I have been looking for a 4" 1911 for a while. I have had these in the past, didn't feel they were as reliable as my 5" 1911s and so moved away from them. I recently got the bug again for a 4"1911 primarily because they are lighter and easier to carry.
I ended up getting a Springfield Range Officer Champion today in 45 ACP. Overall I liked it better than Kimbers in the same price range. It has an alloy frame, 4" bushingless bull barrel, fiberoptic front sight, and single sided safety. The only thing it doesn't have that I wish it had is checkered front strap, but thats not really a big deal.
I took it to the range immediately. I didn't break it down or oil because rain was heading my way and I didn't have too much time.
I was shooting at 50'. Reliability was 100% with S&B 230g FMJ, WWB 230g FMJ, Winchester Ranger-T 230g JHPs and my handloads (230g FMJ over Win 231, don't recall the grains of powder off top of my head). Absolutely 100%. No problems of any kind. I didn't mess with the cheap looking Sprinfield magazines it came with, just used my usual Wilson 47Ds. I couldn't make the dang thing jam, even trying to limp wrist. Round count today was about 250.
As for accuracy, I got 4-5 inch groups at 50', shooting offhand, and it shot slightly left of point of aim. I can fix this easily with a minor adjustment of the rear sight.
I just took it home, cleaned it, lubed it up, and think I may go ahead and put it into service, though I think 250 rounds is a little low on round count to be totally convinced yet.
Overall, very good start with this gun!
I ended up getting a Springfield Range Officer Champion today in 45 ACP. Overall I liked it better than Kimbers in the same price range. It has an alloy frame, 4" bushingless bull barrel, fiberoptic front sight, and single sided safety. The only thing it doesn't have that I wish it had is checkered front strap, but thats not really a big deal.
I took it to the range immediately. I didn't break it down or oil because rain was heading my way and I didn't have too much time.
I was shooting at 50'. Reliability was 100% with S&B 230g FMJ, WWB 230g FMJ, Winchester Ranger-T 230g JHPs and my handloads (230g FMJ over Win 231, don't recall the grains of powder off top of my head). Absolutely 100%. No problems of any kind. I didn't mess with the cheap looking Sprinfield magazines it came with, just used my usual Wilson 47Ds. I couldn't make the dang thing jam, even trying to limp wrist. Round count today was about 250.
As for accuracy, I got 4-5 inch groups at 50', shooting offhand, and it shot slightly left of point of aim. I can fix this easily with a minor adjustment of the rear sight.
I just took it home, cleaned it, lubed it up, and think I may go ahead and put it into service, though I think 250 rounds is a little low on round count to be totally convinced yet.
Overall, very good start with this gun!