springfield armory champion operator reviews:
- Thread starter S&WMP45
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I havent read much negative on the Operator, i was acctually thinking of one myself. they are suppose to be pretty rugged, and they have the light rail, and that puts more weight up front, so naturally less muzzle flip. unlike you though, ive spent 900+ on a single gun
JTQ
Member
I saw you made this statement on another thread, but is was closed before I could comment.
All Springfield 1911's are made in Brazil. Most come to the US fully assembled, though some are assembled in the US, with major parts manufactured in Brazil (frame, slide, barrel). However, Springfield has a good reputation for 1911's, no matter where they are built. Springfield also has a very good reputation for customer service.
All Springfield 1911's are made in Brazil. Most come to the US fully assembled, though some are assembled in the US, with major parts manufactured in Brazil (frame, slide, barrel). However, Springfield has a good reputation for 1911's, no matter where they are built. Springfield also has a very good reputation for customer service.
mainmech48
Member
I've owned a stainless Springfield Champion, a "Loaded" model, for about eight years now. It's served me well and is still one of my primary CCW/HD handguns.
I used it for the 5-day Defensive Pistol I course at the Chapman Academy in 2002. During those 5 days I went through 2300 rds. of CCI Blazer ball ammo. The pistol was only cleaned after every day's class ended, though I did put a drop of oil on each rail and the barrel hood if it started to get a bit sluggish towards the end of the day.
Other than one FTF due to a defective round, the only malfs were those set up for Immediate Action and clearance drills.
Since then it's gone through several thousand more rounds of assorted commercial and reloaded ammo. It's only required two routine spring changes and nothing has broken.
$900 though? Is that the MSRP, or the retail a dealer has quoted you?
If it's the MSRP, you should be able to find one for substantially less with some shopping around, IMO. I know it's been a while, but I paid about $630 for mine, stainless steel, ramped "bull" barrel, ambi thumb safety, Novak-style tritium sights and all.
I used it for the 5-day Defensive Pistol I course at the Chapman Academy in 2002. During those 5 days I went through 2300 rds. of CCI Blazer ball ammo. The pistol was only cleaned after every day's class ended, though I did put a drop of oil on each rail and the barrel hood if it started to get a bit sluggish towards the end of the day.
Other than one FTF due to a defective round, the only malfs were those set up for Immediate Action and clearance drills.
Since then it's gone through several thousand more rounds of assorted commercial and reloaded ammo. It's only required two routine spring changes and nothing has broken.
$900 though? Is that the MSRP, or the retail a dealer has quoted you?
If it's the MSRP, you should be able to find one for substantially less with some shopping around, IMO. I know it's been a while, but I paid about $630 for mine, stainless steel, ramped "bull" barrel, ambi thumb safety, Novak-style tritium sights and all.
ugaarguy
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My only issue with the SA Champion size and Kimber Pro size is that they're 4" bbl guns, not true 4 1/4" bbl Commander size 1911s. Because of this they use bushingless cone barrels which make them inconvenient to take down in my opinion. I'd recommend you start with a standard 5" Bbl 1911 with standard GI style short spring guide & plug - no full length guide rod - so you can see how a 1911 is meant to come apart and be put back together.
If you can live with the funky bushingless bbl design there's nothing at all wrong with a SA Champion in any trim level.
If you can live with the funky bushingless bbl design there's nothing at all wrong with a SA Champion in any trim level.
Doogledog
Member
My first 1911 was a Springfield Champion GI. I cut my 1911 teeth on it. I've changed several parts and improved it quite a bit. I learned a lot by tinkering with that gun. The thing is there was nothing wrong with it to start with. It is a fine weapon. I really enjoy mine and carry it quite regularly. It is still a little heavy for the size but that really helps with the recoil. Mine only cost $500 NIB. The spare parts I've put on probably will add another $300 or $400.
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I have SA Micro, LTWT Champion and MC Operators. If I were going to choose one strictly for range or HD use it would be the 5” MC Operator. IMO the best “all around” choice (carry, range, HD) out of the three is the LTWT Champion Operator. It’s reliable, accurate and a pleasure to shoot although I have read posts by a few owners who had initial issues with extractors that required some fine tuning. That said, SA offers a lifetime warranty and some of the best customer service in the business. And that’s exactly what I desire when I purchase a firearm, especially a 1911. Good luck with your decision. 
Micro
Champion
MC
Micro
Champion
MC
the champion operator is more expensive than the loaded, $900 is less than it's going for used on gunbroker. i saw it for that at a local gun shop, and it comes with 3 months of free range time, pretty good deal. it's made in america too, some springer 1911's are made in brazil and some in america, for some reason. i'm sure the brazilian ones are good stuff, but the champion operator is made in america, i wouldn't pay $900 for a brazilian gun, and i think springer knows people won't pay that much for brazilian one, that's why they make the hi-end ones only in america lol, whereas some mil spec's are made in america and some in brazil, just came from the gun shop and they have an american made mil spec, pretty nice little piece
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Actually, the Springfield Armory GI and mil-spec models which are manufactured and assembled in Brazil are quite popular and good values.
It’s my understanding that the components for the loaded and upper end models are built with Brazilian components produced by IMBEL (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil), and assembled in the U.S. This would probably include the entire Operator line since they’re all designated as loaded models.
Their popular XD pistols are manufactured in Croatia by HS Produkt, formerly I.M. Metal.
I’m sure others in the know could elaborate more on their manufacturing and product line.
It’s my understanding that the components for the loaded and upper end models are built with Brazilian components produced by IMBEL (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil), and assembled in the U.S. This would probably include the entire Operator line since they’re all designated as loaded models.
Their popular XD pistols are manufactured in Croatia by HS Produkt, formerly I.M. Metal.
I’m sure others in the know could elaborate more on their manufacturing and product line.
JTQ
Member
EAJ is correct.
hmmm i should call springfield to find out, i don't like the idea of paying $900 for something fully or even partially made in brazil.
i'm sure the brazilian stuff is good, but for $900 i can get a fully made in america 1911.
some of their guns have made in brazil stamped on the frame and some don't-that's why i am assuming the ones that don't have it are fully made in america, but like i said, might call them to confirm.
the operators aren't listed as "loaded" models on their websit either, they're listed under "operator".
i'm sure the brazilian stuff is good, but for $900 i can get a fully made in america 1911.
some of their guns have made in brazil stamped on the frame and some don't-that's why i am assuming the ones that don't have it are fully made in america, but like i said, might call them to confirm.
the operators aren't listed as "loaded" models on their websit either, they're listed under "operator".
WoofersInc
Member
I had both a Loaded 5inch Lightweight Operator and a Champion Operator. Both were fantastic guns and I regret that I was forced to part ways with them. I currently have a Loaded Champion which has also been a great gun. I think you would be well served by getting the gun.
As far as the Brazil thing. Springfield is using Imbel for the sourcing. Ask anybody who is into FAL rifles and Imbel is considered one of the best receivers to build upon. They can definitely make good stuff.
As far as the Brazil thing. Springfield is using Imbel for the sourcing. Ask anybody who is into FAL rifles and Imbel is considered one of the best receivers to build upon. They can definitely make good stuff.
UPDATE:
i bought a springer champion operator, and just put 50 rounds through it yesterday. sweet shooter for sure. it really only kicks a hair more than my full size 1911 because of the dual captive recoil spring, despite the shorter barrel and aluminum frame. kept putting shots through the same hole, not a ragged hole either lol
paid $725, used but never fired
i bought a springer champion operator, and just put 50 rounds through it yesterday. sweet shooter for sure. it really only kicks a hair more than my full size 1911 because of the dual captive recoil spring, despite the shorter barrel and aluminum frame. kept putting shots through the same hole, not a ragged hole either lol
paid $725, used but never fired
Here is mine. I just picked it up a couple weeks ago. Only been able to shoot it a couple times. 170 rounds through the barrel so far. I picked up an 8 round Wilson Combat Mag and a 10 round Wilson Combat Mag. Not sure why but it doesn't seem to like to feed the first round or so from the Wilson Combat mags all the time. Never had an issue with either of the 2 factory 7 round mags though. But The Wilson Combat mags have cycled full mags as well, just not always. Pretty disappointing considering everyone I spoke to raved about the Wilson Combat mags being the best of the best. I guess just not for this gun. I'm gonna use the Loaded Coupon to max out the factory 7 rounders and 10 rounders that I can get. :biglaugh:
Just like everyone else who has shot one of these brand new, it's amazingly accurate right out of the box!
I changed out the grips for some Hogue rubber finger groove grips.
Then strapped on a Viridian X5L. :biglaugh:
Next thing I want to do is send it in to the Springfield custom shop for a bobtail job and maybe an action job for a less than 4 Lb trigger pull. But I don't really want to be without it, even though I can't carry it in my state.
This is my first gun. I tried out many guns before settling on this one and I absolutely love it!
Just like everyone else who has shot one of these brand new, it's amazingly accurate right out of the box!
I changed out the grips for some Hogue rubber finger groove grips.
Then strapped on a Viridian X5L. :biglaugh:
Next thing I want to do is send it in to the Springfield custom shop for a bobtail job and maybe an action job for a less than 4 Lb trigger pull. But I don't really want to be without it, even though I can't carry it in my state.
This is my first gun. I tried out many guns before settling on this one and I absolutely love it!
redloki
Member
I just bought a Champion Operator and it is one nice looking pistol. I have yet to shoot it and I already have one complaint that is with the take down. WTH were they thinking with the plastic half moon clip you have to snap onto the guide rod for disassembly. This is a piece that is begging to get lost and just what are you going to do in the field when you do lose it? The Kimber Pro II we had for my wife had a hole drilled into the guide rod for take down and you could stick just about anything in there and disassemble the pistol. Has anyone thought of a fix around this to do away with the fantastic plastic clip such as drill a hole in the guide rod? I don't know about you but I find this odd. What do you think?
..."All Springfield 1911's are made in Brazil. Most come to the US fully assembled, though some are assembled in the US, with major parts manufactured in Brazil (frame, slide, barrel). However, Springfield has a good reputation for 1911's, no matter where they are built. Springfield also has a very good reputation for customer service."...
AND, from a seperate posting...
..."As far as the Brazil thing. Springfield is using Imbel for the sourcing. Ask anybody who is into FAL rifles and Imbel is considered one of the best receivers to build upon. They can definitely make good stuff."...
i can't comment on their recievers as a build kit component as i haven't built any FAL's.
i CAN say that the imbel mfgd SAR 48 and SAR 48 carbines i owned in the past were considerably more accurate than similar offerings, specificly:
FN
STG
L1A1
Hesse
Century
never had reliability issues with any of the above, after the gas system was dialed in.
never had any problems with a stone stock springfield "GI" model 1911, either. same the bottom feeder of their line-up.
gunnie
AND, from a seperate posting...
..."As far as the Brazil thing. Springfield is using Imbel for the sourcing. Ask anybody who is into FAL rifles and Imbel is considered one of the best receivers to build upon. They can definitely make good stuff."...
i can't comment on their recievers as a build kit component as i haven't built any FAL's.
i CAN say that the imbel mfgd SAR 48 and SAR 48 carbines i owned in the past were considerably more accurate than similar offerings, specificly:
FN
STG
L1A1
Hesse
Century
never had reliability issues with any of the above, after the gas system was dialed in.
never had any problems with a stone stock springfield "GI" model 1911, either. same the bottom feeder of their line-up.
gunnie
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