August 16th, 2020
7minute read
Im lookin for a word here and cant find it.
A word for something punching your happy button and at the same time frustrating the livin kapok outta you?
No, wife isnt it, joker.
Bittersweet comes kinda close, but that implies more bitter than sweet, doesnt it?
And sweetbitter is stupid.
I might have to make one up.
Maybe, umm… Switterbeet?
Gotta think on it some more.
For me, thats Springfield Armorys Range Officer 9mm.
Beautifully built, sweet-shootin, prime for punchin pretty cloverleaves in paper but.
I could cover my group with my open hand.
Then one of the clubs dedicated Bullseye shooters saunters up.
Hey, izzat the new RO nine?
he asks, and CannIshootitCanniIshootit CanniIshootit pleasePLEASE?
I handed him the pistol and a mag.
He snaps into a perfectly locked Bullseye stance like a robot.
You could balance a carpenters level on his extended arm.
I could almost hear his left eye click shut and his right peeper whirr into fine-focus.
like hes got an atomic timer implant.
A fat babys fist could cover it.
Gotta get one!
Sights need adjusting though.
Could come right a click or two.
I did okay there, but felt like I was puttin training wheels on a racing bike.
The thick, heavy barrel thicker because its sized to occupy the same space as a .45-bore is match-grade.
The extra weight, which lies forward of the triggerguard, also complements accuracy.
The integral ramp assures smoother, more reliable feeding.
The barrel bushing is also match-grade and hand-fitted.
The slide-to-frame mating is snug and smooth throughout its travel with no detectable tighter or looser areas.
The ejection port is enlarged and beveled.
Spring-loaded detents keep your options in place.
A pronounced memory bump assures disengagement.
The match-grade long aluminum trigger contains no artificial sweeteners; just pure sugar.
Reset is short, positive, tactile and audible.
The flat mainspring housing is fine-checkered, and the magazine well isnt flared but nicely beveled.
Two stainless steel 9-round mags are supplied, and ours locked up and dropped free consistently.
Cocobolo grip panels are very nicely checkered and feature the Springfield crossed cannons design.
They feel secure in the hand and look handsome against the flat non-reflective finish.
Theyre set up for right-handed shooters, a condition which can be remedied for lefties.
Theres no fine checkering on the front strap or press-check grooves on the front end.
The slide and frame are forged carbon steel rather than stainless, and Parkerized rather than highly polished.
The only place youll find a high state of polish is inside, where it really counts.
All of thats okay with me, and odds are its just fine for you too.
Well, better than I can hold it, anyway.
Does It Shoot?
He put a mag-load through it and turned with a big goofy grin on his mug.
he blurted, This shoots like a squirt-gun!
That about sums it up.
HAP, and Winchester Target 147-gr.
Average group overall for both loads was about 2.2, with a best group from the Winchester 147-gr.
For function, action and snap-shooting drills I ran everything from Sellier & Bellot 115-gr.
FMJ through Hornadys superb 135-gr.
Critical Duty FlexLock to Federals hard-hitting 147-gr.
That was not the case.
She was sure and solid in the hand and quick doubles stayed tight.
Consider this: Train on a 1911s mechanical systems and others will seem like a piece of cake.
The Range Officer is aptly named, all right.
Go to forum thread
