By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Recently, Springfield Armory introduced new additions to the Tactical Response Pistol (TRP) line up, including improvements such as an FDE finish and improved sights.
However, the big news is the introduction of a 4.25-inch “Commander” size TRP, and it looks like a winner.
The TRP Contour Carry pistol features a lightweight frame and a shortened slide and barrel. At one time the Commander-type pistol didn’t enjoy the reputation for reliability 5-inch guns do. Springfield addressed this issue and got it right with a carefully developed recoil spring of the proper weight and extensive testing and evaluation. (The Garrison Commander also proved to be completely reliable with a wide range of ammunition.)
While new full-length TRP pistols are an improvement over the older guns, my long serving five-inch TRP doesn’t need replacement.
The 4.25-inch gun, however, is immensely interesting. When I was able to obtain a new TRP, I chose the 4.25-inch barrel CC version. And it is of course chambered in .45 ACP.
The TRP CC is a production pistol in some ways and a product of the Springfield custom shop in ways that mean much. With production capability and trained craftsmen, Springfield may offer a pistol for just under two thousand dollars that a custom maker would have to charge twice the amount for. To expend such a sum for a pistol demands much thought and justification.
For those wishing to own the best pistol possible for personal defense the TRP is great choice. The Springfield Armory TRP CC is a lightweight handgun at only 28 ounces by virtue of its aluminum alloy frame, and it is available in black or flat dark earth cerakote finish.
The TRP CC looks right and fitting is excellent. The Carry Contour pistol features a light rail for mounting a combat light or laser, and it also has cocking serrations front and rear. The front strap is checkered in twenty lines per square inch. This checkering, in common with earlier TRP models, is sharper than most, but not so sharp that it produced blood! Granted, it may prove uncomfortable during a heavy practice session. Perhaps one should wear gloves during training.
The rear strap is also checkered. This radical mainspring housing cut is designed to allow easier concealment and prevent printing on the outer covering garment. Another advantage is that the bobtail feels better in the hand for many shooters. The memory groove grip safety properly releases its grip on the trigger halfway through its compression.
Other features include a lightweight hammer, an ambidextrous slide lock safety with positive indent, and wedge type rear sight and dovetailed post front sight. Springfield designers added three-dot night sights with tritium inserts, which are an important addition to a personal defense pistol. The highly aggressive stocks are Hydra grips from VZ grips featuring an indent for rapid manipulation of the magazine release. The shorter pistol handles quickly and gets on target fast. Since this is a Model 1911 handgun, a low bore axis and straight to the rear trigger compression help in getting fast hits.
There is no handgun faster to deliver a first shot hit than the Model 1911.
A Government Model pistol—a type I have carried for many years—at over forty ounces is heavy for constant, all-day carry. The lightweight Commander-type pistol takes about ten ounces off of that weight, which is significant.
While speed to a first shot hit isn’t compromised with a Commander, control in rapid fire is. You probably need to practice about twenty five percent more with a lightweight 1911 in .45 ACP. It is worthwhile when you consider the level of protection possible with this type of handgun. Springfield’s pistol features a heavy recoil spring, which makes for easier shooting as this spring controls recoil well. The TRP CC exhibits more comfortable recoil than most any lightweight 1911 I have ever fired.
Boasting the famous straight-to-the-rear trigger action and rapid reset of the 1911, trigger compression lightened up slightly after the break-in session and hundreds of repetitions in dry fire. The final reading was 4.85 pounds and very consistent.
Reset may be as important as the trigger break in rapid fire. The TRP action is excellent in all particulars. As for fit, locking lugs glide into their mortise in the slide smoothly. The link seems properly set and the barrel bushing is snug. In contract to unsupported chambers found on many modern handguns the TRP ramped barrel adds strength to case head support and improves feed reliability.
Springfield’s TRP CC is fitted properly and tolerances in the slide ways and slide rails are tight, very tight. A tight fit limits eccentric wear. Wear will be smooth even and slow to progress.
After inspection, I lubricated the TRP and began firing for evaluation. Shooting took place at 7 yards, with two targets aligned three feet apart. I fired quickly addressing each target in turn. Ammunition was the Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain ball, a clean burning and accurate combination.
Moving to 10 and finally 15 yards in off hand fire good results followed. Trigger letoff is sharp and clean, and the sights excellent. Get a good grip and execute follow through and you have consistent accuracy. Fast forward six months, and the pistol has proven reliable with a wide range of loads and is a favorite carry gun.
Bench test accuracy is always interesting. Settling into a solid seated position firing off the benchrest I fired five shot groups with some of the most accurate loads available. Here are my results at 15 yards.
Load Average Accuracy
Black Hills 135 grain Honey Badger 2.0 in.
Black Hills 230 grain FMJ 1.4 in.
Black Hills 230 grain JHP 1.5 in.
Carrying the TRP
I have carried the pistol in a Galco TuckNGo. This is a comfortable holster, well made of good material, offering a good balance of speed and retention. By carrying the pistol inside the trousers, most of the slide is hidden. This provides a shooter the ability to conceal a decent sized handgun with only a light covering garment.
The Springfield TRP Carry Contour .45 isn’t for everyone but then, what pistol is? I like the 1911 in .45-caliber, and try my best to master it. After all Hallmark doesn’t offer a Lost The Gunfight sympathy card. For those willing to practice with the 1911 and obtain good support gear the TRP CC is a great choice.
The shorter handgun makes carry easier, especially in an inside-the-waistband holster. The handgun is just enough shorter to clear leather more easily than with the 5-inch barrel model.
The TRP CC is very fast from leather and fast to a center punched hit. It is controllable in double taps, hammers, and controlled pairs. Overall, this is a very capable pistol in a fight-stopping caliber, and should serve anyone well.
Specifications
Springfield-Armory.com
Caliber .45 ACP
Action Single Action
Barrel Length 4.25 in.
Capacity 7 or 8 round magazines
Weight 27.3 oz.
Length 7.9 in.
Height 5.5 in.
MSRP $1,999.00
