Even if a person doesn’t know anything about guns, I guarantee they'll recognize a 1911. They're as American as apple pie. In fact, just about every major gun manufacturer makes its own version of this iconic pistol. However, only one manufacturer has dared to push ahead and drive this piece of Americana back into tactical relevance.
Springfield Armory’s 1911
I must admit that my relationship with 1911s has always been one of lukewarm affection. Although I appreciated their iconic status, I just couldn’t bring myself to plunk down the hefty amount of cash it took to buy a good one. I’ve always been a fan of the more modern kind of auto-pistols, such as the Glock, Sig and, most recently, the Springfield Armory XD. Interestingly, it was my appreciation for the XD line that inadvertently drove me to the 1911.
My duty weapon is an XD .45, 4" model and my off duty weapon is an XD .45, 5" Tactical. What can I say? I like fight stoppers. In fact, I qualified with it so that I could start carrying it off duty. There was something about it that I couldn’t quite place, but it just grabbed at me. It wasn't until recently, when I was cleaning it, that it dawned on me why I liked it so much: it's a 1911.
If you take an XD .45 Tactical and lay it beside a 1911, you can easily see old slab sides hidden within its high-tech lines. I immediately placed a request to Springfield Armory for one of its premier 1911 models—the full-size MC Operator. As soon as you touch the Operator, you know you're in the presence of history. Not only is it a 1911, but Springfield Armory has truly made history by being a leader in the business of 1911 modifications. Chief among these modifications is the fact that Springfield Armory was the first major manufacturer to offer a light rail machined into the frame.
The Operator’s tac rail is quite inconspicuous considering how monumental an achievement it is. It looks like it’s a natural progression of the 1911 evolution. For those who sneer at the idea of tac lights as unsporting, I give you this advice: Never enter into a gun fight with a fair-minded attitude.
I owe my life to a tac light. Without it on my duty weapon, I would've probably caught a round from an assailant in 2004. Long story short, a criminal shot at someone and he fled into the night. We pulled him over, and I advanced on him to keep his body pinned in his car. Had it not been for the blinding light on my gun, he probably would’ve tried to bring up the automatic that was in his right hand and fired on me. So, yes, I’m a firm believer in tac lights on duty weapons. The MC Operator gives you that light option, and I suggest you take it.
Trigger Time
Springfield Armory clearly sought to bring the 1911 well into the 21st century as evidenced by the fact that it comes with an ambi safety. For us lefties, ambi parts are crucial when dealing with 1911s because lefties have trouble comfortably operating a standard safety on a 1911. For Springfield Armory to have added this ambi part is an acknowledgement that good enough isn’t acceptable when lives are on the line.
The Operator's receiver is precision-machined from solid-forged steel and is finished in OD Armory Kote, which makes it slick and corrosion resistant. The upper is also machined from solid forged steel and is finished in Armory Kote black. The pistol weighs 42 oz. with an empty mag inserted. Its sights are fixed low-profile combat rear, with a Dovetail front and Tritium sights. The recoil system is a two-piece, full-length guide god system. The barrel is a solid 5" stainless steel match grade and bushing set up. The trigger is a long, crisp aluminum-match grade and has a 5–6 lbs. breaking point. It actually feels lighter when shooting, which is a nice feature that helps keep you on target. The Operator comes with 2–7 round, blued steel magazines and is finished off with a handsome set of Pachmayr wrap-around grips.
Shooting the Operator for the first time was addicting. It functioned flawlessly with Hornady TAP and Hornady Custom loads in 185, 200 and 230 grains. All three were Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) + P loads. If you want to cause malfunctions in auto pistols, JHP is how to do it. The hollow nose of the bullet acts as a drag point, and if there are any inherent hang-ups in the feed ramp of a pistol, a JHP will find them.
Seeing as how all combat shooting distills down to a fast sight picture and quick trigger work, I decided to really get up on the steel plates and engage at CQC speeds from 7 yards. The Operator made this drill effortless with a crisp trigger pull of about 6 lbs.
Conclusion
The satisfactory report of the impacts confirmed that my practice was paying off, but, more important, affirmed my belief that John M. Browning was a veritable genius. Even though the 1911 pistol is at the 100-year mark in age, it still has relevance in this modern era of high-tech armament. With Springfield Armory continuing to give the 1911 new life with creative amalgams of technology and materials, there’s no doubt that Old Slab Sides will be there to look after our country for years to come.