TRP stands for Tactical Response Pistol which, when you consider the sum of the Springfield 1911 TRP 10mm longslide’s components, it hardly seems designed for tactical use. Springfield offers two 10mm TRP Operator models with either 5″ or 6″ slides. This is more or less just a line of guns that share common features, but I thought this created an interesting dynamic.
The features of the TRP 10mm longslide are certainly better suited for hunting, or for general outdoors guns. The right 10mm load is excellent bear medicine and is still quick and easy to use on two-legged predators as well. The 1911 platform is certainly a fan favorite and one that’s been chambered in 10mm more than most.
About the TRP 10mm
The TRP 10mm Operator longslide is equipped with most of the standard Springfield TRP features. This includes a Picatinny accessory rail (five slots on the longslide), forged steel frame and slides, stainless steel match grade barrels, and fully supported feed ramps.
The longslide model is equipped with a 6-inch barrel, as well as fully adjustable rear sights. As you’d imagine, this longer gun is also a heavier gun and tips the scales at a hefty 45 ounces. It’s certainly not your average duty or concealed carry pistol.
The TRP is Springfield’s top-of-the line 1911 series and these guns are extremely well made. I’m not a 1911 fan, but I’m a fan of this gun.
Play between the slide and frame is barely noticeable, and the finish is a matte “Black-T” finish. The Black-T finish is a powder-based finish that, according to Springfield will tighten up the gun. Not sure if that’s true, but if so it’s a good choice for a gun like this. It’s a very strong finish that is stronger and more robust than their Armory Kote.
The grips are G10 made by VZ grips which I always love. VZ grips are outstanding in both texture and appearance. To me, the first thing I think is rattlesnake when seeing these grips. The texture is very aggressive and sticks to the hand well.
The front strap and back strap have aggressive texturing as well. Springfield calls this their Octo-Grip. Either way, the entire package comes together to present a very formidable hold on the gun that stays in your hand as you fire.
The grip also includes an extended beavertail which not only provides protection from slide bite, but allows you to maintain a little more leverage over the gun. It’s certainly appreciated with heavier duty loads. The TRP also sports ambidextrous safeties, as well as a skeletonized trigger and hammer.
Lastly, we get both rear and front serrations on the sides of that long slide, and the gun ships with two stainless steel 8-round magazines. It comes in a cardboard box, but also includes a very nice pistol bag to tote it around with room for some ammo, magazines, and more.
It’s a powerhouse
Make no mistake — this a big and heavy gun. The first time you pick it up is certainly an experience. This gun is pretty much all steel everything and it shows.
As a gun that would excel in the outdoors, you may consider a chest set-up for supportive carry, or you’ll need to invest in a good sturdy gun belt and holster combo. The benefit of all that weight, of course is reduced felt recoil and when you deal with full-powered, or heavy 10mm loads, the weight is very advantageous.
The fully supported chamber allows the safe use of heavy loads and that’s what this gun is designed for. The extra inch of barrel length increases the velocity of those full-powered loads, but not by a crazy amount. That extra inch of the barrel is more important for increasing sight radius, as well as weight.
That increased slide length and weight also slow down the speed of the slide cycling. You can certainly feel the difference between this gun and a 5-inch 1911. The advantage to this would appear to be that the gun won’t beat itself up be more durable. That’s a theory with no proof to back it up, so take it for what it’s worth.
The first thing I noticed when loading the gun up and hitting the range was the effect of that extra inch of barrel. The gun feels front-heavy when you make a full presentation with it. It’s an odd, unbalanced feeling I wouldn’t typically associate with a 1911. It wants to dip just slightly.
The TRP 10mm Operator’s trigger is really spectacular. I’ve fired a few higher-end elite production 1911s from Night Hawk and I would say the Springfield Gen2 Speed Trigger certainly competes with those guns. It’s extremely crisp and short. The re-set is very positive and easy to feel. I love the trigger and it certainly contributes to the accuracy of this weapon.
I mentioned that longer sight radius and Springfield certainly tried their hardest to give you the most sight radius possible. The rear sight is pushed back about a millimeter past the end of the slide. These are 3-dot tritium night sights and the rear sight is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation. These are very sharp sights and perfect for accurate shooting.
Just how accurate is it?
I like to think I’m a slightly above average shooter, and I’m certainly confident with a handgun. However, I’m far from a pro. Shooting guns like the Springfield 1911 TRP Operator makes me feel like a pro.
I was making teeny tiny groups at the 25 yard range and doing it with cheap 10mm ammo. I kept moving backward adding distance and trying my best to hit smaller targets.
At 35 yards I was consistently hitting clay pigeons placed on the berm. At 50 yards I was ringing a 21-inch tall steel popper which 10 inches at its widest part.
I got back to 75 yards with a man-sized target and landed every round in the torso. This was all firing from a standing, unsupported position with a two-handed grip.
This wasn’t difficult, and I didn’t have to apply much effort to do it. There was very little practice prior to doing this, and it was day one with the gun. Everything just clicked.
Since this gun is darn-near perfect for hunting, I took a simulated deer vital zone target downrange. I assumed a sitting position at 35 yards to more or less simulate realistic ground hunting. I went three for three in the heart on my first try.
I think it’s clear that this is a very accurate gun. The combination of 1911’s ergos, an excellent grip, a long sight radius, quality sights, and a great trigger make this pistol an all-around fantastic gun in the accuracy department.
How it handles
Felt recoil from the TRP 10mm Operator will very much depend on the load. Most of my shooting with done with cheaper FMJ 10mm ammo that just a little hotter than .40 S&W. I scored some heavier duty Buffalo Bore 180-grain JHPs that are moving at about 1,350 fps. The recoil from that round is somewhat stout, but not painful or even uncomfortable really.
The gun is very manageable with heavier loads and you won’t experience a significant increase in muzzle rise.
It’s easy to get the TRP’s sights right back on target even with these full-powered, heavy-hitting loads. Those 45 ounces of steel and that longer, heavier slide does a lot to keep felt recoil low and comfortable. The beavertail is another help in keeping leverage just right when shooting.
Besides hundreds of round of range ammo, I fed it 420 rounds of heavier loads; 400 rounds of Prvi Partizan and 20 rounds of Buffalo Bore. Malfunction-wise I’ve seen one case seem to swell inside the chamber. It needed a little coercing to come out and it had a noticeable bulge. This is odd in a fully supported chamber but it only occurred once. I’m thinking it had to be tied to the Prvi Partizan ammo.
All in all, this is an excellent firearm. It’s certainly a bit of niche gun, better suited for hiking, hunting, camping, and dealing with the great outdoors, despite its name. The Springfield TRP 10mm Operator longslide is a great tool in that role. While certainly on the heavy side, it’s easy to handle, very accurate, and fires a potent cartridge with a well-earned reputation for getting the job done.
Specifications: Springfield Armory 1911 TRP 10mm Operator Longslide
Caliber: 10mm
Capacity: 8 + 1
Weight: 45 ounces
Height: 5.5 inches
Overall Length: 9.6 inches
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Sights: 3-dot tritium night sights
MSRP: $1,842 (about $1,650 retail)
Ratings (out of Five Stars)
Style * * * *
The Black-T finish is certainly black, but other than that it’s a 1911 with a long nose. Those dirty olive G10 VZ Alien grips look good.
Ergonomics * * * *
The grip is amazing, the ambidextrous thumb safety is a plus, and I love the extended beavertail. If the balance was a bit better with that 6-inch barrel we’d have a 5-star rating.
Reliability * * * * *
At over $1600 retail it had better be reliable. I had only one malfunction, which I feel safe in attributing to the ammunition.
Customize This * * * *
It’s a 1911 so you can do pretty much anything to it. Plus it has that long Pic rail for the attachment of lights, lasers, cigar holders, whatever. You don’t need to, but you can. I knocked a star off because I can’t seem to find threaded barrels (Operator, right?) at this length to add a can.
Rating * * * * *
The Springfield 1911 TRP Operator 10mm longslide is an awesome handgun, a production 1911 with a custom-grade feel. It’s incredibly accurate and very easy to handle, even shooting hefty 10mm loads. It makes me want to take up handgun hunting this year just to see what I can do with it.