Springfield Armory 1911 Operator AOS Review: The Newest 1911 On The Block

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The Springfield 1911 Operator hit the market a few years back and has had great success. But with the red dot market exploding over the last few years, any pistol unable to host them is at an immediate disadvantage, if you will.

Springfield, listening to the market, is now offering the Operator an optics-ready slide. It is not just a standard optics-ready slide but one that features a brand-new optic system: the Agency Optic System (AOS).

We’ll explain in more detail what exactly the Agency Optic System is, but just know that you can now mount over 25 optics on this duty-grade 1911.

I’d like to quickly thank Springfield for sending this out for review. Without partners like Springfield that get new releases in our hands a little bit early, we wouldn’t be able to help you all decide if it’s worth “pulling the trigger” on yet another new gun.

Let’s now take a closer look at the Springfield Operator AOS!

The Operator line at its core, is a duty-grade defensive set of 1911s that provide just enough upgraded features without entering that custom-grade arena.

They are 1911s that are made to be shot, trained with and used regularly. To me, that’s one of the main draws. I don’t want a gun that’s so fancy and expensive that I feel like I have to baby it, and it winds up sitting in my safe.

Providing all of the standard features that you’d expect in a quality 1911, plus several upgraded ones, you aren’t left “wishing for more.”

I’ve only had the Operator AOS for about one week now, but I made sure to hit the range immediately. I loaded up my two magazines, grabbed a couple boxes of ammo, and hopped in the truck.

The pistol is not light, as it comes in at 42 ounces unloaded, but it’s extremely well-balanced. Even with extra-large hands, I have room to adjust my grip however I please, and the gun still stays locked in perfectly.

Reliability

Between the two full magazines and two 50-round boxes of ammo, I put a total of 118 rounds through it. The 115-grain Fiocchi Range Dynamics FMJs and the 124-grain Blazer Brass FMJs all went down range without a single malfunction. I plan to test out a couple of different defensive loads during the next range trip, so if I have any issues to note with them, I’ll make sure to come back and edit this review.

Accuracy

I’m not a competition shooter and don’t claim to be, so having two-inch groupings at 10 yards is fine by me. The EOTECH EFLX that I decided to run for my first outing with the gun is still pretty new to me, so despite still getting acquainted with it, my groupings were pretty much on par with what I would expect regardless.

I can tell that the Operator AOS can outshoot my skills, and in the right hands, those groupings would probably be cut in half.

The 1911 Operator AOS can also be ordered in .45 ACP or with a 4.25-inch barrel.

Agency Optic System

The Agency Optic System is the star feature of the new Operator AOS. It was developed in collaboration with Agency Arms, reassuring me that no lack of research and development would be found.

The system consists of six different optic plates, all specifically designed to place the compatible optics at height to provide an intuitive sight picture. In addition, each plate features an integral rear sight, so you’ll never have to worry about pairing certain sights with your optics.

The plates are machined from billet steel and seem very high-quality, but my main gripe is that they are each sold separately. Not only that, but they are rather pricey too. If you only plan to run one specific optic, you’re in luck, but be sure to purchase the correct plate the first time.

I suggest checking out the A12B and A14B plates first, as they cover many of your Trijicons and Holosuns.

Match-grade Barrel

The match-grade barrel allows you to maximize your accuracy potential, especially now that you can add your favorite optic with the Agency Optic System.

Caption: The match-grade barrel provides plenty of precision capability.

Springfield’s decision to go with a forged stainless steel barrel was a good one, as it strikes a nice balance of performance and ruggedness. It features a 1:16 twist, and you can also opt for a 4.25-inch barrel if you’d like.

G10 VZ Grips

I’m a big fan of VZ Grips, and these specific ones are no exception. The scalloped texture and thumb-notch provide ample purchase without being irritating. They feel great in hand, and I actually love their color; they almost look like a mix of OD Green and FDE.

Reliability (10/10)  

Although I haven’t put many rounds through it yet, I haven’t had any malfunctions.

Ergonomics (9/10)

It points naturally, is well-balanced, and all of the controls are laid out as expected.

Customization (9/10)

With the accessory rail, optics-ready slide, and ability to change the grips, you have plenty of ways to customize it.

Appearance (9/10)

I love the blacked-out aesthetic with a splash of color from the VZ Grips.

Value (9/10)

You get a nice set of features without breaking the bank.

EOTECH EFLX

The EFLX from EOTECH makes a perfect companion for the Operator AOS, as it’s a no-frills ready for anything optic.

The durable aluminum housing, large clear viewing window, and 6 MOA red dot provide a solid base to elevate your accuracy and target acquisition speed. It features a top-loading battery for easy access, eight daylight settings, and one night vision setting.

Having astigmatism, I was amazed at how crisp the dot was for me. As far as single red dot reticles are concerned, this is one of the best I’ve seen, with virtually no starburst or halo. Can I explain why it looks so crisp? Nope, but I’m not complaining!

Reminder: If you plan to mount an EFLX, you’ll need the A15B plate.

Holosun SCS-CARRY 

Holosun’s Solar Charging Sight (SCS) line uses innovative solar charging technology to potentially keep the internal rechargeable battery running indefinitely.

The SCS-CARRY is designed to fit slimmer, carry-sized guns but wound up fitting wonderfully on the Operator AOS. It features a multiple reticle system that consists of a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle that gives you quick target acquisition and a nice amount of precision potential. It’s one of my favorite reticles on the market.

Reminder: If you plan to mount a Holosun SCS-CARRY, you’ll need the A12B plate.

The Emissary and Ronin models also just received the AOS treatment.

Springfield 1911 Emissary AOS

Taking a step closer to the custom level of 1911s, the Emissary features a Tri-Top slide, a flat-faced trigger, and is fully wrapped in a beautiful grenade pattern set of VZ Grips.

Of course, you still get the forged slide and frame and an accurate match-grade bull barrel. It has all the bells and whistles. It’ll force you to spend a bit more, but it’s a solid example of you get what you pay for.

Springfield 1911 Ronin AOS

The Ronin series focuses on strength and reliability with a more classic styling. The two-tone stainless and blued finish stands out right away, and the Crossed Cannon grips finish it off nicely.

It’s not all about looks, though, as it features a forged stainless steel match-grade barrel, a fiber optic front sight, and a forged frame and slide.

If you’re like me and actually like to shoot your guns often, the 1911 Operator AOS is definitely one you should consider. It’s proven so far to be reliable and accurate, and I have no concerns with its durability.

Without breaking the bank, it delivers several upgraded features, such as a match-grade barrel, an optics-ready slide, and G10 VZ grips, making it a great all-around shooter. Do yourself a favor and see if your local range has one to rent. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.