Brass Balls
Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2003
- Messages
- 419
I picked up a new TRP Operator last week. In a word it's a SWEET pistol. I'll compare it to the TLE/RL because of their rails but considering the TRP Op cost 1.5 times as much as the TLE/RL it isn't really a fair comparison.
I think that the TRP has a better trigger and better slide to frame fit. It was perhaps a tiny bit more accurate after I adjusted the rear sight to raise the POI, however I always shoot freehand and that introduces enough of a variable that makes it difficult to judge the accuracy of one over the other.
Even though the sights on the TRP are three dot night sights the sight picture is different than my Kimbers. The front sight when viewed through the rear has much more daylight on either side of the front blade. With the Kimbers Mepro night sights it's more a matter of finding the front sight through the rears then the gun is aligned, but with the Springfield the extra step of aligning equal amounts of daylight on either side of the front site must be taken.
Sixteen rounds shot freehand at 25 yards produced a 4" group at the extremes with most shots clustered into 2.5" which is pretty good for me. Ten yard groups had all shots connecting.
The gun functioned pretty well although some of my Metalform magazines wouldn't release and had to be pulled clear while others worked fine and these were all the same model of magazine. I ended up marking the ones that worked best with a paint pen so that problem won't continue to plague me.
Everything fed fine up until round #183 which failed to go into battery. This happened once again at round #291 and both happened mid mag. I stopped at 300 rounds and cleaned and lubed the gun well. The Winchester white box bulk pack ammo that I shot from #101-300 is notoriously dirty and that coupled with a new gun may account for the couple of feed problems. No worries about that at this point though.
The thumb safety has a nice positive click to it without being tough to operate. The grit grips feel better to me while shooting than I thought they might while fondling the gun at the sales counter. The machining and polishing on the bull barrel were exceptional producing a very smooth, snag free surface even around the barrel link and chamber opening.
All in all I'm very pleased with this pistol. It's a unique and well made addition to my fledgling 1911 collection and I'm glad I was able to purchase it for $1189 before the '04 price increase went into effect.
TRP Operator picture from Springfield's website.
I think that the TRP has a better trigger and better slide to frame fit. It was perhaps a tiny bit more accurate after I adjusted the rear sight to raise the POI, however I always shoot freehand and that introduces enough of a variable that makes it difficult to judge the accuracy of one over the other.
Even though the sights on the TRP are three dot night sights the sight picture is different than my Kimbers. The front sight when viewed through the rear has much more daylight on either side of the front blade. With the Kimbers Mepro night sights it's more a matter of finding the front sight through the rears then the gun is aligned, but with the Springfield the extra step of aligning equal amounts of daylight on either side of the front site must be taken.
Sixteen rounds shot freehand at 25 yards produced a 4" group at the extremes with most shots clustered into 2.5" which is pretty good for me. Ten yard groups had all shots connecting.
The gun functioned pretty well although some of my Metalform magazines wouldn't release and had to be pulled clear while others worked fine and these were all the same model of magazine. I ended up marking the ones that worked best with a paint pen so that problem won't continue to plague me.
Everything fed fine up until round #183 which failed to go into battery. This happened once again at round #291 and both happened mid mag. I stopped at 300 rounds and cleaned and lubed the gun well. The Winchester white box bulk pack ammo that I shot from #101-300 is notoriously dirty and that coupled with a new gun may account for the couple of feed problems. No worries about that at this point though.
The thumb safety has a nice positive click to it without being tough to operate. The grit grips feel better to me while shooting than I thought they might while fondling the gun at the sales counter. The machining and polishing on the bull barrel were exceptional producing a very smooth, snag free surface even around the barrel link and chamber opening.
All in all I'm very pleased with this pistol. It's a unique and well made addition to my fledgling 1911 collection and I'm glad I was able to purchase it for $1189 before the '04 price increase went into effect.
TRP Operator picture from Springfield's website.
