Springfield Loaded Champion 4" - Still made?

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JoeMal

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Does anyone know if Springfield still makes their 4" Loaded Champion 1911? I'm looking for a 4" 1911 and started with Springfield. I know they have an "Operator" Champion that comes with a rail...but I don't need a rail.

You can find YouTube videos, and old Guns America listings for these Loaded Champions...but I can't seem to find anyone that lists one as something you can currently buy. Springer doesn't list it on their website, either.

Is this something they quit making? :confused:
 
I was going to say, "sure they do, it must be one of their most popular pistols, you must not be looking hard enough". Then I went to their website and I think they have dropped it.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=8

I even downloaded their catalog thinking it may be something that didn't get on their webpage for whatever reason. Not there either. I'm sad to see it go away. I never was a fan of the bushing-less 4" pistols, preferring the true 4.25" "true" Commander length, but the Springfield Champions always had a good reputation for those that wanted that size pistol.
 
That's what I was thinking...looked on their website and also downloaded the manual myself. No dice. In fact, the only 4" model they sell is the Operator with the rail. Doesn't make much sense to me...
 
My local shop has orders for Champions that were never filled. They've gotten some EMPs in, but the last Champion they had in was over a year ago now.
 
I can think of two possible reasons for this.

  1. sales of the non-operator version of the champion have taken a nose dive and therefore SA cut the lower demand items. making a "loaded" style champion a custom shop item
  2. they've (at least temporarily) dropped all but the Operator version to open more market for the XDS

kind of sucks regardless because I was thinking of making a "Loaded" or "Mil-Spec" style champion one of my next two handgun purchases (really liking the looks of the Range Officer)

really wanting a more concealable 1911 than my current Full size example, but find the EMP (and most other smaller-than-commander sized 1911 variants) to be a bit too small for my own shooting comfort
 
Detritus

I ended up going with the Operator Champion. Found one online for a fair price so I snatched it up. I read a lot of great reviews on the gun and Springfield will stand behind it for life if I'm not happy.

I entertained a 3" model from various manufacturers but couldn't shake the possible reliability issues and having to swap out parts nearly every range trip. I will let you know how the Operator shoots when I get it.
 
I called Springfield about the 4" loaded champion a few months ago. They discontinued that gun in January.
 
Enjoy your Operator. :)

I purchased this one a few years back, and even than they were hard to find. Thankfully SA (finally) made another production run.

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Thanks EAJ, I'm excited. I found one online for cheaper than you could get from Buds (if it was in stock) so I was happy to see that. The seller mentioned he had 1 more he was trying to get rid of if anyone is interested! I could point you his way.

How has yours treated you regarding reliability, accuracy, etc?
 
Bud’s usually offers very competitive pricing, so it sounds like you received a very good deal.

The extractor on my Operator required a little fine tuning, not an uncommon issue on 1911’s. There was also a little visible wear (tight tolerances) on the grip safety, which you can see in the photo, which I didn’t mention to SA when I returned the pistol, but they addressed and refinished it, all at no cost, including freight. I haven’t experienced any issues with it since and find it to be completely reliable and probably more accurate than my skill level will allow.

I’ve purchased a number of their firearms over the years and when I’ve required service they’ve always gone above and beyond the level of customer service one would expect. Excellent company.

I also have Micro and MC Operator’s, and while they’re all a pleasure to shoot I believe the Champion offers the most favorable characteristics for carry.

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Thanks for that. What kind of problems were you experiencing prior to tuning your extractor? Was that something you did yourself?
 
Nothing other than mentioned. Sorry for the confusion, SA did the fine tuning on the extractor. Regarding the extractor issue, occasionally while shooting a shell casing would hang on the extractor rather than eject through the ejection port. :)

What you might want to try is inserting a full magazine into the pistol and attempt to eject all the rounds by manually working the slide back and forth.

If you eject all rounds successfully through the port the extractor is probably ok.

If most of the rounds hang up in the slide or you can't eject them the extractor may require some tuning.

If only a round or two hang ups I would first attempt to shoot 100 or so rounds to loosen everything up.
 
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Figured I would follow up on this. Received my Operator Champion and took it to the range last weekend. Shot 100 rounds of FMJ and 50 rounds of HPs without a single problem between 3 magazines. Shot very accurately and even got a few compliments at the range.

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