50,000 (now 88K) rounds and counting: Springfield Operator

[jpmuscle]

That is a seriously beautiful gun. Continued thanks for sharing Ned.

[steve1911]

Great report.

[BigJoe]

I love this stuff, keep it up ned

[Digital_Damage]

I love this stuff, keep it up ned

ditto, I love seeing the results of a long term test.

[Ned Christiansen]

Rob was over here to pick up a Commander I just finished for him and I asked to see the Operator, now at 103,000 rounds. Darn if it doesn't need a new slide, it's cracked, where one might expect, where the slide bangs the frame.

At that round count I can only say " no surprise" and "got his money's worth". He's a happy customer. Here's the one he picked up today:

[Lawnchair 04]

Man that's beautiful, forgive my ignorance but do you have a custom shop or is that just a hobby for you?

[opngrnd]

Very nice! If I may ask, how long has he been shooting that particular pistol to amass 103000 rounds through it, and how often did he need it rebuilt?

[newyork]

Incredible.

[Ned Christiansen]

I do it for a living.

The Operator has had a few parts replaced but not a rebuild per se. It's on barrel #4 but coulda shoulda been #2.

[jkb4c]

Ned - again, thanks for following up! I know the MC Operators have forward cocking serrations - did the crack begin at one of the serrations, or was it unrelated? Do you think a slide without FCS would be less prone to cracks in that area, or is it inevitable?

Also - what's the plan for the pistol? Is he retiring it (that gun definitely earned it!) or will you be putting a new slide on it?