PSA Admiral vs Springfield Armory Operator

The PSA Admiral comes in with a host of features to help you break into the 1911 owners game. It competes with a pistol costing twice as much in the Springfield Armory Operator. The two pistols are nearly identical but with some significant differences.
We cover all the features of this light railed 1911 in 45 ACP or the Lord’s caliber! It has black adjustable rear sight and a red fiber optic front sight. The slide to frame fit is fantastic and especially for this price range. The frame and slide are castings and then parkerized. This is the biggest difference between the 1k dollar Operator and Admiral, that being the cast frame and slide vs a forged build from Springfield Armory.
The overall fit and finish behind the Operator does out class the admiral but obviously at twice as much, it shoot. The night sights, grips, trigger and safety switch is also nicer.
In conclusion, if you aren’t looking to break the bank and want a budget 1911 for the range or even home defense, the Admiral would be great. If you want a more refined and better build quality 1911 for a lifetime and generational heirloom, the Operator 1911 from Springfield Armory would be for you. Either way, both are great and you can’t go wrong with either pistol!
Thank you for watching and stay tuned until next time with Hunt Fish Shoot!
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[@HuntFishShootChannel]

If you like this video, I put together a list of a few more that you'd like too! Springfield Garrison 1911: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn-omouIi5mcZ5Isi=t2kUvE1wFbTwMenQ Sig P226 MK25: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipXFZapmedt9gacsi=mMMwg-YMB-FSKI-y Walther PDP Pro SD: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4G9nZJ_j9OqqZosi=d5mSa6K8fVN_fyMm

[@wisco_guy]

I rather spend the extra money for the nicer Springfield. Both would make for fun range toys, though.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

For sure!

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

for a range princess or toy, go crazy do what you want, but for a duty pistol or carry, I wouldn't mess around

[@whiplash8277]

I recently got a RIA .45ACP Commander FS Ultra. Love it! Next up I'm going to add an RIA 10mm to go with my SA 10 XD-M Elite full size and the M&P 10mm. Very nice presentation.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Thanks

[@thollingsworth4910]

That springfield is beautiful

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

We agree!

[@Junkyard_Dawg]

Thanks for the video covering this subject. I am going to get the PSA Admiral. Usage over time should break in that tighter spring. And like any machine, parts will wear into smoother action, so long as they are properly lubricated.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yep! Definitely the case, for the money it’s a great pistol!

[@miiiikebrooks]

Appreciate the video sir, well done.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@ApostolicITTech]

Great comparison! Now, let’s compare the $1000 1911 with a $2000 1911…. And later, $2000 1911 with custom ($3k+). 😅 I like the breakdown of the different “levels” as you did here. Obviously, it is near impossible to compare all brands but it is very helpful to compare the “levels”

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

For sure! Their are stark differences between them but on the surface, very similar! Thanks for watching!

[@samuelyoung4646]

FINALLY! a video that tells me what the Admiral is ACTUALLY made of! I’m leaning towards Tisas, they have forged parts, not one cast or MIM part on them!

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Glad you found our video useful! We have a bunch of good content to see

[@theimpecablealien]

My tisas is very accurate, it just jams a lot

[@williamwatkins2538]

@@theimpecablealienmine did to in the beginning, took it apart cleaned and oiled it and continued to shoot it till it didn’t malfunction anymore.

[@jimchambers7548]

I love 1911 in 45 but a few boxes of ammo will almost buy a 9mm pistol. I just use 40S&W or 357sig. Still makes a big hole and less $$. Enjoyed the review both great looking pistols👍

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Very true! Thanks for watching!

[@Ksweezy96]

I'd love to see a side by side of something like the PSA 1911 vs something like a tisas vs something really special like a Alchemy customs. When i finally decide to get a 1911 I'm going alchemy all day

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

The Tisas seem decent, but for me personally it’s tougher because I would rather spend a few bucks more and get the SA 1911s

[@TheRealZJE313]

Fusion 1911s eats alchemy launch al day long and for a fraction of the cost

[@ctsmith9225]

I actually found a 45 acp Operator and yeah it's almost fit like a custom one it reminds me of my TRPs I had now i just need to get a weapon light

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yes it does! thanks for watching!

[@ms.annthrope415]

Need to compare to high end factory pistols from Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson, or Nighthawk, and full customs from top shelf hand built pistols like Heirloom by Jason Burton or Stan Chen.

[@jakeshepard9931]

Wilson Combat 👍 Cheap shit ain't cool and cool shit ain't cheap...

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

3K rounds of 45 ACP? that's some heavy bread!

[@TheRealTeflonRon]

I’ve been waiting 3 weeks to order that PSA 1911. They can’t keep it on the shelf for more than a day. I’ll but that PSA from you right now 😂

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Hahha it was tough for us to buy! Glad we did!

[@prigs750]

The question I always ask myself when trying out a less expensive weapon is, would I carry it as a duty/combat weapon. If not, don't spend the $$.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

That’s a great mentality!

[@jerichofalls8236]

That's where I'm at with the 1911. Was eyeballing a Dan Wesson Specialist for a while...but I don't think I could comfortably carry a gun I paid $1,800 for like I do something 1k or under

[@DollaDollaBillYall]

I think the price has gone up now but I got the Magnum Research 1911 for $700 and those are beautifully built.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

They seem nice no doubt!

[@gearbarrel6237]

Is PSA making the components on their 1911? Or are they sourcing them from somewhere else 🤔?

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

No it’s all made by Armscor/ Rock Island

[@ricksprague3337]

Good video i do like psa stuff.. why did they have rock build it? Or does someone else build all of their stuff?

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Not as to why. It disappointed us because I think they are fully capable of building one themselves

[@grandpaweber2097]

Until I went to the PSA NC shop in Denver, I was unaware PSA even HAD a 1911. When the clerk said "RIA" and "$500.00" I replied "Sold!" Mine has a very positive safety, unlike yours, and like yours, is VERY tight, tighter than any other RIA I've ever owned. 1st thing I did was ditch the grips and install my favorite rubber OD Hogue's. 2nd thing was to install a Wilson mag funnel. I already have a stack of Chip McCormick mags, so that's what I use. I've got about 400 rounds through it thus far, and it has been 100%. So far, I am very pleased with this pistol and consider it money well spent. I've always wanted an M45A1-style 1911, and this appears to be "it" for me. Good review, Sir.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

still in the market for my first 1911. Would you choose the Operator over the Ruger SR? both within the same price range.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yes I would choose the operator over the Ruger without thinking about it. My first 1911 I ever owned was a Ruger SR1911. It was a great pistol!

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

@@HuntFishShootChannel Thanks for the input! I have to wait until at least next year to buy other fire arm. Operator first on the list.

[@TheRealZJM377]

​@@nolagospeltracts8264 what!!!! The Ruger is like 699 and the operator is like 1100. But the problem is you can find the Ruger al day long but the operator u can't

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

@@TheRealZJM377 Ruger SR 1911 $999 at Academy

[@stinger8634]

I have the operator. I like it. Swapped the grips, put a Dawson magwell on and talon grip tape on the front strap. My only complaint with it is the lack of any type of front strap checkering. It’s sad the $500 PSA comes with some checkering and the Springfield doesn’t.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

The front strap “checkering” is minimal to non existent on the PSA. Most 1911s with front strap checkering like 25 LPI or 30 will be in the $1300 and up price range.

[@stinger8634]

@@HuntFishShootChannel I paid $1200 before tax when Springfield launched the new operator a few years ago.

[@TheRealZJM377]

Now why would you void your warranty. When u could have sent it back to SA FOR UPGRADES like Magwell night sights and front checkering like on the TRP

[@stinger8634]

@@TheRealZJM377 it came with night sights that have a shelf on them for racking the slide off of your belt or boot, etc. Magwell install took 5 minutes. The lack of front strap checkering is the complaint. Springfield sells the emissary for the same price and it has front strap checkering and top slide serrations. As where the operator doesn’t have those but it’s ambi safety with a metal trigger as the emissary has a plastic trigger shoe. When the operator was released 2 years ago the TRP was pretty much unable to be found.

[@TheRealZJM377]

@@stinger8634 but really can't compare the emissary because it's a total differen gun.and was just introduced about 2 years ago. SA line up has ben Mil-spc, LOADED then TRP . But you should have Let SA do the upgrades like Magwell and front checkering so you can keep your life time warranty

[@TheRealZJE313]

Have you checked out Fusion 1911s?

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Haven’t, but I’ll take a look

[@ctsmith9225]

Man that manual safeties not having a positive click on and off and being mushy just killed it for me I had a tisas 45 that was like that and under recoil the manual safeties would click on Id save up and get another SA Ronin or a Garrison

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Understandable! I know a lot of folks care about that, as do I! Check out the Operator, it’s worth the 1k tag easily

[@ctsmith9225]

@@HuntFishShootChannel those would be awesome I haven't seen any of them in 45 acp for a couple of years now

[@TheRealZJE313]

Check out Fusion 1911s they are equal to SA 1911s I have both

[@TheRealZJE313]

Wait hold up how the hell u get the SA operator in 45? I ben looking for that SA operator since it was released and al i find is it in puny 9mm.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Well we have had it for a while now since the 45 version came out. It’s a great pistol!

[@TheRealZJE313]

@@HuntFishShootChannel where did you find it at ?

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

@@TheRealZJE313 the one in the video, we got direct from Springfield, but we find them or have seen them at local stores here in Ohio.

[@TheRealZJE313]

@@HuntFishShootChannel o ok down here in LA I can't find a operator I checked all gun shops and there distributors

[@AlvaroRodriguez-my4ur]

@@TheRealZJE313off roster

[@MattArchey]

ALL rock island 1911 pistols have a cast frame, the slide is forged.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Great thanks

[@petercampbell3579]

Of course the spring feels tight, it’s the first 20rds your Springfield has thousands of rounds through it. Apples/oranges imo

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

The Springfield has felt like that since it was new, let alone the slide is much smoother with a cleaner crisper trigger.

[@walterminer4990]

Take that rail off! Best to ya',,,,!

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

To each their own!

[@jamesorth1521]

The PSA is make by Rock Island Armory in the Philippines. No big deal. $400.00 gun.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yes we state this in the video

[@theGatologist]

$500 more you could probably make the PSA better than the Operator. What are your thoughts?

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

I disagree and I think it’s because overall build quality on the Springfield, is just better. Better components, better finish and the forged slide and frame with their NM barrel is better.

[@mrbillyjackson]

I’d think if they wanted to do that 1) it would end up being more expensive which would affect the market for it OR 2) RIA wouldn’t make it for PSA but want to release it themselves. Then again, I don’t know 💩

[@TheRealZJE313]

The Fusion 1911 are better and equal to SA 1911s

[@paulparadis66]

So the RIA Admiral is a good gun for the money.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yes it is

[@jerichofalls8236]

I'm scared of cast guns after the century RAS47 experience.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Understandable!

[@georgebetor2943]

As a gunsmith who builds custom 1911s I have to break the myth and tell you the one piece guide rod does absolutely nothing! No smoother or more efficient, nothing! The only thing it does is cause you to use a tool to field strip the weapon.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Definitely didn’t make the admiral smoother than the operator! Thanks for sharing

[@m4rvinmartian]

*0:07** That "PSA" is 100% a Rock Island/Armscor gun.*

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Yep just rebranded. We said that and covered it.

[@joesample3796]

Cast parts for a 45 is not good. Operator all day long.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

🔥

[@philliplatham4256]

👍🏻👍🏻🔫🔫🇺🇸🇺🇸☕️☕️💯💯

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Thanks for watching Phillip!

[@kawrss31]

the psa is cast...the operator is forged. that tells u all u need to know. no ty psa

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

Very true!

[@MrBuckeye63]

Armscor makes the Springfield frame

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

No they do not. That is a myth. Once upon a time about 10 years ago they made their low end frames out of country. But even that’s been many years ago and now all their 1911s are US made and forged

[@ChuckSneed88]

Armscor has never made springfield frames. Pre 2015 springfield frames were made by Imbel in Brazil and they were high quality frames. Post 2015 their frames are American made. The imbel guns were good and the current springfield 1911s are also good and even better now in terms of fit and finish.

[@TheRealZJM377]

​@@ChuckSneed88I have the champion LOADED I bought back in 98 and the frame says made in Brazil

[@WildManActual]

Tisas guns wreck both.

[@HuntFishShootChannel]

You saying wreck both is an immediate disqualification. But you enjoy those Tisas!

[@TheRealZJM377]

Bullshit. Tiasa just had a big recall on al there 1911s

[@ctsmith9225]

Not even close tisas 1911s are not made nearly as good as Springfield but rock island yeah Springfield wrecks both of them ez