MC Operator range report

[savasyn]

I got to take my new Springfield MC Operator to the range today. We only put about 150 rounds through it, but in that time, the only hiccup was a few times it failed to strip the top round out of the mag. We were using brand new Wilson 8 rounder mags and it only happened a couple of times, so I'm not worried.

I really liked how it felt in my hand. The heft promised to keep felt recoil to a minimum and the wrap-around grip gave very good purchase. Sure enough, during firing, it was extremely controllable and didn't move around in my hand at all.

I shot it back to back with my Kimber Pro Carry HD II and definitely noticed a few differences. The Kimber has a lighter trigger release which made it easy to keep all the rounds going where I aimed them. I caught myself pulling the SA a bit due to the heavier trigger. The Kimber also is a lot more abusive to my hand, which has been my one complaint about it, and the reason I went out looking for another 5" 1911.

I'm usually a three dot sight guy, but for some reason the dots on the SA sights were not helping me at all. When I tried to line them up, I was all over the place(relatively) but when I ignored them and just used the silhouettes of the sights, I grouped quite nicely. Weird!

I'm very happy with it and I think it was worth the money. I'm very clear it's not the Wilson QCB that I was trying to hold out for, but I just couldn't justify that kind of money on a "fun gun"(yet...)

Anyway, here's a picture of the hole left by the last 50 rounds I shot(at about 10 yards.) Some of those were through the Kimber, but I think the majority of these were from the SA. Not bad for a first trip out!

[USN CHIEF]

Very nice. You still need about 400 more rounds to break it in and you will feel the difference, it will feel better. At least mine did.

[savasyn]

Thanks!
I'll most likely me taking it out again this week for at least another 50 or 100.
.45 is pricey
I'm saving up tons of brass, so if I ever actually start reloading, I'll be ready on that front

[Crazed_SS]

I got to take my new Springfield MC Operator to the range today. We only put about 150 rounds through it, but in that time, the only hiccup was a few times it failed to strip the top round out of the mag. We were using brand new Wilson 8 rounder mags and it only happened a couple of times, so I'm not worried.

How were you chambering the round? When I first got mine, it would fail to strip the first round if I used the slide stop to chamber a round. If I manually pulled the slide back, no problems.. It loosens up like Cheif said though.

Other than that, this is the most reliable handgun I have. Even more reliable that my Glock 23, XD-9, and P220R.. those have all had a hiccup or two, but the 1911 seems to be unstoppable.

When i bought it, I was expecting a bunch of problems from all the 1911 horror stories I've heard. So far, I've had no FTF's, FTE's, or anything. This thing eats everything. I've used Winchester, Blazer, and Remington FMJ, multiple types of Hollowpoints and even 70yr old military surplus.. no issues.




EDIT: After a couple hundred rounds I was hitting a couple inches left and couldnt figure it out. I looked down and the rear sight had moved over. I used a rubber mallet to center it back up and them tightened the crap out of it with a little mini alan-wrench. I believe USN Cheif had the same issue and sent his slide back to SA.

[USN CHIEF]

Are you planning on getting a light for your gun? I got the M6 Streamlight light/laser combo and I love it.



Good Idea on Saving the brass. Don't just save on the brass that you shoot, but any brass that you find at the range is also worth saving if you have the space in your house. I am glad that I started saving brass about two years ago.

[USMC Tanker]

I like the Surefire X300 if you're thinking about getting a light.

My MC Operator has never had a single stoppage, and that's with only Springfield factory mags. I'm a 7-rounder kind of guy

[savasyn]

How were you chambering the round?

Slide stop twice, releasing the slide once. Only happened the three times.

Other than that, this is the most reliable handgun I have. Even more reliable that my Glock 23, XD-9, and P220R.. those have all had a hiccup or two, but the 1911 seems to be unstoppable.

That's very good to hear. It'll have to work pretty hard to be more reliable than my Sig 229. I don't remember it actually failing in somewhere close to 15,000 rounds. I'm sure it did back in the beginning, but I don't remember. I tend to keep all my guns very clean and lubed so I don't often have that many failures, which is nice.


Chief, I currently do not have any plans to mount a light, but I'm glad the rail is there for both weight and the ability to mount a light if I need to.

[Warhawk014]

I got to take my new Springfield MC Operator to the range today. We only put about 150 rounds through it, but in that time, the only hiccup was a few times it failed to strip the top round out of the mag. We were using brand new Wilson 8 rounder mags and it only happened a couple of times, so I'm not worried.

I really liked how it felt in my hand. The heft promised to keep felt recoil to a minimum and the wrap-around grip gave very good purchase. Sure enough, during firing, it was extremely controllable and didn't move around in my hand at all.

I shot it back to back with my Kimber Pro Carry HD II and definitely noticed a few differences. The Kimber has a lighter trigger release which made it easy to keep all the rounds going where I aimed them. I caught myself pulling the SA a bit due to the heavier trigger. The Kimber also is a lot more abusive to my hand, which has been my one complaint about it, and the reason I went out looking for another 5" 1911.

I'm usually a three dot sight guy, but for some reason the dots on the SA sights were not helping me at all. When I tried to line them up, I was all over the place(relatively) but when I ignored them and just used the silhouettes of the sights, I grouped quite nicely. Weird!

I'm very happy with it and I think it was worth the money. I'm very clear it's not the Wilson QCB that I was trying to hold out for, but I just couldn't justify that kind of money on a "fun gun"(yet...)

Anyway, here's a picture of the hole left by the last 50 rounds I shot(at about 10 yards.) Some of those were through the Kimber, but I think the majority of these were from the SA. Not bad for a first trip out!

thats a fine looking weapon you got there

[savasyn]

thats a fine looking weapon you got there

Thanks! I think it'll end up being my favorite of my three 1911s.

[The SoCal Gunner]

How were you chambering the round? When I first got mine, it would fail to strip the first round if I used the slide stop to chamber a round. If I manually pulled the slide back, no problems.. It loosens up like Cheif said though.

I find myself doing the opposite. When my 1911s fail to strip the top round by pulling the slide back manually I find that releasing the slide when locked back using the slide release seems to allow more force to strip the top round.

[savasyn]

As there seem to be so many MC Op owners here, are any of you using the holster and mag carriers that came with the gun? I tried playing with them but they seemed way too tight. I loosened the tension screws all the way, but they still were too tight. I'd be worried about scratching the surface of the gun trying to wear in the plastic if it took repeated insertions and removals to loosen the holster.

[Crazed_SS]

Yea, I didnt like the "11 Gear" plastic holster. The mag pouch is OK. I got the cheapie Springfield nylon holster using the "loaded" coupon that came with the gun. It works fine for range fun.

EDIT
This one:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=179

[USMC Tanker]

I use a Safariland 6004 holster. It's specially made for the MC Operator with a Surefire X300 attached. IMO, why have a light railed gun if you can't holster it with the light on?

Expensive but worth it.

[Black Majik]

Great range report savasyn. You owe it to your gun to get it some good quality gear. While the SA holster and mag carrier will work, injection molded stuff wont really hold a candle to good Kydex.



(I'm so used to seeing C&L'ed 1911 pictures. Mc Operator owners are hardcore, 2 cocked and unlocked, and two hammer down! )

[savasyn]

Great range report savasyn. You owe it to your gun to get it some good quality gear. While the SA holster and mag carrier will work, injection molded stuff wont really hold a candle to good Kydex.

Thanks! I'll be looking into leather/kydex fairly soon for this gun.

(I'm so used to seeing C&L'ed 1911 pictures. Mc Operator owners are hardcore, 2 cocked and unlocked, and two hammer down! )

We are definitely the rebels of the 1911 world!