Springfield Omega

[Pendy]

I was at the LGS this weekend and came across a LNIB "unfired" Springfield Omega. The tag stated that it was a NRA Special Edition, and that it was a National Match.

I asked about National Match claim, since I only know there to be an Omega, and an Omega Match, which it should designate on the slide. This slide just said Omega. When I inquired, I was told "It's in the serial number. It starts with NM, meaning National Match." When I stated that all Springfields start with NM, I got the reply that "All Springfields have a match barrel in them." Is this correct?

I also asked about the NRA part of it, since there were no NRA markings anywhere on the gun. "The gun came out of Springfield's Custom Shop as part of a NRA promotion (or something like that)." It looked like there was some extra "tool work" done above and below the frontstrap, but I couldn't say for sure, since this had wood stocks/grips as opposed to the usual Pachmayr rubber grips. The gun was also all stainless. I've only ever seen all blue or blue frame and stainless/chrome slide (granted, by seen, I mean pictures on the Internet).

I asked to see the box to see what it designated this pistol to be, but was basically told it would be 40+ minutes since it would take a while to find (even though I think they just got the gun in in the last few days).

Is it true that all Springfields have match barrels? Has anybody ever heard of an NRA special edition of the Omega? If it is an NRA special edition, would this add to the value? I know these aren't the most common gun to find, but it's the first time I've ever seen one in person.

Also, can anybody inform me of which style extractor came first? The dual external or the single "hex key" style?

 

[Rembrandt]

SA Omega's haven't been in circulation for some time. I suspect the NRA connection may have been a gun that was donated for a "Friends of the NRA" banquet, perhaps from SA or a LGS wanting to move old merchandise yet get a tax deduction in the process.

Omega's were a Peter Stahl linkless design that Springfield offered in the early 1990's. Only recall seeing one with a chromed slide, might have been something the owner had done. Came in three calibers, 38 Super, 10mm, and 45 ACP. You could get a 5" or a 6" barrel version.

Mine is a three barrel set, one of only 15 produced. Quality is top notch and are great shooters. You are correct that all the serial numbers contain "NM". Label on the box would tell you much more. I think the dual extractor came first. Barrels also feature polygonal rifling.

 

[Rexster]

The one I saw had the dual extractors. I don't remember much else about it, as that was quite a few years ago. I was quite interested in the concept, and wish I had been wealthier when they were available.

 

[orionengnr]

I was eyeballing one of those in 10mm, ah... I was going to say a year, but more likely...about two years ago. Time flies. The price was about $850, and that seemed like a fair price at the time. It was a Springfield, it was blued.

At the time, I did some Google searching and came up with a fair bit of info. To summarize, it was a neat pistol, probably ahead of it's time in some respects. Biggest downside is that parts are essentially not available anywhere. If you break any of the parts that are not directly interchangeable with a "normal" 1911, hope you know a good machinist and have some disposable income.

I am under the impression that they were made in the mid-late 80s, but that may have been the Peters/Stahl versions. I seem to recall that the Springfield versions were made shortly thereafter....but again, it's been a couple of years and my memory isn't what it used to be.

Now about that LGS, he either has a good imagination or a poor memory. You can find out the truth about the NM thing here or anywhere. And the NRA thing...wow. I'm not sure how much time I would spend at that emporium, but I would independently check anything he says in the future.

Caveat Emptor.