Today, Springfield Armory introduces a completely new line of Tactical Response Pistols (TRP). Called the TRPs, for short, the new guns provide savvy shooters with features they look for in a fighting handgun. Completely built in the US, the guns boast forged carbon steel frames and slides and stainless-steel match-grade barrels. Fit with the precision that we’ve become accustomed to from Springfield Armory, the new TRP line possesses the accuracy and reliability demanded by law enforcement agencies and consumers alike.

Springfield Armory TRP Line: History

It all started in 1998 when the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team solicited Springfield Armory for a 1911 pistol. It not only needed to be accurate but also reliable. They had to stand up to the rigors of hard use in the harshest environments. Likewise, they had to endure the voluminous rounds that agents fired in practice.

Those pistols, built in Springfield’s Custom Shop, became the basis for what Springfield Armory would later release commercially as the Professional. A gun that found its way into the armories of many SWAT teams around the country.

The guns possessed an added degree of fit, including hand fitting of the barrel, bushing, slide-to-frame fit, and trigger tuning. Some might call it a custom production model, and Springfield eventually developed a line-up of guns under the name Tactical Response Pistol or TRPs.

Though TRPs have been around since 2001, Springfield has decided to reintroduce the line of guns. Springfield Armory released six new versions today!

First Look!

I first had a chance to see Springfield’s new line of TRPs at the annual Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous last October in Driggs, Idaho. Steve Kramer, Springfield’s VP of Marketing, took the opportunity to detail the new TRP line-up.

“Initially, the new guns will be offered in .45ACP, and the consumers will have a choice of black or Coyote Brown Cerakote finishes. We offer the Classic-a full-size 1911 without a light rail and also the Classic 4.25” that other companies call a Commander size. Both of those guns are also available with a light rail.

“We’re also offering the new Concealed Contour model with a rounded butt for concealed carry. It is built on a lightweight aluminum frame for carry use. We dovetail Tritium 3-dot night sights into the pistols’ slides.

“All of these guns receive an extra degree of care and attention. For accuracy’s sake, we meticulously fit the barrel feet, hood, lugs, and bushing. You’ll also notice we do a lot of blending of the parts and remove sharp edges for painless carry. We also strive to give the guns the best trigger pull possible with a clean, crisp break and firm reset.

“Each of the new guns will come with a nylon case and three magazines. The suggested retail for these new TRP guns will be $1999, and we feel that is a great value for the shooter!”

Just recently, I received four sample pistols from the new TRP line. It’s easier for me to tell you the common features of these guns than what is different about them.

TRP Features

With the exception of the Concealed Contour pistols, which use a forged aluminum frame, the TRP guns use forged carbon steel frames and slides. The frames are Series 70 style, without a firing pin safety. Each of the pistols features an ambidextrous thumb safety and a beavertail grip safety.

While the origins of these TRP guns were for law enforcement work, many of the included features make the pistols perfect for competition use. Case in point is the 20 LPI checkering on the gun’s frontstrap and the 2-piece magazine well funnel.

Springfield Armory also includes a beavertail grip safety that will keep the shooter’s hand comfortable even with very high round counts. For a very secure grip, the 1911 uses VZ Hydra grip panels.

TRP guns also feature a lowered and flared ejection port, fore and aft cocking serrations, and a flat slide top. Correspondingly, the slide top includes serrations to reduce glare and funnel the shooter’s focus toward the front sight.

Springfield uses their excellent skeletonized hammer on the TRP models. All TRP™ pistols feature the Springfield Armory® Gen 2 Speed Trigger that combines improved performance as well as impressive looks.

Using my Lyman Electronic Trigger pull Gauge, I found that the average trigger pull of my four TRP guns was just 3.6 pounds. This may be the ideal pull weight for tactical and carry use for a trained individual.

Fit and Finish

All of the guns exhibit near-perfect slide-to-frame fit. In fact, I was not able to get a wobble out of the four test guns I received, let alone a rattle. Even the Concealed Contour gun’s fit was as good as I’ve seen on a production gun.

Springfield smiths bevel the bottom of the slide edge to ensure the user doesn’t get cut. The bushings were also exemplary fit to both the barrel and slide. While there wasn’t any play with this part, I was able to easily disassemble each gun without the use of a bushing wrench!

The TRPs use standard, unramped barrels on the full-size guns. Likewise, they are well-throated to feed a variety of ammunition, including hollow points. In addition, the frame’s feed ramp is well-polished for unhindered feeding from the magazine. The 4.25-inch guns use a supported barrel whose integral feedramp is well-polished for flawless feeding.

One of the impressive things about the TRP line is the attention to detail they display. The rear of the slide lines up perfectly with the rear of the frame, and the rear of the extractor has been blended precisely with the slide.

Springfield smiths fit the beavertails with such exactness that it is hard to discern a gap between the two parts. The ambi safeties snick on and off crisply and will never leave the user wondering if they are on safe or disengaged.

Range Time

I had the opportunity to shoot the TRP guns at our Rendezvous last October and was impressed with the trigger pulls. Likewise, I was able to ring the steel targets at will out to 50 yards. But I didn’t have the ability to bench them for accuracy.

Using a variety of 230-grain FMJ ammunition, my best 5-shot group at 25 yards was with the TRP Classic, full-size 5-inch gun. Doubletap loads produced a group that measured just .93-inch!

Both of the full-size guns, both the Classic and the Railed model, averaged groups around 1.75 inches. The 4.25-inch guns weren’t far off that mark, even with their reduced sight radius. They averaged groups of 1.86 inches at the same distance.

By far, my favorite gun of this bunch to shoot was the 4.25 Concealed Contour pistol with a Coyote Brown finish. Weighing just 27.3 ounces, with its aluminum frame, the gun was lively to shoot but very controllable with the rounded heel.

If there was one gun of the four I had to test that I would keep for concealed carry, it would be this one. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting this particular model.

Final Thoughts

I’m already a big fan of the new TRP line-up from Springfield Armory. If I were in the market for a new duty or competition gun, this would be where I’d start my search. Springfield Armory provides the shooter with the features they demand. Basically, they are selling these custom guns at production gun prices. 

For more information, please visit Springfield-Armory.com.