New for 2020: Springfield Armory Ronin Operator 4.25"

by
posted on July 14, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
springfield-armory-ronin-operator-425-1911-f.jpg
When Springfield Armory rolled out its Ronin Operator 1911, chambered in .45 ACP and 9 mm, they proved to be a lot of gun for the money. Now, the company is expanding the new collection with a Commander-size variant in the form of the Ronin Operator 4.25".

"Since its release earlier this year, the full-size Ronin Operator has been extremely popular, due to its combination of impressive features and pricing," said Steve Kramer, vice president of marketing for Springfield Armory. "The new Ronin Operator 4.25" adds a lighter, more compact option for those who love carrying the legendary 1911."

Like its full-size sibling, the Springfield Armory Ronin Operator 4.25" features an attractive two-tone finish. The pistol is built with a slide made from forged carbon steel, fitted to a forged barrel. The slide and barrel are mated with a lightweight frame made from aluminum alloy. Each 4.25" Ronin Operator is outfitted with a traditional barrel-bushing operating system. To ensure durability and maintain reliability, the barrel is fully supported and ramped.

To achieve the classic two-tone finish, the Ronin Operator 4.25" features a hot-salt blued finish on the slide, while the frame features a satin Cerakote treatment. Thanks to the alloy frame, this 4.25" model weighs in at 29.5 ozs. in its .45 ACP configuration and 31 ozs. in 9 mm.

After shooting both the full-size and 4.25" Ronin Operators for this review, field editor Justin Dyal remarked positively on both the features and performance of each variant.

"Having been around a wide range of M1911s personally and professionally, the Ronin is a factory M1911 that in many ways exceeds the quality of the local custom pistolsmiths of my early years," he wrote. "The M1911 market remains vibrant, and pistols like the Ronins will continue to win the iconic American sidearm more fans. I can see the Ronin being the ideal introduction to the M1911 for many shooters and a happy addition for longtime M1911 pistoleros."

Other features found on the Springfield Armory Ronin Operator 4.25" include a traditional beavertail grip safety complete with memory bump, a fiber-optic front sight, tactical-rack rear sight and extended safety lever. The gun includes a set of wood-laminate grips complete with Springfield's Crossed Cannon trademarked insignia, a checkered flat mainspring housing, 2nd Generation Speed Trigger and a basepad-equipped magazine.

The suggested retail price on the Springfield Armory Ronin Operator 4.25", available in .45 ACP and 9 mm, is $849. For more information, visit springfield-armory.com.

Latest

AR on table with target
AR on table with target

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Lighter & Better: Savage’s Updated Ultralite Series of Rifles

Savage Arms kicked off 2026 by announcing a new generation of Model 110 bolt-action rifles, and now, the company has also introduced an updated series of Ultralite rifles.

Gun of the Week: Franchi Momentum Elite MULE

One of the latest entrants into the general-utility rifle market is Franchi with its Momentum Utility Lite Elite bolt-action rifle, also known as the MULE.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 11, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.