Springfield Armory "Operator"

[PMCSPM49]

The other day I went down to my local range to have some fun and rented a Springfield Armory Operator.  I feel in love after the first mag.   It's a full size 1911 and its a nail driver, I've been looking for one since then.  I've seen it listed online for around $1,300.00   Some of my pals say there are better fully loaded 1911's out there.  That might be true, but I have not shot those pistols.  I have shot the "Operator", the one with rubber grips & a dark green lower, and I can't say enought about it.  I just need to find a better deal than $1300, that's a little out of my budget right now.  What's your take on this pistol?

[Dakotaranger]

I paid about a grand for my loaded.  It's my EDC except during the winter.  I generally use my XD's for winter because of the triggerguard.  $1300 seams a little high.  I guess at that point I'd just save for a Wilson.  Check gunbroker, cheaperthandirt.com,

[Ksail101]

Unfortunately 1300 is around the norm. It is a little high. I would look for more around 1100 and be out the door with 1300-1350. I believe the one you are talking about is the MC Operator. And that one runs a little bit more than just the lightweight operator. I believe. I may be wrong about that though.

The MC operator has built a solid reputation as a combat 1911 that you can buy and trust your life to right out of the box. There are many real "Operators" (SWAT, SF, Mercs.,  and of course Force Recon.) That swear by their Springfield Operators. It is based on their custom shop Professional Model. The only real difference is tolerances and that is not put together all by hand by a pistolsmith.

I know that it is Blasphemy to name another forum site on here since this is the best one on the net, but the 10-8 people really like their springfields and have a ton of info on them on their site. You might also ask around and pick one up used. These guns have been known to run for 100s of thousands of rounds. So even if you find one that someone has shot a few thousand rounds through, it is still like new.

One more thing, I paid about that for my Kimber DW. Which some would think is a rip-off, but I have enjoyed it immensely.

[MAUSERMAN]

I bought a SA loaded because of the price. I cant spend 1,300 on a 45 so for 950 out the door i took it home and havent put it down. The gun is accurate reliable and it fits my hand perfect. I also bought some Wilson mags for it and a serpa rig for my fav 45. I shoot the hell out of it at every range trip and so far ball and hollow points feed no problems. The only thing i dont do is feed it +p ammo.

[Walter45Auto]

nice I'd like to have a lightweight Operator myself.

[Sponsor]

[cjwise5]

don't hate me.  I found mine for 800 bucks.  some guy traded it in on an AR.  Only had about 500 rounds through it.  I love this gun! the trigger is great.  Match grade components come stock.  Looks cool too.  No issues with it yet.

[Pixcutter]

You're all gonna hate me.  My son bought an "operator"  and all it did was jam, fail to eject and couldn't keep 7 shots on the TARGET!  Two separate trips to Sprinfield don't help.  He finally took it to a local g'smth (Bain and Davis in San Gabriel CA) and they went through it.  They recommended better ammo too (Winchester White box isn't hot enough) and since then it works just fine.  It too over two years to get to this point.

Just in passing, I have a $500 Charles Daly that except for a fail to feed in the first 50 rounds (a little more gun oil fixed that) has never failed, groups about 1.5" at 25 yards (it does, not me, I'm not that consistant) so $1300 for a gun is high (unless you're in a high tax bracket).  (Oh yeah, if you're in a high tax bracket, you can't afford it anyway since the gov'ment took your spending cash).

Elections are coming.  Vote!  Or don't complain!

[MAUSERMAN]

So far my gun has seen about 1,700 rnds of all types no problems. The only thing I did to the gun was change the recoil spring to a 18lb wolf spring and thats it.  I haven't had issues with springfield guns, but my friend had a Para that never ran right. He sent it back 3 times and they replaced the whole gun. My favorite 1911 is my OD green a1 model that i had some work done to it and its by far my most accurate.

[Overload]

I bought a Kimber Warrior instead.  Sights were better, and the safety was smoother.  I held both, but didn't compare shooting both.

[scottr]

That swear by their Springfield Operators. It is based on their custom shop Professional Model. The only real difference is tolerances and that is not put together all by hand by a pistolsmith.

Just about every small part on the Professional is different than the Operator. Both nice guns, but the Professional is Wilson-class (or better), while the Operator is a production gun, using the same quality small parts as the Loaded, Mil-Spec, etc. That is a real difference.