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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hey guys new to the forum and new to the 1911 platform. I recently bought a SA mil-spec 1911 A-1 Loaded. What are the differences between my handgun and what i am reading about the "range officer", "TRP", "Commander" ( Colt?)? I have only put 100 rounds through it this far but absolutely love this gun! Full length guide rod, adjustable trigger, champfered edges, adjustable rear sight with night sights, what's not to like. Any info would be helpful as i am a sponge just soaking up as much as i can. Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Shotgun
 

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I don't know the answer to your question but whenever I wonder what one gun has over the other, I go to the manufacturer's website and pull up the specs. In a second window, I pull up the specs of the second gun and flip back and forth between the two windows and compare specs.

Sometimes the guns are very similar but the only difference is brand name. Sometimes the difference in price could be you are paying for a well known name.
 

· Sincere as a $5 funeral
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Well, your gun is a Loaded, not a Mil-Spec. Essentially, your gun is a Mil-Spec plus some upgrades. For folks like me, in California, the Loaded and Loaded-Target are the models above the plain Mil-Spec that provide the basic upgrades. Folks outside of California can purchase the Loaded guns OR the Range Officer... The Range Officer is intended to be a better basic package gun than the Mil-Spec, with some upgrades, but fewer than the Loaded.

On Springfield's website, they emphasize certain features of each gun to try to appeal to a slightly different demographic, but in my experience I find that the basic fit and finish (frame-slide-barrel) are the same - And extremely good in all cases. Folks interested in a basic gun will buy the Mil-Spec, those interested in a basic target gun will buy the RO, and those wanting something that looks a little blingy will get the Loaded.

As for extended mag button, well, and grips; Pachmayr wraparound grips offer improved gripping (they do, in fact, make your grip more consistent - They are a great product), move the balance slightly back AND offer protection from certain catastrophic failures (extremely unlikely) that would otherwise result in hand injury. Button and well are to speed magazine changes in combat type competition.

Excluding lemons, all SA guns are capable of very accurate, precise shooting out-of-the-box. That said, they can all benefit from a trigger job, DONE RIGHT, appropriate for the intended use of the gun. I have a crisp 3-pound trigger on one of my 1911's that would be foolish on a carry gun. Most people think the factory trigger on an SA is very good, but it isn't... Unfortunately there are very few folks (and apparently few gunsmiths) who know what a trigger is supposed to feel like. Send your gun to Wilson Combat for a reliability package if you are going to be defending your life with it.

And enjoy shooting your SA!
 

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From what I've read, and I could be entirely mistaken, the gun itself is pretty much the standard for all SA 1911's. The different SA models have different features such as the grips, sights, hammer, trigger style, safety etc etc. The range officer has adjustable sights and made for competition straight out of the box. The TRP has nicely machined grips, special day and night sights(I think), a nice trigger break, etc. From what I've read you're paying for bells and whistles if that sort of thing floats your boat. So basically the mil-spec model, the least expensive, is the same quality firearm but has basic features. The Springfield Armory website does explain each model, but I found it a little confusing due to the lack of experience on my part. Someone else probably knows more on this subject than I do. ;).

Pokute must've posted as I was writing this one...lol. Take his advice!
 

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Thanks Pokute for the info. I have been doing some research on Wilson Combat and like alot of their accessories. I was even more plased to see that they are less than 50 miles from where i have relocated to for work. So i will definately be paying them a visit (cha ching). I appreciate the info. I hate to sound like a broken record but man i love this gun. I found myself showing off pictures to passerby's like i'm a teenager with a picture of a new girlfriend
 

· Sincere as a $5 funeral
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That's great! Wilson Combat did a stellar job with a reliability package on a friend's Colt, and turnaround time was excellent. Wilson also holds the rights to make and sell the Dwyer Group Gripper:http://www.springfieldforum.com/f36/group-gripper-637/

They did fail to notice that my friend's gun had the wrong size firing pin installed, but that was a simple thing to remedy. Somehow *he* never noticed it either - He knows all the variations on the Luger but didn't notice that his own 1911 had the wrong firing pin. Must be that same "new girlfriend" thing!

@chase - Sorry, I beat you by one minute!
http://www.springfieldforum.com/f36/group-gripper-637/
 
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