I have a question about 1911s.

[andylc6505]

Can someone out there give me opinions and preferences of 1911s? I'm mainly looking at the Springfield 1911 TRP, Springfield 1911 Operator, and the Sig Sauer 1911 Nitron rail. Although the Nitron has a much cheaper pricetags, even with it's features like the operator, I'm still not sure. I know Springfield has excellent customer service, but I'm not sure about Sig Sauer. I hear all these guns are deadly accurate. Feel free to open up opinions and explanations, as it would help me choose and pick one up. Thank you very much!

[Plisk]

You do find a few negative stories on here about Sig's customer service, and sometimes people do have bad luck. My limited experience with them have always been good, Springfield has been extraordinary. The flip side to that coin, is that I've had more reasons to contact Springfield for CS. None the less, handled extremely well.

Between the Springfeilds you would most likely be much happier with the MC Operator. They don't come with the unnecessary full-length guide rod, making your take-down much simpler. The light-rail being a big bonus since the standard light-rail or "half-rail" TRP is off-list and would require extra work to acquire here in Calli. The Full-Rail TRPs are pretty hard to come across, and their takedown definitely takes some getting use to.

Sig's 1911s are excellent builds, and they are more readily available compared to Springfield currently. A light-rail model is no extra feat to find. Two things to consider with the Sig is depending on your choice of holster (if applicable) can be slightly hindered by Sig's unique slide contour and all the Sig 1911s are Series 80 design while Springfield are Series 70. If their series is not important, then disregard. You will find people who argue the reliability of an external extractor on a 1911 , and their initial introduction into the market does warrant such criticism. I haven't found anyone having extraction issues on their Sigs yet, yes there were a rare odd one with a minor factory defect but was returned to 100% operating condition shortly after.

Either choice you can't go wrong with, you just may find certain particulars more to your liking and availability is a big part in it too.

[intensefab]

I've had both and still have the Springfield TRP.

The TRP can out shoot me on any given day, bull barrel easy smooth trigger. The Nitron is a great 1911 but my love affair was stronger with the TRP.

[andylc6505]

Oh, I see. Well, it sounds like I'm going to lean foward to the Springfield 1911 TRP. Not to sound shallow, but I honestly think the full railed 1911s look hideous, and loses the sexy look of the '1911'. Although I understand the advantages of the full rail. the partial rails are fine to me.

[andylc6505]

intensefab, I also think TRP is an excellent 1911. However, I feel a LITTLE hesitant about it, ONLY because of the aggressive front checkering. I'm not sure if I'll get used to it, in good terms. How do you think of it? I thought to smooth out the aggressiveness, if I purchase one, but I feel like it's a waste(I believe the checkering goes around $200) if done so. Guide rod isn't much of a problem, because I'll replace it with the tool less dawson guide rod anyway.

[Snoopy47]

intensefab, I also think TRP is an excellent 1911. However, I feel a LITTLE hesitant about it, ONLY because of the aggressive front checkering. I'm not sure if I'll get used to it, in good terms. How do you think of it?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Have you ever considered Smith & Wesson 1911's? They seem to be less expensive than the Springfield, and they work great. They have the external extractor like the Sig but maintain all the classic 1911 lines like the Springfield. I wouldn't know about the customer service quality because the numerous S&W guns I have all just work..

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[XDJYo]

I'm in a similar boat. After considering getting an XD for the longest time, I finally had a chance to shoot both an XD 9mm and a SA Mil-Spec .45 ACP this past week. The difference in recoil wasn't too different between the two calibers and I shot both somewhat equally well. I did have a few creep away on me on the 1911.

So, I've been thinking of getting a 1911-probably a Springfield, but the Sig 1911's have a lot to offer too. I have NO IDEA what the differences are between a Series 70 vs. Series 80 are. If you can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it very much!!

Thanks all for any input of any other differences, pros and cons.

[ChrisTKHarris]

The more I shoot my TRP, the more I love it. It's nothing but reliable.

[redcliff]

I have a TRP. You might find the checkering rather aggressive. I know I’d never get another 1911 that aggressive (20 verses 30). I’m glad I own it, and I have a red dot milled on mine now, so it will always be my RD competition gun. However, I wish I had the money to make another Les Baer my Ret Dot gun.

Now, in regard to the checkering, the TRP adds the checkering to the frame. MEANING, the frame is actually LARGER/THICKER at the front strap than a TRUE 1911 frame. Where as my Les Baer checkering is CUT INTO the frame. The TRP checkering is kind of made from a frame designed for checking from the outset.

I'm interested in your assertion that the TRP has a thicker front strap than a "normal" 1911 i.e. Colt. Supposedly since 2002 SA has been using frames dimensioned very closely to Colt's front strap. Undercutting of the trigger guard and profiling of the frame after the checkerring is cut can give the illusion that the checkerring was "added" or that the frame is thicker to accomodate the checkerring. The only way to tell for sure is to measure it.

I took some measurements of the thickness of the front strap at the bottom of the mag openning on some of my 1911's with checkerring, trying to measure to the bottom of the checkerring cut:

Springfield Pro, with 20 l.p.i. : .072 thick
Series 70 Colt, with 25 l.p.i. : .079
Kimber SM II, with 30 l.p.i.: .075

Normally, you would expect to see the thinnest front strap on 20 l.p.i. checkerring, due to the depth of the cuts, and thickest on the 30 l.p.i. And even though the Kimber Super Match II was thinner than the Series 70 Colt, it actually feels more "blocky" to me due to the contours of the rest of the strap.

I like the 20 l.p.i. on my Pro, but I think they may knock the tips down slightly prior to coating it with Black-T. I find 25 lpi a good compromise for grip and appearance, and while 30 lpi looks the best to my eyes, it doesn't have enough "bite" for me.

[intensefab]

intensefab, I also think TRP is an excellent 1911. However, I feel a LITTLE hesitant about it, ONLY because of the aggressive front checkering. I'm not sure if I'll get used to it, in good terms. How do you think of it? I thought to smooth out the aggressiveness, if I purchase one, but I feel like it's a waste(I believe the checkering goes around $200) if done so. Guide rod isn't much of a problem, because I'll replace it with the tool less dawson guide rod anyway.

The checkering is fine with me. I've owned countless 1911's and trade them all the time. For me the two I have kept in the rotation is the TRP and a Kimber. It comes down to what feels best to you in your hand. There are a thousand people here who will tell you why their 1911 is the best or better than brand X.

Hold a bunch, find what you love and shoot the crap out of it!! Or do like me and buy and sell, buy and sell, buy and sell. Sooner or later you will find a couple of keepers!!

[keenkeen]

I'm interested in your assertion that the TRP has a thicker front strap than a "normal" 1911 i.e. Colt. Supposedly since 2002 SA has been using frames dimensioned very closely to Colt's front strap. Undercutting of the trigger guard and profiling of the frame after the checkerring is cut can give the illusion that the checkerring was "added" or that the frame is thicker to accomodate the checkerring. The only way to tell for sure is to measure it.

I took some measurements of the thickness of the front strap at the bottom of the mag openning on some of my 1911's with checkerring, trying to measure to the bottom of the checkerring cut:

Springfield Pro, with 20 l.p.i. : .072 thick
Series 70 Colt, with 25 l.p.i. : .079
Kimber SM II, with 30 l.p.i.: .075

Normally, you would expect to see the thinnest front strap on 20 l.p.i. checkerring, due to the depth of the cuts, and thickest on the 30 l.p.i. And even though the Kimber Super Match II was thinner than the Series 70 Colt, it actually feels more "blocky" to me due to the contours of the rest of the strap.

I like the 20 l.p.i. on my Pro, but I think they may knock the tips down slightly prior to coating it with Black-T. I find 25 lpi a good compromise for grip and appearance, and while 30 lpi looks the best to my eyes, it doesn't have enough "bite" for me.

I was thinking the same thing...thank you for confirming.

[Gringo Bandito]

intensefab, I also think TRP is an excellent 1911. However, I feel a LITTLE hesitant about it, ONLY because of the aggressive front checkering. I'm not sure if I'll get used to it, in good terms. How do you think of it? I thought to smooth out the aggressiveness, if I purchase one, but I feel like it's a waste(I believe the checkering goes around $200) if done so. Guide rod isn't much of a problem, because I'll replace it with the tool less dawson guide rod anyway.

I have a non rail TRP and am far removed from any manual labor and the calluses caused by it. I was concerned about the checkering as well but quite honestly, I don't even notice it. As many have said, it is a great shooter and has an excellent warranty but I don't think i'll ever need it.

[Press Check]

Another vote for the TRP. I have 20LPI checkering on my Springfield, and it doesn't bother me a bit. Unless you death-grip the frame, you're good to go

[Chief-7700]

TRP Operator Full Rail