Weapons of Choice: Springfield Armory Range Officer

Soldier with M1 and M1911

One hundred and three years ago John M. Browning introduced a firearm that revolutionized handguns throughout the history of the world and was the standard firearm of the United States Armed Forces until recent history. The M1911 uses the same cartridge, the .45 caliber ACP (.45 ACP) that the Thompson machine gun (M1928) used, and that too is also produced today as a semi-automatic carbine. It continues to be produced in legendary numbers in different configurations with improvement on accuracy as time went on. The 9mm semi-automatic pistol has taken its place, first introduced by the Germans as a military caliber of choice, infamously used by Nazi military personnel in the 1930s and 1940s. The 9mm, like its bulkier adversary, the .45 ACP, was used in submachineguns like the MP38 and MP40, once again, used by the Nazi military personnel as a favored military assault weapon, used from 1938 to 1940. 

M1928 w/drum mag, top bolt handle

M1A1 w/side bolt handle

In 1942, the M1928 became standardized in US military and first issued in 1943, was the a new version of the Thompson called the M1A1 with improvements like moving the charging handle to the side instead of on top of the receiver and the Lyman flip-up rear sight was replaced with a fixed L sight. Improvements had been added to reinforce the M1928 stock, which the British had improvised with bolts or wood screws. With all those changes going on, the M1911 remained the standard, barely changed workhorse in semi-auto pistols.

Beretta Model 92

Today, the US military sidearm is the Beretta Model 92, 9mm double-action semi-auto that does not require that the hammer be locked back via safety because it can be fired just by pulling the trigger. Beretta, the Sig Sauer, or the popular Glock as sidearm weapons of personal defense. Indeed, a tighter grouping can be achieved more easily with a 9mm than the flying refrigerator round of the .45 ACP. Also, the 9mm has the ability to have a larger capacity with less overall weight.

M1911 field stripped

For those who never used an M1911 before, at least as a defense or conceal-carry weapon, having the trigger pulled back with safety on makes them nervous, thus they have turned to the

Springfield Armory has been producing firearms for the US military since 1977 until it closed its doors in 1968. While the original factory site is now the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, the Springfield Technical Community College still operates on the 35 acres there, continuing the legacy of technological innovation.

In 1974, the name of the Springfield Armory as a manufacturing entity for firearms was purchased and licensed to Robert Reese, who formed the Springfield Armory, Inc., a company that manufactures semi-automatic versions of the M14 rifle and still makes M1911 pistols. It has expanded since then to offer firearms that are modern sporting bolt-action rifles as well as those historical weapons aforementioned. Indeed, a modified M14 was used by US Army snipers until recent technological advancement replaced it – the M25. This is not to be confused or considered the replacement for the M24 Sniper Weapon System, which is a military version of the Remington 700 rifle.

In 1985, Springfield Armory, Inc., released the 1911-A1, copies of early 1911 firearms were produced that led to the Range Officer, RO for short, in 2010. The quality is impressive.

It has a 5-inch stainless steel match grade barrel, fully adjustable target trigger with traditional beavertail grip safety (another reason it is safe with hammer back in holster) with a lowered and flared ejection port, which prevents jams.

Range Officer Package

When purchased it comes with a blue hard carrying-travel case, an extra magazine (7 rounds), a double magazine Kydex pouch and holster. At less than $1,000, this pistol has features that more expensive firearms has, and to make it more affordable for ammunition, Springfield has offered the RO in 9mm Luger – the choice round for competition shooters. In addition, the magazine capacity is greater in the 9mm model – with less recoil, but still effective for personal defense and having the great feel of an M1911. Grouping is tight when using 9mm ammo shooting at a 10-yard target. You will be a health competitor in shooting matches right out of the box.

The trigger is adjustable with an Allen wrench and the magazines are made of stainless steel, not cheap gun metal with the proper holes.

For those who like 1911s, this might be the choice for you.

Shooting instructor and competitive shooter, Dick January 27, 2014, Gun Digest.
Jones wrote an article about this pistol in more detail –