Springfield 1911 Operator

My friend has an Operator. He used it to take the instructor class with me. He has never had an issue with it.

I will say that the factory mags it come with suck. They function fine but the followers bind when empty, they're a bitch to load, and they only have 7 round capacity (I know it's the "standard"). I think the Checkmate mags that came with my S&W are much better and the Checkmate 10 rounders with Wilson followers and springs are better.

I have the MC Operator. Its a dream to shoot and the fit and finish about as good as a 1911 as I have ever seen. That is the quality you can come to expect from Springfields 1911s. I have never shot the 4" but, like I said, its a Springfield.

I'm not a fan of the lightweight 1911s. I always say heavy gun=good gun.....

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So given the two options I would go standard commander length.

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"Standard" length for a 1911 is usually government sized, which is a 5" barrel. The commander sized 1911s are considered the "compacts" (4-4.25") and the officer sized are considered the "subcompacts" (3-3.5").

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Plus, most 4" 1911s utilize the bull barrel, I'd rather a bushing barrel.

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He should check out the SR1911 commander if he wants a bushing on the barrel.

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I would stay away from the lightweight operator as it has an aluminum frame, personal preference.

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They definitely have a little more "snap" to them.

As a side note, that Ruger commander has a steel frame. Just throwing it out there...

I would rather a bushing barrel also, but I love the feel of my Kimber Pro CDP with the 4" barrel. It also has an aluminum frame and it has never been an issue. I have had good luck with my Springfiled XDM but know nothing about their 1911 line.

I really wanted to look hard at the Ruger, but I have to have the ambi safety and the Ruger doesn't have it.

1911 related hijack - Doc you win that CDE today?

Well sunuvabitch

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"Standard" length for a 1911 is usually government sized, which is a 5" barrel. The commander sized 1911s are considered the "compacts" (4-4.25") and the officer sized are considered the "subcompacts" (3-3.5").

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I said standard commander length which I meant not the bastardized commander length of 4" in lieu of 4.25"

ed,
I don't have a SA Operator, but they seem to get good reviews on the 'net. I do have a 4.25" American Classic Commander. For me, and a number of other shooters, the Commander balances better in my hand than does the full size 1911. The Lightweight Champion Operator has a 4" bull barrel and an alloy frame. Conventional wisdom has been that 1911's having a barrel length less than 5" long are less reliable than the full size. From my reading, it seems as if reliability issues are more common w/ 3- 3.5" barreled 1911's; it appears as if the Commander sized guns (4-4.25" barrels) have a generally favorable reliability record. I've never had any particular problems w/ my bull barreled 1911's. Personally, I wouldn't have any concerns w/ an alloy framed 1911, especially if it's going to be used for concealed carry. OTOH, if I was looking for a range gun, I'd look at an all steel frame. An alloy frame may not hold up as well as an all steel, but it would take a BUNCH of rounds to notice the difference. That shouldn't be a problem for a cc gun. If I was looking for a gun w/ the traits of the Lightweight Champion Operator and didn't mind spending the money, I wouldn't have any problems buying it.