Looking for info on a Springfield 'Omega-Match' Longslide 10mm

[priv8ter]

Stopped at one of the local gunstores after work today, to do a little 'Day after Thanksgiving' shopping, and noticed a strange gun.

It was listed as a Springfield Armory 'Omega-Match' chambered in 10mm, with a 6-inch slide.

I was intriqued, because I think long-slide 1911's just look Mean, and, I as yet have no 10mm in my collection. But...I thought 10mm choices were limited to Glock, EAA and Dan Wesson. A quick check to their website shows that SA is not currently making a 10mm 'Omega-Match'

Curriosity got the better of me, so I did some handling of the gun. I really liked the balance of the gun. It wasn't until I handled it that I noticed the barrel was ported also..stranger and stranger. The right side of the slide did say Springfield Armory, while the left side had the intitials KPS and 'Omega-Match' on it.

I put it back without buying, because I hate going into things blind, and this gun had me confused.

So...has anyone every seen SA 10mm Longslide with a ported barrel before, or was this some one-off custom monster that got out of control?

And second...does $525 sound like a competative price for it?

Thanks folks!

 

[Rembrandt]

Shortly after WWII, Allies in charge of rebuilding Germany were confronted with the dilemma of civilian firearm ownership. No one wanted the civilians rearming only to fight another war in a few years. Citizens were allowed to own one handgun, one rifle, and one shotgun. Many shooters were frustrated that this limited their caliber selection.

Creative gun smiths and manufactures found a way around the restrictive laws by developing multi caliber guns that used the same frame. Examples of this can be found in rifles, shotguns, and handguns.

Perhaps the most successful handgun multi-caliber maker was Peter Stahls. Using a 1911 frame Stahl units incorporate a linkless design, similar to the Sig. Shooters can easily change calibers by just dropping in different barrel and magazine and in some cases changing a spring. All units were exceptionally well made with tight machine tolerances. Springfield Armory was one of the first to import these to the US market in the 80's and 90's under the name "Omega". SA discontinued the line in the 1990's but was picked up by Fed Ordnance, McMillian, and others. These are no longer imported to the US market by still available overseas.

Springfield Armory offered the "Omega" from 1987-1990. These were identical to the Peter Stahls units available in Europe. Available calibers were 10mm-45ACP-38 Super. In 1991-1992 Springfield introduced the "Omega Match". Same caliber offerings except the "Match" had low profile combat sights and a beveled mag well. Hammer were like the old wide style Colt used on early Gold Cups. Not sure if these were imported from Stahls or it's an improved version (ie: new style extractor) manufactured entirely by Springfield Armory. Might be worth an email to SA to find out.

Stahls .22 conversion kits for Browning High Power's and 1911's are highly prized by collectors. These can bring $400-$700+ if you can find one.

Here's a three barrel I picked up in the early 1990's.....38 Super, 10mm, 45ACP. Original price was around $1400....a little salty at the time for a 1911. One of the reasons they are no longer imported. 10mm & 45ACP barrels had ports through the barrel and slide, 38 Super's were not ported and required a lighter spring.

 

[bofe954]

The barrel and ejection port look a lot like a glock's.

 

[priv8ter]

Cool

Wow, Rembrandt! Thanks for the ton of info and the great pictures. I especially like the color-coded magazines. Makes me wonder if this dealer has a .45 barrel hiding around somewhere.

I might need to revise my Christmas list...still sounds like a gun you might not see pop-up again.

greg