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New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:24 am
by RiverRat
Ok, I have to add to the "I got my dream 1911" ......a couple of weeks ago I found one that had been ordered, but the buyer bought another before it was delivered to the FFL. I jumped on it like a grackle on a Junebug :anamatedbanana when I saw it under the counter at the local gun store.
I have a Champion Operator (lightweight) that I carry at the ranch that is very accurate, and I just love, and to find it's big brother. How do I count the smiles?

It's a Springfield Operator Professional;
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In case you aren't familiar with the pistol, here is an excellent review;
http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/a...ls.aspx?ID=656

So I took my new 1911 to the Austin TGO meet today at the Lone Star Gun Range in Lockhart, feeling pretty good I unloaded a magazine (7 rounds) into a target.....handed it to shooting buddy, Ray and he shot another mag (7 rounds) into the same target. Ray had never shot the pistol before and I can tell his shooting every weekend is showing. This is freehand shooting with my new Springfield Pro 1911 Operator from 7 yds, freehand standing, just shooting Winchester White Box FMJ. Can you count all 14 rounds?

I won't be challenging Ray to any shooting contest with pistol he is familiar with, that's a promise.

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We had a good time. Either Ray is pulling his shots the exact same way I am or I will need to adjust the sights a little. I'm close to 500 rounds through it and nary a hiccup of any kind. The pistol is one fine shooter. It makes my shooting look good. I had several other targets, but I had lots of help shooting it at the range today.....with lots of flyers from my friends, so it means lots of editing to explain the targets......I did shoot one target at 25 yards by myself. :smilelol5:

Here's what I did with one box of WWB at twenty five yards; (weasle words; I am not TLynn Hughes or Stephen Camp)
The 2,6,3, and 5 were single magazines of seven rounds, rapid fire as soon as I settled back on the target, I would fire again. The number 1 target was all six magazines, the same rapid fire. The three rounds in the number 4 target were what was left in the box before I went home. It was about 2PM and I couldn't see out of the salt from the sweat in my eyes to see 25 yards by then. I had already run through two hundred rounds before I set this target up and was thankful for the agressive texturing on the grip, it really helps maintain your grip and aim when fatigued...... I was pooped out by then.

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I can't see how I will ever need another pistol, or will ever do any better. This one is everything I expect in a 1911.
Yes, I prefer a rail for it's intended use. :fire

By the way, Mrs. RiverRat shot it......holes in holes and had to stop by the gun store and get herself a TRP on the way home. I'll report on it later with a comparison review of the two Springers. The TRP is very accurate, too.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:18 am
by KFP
Congrats! That is a gorgeous gun!

I am very interested to hear your comparison with it to the TRP. I've been eyeing both, but have been have been hesitant to lay down the money for a Professional.

Great choice! :thumbs2:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:22 am
by Lumberjack98
Congratulations on the springer and thanks for the great write up.

:tiphat:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:23 am
by texjames
Thats a great looking gun and nice shootn'...what do those go far ? :clapping:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:17 am
by Dragonfighter
OT - Do these critters and other 1911 models break down the same way the Colts do, did, used to? I would like to know I could strip one from memory. Alright go back to the topic at hand. Outstanding piece BTW.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:17 am
by MoJo
Dragonfighter wrote:OT - Do these critters and other 1911 models break down the same way the Colts do, did, used to? I would like to know I could strip one from memory. Alright go back to the topic at hand. Outstanding piece BTW.
Yes, unless there is a full length guide rod in the gun.

Nice shootin' iron RR.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:24 am
by USA1
RiverRat wrote: I can't see how I will ever need another pistol
Is that need, or want? :mrgreen:

Congrats! Very nice gun. Good shootin too. :thumbs2:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:29 pm
by RiverRat
USA1 wrote:
RiverRat wrote: I can't see how I will ever need another pistol
Is that need, or want? :mrgreen:

Congrats! Very nice gun. Good shootin too. :thumbs2:
I did not say want. You did not hear me say I wouldn't want another pistol. :drool:

I will post the break down pics on it when I clean it, I remember the TRP had a funky two piece guide rod that loosened with shooting, I'm not sure of the solution with it, so I put some blue removable Locktite on it. I honestly don't remember, I think it was just like my Spring 1911A1. I cleaned 5 pistols back to back that day. I'll clean it later today.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:34 pm
by joe817
Great looking gun RR! That's some good shooting too! :thumbs2: :thumbs2:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:00 pm
by slinco
Beautiful! These types of post do my wallet no good at all-I believe I have been bitten by the 1911 bug.
Congratulations.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:44 pm
by MoJo
RiverRat wrote:

I will post the break down pics on it when I clean it, I remember the TRP had a funky two piece guide rod that loosened with shooting, I'm not sure of the solution with it, so I put some blue removable Locktite on it. I honestly don't remember, I think it was just like my Spring 1911A1. I cleaned 5 pistols back to back that day. I'll clean it later today.
RR the best fix for a two piece guide rod is to replace it with a Milspec one. :thumbs2: The FLGR is a solution for a non existant problem in the 1911 the first thing I do with a gun with a FLGR is to get rid of the FLGR and my guns all run like a top. :coolgleamA:

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:02 pm
by stevie_d_64
RR, try to obtain some high quality skateboard tape (medium grip, grit) and trim up a piece that will fit below the trigger guard down the front of the grip handle...I rounded the ends of the strip, and it really does help in maintaining a grip in challenging conditions of water, sweat and other conditions where your grip may be a little tricky...

I put that stuff on both our "his and her" Springfields a while back, and the result helps us maintain, or ensure a consistent handle on the firearms...

The tape has never peeled up or worn out, since then either...Just make sure the surface is dry and free of oil and solvents before applying, and give it a good going over to make sure it is on there...

It certainly is an effective fix, and cheap to boot...

Good stuff, as usual, for a gun right out of the box too!!!

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:21 pm
by RiverRat
Thanks for the advice. The Mrs has her TRP with her at the ranch this week, so I'll look at Brownell's and see what I can find to replace her guide rod.
I'll try the skateboard tape. I had seen that mentioned somewhere else, also. Her front grip on the TRP is 20 scars per inch and very aggressive. The skate board tape might lessen the bite.

Re: New 1911 at my house

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:05 pm
by cougartex
Congratulations, nice shooting. :tiphat: