Springfield LWT Operator...

[marksman13]

I’ve been kinda looking for another railed 1911 since I got rid of my last Kimber. My wife had a really expensive elephant leather holster made for that Kimber, but the gun was just completely unreliable; very accurate, but unreliable. Therefor, it got sent down the river just like the other four Kimbers I have owned. Only my early TLE/RL II was reliable and I never should have let it go.

Anyway, I’ve had my eye out for a Springfield as I’ve generally had good luck with their products and customer service, but a LWT Operator has been tough to source. Finally found one at a local pawn shop. New in the box with night sights, but their price seems pretty high at $1099.00 and they aren’t willing to budge. Can’t really blame them as re-stocking is almost impossible.

What I’m really here to ask for I guess is Springfield 1911 horror stories. I‘ve read through some other forums and seen a few issues, but I’ve come to trust the members of this forum more than most. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[justdino]

I own 4 Springfield Armories. Range Office Target 9mm, Range Office Elite 9mm, and two Range Officer lightweight Champions, one each in .45 and 9mm.

Since the first of the year, I've had a grand total of 1 stoppage - in the 9mm Champion LW. A round didn't chamber. A tap to the back of the slide and it was good to go. About 4,000 rounds in that time period amongst the 4.

On the other hand, my Dan Wesson has had no failures in 500 rounds. Which, of course, means absolutely nothing.

Just my opinion, but I think the SA bashing is blown more than a little out of proportion. Emotions seem to run high around here. If my cheapies can run at better than 99.9%, an Operator should be fine.

 

[Reinz]

I have had 6 SA 1911’s over the years and still have 4 of them. All of them are/were solid performers. I traded one for something I wanted more. And I gave the other to my brother as a gift because he loved it so much. The purchases were spread out over a 25 year period, so you can’t say that I just got lucky.

 

[gotboostvr]

I picked up a used SS Loaded Operator. It was older, the night sights were completely dead. It ran reliably but was VERY inaccurate. Running the same ammo in my LW Colt Commander was 1-2" v 4-6". Something was very wrong with the SA.

I called SA up disclosed I wasn't the original owner and told them the results I was seeing, they sent me a prepaid label, fitted a new barrel, mag catch and a fresh set of night sights and sent it back gratis in about two weeks. The refurbished gun shot right with my aforementioned Colt.

If I decide I want another 1911, I'll probably pick up a SA.

Range was 10 yards shooting 200gr SWC's

 

[Erief0g]

I've carried a springfield xds from 2013-2014 to 2018. Daily carry which in itself should attest to how I feel about the firearm.

I would not hesitate to purchase another.

I will say, if you reload, they have a very short lead to the rifling making certain bullet profiles to be loaded shorter than many other guns. Just an observation to pass along.

Great firearms. If the money is OK you should be quite happy. If the money is not during normal times springfield usually offers gear up promotions that give a few extra mags and goodies for free during the promo event. They do a few a year on each series of firearm.

 

[Dudedog]

I have about 35K rounds on my Springfield "Loaded" model 9mm 1911.
No issues, other than replacing the recoil spring which IMO is expected.

 

[Bartojc]

No problems at all with my SA Range Officer Elite Champion 9mm. About 5000 rounds so far.
It is my first SA, and I was nervous about it because I had zero experience with them. I would buy another and always recommend them now.

Jeff

 

[marksman13]

Well, I picked up a full rail TRP Operator for a song. Also getting the LWT Operator. Got too good of a deal on the full rail pistol to pass it up and I’d already spoken for the half railed pistol, so I’m just getting both.