Which Springfield 1911...

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GregB

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I'm looking at the loaded operator and the Trp. Want a 5" railed, black, magwell, fixed sights. Where I'm looking the TRP is @$150 more. Worth it? Range, occasional match and carry gun. Thoughts?
 
I’d buy the SA Loaded.

I have run a Range Officer hard and it has been a great gun. If the Loaded has the features you want I don't see a reason to pay extra for the TRP.
 
I have a TRP and TRP Operator. Love the extra weight of the Operator with the bull barrel for mitigating recoil and muzzle flip. The Operator was/is offered with the a half or full rail. THe only "better" Springer is the FBI gun at twice the price of the Operator. The TRP that I have comes with fixed rear sight. The Operator has adjustable rear sight. To me that is important for a target/competition gun.
 
The only thing about the TRP is if you run it in matches it won’t make weight. Local club matches in IDPA won’t care, but in sanctioned matches it might be a problem
 
fieldgrade said:
The only thing about the TRP is if you run it in matches it won’t make weight. Local club matches in IDPA won’t care, but in sanctioned matches it might be a problem
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Can you expand on that a little? I've never attended that type of match but I've also never heard of a gun making weight just from reading up on types of matches.
 
wemoodydc said:
Can you expand on that a little? I've never attended that type of match but I've also never heard of a gun making weight just from reading up on types of matches.
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If you are only going to shoot the occasional local club match I wouldn’t worry about it. I just figured I’d mention weight of the two different guns since you mentioned shooting it in matches.

In IDPA a 1911 in 45acp would be shot in CDP division which is limited to 43oz with heaviest empty mag, as I recall. Most 1911’s in that caliber are under that weight. Springfield’s site says the TRP is 45oz, while the Loaded is 43oz.

In my experience it’s always a “best guess” as to how manufacturers weigh their guns, and I can’t speak to the rules for USPSA.

In local club matches for IDPA they aren’t going to weigh your gun, at least not at the 5-6 different matches I shoot in eastern NC. Not sure about the matches close to you like at Wautauga Gun Club in Boone , or Foothills in Wilkesboro. Even in Tier 2 sanctioned matches they won’t weigh it, unless you brought some kind of boat anchor to shoot (to limit recoil) and someone questioned whether it was legal. I believe tier 3 matches they start paying attention to everything, like weight of gun, dimensions of the gun, ammo making power factor (versus folks shooting powder puff loads to limit recoil).
 
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The one other thing I would add, and it’s totally anecdotal, if this pistol were to become a match blaster, it seems like all the SA 1911’s that I have seen “hotrodded” by good shooters in IDPA were all SA 1911 Loadeds. Maybe because of the heavier weight limitations I mentioned with the TRP, because the good shooters tend to like to shoot the sanctioned matches as well as the local club matches.
 
I have a standard TRP, like the one linked for sale a few post above. I really like it. Personally, I’d avoid the TRP Operator. I’m not a fan of the bull barrel/no bushing set up. If a rail is a must, I’d look at the LBO Operator from Springfield or a Specialist from Dan Wesson.

I’ve heard good things about the Springfield elite operator line, but have no firsthand experience.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Check out the new SA Ronin.
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That seems to be exactly the configuration I like. It is full size, has a left-side safety, has fixed sighs that do not look to have any very sharp edges, has a beavertail grip safety, and has a Commander-style hammer. I have never had a two-tone but could get used to it. I had never seen Springfield offer that configuration before and might have to look into one.
 
Charlie said:
That seems to be exactly the configuration I like. It is full size, has a left-side safety, has fixed sighs that do not look to have any very sharp edges, has a beavertail grip safety, and has a Commander-style hammer. I have never had a two-tone but could get used to it. I had never seen Springfield offer that configuration before and might have to look into one.
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It’s a brand new offering from SA. I think they are pretty dangled sexy, and they cost slightly less than SA Range Officers.

... which are less than Loaded’s and TRPs.

I too prefer a single side thumb safety.
 
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Charlie said:
That seems to be exactly the configuration I like. It is full size, has a left-side safety, has fixed sighs that do not look to have any very sharp edges, has a beavertail grip safety, and has a Commander-style hammer. I have never had a two-tone but could get used to it. I had never seen Springfield offer that configuration before and might have to look into one.
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Hmmmmmm I see what I mean...……..Only thing I don't care for are those serrations up front.
 
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The serrations are a nonissue for me. I do not use them but do not care if they are there. I do not care for a rail because it would keep me from using several of my holsters.

edit: SA has had one with all that I like except that it has a rail on it.
 
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Charlie said:
The serrations are a nonissue for me. I do not use them but do not care if they are there. I do not care for a rail because it would keep me from using several of my holsters.

edit: SA has had one with all that I like except that it has a rail on it.
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I like a lot of SA’s 1911 offerings, but finding one with sights I like, without a rail in any one particular flavor has been a challenge with their current line-up
 
fieldgrade said:
The only thing about the TRP is if you run it in matches it won’t make weight. Local club matches in IDPA won’t care, but in sanctioned matches it might be a problem
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I would want to double check that, the bushing barrel models makes weight no problem. The bull barrel may not make weight, but it isn’t legal anyway.

I worked the VA State IDPAmatch and was offered a steep discount from Springfield so I bought a Loaded Operator and a TRP last year for CDP. I sold the Loaded, I liked the TRP’s front and back strap textures (though, it is extremely aggressive). I just started shooting it some this year and both models would need some fine tuning but great guns.

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Asadurum said:
I would want to double check that, the bushing barrel models makes weight no problem. The bull barrel may not make weight, but it isn’t legal anyway.

I worked the VA State IDPAmatch and was offered a steep discount from Springfield so I bought a Loaded Operator and a TRP last year for CDP. I sold the Loaded, I liked the TRP’s front and back strap textures (though, it is extremely aggressive). I just started shooting it some this year and both models would need some fine tuning but great guns.

9b997b3856f65194d238e9644cb18995.jpg
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He’s looking for one with a rail and I believe that will push it above the 43oz limit.
 
fieldgrade said:
I like a lot of SA’s 1911 offerings, but finding one with sights I like, without a rail in any one particular flavor has been a challenge with their current line-up
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The Colt Competition Series come very close to what I like. It does have an adjustable rear sight, but that sight has smooth lines that will not tear up your hand. My two are Series 80 types, but I think you can get them now without the firing pin block if that is important to you. I have never had problems with any of my Series 80 pistols, so it is not a deal breaker for me.
 
Charlie said:
The Colt Competition Series come very close to what I like. It does have an adjustable rear sight, but that sight has smooth lines that will not tear up your hand. My two are Series 80 types, but I think you can get them now without the firing pin block if that is important to you. I have never had problems with any of my Series 80 pistols, so it is not a deal breaker for me.
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The Colt Competition series is closest to what I look for in terms of how they are outfitted, less front strap checkering and mag well, although they have a "Competition Plus” now with front strap checkering. I had a 9mm Colt Competition that had to go back to Colt due to me bending the ejector but I think they’ve resolved that with their newer offerings (shorter tuned ejector).
 
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I have had eratic ejection with my 9mm, and the ejector does look a little bent. I suppose I need to tinker with it a bit.
 
Charlie said:
I have had eratic ejection with my 9mm, and the ejector does look a little bent. I suppose I need to tinker with it a bit.
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Son of a gun. Looks like it'll be the loaded. Had a lightweight and liked it. Bought it thinking I'd carry it some. Didn't very often and sold it. Went to a 5" railed SIG I bought for @500. Traded it for a lightweight Colt Agent with gutter sight. Sold it (didn't like lack of sights) . Looks like I'll have more ammo money.
 
I had a lightweight operator and loved it. I sold it to get a 03a3. I would not hesitate to get another loaded operator of some sort down the road.
 
Not that I know anything at all other than research for my own purchase but there is a Range Officer 'Elite' series as well that has that nice black coating.
It looks like in the past couple of months they stopped advertising on their website that they will be making it in 45acp!!!
Springfield Range Officer Elite Target MSRP 1048.00 PN: PI9128E
Springfield Range Officer Elite Champion MSRP 1030.00 PN: PI9136E
Springfield Range Officer Elite Operator MSRP 1145.00 PN: P19130E
Appears on the surface that they are only going to do 10mm in the Elite based on their website and I have yet to find anyone to prove that sad news as I very much liked the looks of the RO Elite Target for my situation.
 
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