GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
$1,162
This was a recent price at TombstoneTactical.com. When ordering this handgun, a letter makes a difference. The ML pistol is supplied with Pachmayr grips, as an example. That’s fine if that is preferred, but our rater ordering the Loaded Operator with G10 grips, or LL. There are several Operators, some more expensive, including the TRP Operator with adjustable sights, the Marine Corps Operator, and the Long Beach (LB) Operator. The Operator designation identifies a pistol as a handgun with a light rail. The Springfield pistol features a nicely applied black Armory Kote finish.
Action Type | Short recoil-operated locked breech, single action |
Overall Length | 8.5 in. |
Overall Height | 5.5 in. |
Max. Width | 1.25 in. |
Weight Unloaded | 40.0 oz. |
Weight Loaded | 45.0 oz. |
Slide Material | Forged steel |
Slide Retraction Effort | 20.5 lbs. |
Receiver Material | Casting |
Finish | Stainless steel |
Front Strap Height | 2.6 in. |
Back Strap Height | 3.2 in. |
Barrel Length | 5.0 in. |
Grip Thickness Max. | 1.25 in. |
Grip Circumference | 5.2 in. |
Magazines | Two 8 round |
Rear Sight | Drift-adj. Novak w/tritium two-dot inserts |
Front Sight | Dovetailed post with tritium insert |
Sight Radius | 6.4 in. |
Trigger Pull Weight | 4.9 lbs. |
Trigger Span | 2.8 in. |
Safety | Slide lock, grip |
Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Telephone | (309) 944-5631 |
Website | Springfield-Armory.com |
Made In | USA |
![](https://www.gun-tests.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Springfield-Loaded-Operator-PX9105LL-45-ACP-magazines-10-300x241.jpg.optimal.jpg)
The pistol features forward cocking serrations. We noted that the transition from the slide to the dust cover features what appears to be a ball end cut rivaling the work on the Nighthawk handgun. The controls are tight and crisp and easily manipulated, with a positive detent. The G10 grips are molded in slightly different patterns forward and to the rear. This makes for good adhesion but also allows easily adjusting the grip. Both adhesion and abrasion are good. Trigger compression was pleasant, with the trigger breaking at a clean 4.9 pounds. At 40 ounces, this is the heaviest pistol tested, but it also seemed to handle recoil the best. The effort to rack the slide was the greatest. This is a trade off because the recoil spring does a good job with all loads, including +P ammunition, and the pistol locks up tight.
![](https://www.gun-tests.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Springfield-Loaded-Operator-PX9105LL-45-ACP-shooting-l-300x110.jpg.optimal.jpg)
During the firing test, we really liked the sight set-up. The serrated front sight provided an excellent sight picture. Combat accuracy was at least as good as any of the pistols tested for the most part, with the Nighthawk shading the Springfield by a margin. This is impressive considering the price difference. Firing off hand for head shots (often called hostage rescue) was limited to 15 yards, but that is a long shot if you are hitting the cranio-ocular area. The Loaded Operator was very consistent, with good results in trained hands. The pistol did not equal the Nighthawk or the Guncrafter in absolute accuracy, but it was close in practical terms. While none of the pistols tested were dogs, and all were actually very accurate, the Springfield Loaded Operator was the least accurate of the 5-inch-barrel guns in absolute accuracy, it you can criticize a pistol that fired a 1.75-inch group on one occasion!
Our Team Said: After appraising the performance of the Springfield Loaded Operator, we gave it an A rating. Based on the light rail, tactical finish, night sights and good reliability, we also named this pistol a Best Buy.
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45 ACP Range Data.xlsx
Fiocchi XTPHP 200-grain 45XTPB25 | Dan Wesson 1911 Heritage | Springfield Armory Loaded Operator | Nighthawk Falcon | Devil Dog 4.25 Standard | Guncrafter Commander |
Average Velocity | 970 fps | 954 fps | 951 fps | 899 fps | 922 fps |
Muzzle Energy | 418 ft.-lbs. | 404 ft.-lbs. | 402 ft.-lbs. | 359 ft.-lbs. | 377 ft.-lbs. |
Small Group | 1.8 in. | 2.0 in. | 1.5 in. | 2.2 in. | 1.4 in. |
Average Group | 2.4 in. | 2.5 in. | 2.0 in. | 2.7 in. | 1.8 in. |
Hornady Custom 230-grain XTP +P 9096 | Dan Wesson 1911 Heritage | Springfield Armory Loaded Operator | Nighthawk Falcon | Devil Dog 4.25 Standard | Guncrafter Commander |
Average Velocity | 919 fps | 907 fps | 903 fps | 867 fps | 880 fps |
Muzzle Energy | 431 ft.-lbs. | 420 ft.-lbs. | 416 ft.-lbs. | 384 ft.-lbs. | 395 ft.-lbs. |
Small Group | 2.0 in. | 2.2 in. | 1.7 in. | 2.4 in. | 1.6 in. |
Average Group | 2.4 in. | 2.6 in. | 2.1 in. | 3.0 in. | 2.0 in. |
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 230-grain GDHP 23975GD | Dan Wesson 1911 Heritage | Springfield Armory Loaded Operator | Nighthawk Falcon | Devil Dog 4.25 Standard | Guncrafter Commander |
Average Velocity | 855 fps | 839 fps | 828 fps | 810 fps | 780 fps |
Muzzle Energy | 373 ft.-lbs. | 359 ft lbs. | 350 ft.-lbs. | 335 ft.-lbs. | 311 ft.-lbs. |
Small Group | 1.9 in. | 1.8 in. | 1.6 in. | 2.6 in. | 1.7 in. |
Average Group | 2.4 in. | 2.4 in. | 2.1 in. | 3.3 in. | 2.0 in. |