Beginning at the front, the LW Operator, offered in .45 ACP, comes with a Match Grade stainless steel five-inch barrel and stainless steel bushing, and beneath this is a standard recoil spring plug. This plug gets my vote because not only do I see no use for full-length guide rods in a duty-grade 1911, I also believe common sense leaves the room when someone puts a full-length guide rod in a lightweight pistol. After all, full-length guide rods were originally added to competition 1911s to reduce muzzle flip.

(Right) The LW features a stainless steel barrel and bushing, M1913 accessory rail and a lightweight three-hole aluminum trigger that's adjustable for overtravel. (left) The flat mainspring housing incorporates Springfield's integral locking system that, when engaged, blocks the mainspring cap and prevents the gun from being cocked.

The front sight of the LW Operator is not only tritium powered, it's also dovetailed and pinned to the slide--a procedure begun by renowned pistolsmith Wayne Novak decades ago. On either side of the front of the slide are forward retracting grooves, the use of which is best limited to checking the chamber for a loaded round (when a weapon light is not mounted).

In addition to being typically lowered and flared, the LW Operator's ejection port is also nicely devoid of sharp edges, as is almost the entire exterior of the gun. The usual cocking grooves are present on the rear of the slide, and they match those at the front, except that there are two additional grooves for more purchase when retracting it all the way to the rear. Atop the rear of the slide is Springfield's version of the Novak LoMount sight, and our sample came with two tritium inserts to match that in the front sight.

The only markings on the slide are the Springfield Armory name and the logo on the right side and "Operator Cal. .45" on the left side, and the only way to tell this Operator is the new lightweight version is by the "LW" serial number prefix--or by picking up the gun, which weighs a svelte 33 ounces.

The Lightweight Operator, shown with an Insight M3 light attached and with a Blackhawk SERPA holster designed to accommodate light-rail 1911s, answered the needs of users who carry a gun for extended periods of time.

As with all current Springfield Operator pistols, our LW came with the company's "speed" hammer. Moving down and front, we come to the LW Operator's integral frame rail. It's made of 7075-T6 aircraft-grade alloy, and the front of the dust cover is angled back--matching the angle of the slide retraction grooves.

This not only looks good but also makes the gun easier to holster than some other 1911 rail guns. The reinforced area of the frame extends farther rearward than on the original Operator, and there are three cross notches on the rail to accommodate just about any rail accessory.

A conventional slide stop rides above a lightweight aluminum trigger that is adjustable for overtravel. The ambidextrous thumb safety is standard equipment, as is a humped beavertail grip safety, both of which are well fitted.