Springfield MC Operator Issues

[Q619]

Ammo wise, mine will eat anything. Magazine wise, the only mags it WON'T lock back reliably with are Wilson 47-D's. I have about a dozen of them. Just going to have them fix that on their dime. SA is a stellar company in product support. I've owned 4 other SA 1911's and only had an issue with one other gun (a milspec with a loose bushing. I bought it with the loose bushing knowing I could get it fixed gratis (who'd pass up a like new one for $400?).

[Twiggz]

My MC would FTF on the last round when it was new. I sent it in to the custom shop and got the defense package and a few other things. I have since shot almost 2000rds without a single failure. Using federal bulk, WWB and light reloads with 230g round nose and 200g semi wad cutters. It eats everything now with every mag I've tried.

I would contact springfield, they will make it right.

[esartori]

I had some issues with my mil-spec operator but I think it is mostly magazine related (or after the gun has seen 200 rounds it might choke up every other range session on one). Try magazines and/or if you sent it to Springfield already, I am sure they would take care of you.

[agl1911]

Thanks again everyone, I report back once i get it squared away.

[cc12floz]

My MC Operator has eaten everything I've fed it...mostly freedom munitions fmj but also a 250 bulk pack from Walmart. I did have to send in the slide because the front sight flew off but it was an easy fix. Still my favorite to bring to the range.

[FUBAR]

I guess the "reliability work" didn't work. I still think it might be mag related. I know Baer mags suck and I think Nighthawk uses Checkmate. If you can try some Wilsons or Tripps. If those fail, then yeah, it's the gun. Send it back to undo the "reliability work" so that it will become relable.

[luckystrike]

Were you already having issues before the work? If no then the moral of the story is don't have the reliability work done if you don't have reliability problems. My first Springfield 1911 was a lemon, at the time I was 18 and didn't know how to fix it. Now, my operator has been 100% and the loaded that I bought used only needed an extractor tuning. Both springfields feed HPs and any mag.

Funny thing tho, I know 2 other guys that have Marine operators and both don't like Wilson mags.

[agl1911]

I am the second owner and the work was done prior to me owning it. But I did notice that the extractor is bulging out from the rear near the hammer. Unlike my Baer that sits flush. I will take it apart this weeked and maybe clean it out or even use my bear extractor.

Were you already having issues before the work? If no then the moral of the story is don't have the reliability work done if you don't have reliability problems. My first Springfield 1911 was a lemon, at the time I was 18 and didn't know how to fix it. Now, my operator has been 100% and the loaded that I bought used only needed an extractor tuning. Both springfields feed HPs and any mag.

Funny thing tho, I know 2 other guys that have Marine operators and both don't like Wilson mags.

[zurppin]

My MC and TRP operators have been flawless out of the box. However 1911's have really high tolerances so they do require a break in period. Some guns are more picky than others and you sometimes just need to try a few types of loads and stick with what works. The best luck I've had has been with PMC bronze, it feeds through all of my 1911's reliably.

[luckystrike]

I am the second owner and the work was done prior to me owning it. But I did notice that the extractor is bulging out from the rear near the hammer. Unlike my Baer that sits flush. I will take it apart this weeked and maybe clean it out or even use my bear extractor.

I wouldnt worry that it dosent sit flush, my operator is flush, my loaded is not, both function fine.

[agl1911]

oh ok, I took apart my MC operator today and pulled the extractor out. Immediately i noticed that it didn't come out all that easy and that when it was out the rod had a noticeable bend to the left towards the extractor claw which is why it was a little hard to pull out. I haven't gotten a chance to pull my Baer extractor out to see if that is straight or not.

I wouldnt worry that it dosent sit flush, my operator is flush, my loaded is not, both function fine.

[agl1911]

Oh forgot to mention I bough new mags to test as well. I have baers and nighthawks currently, i just bought some wilsons to test.

[redcliff]

oh ok, I took apart my MC operator today and pulled the extractor out. Immediately i noticed that it didn't come out all that easy and that when it was out the rod had a noticeable bend to the left towards the extractor claw which is why it was a little hard to pull out. I haven't gotten a chance to pull my Baer extractor out to see if that is straight or not.

The look of the extractor regarding straightness is not a reliable gauge unfortunately. What matters is the tension it's exerting on the case's rim which can vary due to the fitting of that particular extractor on that particular slide; this is why 1911 extractors aren't often drop-in. You really need to do the loaded round test which I posted earlier to determine your tension and see if it needs to be reduced. Hopefully it does need to have the tension reduced as that should improve your pistols reliability.

With the slide removed, slide a loaded round up the breachface into the firing position. The extractor should hold the case if you turn the slide upside down or lightly shake the slide but should release with more vigorous shaking. If too tight withdraw the extractor halfway out of its tunnel and bend it a bit to remove some case tension and retest till satisfied.

While its not always the answer, many 1911's that exhibit magazine and ammo sensitivity have this problem. I'd suggest checking your Les Baer also.

Extractor tension too tight=failure to feed. Extractor tension too loose=failure to extract/stovepipe.

[shipwreck]

I previously had an MC Operator, and it always worked 100% with no issues whats-so-ever.

Try a different mag and different ammo and a new recoil spring. After that - shoot it to Springfield to look at it if there are still issues.

[agl1911]

thanks Redcliffe I will try the loaded round test... is a snap cap sufficient or do i need a real round?

The look of the extractor regarding straightness is not a reliable gauge unfortunately. What matters is the tension it's exerting on the case's rim which can vary due to the fitting of that particular extractor on that particular slide; this is why 1911 extractors aren't often drop-in. You really need to do the loaded round test which I posted earlier to determine your tension and see if it needs to be reduced. Hopefully it does need to have the tension reduced as that should improve your pistols reliability.