Posted: 2/5/2008 2:17:55 PM EDT
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I am going to be purchasing my first 1911 and I am looking at springfield to be the one to buy. I am currently looking at the Operator Leightweight Champion or the Loaded Champion. I really like the 4" barrel compared to the 5" or 3" barrel. Does anybody have any experience with these? What other springfield champion, or 4" barrel, would you guys recommend? My price range is between $800-$900 perferably. Help me out here... ETA: I want a good 1911 that will run straight out of the box. I doubt that I will be making any changes to it since it will primarily be a range gun, maybe a ccw every now and then. I want to stick with the black or blued look as I really don't care for the stainless. Thanks... |
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Champion Operator is a great weapon. I have fired my buddie's, and it is very accurate for a 4" gun. However, you will find that holster selection is pretty slim with the railed guns. So if you want to carry it right off, you may want to go another route. Good luck with your search. Wrenn |
| I dont have any experience with the Champion. I stick to the 5" stuff. I did try a V10 once. Anyway SA makes a great gun, and the CS is second to none. And to top it off the Custom Shop is also pretty sweet with some damn good prices for top of the line work when you decide to customize it. |
| My wife got a loaded Champion for $600 at a gun show about six months ago and is absolutely in love with it. I aadded some faux scrimshaw grips and a slimline mag well to it so she calls it her girly gun, but it sure shoots like a manly weapon. If you can find one I'd say go for it, you won't be sorry. |
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go with the SA Champ LW Operator. I did. Runs like a Champ out of the box. Using SA mags it works flawlessly. I just returned from the range today and put 50 rounds downrange. I am amazed at the accuracy and trigger. Paid 799.00 plus tax. If you can find one, jump on it. |
I once owned a steel framed Champion & it wouldn't run for shit................  While not turned against SA, I still own three of them & use one for my CCW, the Micro. But it did turn me off the Champion. There's also the not-so-nice problem of finding things that fit that bastard sized slide length. Everything is made for either the Commander or OACP, the Champion is neither. While you didn't ask, my Micro is 110% reliable after it's first 100rds. Alloy frame, night sights, 7rd mags, 3" bbl for perfect concealment while sitting down. What's not to love????? 
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Well I purchased the SA LW Champion Operator the other day. I should be able to get my hands on it tomorrow. Now I am, kind of, starting to worry a little bit. I have read that some people believe that the aluminum frame will not hold up in heavy use. How true is that? I will probably, maybe be putting 100-250 rounds down the pipe a month or every other month. Is that too much shooting for a LW frame or should I not even be worried about that? What about running it in a class where there will be 1000 plus rounds down range? Please don't try and freak me out, I am already worrying a bit.
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Buy recoil springs in 1/2 dozen packs, go up 2-3 lbs from factory rating & change them out every 1000-1500rds & you should NEVER have any worries. Springs are around $10 or so each from Wolff. Springfield also has a lifetime warranty, so relax................ 
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