Non custom SA question

[accel]

I know professionals are custom matched, TRPs also undergo some manual verifications.

So, those that are not matched, I guess we speak of mil spec, loaded and range... is every gun unique? Like, one could be tight and the other one loose? Or they are statistically similar?

Anybody has experience going through several of them at the store and being able to tell?

[82lightfighter]

Range Officer is also semi fitted, I think. My Loaded was tight but rough, most of the ones I've handled are about the same. Only held a couple milspec, nothing leapt out at me one way or another.
SA makes quality 1911s. In terms of which ones I've owned and shot best: TRP Op (1/2 rail), TRP stainless, Pro, Loaded. I actually regret selling the TRP Op the most. The Pro was tight and clearly the best built (caveat: I liked my Brown SF more), but I know my skills were not taking full advantage of it.
If I was going to have one built up, I'd buy a range officer as a base.

[keenkeen]

Range Officer is also semi fitted, I think. My Loaded was tight but rough, most of the ones I've handled are about the same. Only held a couple milspec, nothing leapt out at me one way or another.
SA makes quality 1911s. In terms of which ones I've owned and shot best: TRP Op (1/2 rail), TRP stainless, Pro, Loaded. I actually regret selling the TRP Op the most. The Pro was tight and clearly the best built (caveat: I liked my Brown SF more), but I know my skills were not taking full advantage of it.
If I was going to have one built up, I'd buy a range officer as a base.

No, the RO is not "semi fitted" any more or less than loaded or other standard production SA 1911s.

[82lightfighter]

http://www.springfield-armory.com/pr....zzg9UfJW.dpuf

per SA website, and what I've heard from the Custom Shop guys when I was chatting with them while discussing work that they're doing for me. I was asking about the RO with the half rail, which a friend of mine is ordering.
Not a semi custom, but not just parts thrown together. Could be marketing hype, but I've always been impressed with SA 1911s.

[Chapped Hide]

In my experience there is a lot of variation even within the same model with how tightly the guns are fit. I'm also of the opinion that accuracy is not determined by the fit of the slide to frame and have no issue with my SA''s that are not fit that tightly.

[accel]

Not really 1911 related, but I got my cz 75 b sa replaced by warranty, and I asked if I could get cz 75 bd instead... So I got cz 75 bd. And I noticed that slide to frame fit on bd is much tighter than on the sa... But I believe the frame and slide between the two are the same. Trigger mechanics is different, but otherwise the same gun. So this is the example of deviation in "tightness" between different instances of the same gun.

[nvicta]

I've had the pleasure of two Springer Pros. The older a Nowlin barrel version, locks up tight like a Les Baer and has a build so solid it is enviable by all other 1911s. The other Pro was built more recently and has noticeable play between slide to frame and not hard fit like the 1st one. Accuracy wise, they both punch out bulls eyes with serious authority and are indiscernible.

I also had the pleasure and seller's remorse for flipping a RO 9mm. It was built not hard fit but with zero play. Never shot it. The second RO 9mm I picked up had slide to frame play but shoots amazing.

If I had to choose between either a tight build or shoots amazing, I'd take the tool that performs its job.

I agree with Chapped Hide on the variation between models observation.

-John

[Chapped Hide]

I also had the pleasure and seller's remorse for flipping a RO 9mm. It was built not hard fit but with zero play. Never shot it. The second RO 9mm I picked up had slide to frame play but shoots amazing.

-John

Your experience quoted above is identical to mine to a T. Sold my first RO 9 to "Skyhawk" before even shooting it, fit was tight with no play. Hated selling that gun because I had wanted one for a long time but needed the funds for another gun. My second, slide to frame is not the best with noticeable slide movement but it is still amazingly accurate at 25 yards.

[xfile]

All I know is my trp full rail is a completely different beast than the lb and mc operator. All good guns but the trp is definitely a upgrade