Springfield Armory® was the first 1911 manufacturer to offer a frame that included an accessory rail as part of the forging. The Champion™ Operator® mates this forged Operator® frame with a shorter slide and a 4 inch barrel. This results in a pistol that is suitable for concealed carry or operating where a light is needed – and it doesn’t sacrifice any capacity.
Pick up a Champion™ Operator®, and you’ll find that it’s a feature-loaded expression of the classic 4 inch 1911. The beavertail grip safety, flat mainspring housing, Lightweight Delta™ hammer, extended ambidextrous thumb safeties and extended trigger give you all the ergonomic advantages you want in a carry pistol. The 3-Dot tritium combat sights mean that the Champion™ Operator® is ready for any conditions. A carry gun also has to be reliable. Thanks to the lowered and flared ejection port, fully supported ramped match grade barrel and proprietary dual-captive recoil system, the Champion™ Operator® is guaranteed to perform when you need it most. And the Armory Kote™ finish will keep it performing for years to come.
You can carry the Champion™ Operator® with you all day, appreciating its smaller size and standard capacity. Then slide your favorite tactical light on the rail, and put it on your nightstand. When you need a feature-packed 1911 for night and day, reach for the Champion™ Operator®.
Specifications:
Caliber
.45 Acp
Recoil System
Dual Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Sights
Low Profile Combat, 3 - Dot Tritium
Weight (With Empty Magazine)
31 ozs.
Height
5.5"
Slide
Forged Carbon Steel, Black Armory Kote™
Barrel
4" Stainless Steel Match Grade, Fully Supported Ramp, Bull
Length
7.6"
Grip Type
Cross Cannon™ Double Diamond Cocobolo
Frame
Forged Aluminum Alloy w/ Integral Accessory Rail, Black Hardcoat Anodized
Magazines
2 - 7 Round, Blued Steel
The information below comes from our Gun Caliber Dictionary and is for
general reference only. It does not describe the specifications of this
particular item.
The 45 ACP (45 Auto) was designed by John Browning in 1905 for his prototype semiautomatic pistol that eventually became the legendary Colt 1911, using a .452-inch bullet. Browning proposed a 200-grain bullet; U.S. Army Ordnance, smarting from reports of poor performance of the 38 Long Colt in the Philippines, increased bullet weight to 230 grains for greater stopping power...and the 45 ACP as it is today was adopted in 1911. It remains an iconic and popular handgun cartridge for personal defense and competition, and was used by the U.S. military in submachine guns (Thompson and M3) through the 1970s. Although largely replaced by the 9mm for military use and the 9mm and/or 40 S&W in the law enforcement community, the 45 ACP is still used by the U.S. military and numerous law enforcement agencies in various applications. The standard load remains a 230-grain bullet at 780 to 850 fps, but lighter, faster bullets from 165 to 200 grain, delivering a bit less recoil, are also available.
—
Craig Boddington
