No experience with Dan Wesson or STI, I think Wilson is in a separate category.....

I do have three SA TRPs and they are worth keeping

Edit to add: The 20 LPI checkering helps keep my grip constant during a string of fire.

 

They seem solid.

 

I had an operator TRP. Recently traded it in on a Colt 70 series competition model. The Colt seems far smoother and just better fit. Triggers about the same but I like the Colts better.

 

They are good Ive shot a few of these. Im not a 1911 higher end(over 1K) aficionado or anything so try to stay away from them mostly.. Im more of a sub 1K that WAORK type guy so what what I look at and study more... its more my style/speed as a non collector/// Im a I want the best "bang for the buck" without going over(or much over) 1K type guy as after that your more paying for name and other fancy stuff that IMO doesnt necessairily make it actually work better.. it just has a name and more "craftsmanship" in it IMO it doesnt necessairily RUN/WORK better than a 1911 in that Ruger(original pricing), Springfield, or Dan Wesson.

So as for someone thats not into them for collector or "value" , and am not willing to pay for a name or more fancy materials and "craftsmanship" I dont really aspire to one(above 1K) nor really even want one.. Ive shot a few Les Baer, Dan Wesson, Nighthawk and Cabot is all ive shot in the over 1K ones... And Yes the TRP line is nice its one of the ones thats above what id pay though (im more into the Garrison,Operator, Ronin series than the $1500+) but ive shot them... and sure its great. I think youre getting the functionality of a higher end aka its not gonna be one you probably have any "tuning" or having to "get it to run" issues with// its not gonna be a Cabot or Les Baer though..

My top end is gonna end up being a slightly used Dan Wesson or a on sale/used Springfield or Ruger or something.. But IMO you can just tell when you have something like a Nighthawk, Baer,Cabot vs a Springfield.. they will run the same but they are not the same..it goes over my head not being a collector or higher end guy. I think Wilson is better, I think Dan Wessons a "tie" I dont know much about STI so no idea. Some of the 1911 guys will tell you though.

 

I had one once and didn’t like the way that it felt in my hand , with the 20 lpi checkering front strap . I bought it new from an online store because of all the good reviews that I read about it on a couple of gun forums . Just shows you everyone is different . Instead of altering it I decided to sell it after it sitting in my gun safe for 2 years unfired . Looking back on it I wish that I have shot a few mags with it , but I was trying to get most of my money back and thought that it would sell better unfired . I only lost $50 dollars on it .

 

I tend to like the STI pistols. I find them under $1K on occasion and they are fine shooters. I have both alloy and steel versions. I have a preference for bull barrels and they are available.

 

Those older STI's with the hex pattern were some solid shooters, i shot a couple at the GS range, both were very accurate, i regret not buying one at the time.

 

I went through a progression of different 1911s. For under $2k, I would say it is a good choice. Depends on the features you want. It feels and shoots fine (stainless one) but when you pick up a Wilson CQB right after, feels completely different. Then when you pick up a Supergrade, no comparison.

I was fortunate enough to be able to handle and shoot a lot of different 1911s. I always used Wilson 47D mags with tripp research super 7 upgrade kits in all my 1911s.

Fit and finish are one thing but what you want in a 1911 is another story. I wanted an ambi safety, I wanted no markings, I wanted a french border, I wanted a blended magwell, and a bunch of other customizations. I shot a lot of 1911s to find out what worked for me. Then I went out and figured out who could build one to my specifications and keep it around $6k.

Bac1023......look at his posts/1911 guide.

 

Good solid guns

Nowhere near Wilson Combat

 

(imo) the TRP line is pretty solid, for $1500+ it seems to me to be a good balance between fit/finish/functionality in 1911s. Comparing it to STI - I believe the STI is a notch or 2 higher in Fit/Finish...close in functionality ( as I have never had a minute of grief from either), But all STIs for sale will be used and you would have to know a bit about 1911s to make sue you were not getting a problem child.
Compared to Wilson, the price point is significantly higher for new, used comes in closer to the new TRP pricing. My Wilsons are solid guns, adequate in fit/finish/functionality, compare nicely to my STIs.
Dan Wessons are more apples to apples "production" guns. The higher end DWs are a little nicer fit/finish, but pretty equal in functionality.
If you like the 1911 trigger, the STI, Wilson, DW will probably have a slightly smoother/lighter trigger, but take up is going to be similar.
I think there will always be someone who has had a good experience with a brand and someone who did not, for various reasons - most of which are personal preference and maintenance (imo).
The customer service for STI and Wilson set them apart (in my experience) from many other brands. Staccato (per their statements made to me) will honor the STI lifetime warrantees...but I have not tested it.
I have had really good experience with Kimbers as well, but mine are all much older models (I understand some people have had pain with the "II" models).
If it is your first 1911 (?) I am not sure how much of a difference you will actually be able to "see" (other than finish), for example, how light a trigger is, vs how smooth it is vs take up and let off in a series 70 type 1911 is really a personal thing. If you are used to a Glock 17.3 almost any (decent) 1911 trigger will feel "good". You may lean toward an all steel for lengthy range time, or alloy for carry, etc.
Everybody seems to offer a 1911 these days, and a lot of the current machining technology is capable of good tolerances. But just like an AR, the 1911 quality depends not just on machine/manufacturing excellence, but assembly. The one gunsmith (start to finish) "custom" houses tend to offer excellent service and a final product that is more likely to deliver against their claims.

I have a Springfield "Government" model, all steel that I have had for many, many years. I have worked on, and learned on that gun over time and love it. The finish is parkerized so not a flashy gun at all. But the fit and functionality is excellent. If I could keep only one 1911 it would be that gun. Even though I have quite a few 1911s that are a lot more flashy/attractive finish and grips, I shoot the government as well or better than the others.

Nothing wrong with buying a gun that will impress the onlookers/other competitors - but when the targets fall faster and the groups are tighter, that is what impresses me.

At some point the additional $ is all about finish... and personal preference - yours(!) not mine or anyone else's!

 

(
Compared to Wilson, the price point is significantly higher for new, used comes in closer to the new TRP pricing. My Wilsons are solid guns, adequate in fit/finish/functionality, compare nicely to my STIs.

Not quite sure which used Wilson’s you’re seeing near the TRP price, but grab it immediately.

 

Really good conversation going on,, lots of info and perspective.. I have a keen interest for this topic as I am going to start the search for the 1911 of my dreams.. my dream isn’t for the Best, but a shooter that I will be smooth on the inside and decent on the surface…

 

I don't even have a 1911 now, My bad I know. Into my glocks and CZ SPO1. But I've owned quite. And betweeen Colt, SA Operator, Les Baer, DW CCO. I've had. I wish I still had the Dan Wesson CCO. ( you can tell )

 

 

The Valor is a nice pistol. Problem with Dan Wesson is they’re in that middle ground. High quality parts, but without the fit and finish or attention to detail of an Ed Brown, Wilson, etc.

I’ve owned several Dan Wessons. I still have a DWX and love it, but that’s a unique piece.

 

The TRP line is a solid, well built production 1911. My only complaint (and it's a big one) is that 20 lpi front strap, you could use it to grate cheese in a pinch. Very hard on my soft, office hands.

 

A little 400 grit sandpaper across the checkering takes care of that sharpness. I love mine now after that and replacing the front sight with a Dawson.

 

IMHO the TRP has become overpriced for what it is. For a few hundred more, you can buy a Dan Wesson - maybe not top of the line, but still a nicer gun. If you shop around, you can find gently used Ed Browns, Wilsons, and Les Baers in the $2.5K neighborhood - or lower. I know where there is a used Les Baer posted online for $1.5K; if I had the disposable income right now, it would be mine. Personally, I would not pay nearly $2K for a TRP.

 

I had a Les Baer PII sans cocking serrations. I no longer have it now and have two TRPs. An 09 SS (incidentally, the checkering on it is perfect) and a 22? Cerakoted with new font. As noted above and laughed at, the checkering on it was just like a cheese grater. The Baer I had must have been built by someone in training and not supervised. The hammer strut was crooked, barrel feet got pounded into submission, frame battering, finish completely gone within 5k rounds, but hey, it functioned. There’s that. Nah. You can have all the Baers you want. I’m done with them.

 

I have a stainless TRP and a Armory Kote one, both pre-2024 models. Both are great! Stainless has been my duty gun since2017 with over 13,000 rds thru her. Still just as tight and accurate as day one. AK has a bit over 5,000 axis a favorite for off duty/ plain clothes carry.
I also have a DW VBOB,2021 model. Excellent gun as well. Little over 7,000 thru it. Carries well and shoots fantastic. Been using it more lately for carry on my own time.
Really can't find any area where one is better than the other, very pleased with all of them!

 

Hey guys, watch that 20LPI checkering.

Its dangerous

 

I have the TRP ‘full rail” with the dreaded 20 LPI front strap checking. I love the gun. It’s my 2nd TRP and that is my only personal experience with Springfield handguns. Would like to try a TRP 6” barrel 10mm and of course Springer’s Professional 1911 would be awesome.

 

As my experience originally when I first got into hand guns, Glocks was what I fell in love with at first. Funny thing is my first handgun was a Sig P6 police. I thought it was ugly and wasn't crazy about the weight of a full metal gun vs a Polymer gun. When I came across 1911s I hated them. Single stack, fullsize heavy as hell ans single action. But one day my good friend got talked into a TRP and when I looked into them I started liking 1911s where my first one was a Sig Nightmare and then a Scorpion. At one point I told myself if I ever spend the money on a 1911 it would be no more than $1200.

I Eventually bought my first one for $780 from a cop I knew and then got my hands on a Operator for $1050 off Gunbroker in 2017.my experience is I love shooting them and think they're great for the money and quality IMO. My non rail ranked perfect without a hiccup and had 1 FTE on my Operator probably from limp wristing or a bad round. I didn't like the front aggressive checkering as many stated. I damn sure wasn't going to alter a $1400 gun either so I ordered a front sand paper Talon grip and it worked out PERFECT and feels like a dream!!! I dropped a 2nd pic closely of it on the checkering.

 

My buddy has one, great trigger and tight frame to slide fit. He got an amazing deal on it otherwise he would have gotten a Dan Wesson for the listed price of the TRP.

 

I have a mid teens TRP Operator Half Rail, it’s been fantastic, one of my favorote 1911, I like the bI’ll barrel and sunked adjustable rear sight

 

Happy with mine, and I’m one that loves that front strap. The cheese grater is part of what attracted me to this pistol, feels great in my hands.

 

replaced front sights with Dawson FO, barrel bushings with EGW fitted to the pistols, and Harrison triggers. Also adjusted tension on trigger to 3.5lbs. These are very smooth shooters and obviously very accurate.

 

I just finished installing an RMR on my TRP AOS, hope to get it zeroed tomorrow.

Got it done.....Preliminary zero at 15 & 25 yards with almost factory level reloads. Windage was right on with no adjustment needed, slight elevation adjustment required and will probably need touching up when I zero for factory defense loads.

Accuracy was very good, two hands at 15 and 25 yards, about 2" groups.....ok for now.