Posted: 1/9/2005 1:05:41 PM EDT
| Are they all made in Brazil or just the lower model range (are they all marked as such)? Also, is the regular operator the only model with the full length dust cover/integral rail? |
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As far back as I can remember they were made in Brazil. As far as rails go, there have been several generations of Operators. -The first were the Mil-Spec Operator and TRP Operator. Both had full length dust covers/rails. -Next was a loaded Operator, also with a full length rail. -After that came the Micro Operator, which is a compact gun with a much shorter rail. -Finally, they replaced the Loaded Operator and Mil-Spec Operator with the Loaded MC Operator. It has a cut down rail, similar to the length on a Kimber TLE RL II. The only Operator in Springfield's lineup to have a full length rail anymore is the TRP Operator. Older Mil-Spec and Loaded Operators can still be found new, though. |
| Thanks for the prompt reply. After extensive research on other websites I've come to believe that Imbel (of Brazil) makes all the slides and frames for Springfield, is this correct? Do any of the Springfields lack the "made in Brazil" rollmark I've seen in the past? |
They have been for some time and are currently made in Itajuba, Brazil, by IMBEL. I only started getting into 1911s in 1986, and I have no idea if their 1911s were made by someone else. I have never seen one that was not marked "made in Brazil". |
| My Mil Spec is not marked "Made in Brazil" though I'm pretty sure it was forged there. Not sure when it was made but I remember reading somewhere that not all Springfields were marked for a few years. IIRC, serial numbers starting with "NM" were forged in Brazil and machined in the US. My s/n starts with NM. All others s/ns are forged and machined in Brazil. HTH |
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My research indicates all raw forgings are made by IMBEL in Brazil. My Springfield is marked "IMBEL - Brazil" However, custom shop guns that are finish machined by Springfield may not be marked. Saw a dealers personal new custom shop Springfiled on Friday that was not marked. |