Last week I had absolutely zero plans on buying another Government-sized 45 ACP 1911 any time soon. I was perusing a local forum Saturday night and this sucker popped up for sale. It's not every day you run into a TRP for the same price as most Mil-Spec models. It's a 2008 production that came basically NIB with a set of VZ Operators on it (and some Challis Torx grip screws which I promptly exchanged for slotted ones). It was literally too good of a deal to pass up, so I didn't.
I apologize for the crappy kitchen floor pic, but I thought I'd share. I also have a Springfield Professional Operator built around the same time so comparing the two is sort of interesting.
Some brief observations since I picked it up this afternoon:
- The fit and finish is quite nice. It's certainly above the Loaded, MC Operator, and other Springfield production models of the period, but not as nice as the Pro. I had an original Long Beach Operator (from the original LBPD order) that I foolishly sold. I'd say it is very similar in finish to that, but just a skosh better.
- The 20 LPI checkering is quite sharp and they needed to dehorn it at the bottom of the frontstrap in the magwell area (like on the Pro). I'll have to take care of that myself.
- Besides the magwell area and the slide-stop notch on the slide, everything on the slide and frame feels pretty nicely dehorned. You can't shave with it like you can a new Colt.
- The beavertail fit isn't seamless, but it's early 2000's level quite good. I'm happy with it as is.
- The Novak copies on it suck. I was expecting that. They're going to get replaced by 10-8 sights anyway.
- I hate two piece guide rods. That's going too.
- It has the ILS built into the MSH/magwell which is a shame and is way oversprung. I'm still pondering if I should replace it was a S&A or ditch the magwell for an aluminum EGW MSH.
- Since I'm ditching the ILS and super heavy mainspring I'm going to have to ditch the titanium firing pin and go steel.
- Soooooo much MIM. I know I'm going to replace the slide stop and thumb safeties because they're MIM, they feel cheap, they're sharp, and I just don't like them. I'm not sure if I'm going to change the ignition components or not.
- The VZ Operators look nice, but they're much sharper than they need to be. I'll probably carry this thing IWB a fair amount and I can already tell they're going to tear up shirts, jacket liners, and skin. I have a beautiful pair of checkered french walnut grips than may find their way on here, or another set of less aggressive VZ's.
I need to find a good color-match spray-and-bake finish for the small components I replace. I'm thinking Brownells Flat Black Alumahyde right now, but it isn't in stock.
Before I change too much though I feel like a pictorial comparison with the Pro is in order. I might have to take some pictures this weekend.