Springfield Range Officer Help my Fiancee like it

[MagnumDweeb]

My fiancee has happily turned out to like shooting a great deal. Better yet she's a fan of 1911s. I don't own any at this time and wouldn't like get one for a couple of months because of a whole slew of things in the air, the money is coming, just not yet. This gun is meant to be her engagement gift, a $400 ring(her pic, I refuse to buy diamonds because of my views about the diamond trade) and a $1000 1911.

Originally she wanted a Kimber 1911 CDP because it was duo-tone and it looked pretty. She saw one for the first time at a gun show and a kind older gentleman told how they are great guns. I know that Kimber tends to put out a great product but my biggest problem is that I thought the gun was aluminum/alloy and had "issues" requiring the gun to have most of its guts replaced.

Now I get that most 1911 officianados want to get the most out of their 1911s so replacing the guts with parts from companies like Cylinder-and-Slide, Ed Brown, and Wilson makes sense. But that's another quick $1000 I figure when you get done and a some fellow highroaders said you have to have the right magazines or the frame will get beat up when dealing with the Kimber CDP.

Now I like everything about the Springfield Range Officer. It's had great reviews. It's no thrills, adjustable sights, and a good target shooter which is the role this gun will primarily have for my fiancee, just a fun take to the range once or twice a month gun. She wants a good gun that says she's serious about target shooting....So I want to turn her on to this gun if I can. Mind you I'm paying. If she is really and truly hung up on the duo-tone color I figure I could send off the slide to a company to have it hard-chromed like the gun on this gunbroker auction (it's a Sig and I would consider this one as well but they don't say on the website if it's alloy or steel) http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=245149446.

With some different grips the gun would fairly similar I think if it's a looks issue she's hung up on. Also Springfield has good customer service from what I understand and the gun is fairly normal as far as 1911s go so competent gunsmiths could fix any big issues short of the frame or slide cracking.

So guys, any help would be appreciated. Especially from any owners. Kimber owners would be welcomed to chime in too if I'm looking at it the wrong way. I just want to get my fiancee something she can enjoy for years to come. Not a lemon that's going to become a money pit.

 

[doc2rn]

Kimber snake guns are great pieces of equipment. I have tried several of my friends, but some can only shoot long slides worth a hoot. It would behoove you to know if she is a short or long slide kind of gal before settling on a model. I shoot short slide better but like the feel of long slide, probably the reason I dont own one yet.

 

[InkEd]

Any offering above the GI model from Springfield Armory should be more than enought gun to make most shooters very happy.

 

[CraigC]

I'm tickled with my Range Officer. Not only is it a tight and accurate shooter but it looks good too! I changed the grips to antique paper micarta from JP Grips, added an Ed Brown mainspring housing/magwell and switched to an Ed Brown full length guide rod.



I like the two-tone look too but prefer a black slide and silver frame. If you have either the grip frame or slide of the Range Officer plated, whoever does the job will need the whole pistol to check for fitment. Which will cost a lot more in shipping. They are very tightly fitted from the factory.

 

[Nushif]

Sorry. 8)

I firmly believe in letting people get what they want. Meaning if the Kimber turns out as a lemon ... It should be her lemon to get. She is a shooter unto herself and as such she needs to make her own mistakes, achieve her own successes and ultimately buy her own guns.

When The wife started shooting that is what I did. I went with her to the gun store ... So I could look at toys for myself. But I had no part in shaping my wife's tastes and oddly enough she turned out as having excellent taste.

What I am trying to tell you is this: Hands off. I will have no part in making any fellow shooter like anything. 8) Why would I deprive them of either the agonies or extasies of shooting?

 

[JTQ]

I'm not a fan of adjustable sights on 1911's. It really limits your options if you decide you just don't like them and they have a reputation for being more fragile than fixed sights. However, for your needs they may be just the right thing.

You, or your girlfriend, may like the Colt Combat Elite. Solid parts throughout, two tone, fixed sights, all steel, and within your price window.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtCombatElite.aspx

Aluminum frames are not a problem, just avoid magazines using the "Devel" style follower, usually found on Chip McCormick mags, though McCormick now offers the PowerPlus mags with a new follower designed to not damage aluminum frames.

Ultimately, I agree with Nushif, let her pick the pistol she wants. Chances are good you won't need to replace a single part and it will work great.

 

[orionengnr]

but my biggest problem is that I thought the gun was aluminum/alloy and had "issues" requiring the gun to have most of its guts replaced.

Yes, the frame is aluminum alloy. I have owned a bunch of them (and have four currently). If you are going to put 100,000 rounds through it, a steel frame is more durable. If you are going to actually carry it, an alloy frame has a lot going for it.

BTW, let's consider the cost of 100,000 rounds of ammo... $20 per 50 and occasionally $30 per 100. That would be $300 per thousand or $30,000 for 100,000 rounds. Kind of puts a $1000 1911 into perspective, doesn't it?

As far as anything "requiring" replacing any internal parts...um, no. Do some research on MIM parts. Some people have a philosophical objection to MIM. I can accept that, although I don't understand it. I have read of a few failures (out of hundreds of thousands of guns), but have never actually seen one...and none of mine have ever given the slightest trouble.

My advice is, if she likes the Kimber, buy it for her. If you have a woman who likes 1911s, you are a good bit ahead of most posters here.

 

[rogerjames]

As far as anything "requiring" replacing any internal parts...um, no. Do some research on MIM parts. Some people have a philosophical objection to MIM. I can accept that, although I don't understand it. I have read of a few failures (out of hundreds of thousands of guns), but have never actually seen one...and none of mine have ever given the slightest trouble.

Orion,
You may no better than me... but I've read that MIM parts will not hold a polish well. So an action job performed on MIM components will not be as effective or as long lasting. Have you read this as well?

 

[Zerodefect]

I have a CDP II.

Yes the trigger parts won't hold up as long as better parts. So what! Who cares? When they get old replace them with top shelf Wilson hammer, sear, and disco. Not really expensive, and excellent parts. Skip the lowend Wilson parts. Ed Brown is fine as well. Whatever your favorite smith preferes is fine.

The CDP needs Wilson or Tripp mags. The stock mags will chew up the frame.

My CDP needed a Wolff recoil spring and Tripp mags before it was reliable. The gun did smooth out after 1500 rounds.

I replaced the MSH with an Ed Brown part and sanded the frame corners to match.

Springy parts are no better. If you want good parts the cheapest guns to have them are the DW's and LB's.