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

Ruger Mini-14 GB
Ruger Mini-14 GB

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger Mini-14 GB

When initially released in 1973, the Ruger Mini-14 quickly made a name for itself on the recreational-shooting market. Designed by L. James Sullivan and Bill Ruger, it combined the best attributes of the M1 Garand and the M1 carbine with a “rock-’n’-lock” detachable box magazine inspired by the M14.

Preview: Mec-Gar Glock Magazines

Mec-Gar took its expertise in metal-formed magazines and applied the technology to one of the most ubiquitous designs on the market: Glock. Now you can have incredibly durable metal magazines for your 9 mm Luger-chambered Glock handgun, as all of Mec-Gar’s offerings are made using heat-treated carbon steel.

Enough Gun: Weatherby's New Mark V Frontier & Dangerous Game Rifle

Weatherby's new Mark V Frontier and Dangerous Game Rifle (DRG) are ultra-reliable, accurate and devastatingly powerful rifles designed to go after the nastiest creatures on four legs the world has to offer.

Preview: Safariland Pro Impulse Bluetooth

One of several new additions to Safariland’s Impulse line of hearing-protection solutions, the Pro Impulse Bluetooth is a set of Bluetooth-enabled earmuffs that is equally easy on your ears and your pocketbook.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp

In our latest Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp, a medium-size revolver chambered for .357 Magnum.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 26, 2025

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.