looking for 1911 in 9mm

Springfield Armory for Me

I've had a Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact in 9mm for a few days. Haven't shot it yet, but I can say the fit and fit and finish are very nice. I like the fact it comes with an Officers frame and 4 inch barrel. It carries nicely in the AIWB, the carry I prefer.
 
Another vote for the Springfield 1911 Range Officer 9mm. I bought mine just after they came on the market. Spent $50 getting a local gunsmith to smooth out my trigger. I'm really picky about triggers. For less than $800, I have a superb range gun, or whatever you choose to do with it.

1911's were not on my radar when I got back into shooting. My experience with them came from childhood and during military service. I didn't find them appealing at all.

My LGS owner recommended the Range Officer. I have several 1911's now, really like them a lot, both .45 and 9mm.

My Range Officer shoots as good as my STI. That's saying a lot. It also looks good!

Try it, you may like it.
 
gb, I have experience with 9MM Colts, Springfields, Dan Wessons, Kimbers and and one STI Trojan. More than one of each, except for the Trojan. My new Springfield Loaded was not SA's best effort and I would not be interested in acquiring another. The SA Range Officers I've handled seemed like better guns to me. Better fit of barrel/slide/frame,trigger quality, etc. The STI Trojan and Dan Wesson PM9s were very good guns, but likely over 1K unless found used. Still have one of the PM9s. I like the Colts, but they required a bit of tuning to achieve reliable function with the different bullet types.

In that 1K range I have to mention the much maligned Kimbers. I've had three Kimber Target IIs in 9MM over a period of about 15 years. Each was reliable and trouble free from day one. The accuracy edge would go to the STI and Dan Wessons, but the Kimbers were certainly close, and the price is right...ymmv
 
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I'm also a fan of the Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact 9mm. Like Willieboy I like the 4" barrel and short Officer's frame that's great for concealment but holds one less round.

The Range Officer Champion 9mm is exactly the same as the Compact except it has a full length grip. Both have lightweight alloy frames.

I was torn between the two models before choosing the Compact since you can use standard 9mm magazines in the Compact to gain back that extra round and you can even put on a magazine sleeve to have a longer grip. Like they say, it's easier to make a small gun bigger than a big gun smaller.
 
Eek... It's sounding like I'm not going to be that impressed with the SA Loaded Target. I have some very accurate handguns with some excellent triggers including a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special, an STI Edge, and a Sig P210. Maybe I can have that tuned and tinkered with. I do like the 1911 platform.
 
Eek... It's sounding like I'm not going to be that impressed with the SA Loaded Target. I have some very accurate handguns with some excellent triggers including a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special, an STI Edge, and a Sig P210. Maybe I can have that tuned and tinkered with. I do like the 1911 platform
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If you have a Sig P210 i really don't think a Springfield will impress you, unless Rob Leatham is shooting it!
 
stephen426,
How is the slide to frame fit on the SA Loaded 9mm?
When I was shopping for a 1911 9mm several years ago, the SA 1911 9mm Loaded models (5-6 pistols at different stores) I held had loose slide to frame fit. The SA RO that I have held recently (2 pistols, so far) seem to have tighter fit than the Loaded of the past. I am wondering if the new ones are better fit.
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I picked a Kimber Custom II Target over the SA loaded. It was later followed with an STI Trojan which seems to shoot slightly better and feels smoother than the Kimber. I do not know how old my Kimber is now - maybe 10 years old.

thanks.
 
@Pilpens,
I have been traveling so I have not picked up the gun yet. I will try and do so tomorrow. I'll let you know. I got a fair price on it so there is always the possibility of either having it tuned or maybe even flip it for little to no loss.

@JJBerg,
I actually have 3 Sig P210, but I've only shot one of them. ;-) I bought the 50th Anniversary Edition first, but could not bring myself to shoot it as it is brand new in box. I bought a used one which I shoot. Then I just picked up the new version in silver and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. ;-)
 
My Springer Loaded Stainless 9mm was manufactured in probably 2010. It is an N-prefix and the slide to frame fit is nothing tight nor impressive. There is nothing "shoddy" about it, mind you, but it is very average.

As shipped, the trigger was very much below average. Functional and safe for sure, absolutely useable, but gritty, creepy and heavy. It would offend a trigger snob.

At the same time, I had an NM-prefix Springer Loaded .45, purchased a bit less than a year before. The two pistols were not identical twins, but VERY close. Owning both of these was a VIVID demonstration of the difference between an NM and N-prefix Springfield 1911.

With eyes & no hands, they appeared to be two of the same gun. Hands-on and blindfolded? You'd be shocked.

To be clear though...
I sold the .45 and kept the 9mm. Just a small handful of years ago... options for a decent 9mm chambered 1911 were very few. With some trigger work (and about 2,500rds I put thru it!), I have really gotten to like it and have no regrets about splitting up these "twins."
 
@JJBerg,
I actually have 3 Sig P210, but I've only shot one of them. ;-) I bought the 50th Anniversary Edition first, but could not bring myself to shoot it as it is brand new in box. I bought a used one which I shoot. Then I just picked up the new version in silver and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. ;-)
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As I sit here eating my heart out (LOL) I have never said this before to anyone, but with three Sig P210's, you really don't need another 9mm!
 
So I finally picked up my Springfield Loaded 1911 in 9mm today. The prefix on the serial number is NM. The gun seemed nice and solid with no discernible play in the slide to frame. The overall finish of the gun looked nice, but the edge of the slide was pretty darn sharp (should be sharp enough to cut myself on if I pressed hard enough and slid my finger along the edge). I called Springfield about it and they told me to call the Custom Shop about a beveling job. That to me is plain crap, as this gun is one of their higher end models. I will take the slide off and consider using a very fine file to take the edge off. The trigger wasn't bad at all, even to a "trigger snob ;)" such as myself. The gun is pretty hefty as it is all stainless. There will probably be very little recoil on it, but the heavy slide may take some getting used to. I will take this to the range when I get a chance and report back to you guys.

@ JDBerg,
I have only shot the used P210 so I really don't know how the P210 Legend shoots. I like the larger beaver tail and the thumb mag release a lot better than the original which pinched the web of my hand and has the heel release. I am considering sitting on the P210 Legend since prices have gone through the roof. I did not buy it as in investment, but if the value goes high enough, I just may be tempted to sell it. I also have a P7M8 that I bought a few years back before prices went crazy.
 
So I finally picked up my Springfield Loaded 1911 in 9mm today. The prefix on the serial number is NM. The gun seemed nice and solid with no discernible play in the slide to frame. The overall finish of the gun looked nice, but the edge of the slide was pretty darn sharp (should be sharp enough to cut myself on if I pressed hard enough and slid my finger along the edge). I called Springfield about it and they told me to call the Custom Shop about a beveling job. That to me is plain crap, as this gun is one of their higher end models. I will take the slide off and consider using a very fine file to take the edge off. The trigger wasn't bad at all, even to a "trigger snob " such as myself. The gun is pretty hefty as it is all stainless. There will probably be very little recoil on it, but the heavy slide may take some getting used to. I will take this to the range when I get a chance and report back to you guys.
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I had one of these, traded it to get my STI Trojan 9mm. The Springfield is a great gun, I always liked shooting a 9mm 1911. There is no excuse for the response you got on the sharp edge on the slide, although It would be easy enough to dress that up with a file.

I don't know what magazines Springfield is giving you these days, the ones I got with mine stayed in the case. I'd spend a few $ and get either the Wilson Elite Tactical Magazines, which I have, or the Tripp Cobra Mags. Both the Springfield and the STI Trojan seemed to like the 147 grain Fed AE and Winchester "T" loads, both guns tended to shoot lighter 9mm ammo low.
 
Nice choice, though I wouldn't complain about the sharp edges nor the response you got from Springfield, they won't warranty something that is the way it's supposed to be. 1911s traditionally have straight, sharp edges and serrations, and crisp lines, Colts are the same way. Unless, you buy a gun designed or marketed for concealed or duty carry, or advertised as having a carry bevel or melt job or something similar, sharp edges are the norm. I've had some you could practically shave with.
 
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So I finally had the time to take my Springfield Loaded 1911 in 9mm to the range. I have been traveling a bit for work so I had to wait almost 2 months to play with my new toy. I have to admit that I am not disappointed with this gun, despite shooting it side by side with my Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. The sights were off by just a little, but 2 clicks later, it was dead on target. The trigger was nice and crisp and the action seemed very smooth. The spring on the gun seemed super light, but with a heavy stainless slide, I guess it didn't need much to handle the 9mm. Recoil with this heavy gun is practically non-existent, making it a great gun for IPSC or PPC type competitions. The other guy I brought to the range really liked it as well. The groups from this gun using factory S&B ammo were nice and tight. I'm sure this gun is more accurate than I am. Overall, I am very pleased with this gun, especially at the price I bought it for.

If anyone is wondering, I didn't bring my new Sig P210 Legend out to play. I am waiting for a special occasion to do that... or waiting till prices go through the roof and sell it.
 
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My Springer Loaded 9mm was the first of many 1911's I had purchased. Never had any problems with it and like yourself, just a couple of clicks on the sight, and it was spot on.

I recently did a 38 Super conversion on it, and as good as it was before, it is even better now with a fitted barrel and bushing.

If anyone is considering one, better get them before they are all gone, as they are no longer being made.
 
Don't discount the Rock Island in 9mm. I got one for my wife a couple years ago and its been a shooter. We've only ever had one issue and it wasn't the gun itself, weak mag spring. I like hers enough I'm thinking about one for myself.
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After a lot of research, I'm picking up mine next week as soon as it gets to the LGS from Gallery of Guns. I spent an extra $60 to get the tactical version over the base GI. I wanted to keep my purchase under $500 and I did by less than $2. Of my current 6 handguns, the only metal ones are the 2 revolvers. I have always wanted a traditional 911.
 
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