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View Full Version : Today was a field day, a Springfield day!


Short Cut
06-19-2004, 19:32
Today was one of those days to tuck safely away in the memories so that it can be relived from the rocking chair. I became the lucky new owner of two Springfield pistols that I have most coveted. Then I was able to shoot both pistols with the friend who sold them to me. Acquiring either of these pistols and shooting it for the first time would be unforgetable, however obtaining them both together was an awesome experience.

The pistols are both from the Springfield Custom shop. The first is arguably their finest target pistol the TGO I, the second their finest defense pistol the Professional Model.

Upon initial inspection I was quite impressed with the finish on the TGO. The Robar NP-3 proprietary nickel/Teflon finish is slick to the touch and complimented nicely by the Roguard proprietary black finish on the slide. The trigger on the TGO was a little lighter than I'm accustomed to, however not so light that it couldn't be taken advantage of with just a little trigger time.

I was able to run 150 rounds through each of them today. Both delivered perfect reliability and astonishing accuracy. When gripped in the hand they felt very similar, although the different weight triggers and sights made the experience of shooting them considerably different.

The TGO was first on the firing line. The way it was grouping told me straight away that this gun has tons of potential. Several twists of the screwdriver on the adjustable Bomars had the bullets taking out small targets from 7 yards to the maximum of 17 yards at the indoor range where we shot. The overhead lighting in the shooting stations was lacking, however the fibre optic dot was still quite easy to pick up and the squared top edge of the front sight made precision alignment a snap.

Although the Professional Model is designed as a combat handgun somebody forgot to tell the pistol this because it thinks it is a target gun. Although all of my shooting was done freehand this pistol has the uncanny ability to put bullets through the same holes created by the previously fired bullets it shared a magazine with. I was awed with its performance at 10 yards. Upon sending the target back to 17 yards and firing another volley it was difficult to discern which groups were shot from the closer range.

Eventually I'll have more to share about these pistols as we continue our budding relationship, but right now we've only just begun. What a begining though! :)

Many thanks to my friend Keith for making me a great deal on these pistols which made it possible to buy them both together. Thanks to the rest of you 1911 enthusiasts for putting up with me gushing about my new pistols.

clic pic
http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistolscustomshop/TGO/Black/TGO1.jpg (http://www.springfield-armory.com/TGO.shtml)

clic pic
http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/a1/PC9111.jpg (http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-pro.shtml)

ATI_RAGE_
06-19-2004, 22:38
You lucky dog!!! Congrats those are two of the best out their.

Kruzr
06-19-2004, 22:44
Grats on two nice pistols! Since you're in Kali, is the dealer going to hold one for 30 days and then DROS it?

Short Cut
06-19-2004, 22:51
Originally posted by ATI_RAGE_
You lucky dog!!! Congrats those are two of the best out their.

Thank you, ATI_RAGE_ my post was feelin' kinda lonely. ;Y

We sure had a great first day together. I'm looking forward to shooting them some more when I have more time. Also I want to compare them to back to back with a Baer TRS and Springfield TRP Operator. Picking a favorite is going to be difficult. Maybe I'll just love them all like kids. ;?

Short Cut
06-19-2004, 23:14
Originally posted by Kruzr
Grats on two nice pistols! Since you're in Kali, is the dealer going to hold one for 30 days and then DROS it?

Thanks Kruzr! ;Y

Since they were both private party transfers I was able to DROS them both today and they won't factor into the one pistol per 30 day rule. I do have to wait 10 days to pick them up however. I wish they would waive the ten day wait with a CCW permit, but that makes too much sense. ;9

ATI_RAGE_
06-20-2004, 02:48
More of a comparison is needed, I am thinking about a TGO II and want to hear about the TGO I and Pro model before I take a bite. ;c

Short Cut
06-20-2004, 16:02
Originally posted by ATI_RAGE_
More of a comparison is needed, I am thinking about a TGO II and want to hear about the TGO I and Pro model before I take a bite. ;c

Although my initial impressions are still somewhat limited I'd say the Pro model compares pretty closely with my Baer TRS. Both have great fit, finish, combat triggers and fixed night sights. The Pro has the black Teflon finish which is pretty nice, although I can't comment on how well it will hold up.

The TGO may very well be my new favorite 1911. It depends on what you want though. Both the TRS and Pro would make better carry/defense guns imo because of their fixed night sights and slightly heavier triggers. For the range and competition the TGO would be tough to beat. The Bomar rear & Dawson front fibre optic sights worked really well together and the trigger is lighter which imo would be slightly better for ultimate accuracy particularly at longer distances.

The finish of the TGO is outstanding although that's something that Robar could do to any 1911. On early inspection I do prefer the finish on the TGO slide to the finish on the Pro, but that is admitedly splitting hairs. The way the slide feels when hand cycling is like oiled plates of glass sliding on top of one another.

While it was immediately evident that both of these guns are high quality I do want to get more time with them before elaborating further on their performance.

Kruzr
06-20-2004, 17:42
If Springfield would add 10 lines per inch to their front strap checkering, cut the trigger guard a bit higher, and lower the price by about $500, I think the SA Pro would give the TRS a run for its money. They are both great shooters but to me, the TRS feels better in your hand.

Short Cut
06-20-2004, 18:33
Originally posted by Kruzr
If Springfield would add 10 lines per inch to their front strap checkering, cut the trigger guard a bit higher, and lower the price by about $500, I think the SA Pro would give the TRS a run for its money. They are both great shooters but to me, the TRS feels better in your hand.

I agree about the higher cut trigger guard. That feels better for me too. While I do give the 30 lpi checkering a slight edge I can get by with 20 lpi just fine. I think the extra dollars are in the barrel, finish, ambi safety, magwell and the cache (like it or not) of being the 1911 adopted by the FBI SWAT HRT. Also the list price hasn't changed on Pro since it was first introduced.

The Les Baer pistol that most closely matchs the spec of the SA Pro is the SRP and they are closer in price too.

Short Cut
07-03-2004, 16:19
Springfield TRP Professional

http://home.comcast.net/~capilla/springfield_professional.jpg

Creeper1313
07-05-2004, 10:24
I have to ask... did you do any John Woo akimbo action with one in each hand :) ?

Short Cut
07-05-2004, 12:57
Originally posted by Creeper1313
I have to ask... did you do any John Woo akimbo action with one in each hand :) ?

Yeah sure, one in each hand, two in each hand, over the shoulder, it's all good. ;a

Nalapombu
07-05-2004, 20:20
Both of those beauties in a Single day??? Things ain't fair I tell ya, things juat ain't fair. I would LOVE to have either ONE of those and here you come off with BOTH and in a SINGLE day....
You must be doin' somthing right. Congrats and you know full well that you owe all of us a detailed range report complete with MANY pics.

Nala

Short Cut
07-19-2004, 06:19
Springfield TGO1

http://home.comcast.net/~capilla/tgo_left2.jpg

ATI_RAGE_
07-19-2004, 15:44
See this is what I try to avoid, I want a nice defensive 1911 esp when winter comes so I can use it for CCW, and also I want a nice pistol I can use for IDPA, I might just have to get 2. I been looking at the TGO 2 and Trophy Match both are sweet and would be perfect for IDPA.

Short Cut
12-04-2004, 10:47
Springfield TGO1 with a grips made from a cross section of a Wooly Mammoth's tooth.



http://home.comcast.net/~capilla/TGO_Mammoth3.JPG

Zoggy
12-04-2004, 16:43
Man, you must be rich.

Short Cut
12-04-2004, 17:13
Originally posted by Zoggy
Man, you must be rich.

It's all relative, Zoggy. I sold my van down by the river and bought .45s. However they're not much for keeping me warm in the winter time. ;H

Dogbite
12-06-2004, 22:01
Wow,Not one,but 2 really nice 1911's!!!Your gun safe just got happy!!

Short Cut
05-08-2005, 22:31
New photo with Alumagrips.

http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/Professional_SOG_sm.jpg

freepatriot
05-09-2005, 07:27
Looks good Shorty. Everyone's talking about Alumagrips. I got to meet the man who makes them over at the SHOT show and I can't imagine a nicer fellow.

Scotty ;c

Short Cut
05-09-2005, 10:25
After talking with Chris on the phone, he sounds like the type of person I'd like to meet. The Alumagrips have a great combination of good looks and good feel. Now if he could just make some grips for S&W revolvers, eh Scott?

Checkout the cool grips that Chris made for Ken Lunde.
http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=381249