OPENB Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I'm wanting to upgrade my SS gun choice, and want to stay with a Series 70 style gun. What would you choose between a new Range Officer or a used Loaded Target Stainless? i'd really like to have a DW Pointman 9, but not ready to spend $1300 right now. I missed a used one here last month for a great price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunBugBit Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I think the two models are pretty close in quality. I tried a guy's Loaded Target that had a nice trigger, nice enough that I asked who did his trigger job. He said it was like that out of the box. My RO is a good gun, I think you'll like one but understand it might have a couple of things that need TLC. I don't believe much hand-fitting is lavished upon these guns. Same with a Loaded Target. The Loaded will have front cocking serrations and the RO will not, right? Both are set up pretty good for matches out of the box, maybe giving the edge to the Loaded because they come with mag wells. If you want an ambi safety, the Loaded has that as well, RO does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrdchaos Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I had a loaded target and it was a great gun. I have no experience with the RO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Very happy with my Range Officer. Only have maybe 8000 rounds thru it, but I've had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trouble Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I have a loaded, and had a RO. For a few extra dollars I'd go with the loaded. I don't think either pistol is hand fitted much at all, but the RO I had was rough when comparing the two. Might have just been unlucky and got a rough one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Springfield's description says the RO is fitted as well as a TRP, so I wondered if it was a better gun than the Loaded Target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake60 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 After adding sights and a magwell to my RO, the price equaled to a Loaded. But i think the RO is fitted a bit better. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hello: I just bought a loaded target 9mm. It is fitted very well and shoots great with 115-147 grain bullets. I am kinda liking the 124 grain JHP's right now but I will be trying the 121's soon. The slide to frame fit is good and so is the bushing. I changed out the front sight to a Dawson 0.100x0.160. Other stuff I changed is because I will be using it for USPSA. I think the loaded is a better deal since it is stainless and only costs about $120 more. Springfield has a deal going on right now that includes a range bag and 2 extra mags etc. If you want a 45 the Trophy Match looks pretty good as well. Now I just wish I could find a Trophy Match or Loaded Target in 40 S&W. If Springfield made a 9mm Trophy Match I would buy one of those as well. I paid $905 for my new Loaded shipped but I have seen new ones for a less less than that. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPMINAZ Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I own both in 45. Out of the box the RO was tighter and more accurate. For both I put mag wells on, VZ grips and Dawson FO front sight. I have over 50k rounds through the RO and around 10k through the loaded. I did have all new internals put into the loaded and a bushing fitted. It greatly improved the trigger and tightened up the groups but the RO still has an edge there. The RO was a major workhorse and had fantastic reliability. For the most part it is a backup now and will be passed down to my grandson. I believe either will meet your needs but if I had to only own one I would go with the RO. Just a better gun out of the box, TRP level fit and better groups. I also have the DW PM 9 and it is a fantastic gun. If you really want a 9mm I would say be patient, save and you will never regret it. It is worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips0410 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Have u looked at the Sti Trojans ? U can find them for a decent price every now and then on the classifieds I have one in 40 and absolutely love it runs great with my Tripp mags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I got a 9mm RO, fit n finish is good, I ditched everything to do with the ILS, installed a S&A magwell with 70 series guts, Dawson 100x180 fiber optic front sight, a relief cut on the sear, and 5 Wilson mags, now I have accurate soft shooting blaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 It appears we're running 50/50 RO to Loaded Target, and 1 for my choice-if-I-had-the-cash, the PM9. I'm trying to justify the PM9 at $1300 by thinking if I get a Loaded Stainless, then have the front strap checkered, flat top the slide, Dawson front FO sight, & EGW internals, I'd have spent way more than $1300. Thanks for the opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 My wife and I between us have five 9mm Loaded Target models, two competition, two backups and one HD (wife's). Setting aside the HD gun the other four had a broad range of trigger quality out of the box. After very minor tweaks (no ignition parts changes, no internal polishing) all four have TPW in the 3 - 3.5 lb range. My wife's has the best trigger, 3.25 lbs, and didn't even have to be touched. The two primary competition guns have over 20K rounds each and have been flawless. ROs would have been fine, but weren't available in CA. The guns are tools so the holster-induced wear doesn't both us a bit, but on coated steel the wear is called "patina", on SS it just look like grunge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegionShooter Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 It appears we're running 50/50 RO to Loaded Target, and 1 for my choice-if-I-had-the-cash, the PM9. I'm trying to justify the PM9 at $1300 by thinking if I get a Loaded Stainless, then have the front strap checkered, flat top the slide, Dawson front FO sight, & EGW internals, I'd have spent way more than $1300. Thanks for the opinions. PM9, buy once cry once...then buy another. Soak up tears with beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racknrider Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Get the DW. You're going to wonder and end up buying it anyway. I finally got smart enough to save money buy buying what I want instead of buying cheaper substitutions and still buying what I initially wanted later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) Hello: Decide what features you want and like. If you start with a less expensive gun you can add the parts you want. Grip tape on the front strap works just as well as checkering but does not look the greatest. If you like black guns plan on reblue at some point or a coating. If you like silver guns then get stainless or have it hard chromed. The guns I looked at are the Springfields, STI (Spartan, Trojan), Dan Wesson and Sig. I am in the camp of build it up. Spend a little less and buy some good quality mags, I am using Tripp's. I would also plan on updating your single stack gear as well. Lastly find which one fits your hands the best. Some 1911's feel different than others. Thanks, Eric Edited November 5, 2015 by Aircooled6racer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertg5322 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Got a Loaded Target 9 last year. Loosest slide to frame fit I've ever experienced, even after installing .200" slide stop and angle bored bushing (both EGW). Shoots good but the rattle is annoying for a $1,000.00 gun. Internals were junk as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I believe the fit of the average RO is a bit better than the typical loaded. If you don't live in an area where rust is a problem, chromoly is a better slide/frame material than stainless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunBugBit Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Springfield's description says the RO is fitted as well as a TRP... It's not. I have both. The TRP has a more refined fit, no doubt about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hello: Wow, I am surprised my new Loaded 9mm slide to frame fit is very good. Maybe I got a good one then. The parts inside are not the best but I changed them out anyways. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunone Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 +1 on DW pointman PM9. I've had a STI Trojan and shot the RO a bunch in 9mm. The DW is hands down the better gun right out of the box. Best Trigger and best fit and finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 Well, I bid as much as I wanted to pay & still be able to mod it & be comfortable with the final $$, but the reserve was too high. This was on a Loaded Stainless. A new RO went yesterday for $651. I thought that was a decent price, but not what I wanted. Some of my stuff has sold in the classified, so I think I will shop for a PM9. Anyone have one they want to sell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hello: You are a couple of weeks too slow if you wanted a Loaded Target in 9mm. There were lots of new ones in the $850-$900 range. The cheapest I saw was $775 and I should have bought it since a friend wants one now that he has seen how good mine is. He has not found any for less than $900 right now. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSh00ter Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 There's a lot of good input above. I second what is said in posts #15 and #16. I was in a similar position a few months ago, buying my first 1911. I looked at the Range Officer, but I personally liked the Sig guns - to me they felt like a step up in class/quality, for a pretty similar price point. I'm totally in love with my 9mm Traditional Match Elite. I did have the S80 components removed with my trigger job. I think I spent about $100 on the trigger work which gave me a really nice 2.5lb trigger. People say most of these guns need trigger work anyway, so I wouldn't consider that an extra cost over the Springfield, but I'm not sure about the DW. Dan Wesson will be worth the money, but if the Loaded Target has everything you want and feels good to you, then go for it. (Or if the deal is amazing, you can grab it and always sell it later.) Sig 1911s are going for around $900 and I think are well worth the money. I'll have mine at Circleville on Saturday if you want to see it. FWIW, Hard Chrome is around $250 for a gun, looks like stainless but wears better than steel, and will tighten up the fit a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Hello: Here is my loaded target 9mm so far. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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