[WhoIsJohnGalt?]

Interesting 1911 from SA that I’d not heard of before - the Master Class Aficionado. I’ve seen references to the Master Class Silent Operator, but not this one.

Any Addicts out there with some feedback on this pistol?

https://oakhillguns.com/springfield-master-class-aficionado-1911-45-acp-limited-edition.html

 

[Uncle Bob]

Why not contact Springfield and see if it's actually one of theirs or a Springfield that's been "tuned" by someone else? Sorry never heard of this one.

 

[JM44]

I did not know this existed but now I am extremely curious! It also states that the finish is melonite, if that is true it is very interesting for a Springer

 

[cougartracks]

I like it. Seems tastefully done. Looks like they made 100 of them.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Interesting, just took a closeup look at the serial number and it's stamped MK which pretty much means it's authentic. This is interesting and if you like I can email and see if one of the folks at Springfield knows the history

 

[soar3r]

I actually emailed Springfield a little while back with regards to this piece. I was told that this is supposed to slot in between the TRP and full custom. Similar to the Warren Operators that were offered awhile back.
Has
- “select fit slide & frame”
- “same barrel as TRP”
- “tool steel action components of the full custom handguns”
- 25 lpi checkering
- 14k front sight, SAC tactical rear sight
- Ball cut slide
- Master class barrel bushing
- Melonite finish

By the sound of it, it isn’t necessary a true custom shop piece like the Pro models with the hard fit frame, barrel, ect but since it isn’t a production piece it’s quite possible that it was put together in the custom shop. How much “custom” work I can’t attest to. From the specs it sounds like perhaps the barrel bushing, checking, and maybe a trigger job?

BBP a sponsor/vendor on the forum had got a couple in and he said that he was less then impressed with the fit of them and sent them back to his distributor.

I was very intrigued when these came out but personally haven’t bit the bullet on one yet. I like the specs and it’s subtle aesthetics but it is a lot of money and I didn’t want to drop that much on an unknown quantity. I hope this was helpful to you. If you do end up with one please be sure to post a review.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Thanks Soar3r. From a lot of comments I've read about them, the silent operator with rail and barrel with thread cover is very popular.

 

[monadh]

Beyond the Mil Spec (of which I have two) and my Combat Operator (which will actually belong to my daughter one of these days) SA does not make a 1911 that I find interesting. I'm not surprised that BBP found quality issues with them.

OP, if you get one, I hope it is everything you expect.

 

[WhoIsJohnGalt?]

Thanks, all! A mention of them caught my attention on another forum. They are intriguing yet, as some of you have mentioned, the coin is a little high.

Many thanks for the input and feedback and, indeed, if I do ultimately snag one I’ll post the findings!

 

[azpoolguy]

They are intriguing yet, as some of you have mentioned, the coin is a little

I thought it looked like a lot of pistol for the money.

What is it being compared to that has more features for less coin?

 

[bdg501]

I dont own one of these, but do own the silent operator..... I have owned everything SA has to to offer...to inlcude a pro, warren tactical and nearly half a dozen custom carrys. The silent operator has a great fit/finish to it, one that i would say is between my custom carrys and my warren tactical. I spoke to deb several weeks back about the build process and she advised me that they were built in the custom shop, (although not custom shop guns) and the silent operators actually have hand fit barrel...something I didnt know.

 

[monadh]

Find one of these if you can. Also made in the custom shop from what I understand.

 

[hatchettg]

I got one from Bud’s gun shop in Lexington. It is a great value for its cost. I paid around $1650.

My only complaint, and a minor one, is the fit of the grip safety. It is better than a typical production gun, but not fitted as tight as a true custom-level gun. But as already pointed out, it is not a true custom pistol. I think the wonderful smiths on this forum have set such a high bar for what a fitted grip safety should look like that it has created some unrealistic expectations. For a gun at this price point, SA cannot afford to spend hours blending a seamless grip safety.

The rest of it does have almost a custom-level feel to it.

BTW: the ejector is pinned.

 

[WhoIsJohnGalt?]

Thank you, @hatchettg!

 

[cgff]

I got one from Bud’s gun shop in Lexington. It is a great value for its cost. I paid around $1650.

My only complaint, and a minor one, is the fit of the grip safety. It is better than a typical production gun, but not fitted as tight as a true custom-level gun. But as already pointed out, it is not a true custom pistol. I think the wonderful smiths on this forum have set such a high bar for what a fitted grip safety should look like that it has created some unrealistic expectations. For a gun at this price point, SA cannot afford to spend hours blending a seamless grip safety.

The rest of it does have almost a custom-level feel to it.

BTW: the ejector is pinned.

^This^ great info thank you.

Also wish there was more info on these, I really like the way there configured.
Being Priced were The TRPs were quite some time ago, (1579.00) If they shoot & run like most TRPs There probably not a bad pistol. I read BBPs awhile back which had me hesitant to purchase one sight unseen. Especially with pricing at full MSRP. At 1579.00 if there between a PRO and a TRP, Quality wise These should be sweet,

 

[duketbrd88]

I got one from Bud’s gun shop in Lexington. It is a great value for its cost. I paid around $1650.

My only complaint, and a minor one, is the fit of the grip safety. It is better than a typical production gun, but not fitted as tight as a true custom-level gun. But as already pointed out, it is not a true custom pistol. I think the wonderful smiths on this forum have set such a high bar for what a fitted grip safety should look like that it has created some unrealistic expectations. For a gun at this price point, SA cannot afford to spend hours blending a seamless grip safety.

The rest of it does have almost a custom-level feel to it.

BTW: the ejector is pinned.

We need pics?

 

[hatchettg]

Excuse my poor photography skills. The melonite finish is very well applied.

74D2DE6C-BA24-48C6-951A-2A9D1AB74F5C

• hatchettg
• Dec 5, 2019

 

[WhoIsJohnGalt?]

I find myself at once both wanting a picture because “I want to know,” and not wanting a picture because I’m really trying to convince myself to rein-in my purchases LOL.

Seriously, @hatchettg, thank you - that’s a great-looking 1911.

 

[duketbrd88]

Yes, it is pretty darn nice!

Congrats

 

[WhoIsJohnGalt?]

@hatchettg I just thought of one perhaps silly question - does the Aficionado have the “lock” / ILS, or no?

I may be WAY behind the times in asking this - SA may not put the ILS on their 1911s these days at all.