Springfield TRP versus TRP Pro

[BurmKiller]

I have never owned/fired a springfield but am looking to add one of their 1911's to my collection. I have read good things about the TRP but have also read a good bit of conflicting info that I know many of you could easily clear up for me...

I am looking at the various TRP models. I want one with the light rail and in something like the Armory Kote finish (not SS). The PC9501L model, widely available for $1150-1250, appears to be the only option within the "normal" retail line up that fits my needs. Then there is the Springfield Custom Shop TRP Professional FBI. Just jumped up another $1000 and deleted the "widely available" part. I am not into nostalgia, so I put no value what so ever in the fact that this is one of the FBI's official handguns.

OK, so my questions are:

1) On the retail side, I have seen the PC9501L mentioned above on the Springfield website. There are also some "Operator" models that I have seen for sale but cannot find any info on them. Are these the same guns? What is the difference?

2) On the PRO side, is there a standard PRO and a Custom Shop PRO - or are all PRO models from the Custom Shop?

3) Is the PRO really worth $1000 more? What are the differences/advantages over the non-PRO model?

Thanks!

 

[BurmKiller]

OK...well on the Springfield site they do have the Operator model under BOTH catagories (Operator and TRP's) with the same part numbers and pictures. I am assuming that the armor kote model with the light rail of the TRP is aka the Operator. THat answers that portion of the question.

Any comments on the Pro model though? I would greatly appreciate any info - even a link to a decent write up in another thread or site...

Thanks!

 

[10-Ring]

I had shot a TRP when they first came out a few years ago...very nice. Well made, very reliable and more than acceptable accuracy. You may be able to find more info over on the 1911forum.com

 

[va_dinger]

All of SA "Pro" models come directly from the custom shop. There is the standard framed PC9111 and the integral light railed frame PC9111LR. Both have the "Springfield Custom" engraving on the nose of the slide, but only the PC9111 gets "Professional" engraved on the slide. The light railed PC9111LR gets "Operator", because it's not what the FBI originally asked for. Both pistols are identical except for the frame though, so I find this stupid to say the least.

The Pro’s are hand built one at a time pistols that only use the best parts available. Plus the FBI chose the individual parts themselves for their HRT and regional SWAT teams. The TRP models are production level guns made to resemble the Pro models. Although I think they are fine pistols, they do not receive the same level of skill in their construction and the quality of the parts while “Good” is not as good as the Pro models.

I owned a PC9111LR (It got stolen) and considered it to be the finest 1911 I have ever owned.

Each buyer has to make up his own mind on if the Pro is worth the extra cash. I think so, but that’s just my opinion.

My stolen Pro w/light rail:

 

[BurmKiller]

10-Ring - thanks for the link, I had actually never been to that forum before. They have a stickied thread where the head of the Springfield Custom Shop actually provided all the info you would ever want to know about the Pro - and yes, it is a very different gun then the TRP. (Though the TRP still seems to be a rock solid 1911)

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=144074

 

[rbert0005]

One of the guys I shoot with showed up with a Custom Shop version last week.
I'll tell you what, for the money he spent on it he should have gotten a Brown, Nighthawk, or a Wilson.
Nice gun, but for the money I certainly would have gone with one of the ones I mentioned.

Bob