Springfield Champion Operator

Uncle Malice · March 2, 2013, 02:40 PM

So, I'm really getting the 1911 itch again. Now that my TRP is running reliably, I love the platform. The Champion Operator has always been next on my list for a couple of years now.

I can't seem to find any in stock. I can order from Bud's on reserve - but who knows how long that will take to come in? I even considered going with the Kimper Raptor Pro II... but I'm just not a Kimber fan. Their warranty isn't great and their customer service reputation is less than stellar and that's important to me.

I've done as much Google-fu as I know how to do, and can't find them anywhere. Well, I take that back... there are 1 or 2 on ARMSLIST from private sellers looking for like $1,200-$1,300 for them.

I have a buddy of mine that has an FFL checking in to see what he can do as far as locating one.

In the mean time, if any of you own one, I'd be VERY happy to see some new pics or read your thoughts on the gun.

Thanks guys! I know some people don't dig rails on the 1911, but I think this one is gorgeous!

shootniron · March 2, 2013, 02:42 PM

It is gorgeous and they are great guns...if hard to find.

Tactical Jackalope · March 2, 2013, 02:47 PM

Beautiful. Very. Never shot one before, I'd love to someday. So, why don't you just let me know when you get it. Ok?

Uncle Malice · March 2, 2013, 03:24 PM

Constantine, when I do get it, you're definitely welcomed to come shoot it. Just let me know when you're coming out to Phoenix for a visit!

Would be nice to get away from that humidity, I'm sure.

Tactical Jackalope · March 2, 2013, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Malice

Constantine, when I do get it, you're definitely welcomed to come shoot it. Just let me know when you're coming out to Phoenix for a visit!

Would be nice to get away from that humidity, I'm sure.

Yeah, definitely. I'm feeling the blues real bad right now. I'd love to get out of here for a while actually.

I need some range therapy!

HKFan9 · March 3, 2013, 12:25 AM

Mine is one of my favorite 1911's. I prostaff ordered mine from Springfield.... it took me 6 months to get it, and prostaff orders get first priority.

They seem to only build them once a year.. I got mine about two years ago.. I ordered it in October, They didn't build them until February if I remember correctly.

With everything going on right now, unless you find one in stock somewhere or used, they are a tad hard to come by but worth the hunt.

Mine wears a pair of VZ Carbon Fiber 320 grips. For a production 1911, it is fitted extremely tight, and mine has been flawless since round 1. If you can find one I do recommend them.

Uncle Malice · March 3, 2013, 05:40 PM

Ugh. Well I just couldn't handle waiting for the unknown any longer. I went ahead and did the reserve order and put it on layaway at Bud's. No sense in paying the full price if it's not even in stock yet... I can pay it off a little at a time and take the sting away... I've got the cash available though in case it happens to show up quickly.

scottl · March 3, 2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

there are 1 or 2 on ARMSLIST from private sellers looking for like $1,200-$1,300 for them.

Way over priced.I paid ~$850 for mine.

HKFan9 · March 4, 2013, 12:13 AM

Technically yes they are over priced, but generally people do pay that much even used for them because they are a pain to find. So I can't really fault the posters for trying.

EAJ702 · March 4, 2013, 03:35 PM

I purchased my Micro, Champion and MC Operators all within a year of each other. They're all fun to shoot, but my overall favorite's been the Champion. Good luck with your search.

March 2, 2013, 02:40 PM	#1
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Springfield Champion Operator So, I'm really getting the 1911 itch again. Now that my TRP is running reliably, I love the platform. The Champion Operator has always been next on my list for a couple of years now. I can't seem to find any in stock. I can order from Bud's on reserve - but who knows how long that will take to come in? I even considered going with the Kimper Raptor Pro II... but I'm just not a Kimber fan. Their warranty isn't great and their customer service reputation is less than stellar and that's important to me. I've done as much Google-fu as I know how to do, and can't find them anywhere. Well, I take that back... there are 1 or 2 on ARMSLIST from private sellers looking for like $1,200-$1,300 for them. I have a buddy of mine that has an FFL checking in to see what he can do as far as locating one. In the mean time, if any of you own one, I'd be VERY happy to see some new pics or read your thoughts on the gun. Thanks guys! I know some people don't dig rails on the 1911, but I think this one is gorgeous! __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

March 2, 2013, 03:24 PM	#4
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Constantine, when I do get it, you're definitely welcomed to come shoot it. Just let me know when you're coming out to Phoenix for a visit! Would be nice to get away from that humidity, I'm sure. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

March 3, 2013, 05:40 PM	#7
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Ugh. Well I just couldn't handle waiting for the unknown any longer. I went ahead and did the reserve order and put it on layaway at Bud's. No sense in paying the full price if it's not even in stock yet... I can pay it off a little at a time and take the sting away... I've got the cash available though in case it happens to show up quickly. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

March 2, 2013, 02:42 PM	#2
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	It is gorgeous and they are great guns...if hard to find.

March 2, 2013, 02:47 PM	#3
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	Beautiful. Very. Never shot one before, I'd love to someday. So, why don't you just let me know when you get it. Ok?

March 3, 2013, 12:25 AM	#6
HKFan9 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Posts: 3,057	Mine is one of my favorite 1911's. I prostaff ordered mine from Springfield.... it took me 6 months to get it, and prostaff orders get first priority. They seem to only build them once a year.. I got mine about two years ago.. I ordered it in October, They didn't build them until February if I remember correctly. With everything going on right now, unless you find one in stock somewhere or used, they are a tad hard to come by but worth the hunt. Mine wears a pair of VZ Carbon Fiber 320 grips. For a production 1911, it is fitted extremely tight, and mine has been flawless since round 1. If you can find one I do recommend them.

March 4, 2013, 12:13 AM	#9
HKFan9 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Posts: 3,057	Technically yes they are over priced, but generally people do pay that much even used for them because they are a pain to find. So I can't really fault the posters for trying.

March 4, 2013, 03:35 PM	#10
EAJ702 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 448	I purchased my Micro, Champion and MC Operators all within a year of each other. They're all fun to shoot, but my overall favorite's been the Champion. Good luck with your search.