Dial 1911 for Operator

1652 Views 25 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Robe, Dec 4, 2001

Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · Nov 12, 2001

Just finished a Springfield Operator for a customer that turned out pretty nice. Trying to get some pics on Photopoint so I can post them but it's not cooperating yet. This 1911 looks and feels big! The customer has large hands so he wanted an arched S&A magwell for its additional girth and lenght. I normally don't care for these much, but put quite a bit of extra work into this one and it looks fine. Per his request, the frontsrap has a slightly different profile, again to keep the grip as large as possible (versus usually trying to reduce it). It's done in 20 LPI to match the S&A. The integral light rail underneath the dustcover got a fair amount of attention, trying to minimize its snaggable edges and ramping it for easier installation of the light. Lots of the usual aftermarket parts were used, carefully checked and fitted... precisely dehorned to a tasteful level.... Grips are the new MD Labs jobs which do seem pretty nice. They have a slightly unusual shape which is not a bad thing. I matched them at the bottom to the shape of the S&A so there was no overhang. I tested MD Lbs' claim that they will not support fungal growth, and it's true, but I ruined three pair of BVD's in the process.

Anyway-- will post these pics when I can get on Photopoint.

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Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · #2 · Nov 13, 2001

6

OK, Photopoint is cooperating now, here are some pics of this Operator. For those of you who have not seen one, the frame and slide normally terminate in a pretty squared-off fashion. This gun was sent to me new and unfired, and actually it was pretty darn nice right out of the box.

The customer is a forum reader or member, but I don't know which one. I went ahead and used a stainless barrel bushing without asking him, anybody think that's particularly appealing or especially ugly? Barrel's a Kart. The look and feel of the thing is confidence-inspiring to me, weird how size and weight can do that. Kinda makes my personal full-sized GM seem.... less potent. Maybe a bake-on coating of Viagra...?

[This message has been edited by Ned Christiansen (edited 11-12-2001).]

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pistolwrench

· #3 · Nov 13, 2001

Ned,
Beautiful, bullet-proof lookin' gun!
But......the rear sight, it's in a darn dovetail??
Gettin' lazy in your old age?

Chuck

strider

· #4 · Nov 13, 2001

2

Nice work as usual, Ned.

The nose job looks good, as does the hicut frontstrap, very smooth.
IMO the matte sts barrel bushing looks great.
Did you do one of your braze on front sights?

I REALLY like the grips.

PS Thanks for using black grip screws, I think they look much better than silver.

[This message has been edited by strider (edited 11-13-2001).]

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TiroFijo

· #5 · Nov 13, 2001

Beautiful work, Ned!! If you run out of bullets you can always use it to whack the BG

!

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shane45-1911

· #6 · Nov 13, 2001

Good job Ned! Quite stealthy looking.

Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 13, 2001

Chuck, I tried to talk the customer into the no-dovetail sight mount but wanted a standard installation. But to answer your quesion about getting lazy in my old age, why no, I have been naturally lazy since a very young age!

Strider, the front is a standard dovetailed-in job. As usual I have offered the customer the option of me pinning these after he confirms sight-in but I rarely get any takers on that. The dovetails are very tight and right, but personally I like stuff truly solid when it can be. These are not put in with LocTite.... I put them in with an anti-sieze compound, that's how tight I like to get them.

Tiro Fijo, funny you should say that, that's the first thing I thought when I saw an Operator...."Marvelous impact weapon!" I darn near cobbled up a bayonet just to send along with the gun as a joke.

Shane- glad you like it... stealthy until you try to conceal it!

Patrick Sweeney

· #8 · Nov 13, 2001

Ned, nice work. I really like the idea of a bayonet. Perhaps you could work up a few drawings to see if any of us would simply have to have one. I can see it now, on the cover of a magazine.....

Have you weighed it to see what it totals up to? 42-43 oz?

Robe

· #9 · Nov 13, 2001

Since the reviews are running favorable, I'll step out now and claim the gun. This project was basically an experiment to try some of my ideas. If there's something you don't like about it, Put it on me. Ned was very open minded and did what I wanted and the way I wanted it. I figure it's a great CQB platform to use when concealment is not involved. You can shoot 'em with it and then beat 'em with it when it's empty. The rail allws you to add a light, bayonet, shoulder sling if it gets too heavy, long fork or spatula for hotdogs and hamburgers on a camping trip or grilling out at home. I have not actually received the gun yet. I'll shoot it a while and maybe work on it some more after that. It was supposed to be a winter project, but Ned jumped right on it and finnished it really quick. Thanks to Ned for quick work, an open mind, and a willingness to try something different.

Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 13, 2001

Ah- HAH!

A pleasure working with you, I enjoyed the project. Did some more final shooting and work on it today. When I think I'm done I grab a higher-powered loupe and start over!

Pat, weight is indeed 43-44 OZ's.

JGage

· #11 · Nov 13, 2001

What's the story on those stocks ? They look like they are G-10 or something. I like them.

Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 14, 2001

Those grips are from MD Labs. They look like G-10 to me too (or FR4, same stuff isn't it?).

strider

· #13 · Nov 14, 2001

2

Actually the grips are made from a material proprietary to MD Labs. It is similar to G11 (which is the same family as G10/).

MD Labs composite can be described as sort of a product improved G11. It was specifically designed for hard use applications and enviroments which were never envisioned for G10 and G11.

Our material will not support combustion, is extremely chemical resistant, and is very tough and durable.

The compressive yield strength is 79,000 PSI. For reference:

Hardwood (hickory) 600 psi
Portland concrete, aged one year 2,000 psi
Granite 19,000psi
Carbon fiber 30,000-40,000psi
FR4 60,000psi (G10 is similar)
Ivory- not considered a structural material and we can't find data on it. Yet.

Linen phenolic micarta 39,000psi
Heat treated aluminum alloy 13,000-73,000psi

HTH,
Steve

------------------
MD Labs/Mad Dog Knives

[This message has been edited by strider (edited 11-14-2001).]

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BBBBill

· #14 · Nov 14, 2001

Nice work Ned! I scratched my head for a while over your front strap checkering before I (think I)figured out how you got that particular effect. Wasn't that a lot more work than just using a double angle cutter? I like the effect.

Robe

· #15 · Nov 14, 2001

A gun this big, tough, and ugly needs a name.
What should it be?

BBBBill

· #16 · Nov 14, 2001

The Gladiator
The Final Option
CQC
Ned's Nogin Knocker

The Warrior
Osama's Nightmare

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Ned Christiansen

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 14, 2001

Strider, your post explains something that has always puzzled me-- why Portland concrete grips break so easily in the first year!

BBBBill, Vinnie and Guido are on a Greyhound headed you way to help you "forget" how I do my checkering

!

A name for the gun? Ya know, they tell us that it looks bad in court when we give the gun some badass name.... my mentor in NRA High Power shooting has one he calls "Fluffy the Wonder Gun". What jury could see evil in that!?

Metal Smith

· #18 · Nov 14, 2001

Hi Ned, tough looking heavy duty job, I like the muzzle end, I have a Operator here for a trainer and I'm working on it. If I can get a picture man I'll have pic's posted, Pete

------------------
Metal Smith

The only thing I know for sure is what I can measure!
NRA Life Member

BBBBill

· #19 · Nov 14, 2001

...BBBBill, Vinnie and Guido are on a Greyhound headed you way to help you "forget" how I do my checkering !...

Hmmm...An offer I can't refuse! LOL! I understand the methodology, but I'm not a skilled enough machinist to set up the mill to do that, so your secret is safe with me. The math would hurt my little head anyway.

Slo cat

· #20 · Nov 14, 2001

Ned:

What did you use to stipple the rear of the slide? Looks different then the usual stippling.

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