Bunch of my friends get together at my range every year to shoot, for a few days. This year they surprised me with a gift. I only owned one ,15 yrs ago, and I need some input ,on what the heck accessories, such as better sights, grips, or anything I can do to it. I want to jazz it up. Suggestions ? First shot ,with no cleaning or sight adjustments, was dead center bullseye, and next 5 shots were touching, at about 25 yds. Now ask me if I love this thing. Jim
Nice pistol. Looks like a Range Officer which is made for Single Stack competition right out of the box. You could get a Smith and Alexander mag well, some Wilson Combat Elite 8 shot magazines, a Blade Tech holster and some mag pouches, a large fiber-optic front sight and just go shoot USPSA with it and do well. I put Wilson Shok-Buff kits in mine too (full length guide rod and buffer). It should have a "NM" as the first two numbers of the serial number which means it's made to national match specs. It's a solid 1911.
You can't do much better for a great 1911 straight out of the box!! The only thing I had to do was put a colored sight on it! The Black on Black sights with my old eyes I couldn't pick them up at all. Other than that YOU WILL LOVE that gun. What an awesome shooter it is and so smooth and accurate you just won't want to quit shooting it!! WELL DONE MR. JIM!!! Oh...I put some VZ grips on mine, I just like the ALL Black look...my palms are real sweaty too and the G10 is ULTRA grippy so it works great for me! The sights are Harrisons
Thanks guys, Im not up on 1911s , but I got a feeling, I will be. It does have the "NM" prefix. I am assuming thats a good thing. Will the Wilson Combat 8 rnd mags fit right in the stock magwell? What fiberoptic front sights work best, on the 1911. Ive used many different brands on other guns. HiViz, Williams,..etc. The black on black is harder to pickup for me, although with them ,It scared me with how accurate it is. Jim
I had a stainless version of that model and really loved it. Too bad I had to sell it to pay bills. Someday I'd like to buy it back.
The Wilson mags will fit the stock gun and there are no better mags for reliability. Go to Dawson or Brownell's to get a sight. The larger fiber-optics are easy to see. My friend Fred just got one put on his Range Officer and loves it. You may want a gunsmith to do the sights though. It's very accurate and will stay that way for a very long time.
Thanks mgardner, I found the height is .180 on the original front sight height. I think I may keep the square ,black rear. I have changed quite a few sites, but if I have problems, then a gunsmith. I hope I dont have trouble with the pin removal. Fitting the dovetail is a little work sometimes. Whats your opinion on Mike McCormick mags. They have good reviews, but I also seen good reviews on Wilson, Midway has the MM on sale now. HIVIZ sights are good on some of my guns, so thats what Im looking at. Jim
Most of us shoot black rear/front red fiber-optic sights. The Wilson mags are never on sale for a good reason. Some guns don't do as well with the McCormick mags but Wilson have a reputation for working in any 1911.
Yep, thats what I like also, red front, black rear. Ill take your advice, and go with the wilson mags also. thanks Jim
That's a pretty pistol! I don't care for all the glamour stuff some folks do to their guns. I find plain firearms attractive.
Jim when you said ... "Bunch of my friends get together at my range every year to shoot, for a few days. This year they surprised me with a gift." I wanted to pack my bags and move to your neck of the woods! Those are indeed FRIENDS one keeps for a lifetime! Congratulations! Sweet piece! Senile Old Don
I've been itching for a 1911 for a long time. I was at my local gun dealer the other day and they had a special on the Range Officer. I came here to post pictures and get advice since this is my first 1911. But, thanks to phideaux for this post. The picture he posted is identical to what I just bought. I've been reading and absorbing all the advice. Thanks everyone. Right out of the box, I'm thinking about the red front, black rear sights setup.
Nice 1911, I just put new springfield US grips on my 1911, it had the plane double diamond one's from 1990. Also bought a new RIA 1911, for $450.
My very first is a Springfield Loaded 1911-A1 .45APC and done a couple minor changes. I've installed Hogue wrap-around rubber grip, Wilson Combat shock-buff recoil buffer and Wilson Combat extended slide release. Going to keep the trillium 3 dot fixed sights on it.....enjoy your piece Jim and let us know what you end up doing with it.
