OPerator Model Question

[Redfoot]

Howdy all. My first post to this page, though I have lurked here for a bit to try to fix my Gold Cup (alas, the pistol was sold and profits put towards an AR..)

Anywho....

My brother is over in the sand box with the 2/2 Marines and is looking for ways to spend his hard earned and tax free money. I have him sold on an Ar, and it looks like he is going to have a genuine M-40 built up through one of his Scouts. On the pistol side, he was dead set on a Sigarms GSR until I filled him in on some of the growing problems they have had:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=14&t=9464

I almost had him going towards an HK Tactical, but he has asked me to research the Springfield Operator models. Right now I see a great variance in both price and features. The main questions are as follows:

Half vs. Full rail: What is the real benefit of the full rail? From what I can see accessory wise, I have yet to see something that cannot be mounted on the half rail, and putting the light/laser farther foward would probably put the controls out of reach. I can only think of perhaps slight inclease in accuracy and reduced muzzle flip from extra wieght...

Is the full rail available new out side of the custom shop, and a model that is not the TRP?

Is the bushingless TRP barrel that much better than the non-TRP?

What should one expect to pay retail for the various models, and how much would we mark down for a used pistol in the 95-99% condition?

Thank you for all of your time, and yes, sometime in the future I will own a 1911 again, just not one that has been bastardized into an IPSC wadcutter queen.

Stay safe

-Redfoot

[joegerardi]

Loaded Operator owner here...

I personally don't think there's much of an advantage with my full rail. If the recoil is any less less, I can't feel it, but I'm not that recoil sensitive anyway. It does, however, have a "coolness factor" with the long rail... :)

There are still some loaded full-rails out there, but the supply is dwindling, as they've been discontinued. New, they run in the $799-850 range. Used, I would expect $699.00. Forget about finding the Mil-Spec Operator: They're gone, unless you're very lucky. The TRP Operator is readily available.

I prefer the bushing, however YMMV.

The main benefit of the full-rail versus the MC (Marine Corps) model IMHO is the price. Expect around a $200.00 savings on the older model.

Hope that helps, and my thanks to your brother for his patriotic service to our country.

..Joe

[Redfoot]

I appreciate your help in the matter. I truly believe it is easy to get carried away with 1911's in regard to ever inflating prices for a basic gun. Soon you reach the law of diminishing returns right?

Thank you also for your wishes. I will relay them myself, for I might have the chance of being stationed with him for a bit when he rotates out (Air Force).

Keep shooting straight...

-Redfoot

[batou]

can I use the XD in IPSC?