MC Operator

[Race]

I've read a few positive comments about the SA MC Operator. I've steered away from 1911s at this price level, but am I missing something with this thing?

I assume it's filled with MIM parts, as is the rest of SA's lineup? I like their Custom Shop pistols (Professional and Custom Carry), but haven't had any of their standard models.

Thanks for any feedback.

[razors]

These guns do have MIM but really are nice shooters. If MIM parts do concern you I would look at the dan wessons....I have a 08' cbob and its a heck of a gun for the money.

[VooDoo6Actual]

Great value and features for price.

Replace critical MIM parts and it's duty ready imo.

I have ZERO regrets or doubts w/ mine.


YMMV...

[maximus83]

Ditto, that's what I've done. If you get one of the Operators, just swap out critical parts with quality tool steel parts, and have a little reliability tuning done. I did this through the Springfield Custom shop, also got my front strap checkered, and now am totally happy with the pistol.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Are the frames on the Operator's forged or cast?

[maximus83]

Forged.

[crossgun]

The MC Operator is a great foundation for a 1911. It gives you many alternatives toward building a custom pistol. You really can’t buy all the components that you would keep and use plus afford the fitting for the original price of the pistol. I truly believe it to be the best and most economical way to build your own custom almost full house pistol. All you need to do is find the right smith. Some of the MIM parts are really not that bad and in fact good. It gives those that make parts from other manufacturing process something to argue. When I had mine done the pistols came with National Match frames and slides which I felt was a big plus over the frames and slides that come from Brazil. If the serial number starts with NM then the come from the States and receive a little more attention than those marked on the bottom of the dust cover "Made in Brazil"

Mine went to Scott Mulkerin at SDM Fabricating who did a wonderful job and has built me two other 1911s. If I recall correctly we did a high grip and checker to the front strap, SDM weld on mag well, SDM rear sight with Tritium Bar, custom fit Crimson Trace Laser Grips, modified the MSH to except a lanyard, trigger job with Cylinder and Slide components, extended mag release and an overall tune and reliability package. Pistol was sent back to Springfield to be refinished in the factory OD Green finish.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2242.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2226.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2263.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/CopyofDSCF2233.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2245.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2252.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww150/copperfield8910/DSCF2256.jpg

[Race]

crossgun,

The NM marked frames are made in Brazil, too. They just have some final milling to specs by SA in the USA, whereas the "Brazil" marked frames are final milled in Brazil.

That SDM pistol looks great.

[smithjd]

MC Operator is what I highly recommend as an entry level 1911. I had over 7000 rounds through mine before I sold it (because I learned how to build my own). I had some extractor tension issues right out of the gate. Solved those and with good mags it just kept running. I saw more issues with the "Operator" models (couple pins broke because things were too tight, and welded magazine bottoms that would let go) than mine during 3200+ rounds in a week, with absolutely no difference on targets...

I know of a couple hard duty MC OP that have upwards of 20k on them with only a loose plunger tube on one, that could happen to anyone.

Good guns.

[TOrrock]

What others have said....

I picked up mine as a very, very lightly used piece from the shop I used to work at.

It's a "Gen 1", meaning the dustcover rail is squared off vs. the newer slant cut.

I've run it through two Vickers Tactical and one D. Pennington carry class, approximate round count is 3K so far, the vast majority being Remington UMC ball, with about 300 rounds of Speer 230 gr. Golt Dot, with narry a bobble, hiccup, or hairy eyeball.

I've used Wilson 8rd, CMC 8 and 10 rd mags, along with the stock 7 rd Springfield mags.

The fitting on mine is extremely well done. I swapped out the Pachmayars for Gunner G10's, and I really, really need to swap out the Novak night sights for some 10-8's, Heinies, or the new Warren sights.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Springfield%20Armory%20M1911A1%20MEUSOC/P1020077.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Springfield%20Armory%20M1911A1%20MEUSOC/P1020084.jpg



It's one of my daily carry pieces in a Kramer #3 IWB, and believe it or not I only notice when it's not on my hip.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Springfield%20Armory%20M1911A1%20MEUSOC/SpringfieldM1911A1MCOperatorRig.jpg


If I could find another one for the money I put into this one, I'd snatch it up.

[VooDoo6Actual]

Imbel is the company that makes them for Springfield Armory in Brazil.

The slide and frame, both, are forged from 4140 ordnance steel.

HTH...

[decodeddiesel]

Replace critical MIM parts and it's duty ready imo.

YMMV...

Which parts would you include on this list?

[VooDoo6Actual]

Research the MFG. as to WHAT components are MIM (Metal Injection Molded) BUT typically and usually are:


Disconnector
Hammer Strut
Hammer/Sear
magazine catch


Extractor is rare but IF it is MIM (not typical but they do exist)


HTH...

[decodeddiesel]

Research the MFG. as to WHAT components are MIM (Metal Injection Molded) BUT typically and usually are:


Disconnector
Hammer Strut
Hammer/Sear
magazine catch


Extractor is rare but IF it is MIM (not typical but they do exist)


HTH...

Sorry I should have prefaced my question, what parts on the MC Operator would you replace with non-MIM parts?

[Juicymeat]

At minimum I would do the sear, hammer, and disconnector. Cylinder and slide makes a great kit for about $100. Not only does it get rid of MIM parts, but it comes with the option of a lower trigger pull weight as well as a smoother trigger.

[theJanitor]

i'm running the C&S kit in my operator. solid function and quality parts. i believe it came with hammer, sear, disconnect, springs. no hammer strut IIRC

[decodeddiesel]

i'm running the C&S kit in my operator. solid function and quality parts. i believe it came with hammer, sear, disconnect, springs. no hammer strut IIRC

I also added this kit to my Loaded. I bought the "Tactical II" kit and couldn't be more amazed by it. I have also replaced all of the pins for 10-8 pins, springs for Wolff springs, my slide stop, my safety, my extractor, I had the ejector pinned, the plunger tube silver soldered to the frame, Ed Brown bbl bushing...:D

[Ando]

Of the five different Springfield's that I have worked on they have all had some sort of issue. This includes GI's and both old NM Loaded and newer Brazil Loaded models, with the new Brazil model being the most dimensionally correct.

My recommendation is DO NOT replace anything until you have shot the gun extensively, that way you can identify the issues you are going to have and return the gun to Springfield to take advantage of their excellent warranty. When the gun is returned to you, then replace the terrible extractor and the hammer and sear. I also prefer to ditch the silly ILS mainspring stuff.

I like EGW stuff, good quality and reasonable prices.

[VooDoo6Actual]

Crossgun,

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/MCOperatorBrileyMagwell.jpg

I think that your MC Operator w/ Checkered front strap & Briley Magwell rocks.


Very well thought out and nicely executed additions.

[crossgun]

The Mag well is Scott Mulkerin's at SDM Fabricating. NOT Briley! Scott not only makes the mag wells he is an excellent smith and member of the American Pistol Smiths Guild. He is a true artist!

SDM removes a 1/4" off the frame and then welds his mag well on keeping the frame the original length. We cut a 1/4" of the CTC laser grips to get the perfect blend. The front of the SDM mag well is closed and not open. Some guys teach that you need to be able to get to the bottom front face of the front strap in case you get a mag that hangs up and then tear and/or tap it out with your spare mag. I have never had an issue and boy does it make mag changes really quick!

I also have it installed on two other 1911s

[ToddG]

Seriously nice 1911, crossgun. The work (and even customizing the LGs) just screams professional.

[VooDoo6Actual]

Geez,
tough day I guess.

CROSSGUN writes:

"The Mag well is Scott Mulkerin's at SDM Fabricating. NOT Briley! Scott not only makes the mag wells he is an excellent smith and member of the American Pistol Smiths Guild. He is a true artist! "

Really ?

Just so we are clear (because I'm Baccarat Crystal Clear), the magwell CORE your smith uses is a Briley magwell to start with and obviously does his magic as smithy's do regarding welding, silver soldering, blending, polishing, fitting, milling etc et alia...


Here is his website and copy from it verbatum:

http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Packages.html

"Install Briley weld on magwell and shorten grips"


Here's a link with the info and pics from the website.

http://www.sdmfabricating.com/More_photos.html

Here's the copy and pics from his website verbatum:

"Nice shot of Briley
weld on magwell"

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/BrileyMagwell2.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/MCOperatorBrileyMagwell.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/BrileyMagwell.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e225/teehee321/DSCF2274.jpg


I recognized the Briley magwell, because I have it on a couple of my guns and several "other" excellent smiths' use them as well.


As I commented earlier in a polite, complimentary manner,



"I think that your MC Operator w/ Checkered front strap & Briley Magwell rocks.

Very well thought out and nicely executed additions."

:confused: