Springfield Armory Range Officer for Bullseye

Rookie21 · November 2, 2015, 08:43 AM

I've been toying with Bullseye Pistol shooting and doing well with the 22 stage of the matches but now I'm looking for a 45. My attention was immediately drawn to the Springfield Range Officer as it's advertised as an entry level target arm. So I investigated the price of one, and its capabilities. I also looked at the cost of other guns ready to go, or guns used as base guns to have accurized.

There has been some question as to wether or not the Springfield Range Officer (full size 45 ACP) is acceptable of entry to mid level performance for bullseye use. I called Springfield Armory and askd what kind of groups would they garuntee at 50 yards. "50 yards?" They asked me. "I don't know about 50 yards but we'll garuntee 3.5" groups or better at 25 yards". So the gun may hold 10 ring at 25 but it sounds like a no go for 50. Even if it's just an entry level shooter - how can you expect them to learn and progress if the gun isn't capable? But there's hope. You could send it to Clark Custom to be accurized where they WILL garuntee 2.5" at 50 yards.

So in short - no. A SARO isn't bullseye worthy. But to have one tuned? ... Now we're getting somewhere.

g.willikers · November 2, 2015, 09:45 AM

.22s will spoil ya', especially for accuracy.
Expecting a production centerfire pistol to be suitable for precision shooting would be about like expecting the family sedan to be suitable for winning races.

Don P · November 2, 2015, 10:42 AM

I'll ask are you capable at 50 yards? How many guns in the SARO price range are making claims at 50 yards??

Rookie21 · November 2, 2015, 10:47 AM

None in that price range make any claims at all of any out come at 50 yards. But - for SA to say it's an entry level target arm and then here that it's not capable of decent groups even for a beginner at 50 yards would make me not want one even to start with. However it does make an excellent base gun option to have accurized by Clark Custom for another $400 with a 2.5" 50 yard garuntee.

Rookie21 · November 2, 2015, 11:37 AM

And I forgot to mention for you Don P - I can shoot low to mid 90's at 50 with my S&W M41 open irons no dot sight. My last match at 50 yards was 97, 93 and 97.

jcj54 · November 2, 2015, 12:15 PM

Three members of our bullseye club are using the SARO for bullseye with good results.

Rookie21 · November 2, 2015, 01:29 PM

What classification of shooters are they and/or what range of scores do you see them getting with the SARO? I may test one before having Clark custom work on it.

Quentin2 · November 2, 2015, 01:52 PM

I think the key word is "guarantee" which made the CS guy careful. If you'd have asked what do you expect it likely would be smaller than 14MOA!

jcj54 · November 2, 2015, 01:59 PM

Two of the shooters are marksmen, one sharpshooter. The marksman shooters are
still learning, the RO pistols shoot better than they do. The sharpshooter is shooting
near expert scores, RO is not hurting him. I am a Master and shot one of the RO and
fired a 92 at 50 yards; shots not in the 10 ring were my fault. My score was 275 that night.

T. O'Heir · November 2, 2015, 02:41 PM

Nobody GAURANTEES accuracy at any distance without qualifying that statement by stating what ammo. Not SA or Clark.
The difference between the RO and all the other SA Inc. .45's is the grips and the sights. Really makes no difference which one you buy.
No point sending one of 'em anywhere without shooting it first either. Clark will just be separating you from your money. The RO has adjustable sights and trigger with a match grade barrel. What do you think Clark will add?

Rookie21 · November 2, 2015, 03:22 PM

First - I don't claim to be the know all be all pistol shot of the century. I shoot well but it took a lot of time, and a lot of ammo constantly and consistently.

Second - I can only tell you what Clark or S.A. TOLD ME ON THE PHONE. It's not my job to back them up here on the forum. Their pistols and work speak for themselves. But just to be clear: Clark told me that they GARUNTEE a 2.5" group at 50 yards with their accuracy package that they offer. The package is tightening the slide to the frame fit, refitting the barrel bushing, refitting the hood, barrel link, barrel link pin, and a trigger tune up to eliminate any travel, slack or creep. A test target with the ammo specs written on the target is in the box when the gun is delivered. They don't add anything. They take a production gun and make it a custom fitted gun. Rare is it that you find a production gun as tight as a fitted one.

Third - I feel like you might have read the beginning post and not the rest of the conversation. It appears test firing one would be an obvious thing to check first prior to deciding if it's going to Clarks or not.

Fourth - your post made me feel like you don't think I know what I'm talking about where IF that was the case then I'd say you're mistaken.

Have a nice day!

November 2, 2015, 08:43 AM	#1
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	Springfield Armory Range Officer for Bullseye I've been toying with Bullseye Pistol shooting and doing well with the 22 stage of the matches but now I'm looking for a 45. My attention was immediately drawn to the Springfield Range Officer as it's advertised as an entry level target arm. So I investigated the price of one, and its capabilities. I also looked at the cost of other guns ready to go, or guns used as base guns to have accurized. There has been some question as to wether or not the Springfield Range Officer (full size 45 ACP) is acceptable of entry to mid level performance for bullseye use. I called Springfield Armory and askd what kind of groups would they garuntee at 50 yards. "50 yards?" They asked me. "I don't know about 50 yards but we'll garuntee 3.5" groups or better at 25 yards". So the gun may hold 10 ring at 25 but it sounds like a no go for 50. Even if it's just an entry level shooter - how can you expect them to learn and progress if the gun isn't capable? But there's hope. You could send it to Clark Custom to be accurized where they WILL garuntee 2.5" at 50 yards. So in short - no. A SARO isn't bullseye worthy. But to have one tuned? ... Now we're getting somewhere.

November 2, 2015, 09:45 AM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	.22s will spoil ya', especially for accuracy. Expecting a production centerfire pistol to be suitable for precision shooting would be about like expecting the family sedan to be suitable for winning races. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 2, 2015, 10:42 AM	#3
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	I'll ask are you capable at 50 yards? How many guns in the SARO price range are making claims at 50 yards?? __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

November 2, 2015, 12:15 PM	#6
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 218	SARO Three members of our bullseye club are using the SARO for bullseye with good results.

November 2, 2015, 01:29 PM	#7
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	Jcj54 What classification of shooters are they and/or what range of scores do you see them getting with the SARO? I may test one before having Clark custom work on it.

November 2, 2015, 10:47 AM	#4
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	None in that price range make any claims at all of any out come at 50 yards. But - for SA to say it's an entry level target arm and then here that it's not capable of decent groups even for a beginner at 50 yards would make me not want one even to start with. However it does make an excellent base gun option to have accurized by Clark Custom for another $400 with a 2.5" 50 yard garuntee.

November 2, 2015, 11:37 AM	#5
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	And I forgot to mention for you Don P - I can shoot low to mid 90's at 50 with my S&W M41 open irons no dot sight. My last match at 50 yards was 97, 93 and 97.

November 2, 2015, 01:52 PM	#8
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I think the key word is "guarantee" which made the CS guy careful. If you'd have asked what do you expect it likely would be smaller than 14MOA!

November 2, 2015, 01:59 PM	#9
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 218	SARO Two of the shooters are marksmen, one sharpshooter. The marksman shooters are still learning, the RO pistols shoot better than they do. The sharpshooter is shooting near expert scores, RO is not hurting him. I am a Master and shot one of the RO and fired a 92 at 50 yards; shots not in the 10 ring were my fault. My score was 275 that night.

November 2, 2015, 02:41 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Nobody GAURANTEES accuracy at any distance without qualifying that statement by stating what ammo. Not SA or Clark. The difference between the RO and all the other SA Inc. .45's is the grips and the sights. Really makes no difference which one you buy. No point sending one of 'em anywhere without shooting it first either. Clark will just be separating you from your money. The RO has adjustable sights and trigger with a match grade barrel. What do you think Clark will add? __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 2, 2015, 03:22 PM	#11
Rookie21 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 212	T. O'Heir First - I don't claim to be the know all be all pistol shot of the century. I shoot well but it took a lot of time, and a lot of ammo constantly and consistently. Second - I can only tell you what Clark or S.A. TOLD ME ON THE PHONE. It's not my job to back them up here on the forum. Their pistols and work speak for themselves. But just to be clear: Clark told me that they GARUNTEE a 2.5" group at 50 yards with their accuracy package that they offer. The package is tightening the slide to the frame fit, refitting the barrel bushing, refitting the hood, barrel link, barrel link pin, and a trigger tune up to eliminate any travel, slack or creep. A test target with the ammo specs written on the target is in the box when the gun is delivered. They don't add anything. They take a production gun and make it a custom fitted gun. Rare is it that you find a production gun as tight as a fitted one. Third - I feel like you might have read the beginning post and not the rest of the conversation. It appears test firing one would be an obvious thing to check first prior to deciding if it's going to Clarks or not. Fourth - your post made me feel like you don't think I know what I'm talking about where IF that was the case then I'd say you're mistaken. Have a nice day!