SA 1911's

[BrassMonkey]

Hey There Sportsfans,
So I have been thinking about getting back to a 1911 for some time now. I decided to swing by BT on the way home to take a look at Springfield 1911's. 2 of them piqued my interest.

I liked the TRP Operator and a couple of the Loaded models. I am only considering full size.

Does anyone have any experience with these two pistols? The Loaded felt great, but the TRP Operator felt extremely solid, well fit, and well made.

This is a tough decision for me. Would anyone in DFW happen to have either of these models that would care to let me shoot them?

Thanks in advance...

[AFJailor]

In my search for the 1911 I wanted I had the chance to shoot both models. Both outshot me by far and both felt pretty good but the TRP just feels rock solid, save for the checkering that is razor sharp.

The TRP is about $1300 NIB if not a little more, why not check out Les Baer? John at ProLoad.com has AMAZING deals on Les Baer's, you can get a NIB Premier II for $1364, thats a heck of a deal and IMO a better gun then the TRP.

There is also the Concept I that is I believe the cheapest pistol Les makes and you could probably get it for a little cheaper than the premier II. If you want a gun that is more combat oriented you could check out the Thunder Ranch Special I think you can get it for in the $1400 range and it comes with 3 Magazines.

Im not bashing on the SA's at all, but Les Baer makes one heck of a pistola.

[BrassMonkey]

Thanks Jailor...

I am also looking at the Sig GSR, but didn't want to muddy the waters with a different manufacturer.

I am at a point in my shooting career where I cannot spell out what I want/need in a 1911. I am at a point in my shooting career where I will certainly notice if I do not like something if I get to shoot it. The hardest part is finding the guns to actually go out and shoot. I hate choosing a gun over a counter if you know what I mean.

[AFJailor]

Well, I have to go down to San Antonio in a little over a week and Ill be training there for about 2 months and some change if you want to check out my concept III I might be able to find some time to do so.

I'll probably spend a weekend or 4 up in Allen with my family if thats more convenient.

[BrassMonkey]

Well, I have to go down to San Antonio in a little over a week and Ill be training there for about 2 months and some change if you want to check out my concept III I might be able to find some time to do so.

I'll probably spend a weekend or 4 up in Allen with my family if thats more convenient.

That would be really nice of you. I live North of Allen and work in Plano so I go to BT once or twice a week. How does that sound? Whichever day works for you is good for me.

[Target1911]

I bought a (barely) used Springfield Champion. I know its not the same models you are asking about but I have to say that my Springer is a GREAT pistol. The fit is very tight. It feels VERY solid

[BrassMonkey]

I bought a (barely) used Springfield Champion. I know its not the same models you are asking about but I have to say that my Springer is a GREAT pistol. The fit is very tight. It feels VERY solid

Thanks. The Champion is a 4" right?

[G.C.Montgomery]

Hey There Sportsfans,
So I have been thinking about getting back to a 1911 for some time now. I decided to swing by BT on the way home to take a look at Springfield 1911's. 2 of them piqued my interest.

I liked the TRP Operator and a couple of the Loaded models. I am only considering full size.

Does anyone have any experience with these two pistols? The Loaded felt great, but the TRP Operator felt extremely solid, well fit, and well made.

This is a tough decision for me. Would anyone in DFW happen to have either of these models that would care to let me shoot them?

Thanks in advance...

Springfield Armory 1911's are generally good to go in my book. There are some minor issues to be aware of. The "Loaded" models are often "pre-sharpened" even thought SA "dehorns" them. The TRP Operator, has a bull barrel and adjustable sights. I'd prefer to have neither on a serious pistol but that's just my opinion. Other items to watch out for on any Springfield Armory 1911 are a tendency of many examples to shoot low, requiring a taller rear sight for correction, and ejectors that are sometimes "glued" rather than pinned.

Like any other 1911, each example will have its own quirks. You should be able to pick up on most of the gun's issues after running 300-400 rounds through it. To have a statistically significant sample of the gun's performance, you really should have at least 1000 rounds through it. Personally, I will accept no more than 1 stoppage in 1000 rounds fired.

FWIW, I applaud your decision to stick with proper, five-inch, full-size models. Everything else is a compromise of the original design. That's not saying you can't find reliable compacts or commander/champion-length samples. But my experience is the original format works best. All of the smaller formats have an appreviated slide stroke which means a decreased margin for error with respect to feeding, extracting and ejecting. YMMV.

[carlson1]

[G.C.Montgomery]

I think he's trying to send a message...

[CaptDave]

Hey There Sportsfans,
So I have been thinking about getting back to a 1911 for some time now. I decided to swing by BT on the way home to take a look at Springfield 1911's. 2 of them piqued my interest.

I liked the TRP Operator and a couple of the Loaded models. I am only considering full size.

Does anyone have any experience with these two pistols? The Loaded felt great, but the TRP Operator felt extremely solid, well fit, and well made.

This is a tough decision for me. Would anyone in DFW happen to have either of these models that would care to let me shoot them?

Thanks in advance...

Brass:

I pretty much agree with G.C.'s observations.

I owned a Custom Loaded and now have the TRP. Both the Custom Loaded and the TRP are excellent choices. The TRP is designed around the same specs as the FBI contract model "TRP PRO". S.A. describes it as one of their top production models that then takes a trip through the Springfield Custom Shop for some final hand fit touches, like Match bbl, bushing, slide and triggerfitting. Not enough to be stamped "Springfield Custom Shop" on the slide but enough that you noticed the difference when handling them.

At the big Houston gun shows the Custom Loaded parkerized model has lately been seen in the $750.00 range and a NIB TRP could be had for under $1200.00 from one of the larger dealers at the show.

In my opinion you can't go wrong with either one.

[stevie_d_64]

Went to BT's today and snagged one of the one's you were looking at I figure...

Many thanks to SRVA and KeithB for the backup...

$539.00 + uncle sams cut...10 minutes and we were in and out the door...Man, I love this state!

Just got a plain jane 1911-A1 Springfield...

Will be true to the cause and work a few hundred through it before I start messing with it...I think the only thing I am going to do at first will be a better sight system...I think this thing is going to work very well out of the box...

Ironic that I had to leave a gunshow, to go buy a gun...The dealers at the Sportsman's Spectacular were being...How you say... So I took care of it by ...

[flintknapper]

I think he's trying to send a message...

Something about a merry-go-round?

[flintknapper]

Went to BT's today and snagged one of the one's you were looking at I figure...

Many thanks to SRVA and KeithB for the backup...

$539.00 + uncle sams cut...10 minutes and we were in and out the door...Man, I love this state!

Just got a plain jane 1911-A1 Springfield...

Will be true to the cause and work a few hundred through it before I start messing with it...I think the only thing I am going to do at first will be a better sight system...I think this thing is going to work very well out of the box...

Ironic that I had to leave a gunshow, to go buy a gun...The dealers at the Sportsman's Spectacular were being...How you say... So I took care of it by ...

Congrats Stevie!

[dukalmighty]

I've had a full size SA 1911-A1 stainless for about 3 years now,100% reliable and it's a great shooter,I tend to carry it concealed in an IWB holster I'm 5'8"about 180 and if ya wear a loose fitting shirt you can't see nothing.