low cost improvement and maybe it solves your problem.

 

[CPshooter]

So get a barrel bushing and fit it and see if it improves. My stock Colt Officers was a bit on the loose side too. Not as loose as you describe but enough to benefit from a tighter bushing. I got one from egw and spent an evening fitting it. Its a fairly low cost improvement and maybe it solves your problem.

The question is, should I really have to do this on an $800 gun that is supposed to be "accurized" from the factory? I guess I should shoot it from a rest before I assume something is wrong. Just a little worried from what I've seen so far.

 

[Fremmer]

I think you need to take it out again and see how it shoots the 2nd time around. Leave the other guns at home.

 

[tipoc]

CP Shooter,

How many rounds did you actually put through this new gun? Is it brand new or a used gun?

tipoc

 

[Bovice]

When you go next time, take your 1911 and "warm up".

Shoot at 5 yards, with one mag. Shoot 10, 1 mag. Shoot 15, one mag.

That'll show you what you're capable of. I have loose and tightly fit handguns that I shoot well. It doesn't make any difference.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

Is this a new or used pistol?

If you have concerns about bushing fit and the barrel interior, call SA customer service. FWIW, my bushing was extremely difficult to remove for the first 500 rounds.

I'm getting 2" inch groups offhand, slow fire, @ 15y with RWS "match" ball and Federal HiShok 230gr HP.

 

[CPshooter]

Is this a new or used pistol?

If you have concerns about bushing fit and the barrel interior, call SA customer service. FWIW, my bushing was extremely difficult to remove for the first 500 rounds.

I'm getting 2" inch groups offhand, slow fire, @ 15y with RWS "match" ball and Federal HiShok 230gr HP.

The pistol was purchased brand new from Gander Mountain in Cary, NC. I even asked them to bring me one from the back and they did. I'm certain it was never handled other than at the factory.

I shot a few less than 100 rounds through it. Like I said, I'm trying to get back out to the range to try again, but I'm waiting on my replacement Harrison sight and I'll still need to fit it.

 

[Fremmer]

New gun jitters won't exist the 2nd time you shoot it.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I think you need to shoot it again before making any hasty decisions. While barrel bushing fit is part of the equation, also check the barrel lug fit.
And no, you shouldn't have to fit a new bushing on that gun. That said, you didn't buy a custom gun. You bought a production gun and sometimes things get overlooked.
I bought my RO when they were first introduced. I shot the first five rounds out of a brand new gun from a bench. It shot a 2 1\4'' group at 25 yards with Remington 230gr FMJ ammo.
Not singling you out but, your the first person I know of having a problem with a RO. Maybe yours was ''the one that got away''.