Dear Jim:
What do you think of the [Springfield Armory] TRP Pro [clone of the Colt M1911 [1] .45 ACP pistol]? I want a .45 pistol as reliable as a Glock but with a more comfortable grip. Thanks, – Frank in Hawaii
JWR Replies: I have only test fired a Springfield Armory TRP Operator 1911, and Springfield’s XD 9mm. (But not yet the .45 version) Both had their merits. I’m biased in favor of 1911s, but I must admit that the XD pointed and functioned very well. I like the feel of the grip better then a Glock 20 or 21. From memory, it felt more like a grip-reduced Glock to me. (But I didn’t have all three side-by side to compare. I wish that I had.) And again, I’ve never had my hands on a .45 XD in captivity.) I’ve noticed that the TRP-Pro is a bit over-priced, owing to the FBI mystique.(Since these are currently being issued by the Bureau, after their brief flirtation with 10mm S&W pistols.) The TRP Stainless retails for about $800 less than a TRP Pro, yet they are functionally quite similar. That $800 will buy you a lot of spare magazines and ammo. If you like the functionality of a Glock, then you might prefer the polymer frame XD. I recommend that you find an indoor range that rents both types of guns and shoot 100 rounds through each. (By “both ” I mean both the XD-45 and one of the TRP series 1911s.)
As I’ve previously stated, another option is to get a Glock Model 21 (and/or a Model 30) and have their grips re-contoured. These Glock “grip reductions” were pioneered by T. Mark Graham of Arizona Response Systems [2]. They are also now done by several other gunsmithing firms such as Robar [3].
OBTW, if you are going for the TRP, then I’d recommend getting one of the stainless steel models, given the very humid climate you have in Hawaii.