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

Marlin Mad Pig 1894 01
Marlin Mad Pig 1894 01

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pigs Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

I Have This Old Gun: The Southern Derringer

People carrying small firearms for personal protection is not a new concept, and in the middle of the 19th century, many pocket pistols were designed with self-defense in mind. One such gun, the Brown Manufacturing Southern Derringer, was among the earliest cartridge-firing self-defense guns.

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

5 New SBRs for 2026

It has never been easier for gun owners to buy and use short-barreled rifles, and for the occasion, we have five of the latest SBRs on the market right now.

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.