the proteCtion You deserVe, department | COUNTERMEASURES the MobilitY You need. No country for old ? protect niJ 01010.06 1911 Pistol – Still going strong Certified after 100 years By Bob Parker

oogle (it’s a verb now) the year 1911 the Springfield Armory custom Gfor significant events and you’ll find shop. It is a quality lifesaving tool many forgettable occurrences, most of them that comes with a heavy price tag lost in history. It’s difficult to find any men- and limited availability. tion of the adopting A high-end variant of the the John M. Browning-designed Colt 1911 Springfield 1911 that comes leVel iii shooters Cut, leVel iii shooters Cut, 6" x 6" Mini side plate plt-iii-sp-sC-6x6 pistol in .45-caliber (adopted by the U.S. Multi-CurVe Multi-CurVe with a more affordable outlay of Model 2120-5 Marines and Navy in 1913). Pistol trials Model 2113MC-3 cash is the TRP. The Springfield Springfield Armory 1911A1 TRP (with additional special threat testing) th conducted in the early 20 century by the TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) U.S. military focused on an auto-loading has the same design specs as the tailed front sight blade. The test pistol has a pistol chambering a .45 ACP (Automatic FBI contract pistol. While not a custom stainless finish. It’s also available in Spring- Colt Pistol) round. They were dissatisfied shop product, the TRP is hand-built by field’s black Armory Kote finish and with an with the performance of the .38 Long Colt experienced Springfield armorers, and from integral accessory rail. cartridge against the Moro guerillas during my experience, there is no depreciation of The recoil spring guide seems to be an the Philippine–American War (1898-1902). performance. issue with many 1911 shooters. The TRP Colt won the competition and their 1911 The pistol is assembled from a forged comes with a two-piece full-length guide. ® semi-automatic has now been in introduCing new proteCh stainless steel match-grade slide and frame. You need a small hex wrench to disassemble the service of the military and law enforce- taCtiCal threat plates When mated there is no play on either the it (unless it works loose during shoot- ment for a century. It was the official U.S. Play it safe. To increase your protection with horizontal or vertical. The TRP has a 5-inch ing). This feature, not just on Springfield armed forces service pistol from 1911 to virtually any vest configuration or threat, stainless steel match-grade barrel and bush- pistols, has found disfavor with many in law 1985, when it was officially replaced by the PROTECH has created an extensive range ing. This is one tightly fitted pistol ― no enforcement and the civilian shooting com- . However, it is still in service of new tactical rifle plates. Our new line of rattle in a battle here. munity. It works alright, as does a standard with the U.S. military, special operations Level III shooters cut, multi-curve rifle plates Unlike some tightly assembled match- length guide and plug you can purchase at leVel iV shooters Cut, units and a long list of law enforcement are the first level III rifle threat plates to agencies. The 1911 and 1911A1 pistols have, grade pistols, the TRP used in testing for numerous suppliers. For a small investment, Multi-CurVe successfully pass the new NIJ protocol and Model 2220-1 over the years, had more manufacturers this column performed flawlessly. There the pistol is still reliable and easily stripped are NIJ 01010.06 certified. They are available than we have room or time to name. were no failures of any nature through 1000 without any tools. in an aggressive, military-style shooter’s cut The Browning short-recoil system has rounds. The match-grade aluminum trigger, The G10 grips have a very aggressive become the preeminent type, design and with an over-travel stop, breaks crisply at stippling. The front strap checkering and for added mobility and comfort. Things can leVel iV single-CurVe Model 2115g foundation for nearly all modern center-fire a bit less than 4.5 pounds. The TRP comes the grips will pretty well assure a positive get nasty out there. Make sure you have all pistols. It is still relevant after all these years. with a flared magazine well extension, ag- purchase when holding the pistol, but a the protection you need. For more information, Springfield Armory produces the gressive (deep and sharp) checkering on the prolonged day at the range can be tough on contact us today. Springfield Custom Professional Model front strap, beaver tail grip safety and an those with soft hands. 1911A1 pistol under contract for the FBI ambidextrous extended thumb safety. Basic ergonomics of the 1911A1 pistol protechtactical.com regional SWAT teams and the Hostage The TRP tritium night sights feature a 6" x 6" Mini side plate haven’t changed in the century it has been (800) 347.1200 plt-iV-2220-6x6

Rescue Team. It is essentially hand-built in low profile combat rear sight and a dove- in service. It might be an old design, but ©2010 Safariland

84 The Tactical Edge | Summer 2011 a produCt of the CoMpanY COUNTERMEASURES, continued

the grip-to-frame angle seemingly can’t be With an overall length of 8.5 inches and this is capable of accuracy beyond improved upon. It handles and points on height of 5.7 inches, this all-steel pistol my skill level). Sorry, no accuracy checks target extremely well. It’s thin for a large weighs in at 42 oz. shooting off sandbags from the bench pistol, which makes it as concealable and As noted above, there were no stoppages with this . The real world doesn’t work portable as lighter, smaller-framed pistols. in testing the Springfield TRP. Different like that. A pistol that shoots well from an ammunition configurations, bullet weights unsupported combat stance is what we’re and manufacturers were used in testing. looking for. Hornady Critical Defense FTX 185-grain This all-steel pistol is tough and robust. and Remington 230-grain bonded JHP A shooting partner, using his own TRP, in- The Browning short-recoil rounds were two of the primary test rounds. advertently demonstrated this on the range. The TRP isn’t particular as to the magazines His second round of a failure drill went off system has become the used. Seven- and eight-round magazines with an extremely loud report. He lowered preeminent type, design from Springfield, after market sources and the weapon and noted his shooting hand and foundation for nearly three other pistol makers were all com- was numb from the small explosion. His pletely functional in the Springfield pistol. hand was covered with carbon residue. The all modern center-fire pis- When a pistol is to be carried in harm’s way, magazine follower, spring and floor plate tols. It is still relevant after reliability should be the first characteristic were on the ground. The magazine body all these years. we look at. was still locked in place. Wedged in it was At combat shooting distances of 7, 10 the remaining round. The bullet was pushed and 15 yards, the TRP delivered .45-caliber completely into the casing. The casing of the slugs on target in ragged holes (and I’m sure fired round had suffered major case head

86 The Tactical Edge | Summer 2011 800.552.2554 WWW.CONDOROUTDOOR.COM [email protected]

...the 1911 pistol, after NEW 2011 ARRIVALS 100 years, remains a solid 125 3-DAY ASSAULT PACK choice for trained profes- · Large load cargo capacity w/ separate pocket to t two 3 liter hydration bladder sionals in law enforcement · Total of 7 compartments and the military. · Main compartment w/ gear straps & 2 mesh pockets · Dimension: 17”W x 22”H x 11”D · Color: OD, BLK, TAN, OD DIGITAL, ACU, MULTICAM, A-TACS

separation. The primer was blown out and completely penetrated by the firing pin. He NEW 2011 was using reloaded ammunition and it ap- pears that the round may have had a double US1009 STRYKE TACTICAL SLING charge of powder or the wrong powder. Once he regained feeling in his hand, he dis- · Transition-loc with pull-tab allows quick adjustments sembled the pistol. Nothing appeared to be · Coverts from two point to single point sling damaged, out of place or misaligned. It dry · HK snap hook adapter covered w/ elastic adapter fired, as it should. He had it checked out by · 1 1/4 inch webbing, with Duraflex buckles an armorer and the pistol was pronounced (Heavy duty MOJAVA, part #9094 & 9095) fit for duty. Four hundred rounds later, the · Single bungee construction · Side-release buckle to release adapter TRP and operator are doing well (and using · Made in USA only factory ammo now). · Color: OD, BLK, Coyote Tan We live in a world of evolving technol- ogy, advancing at a staggering pace. It’s al- most impossible to keep up with everything US1001 COBRA new out there. Home computers, smart ONE POINT BUNGEE SLING phones and Ipads make all forms of com- munication around the planet into literally · Dual bungee construction · HK snap hook adapter covered child’s play. More information than you w/ elastic sleeve can ever use is available with the click of a · Duraglex side-release buckle to buckle mouse or a touch on a screen. Yet the 1911 release adapter & sling · Color: OD, BLK, TAN, MULTICAM, A-TACS pistol, after 100 years, remains a solid choice for trained professionals in law enforcement and the military. Springfield Armory makes 149 PISTOL CASE a good one. · ¼” foam padding w/ lockable zipper In a disposable society where anything · 10 front window, document back pocket · Comes w/ 4 hook & loop attaches or anyone tainted by “age” is cast aside as (holster, 2 utility pouchs, & elastic keeper) obsolete or irrelevant, some things and · Color: OD, BLK, TAN people that have a solid foundation retain · Dimension: 10”W x 12”H x 2½”D - Hook backing attaches to their value. It’s still a country for old guns any velcro surface. and gunfighters. - Available: A,B, AB, O +/- - Color: OD, Black, Tan Stay switched on and if it’s not a 1911, carry something off-duty. 7 5268 Rivergrade Rd. Irwindale CA, 91706

The Tactical Edge | Summer 2011 87