BY Herschel Smith
4 months, 3 weeks ago
It’s their TRP, or Tactical Response Pistol, a 1911 model whether full size or commander. The 1911 Syndicate liked it when they reviewed it.
I do have one remark concerning model availability. They should give us a slide cut model for an optic. Otherwise, you have to remove the slide and send it out to be milled.
I’m not saying that all models should come that way, just that they should give us the choice of purchasing a model with a slide cut from the factory.
Then again, it doesn’t seem like any firearms manufacturer has ever listened to me when I write them or post remarks like this. S&W has summarily ignored my request for a lever gun shooting S&W500. They never even responded to my notes. I guess I’m not an “influencer.”
But I find these models to be very attractive, and you know how I like 1911s.

BY Herschel Smith
10 months, 2 weeks ago
Interesting and amusing video, but I would have preferred to see more done on the 1911 designs.
They didn’t seem to know that there is a difference between the Series 70 and Series 80 designs, as one of the comments note.
Frankly, I’m not sure they have the knowledge base to fully answer the question(s) on 1911, carry status, and various designs that keep it safe (e.g., Springfield Armory’s titanium firing pin design).
If any experts/gunsmiths would like to weigh in, please do so. I’d like to know what you think.
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 2 months ago
They like it a lot.
I have to say it’s a good looking gun and seems to run very well.
However, I also have to say that I would rather they come out with a commander size 1911 with the bobtail design and the SS slide rather than the aluminum slide. A 1911 carrier has already accepted that the gun will weigh more and has decided that he’s okay with that. In fact, I don’t consider it a detriment to the gun. I think it’s an advantage.
I also have to weigh in with one more comment, and it agrees with their comment. They should have put an optic cut on the gun. Most modern 1911 owners are not purists. I’m not.
Finally, in this reddit/Firearms post, Kimber is just taking a beat down in the comments for unreliability, FTF and FTE.
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 8 months ago
This is a fair assessment, and it all comes down to the user and what he wants. I’m willing to clean the gun so it works in order to get the awesome trigger pull and that tactile feel. Others may not be so willing.
But the best comment of the video is this: “If you’re an American and you don’t like 1911s, we can’t be friends.”
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 10 months ago
I ran across this video from three years ago and I like it when gunsmiths tell me they didn’t previously understand what’s going on but do now. That shows humility and a willingness to learn.
Anyway, he’s very big on Sig Sauer 1911 magazines because of the design. Do any readers have experience with Sig magazines? I don’t, and none of my 1911s jam.
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 9 months ago
I wish I had his collection of 1911s.
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 9 months ago
Well of course it doesn’t suck. Whoever said it did? That person is an idiot. Avoid people like that.
Listen, you can like and shoot whatever you want to. The 1911 is the best shooting and most ergonomic handgun on the planet, bar none. There are legitimate reasons to choose something else, e.g., magazine capacity. But there are other options, namely, a double stack 9mm 1911 design.
And yes, Tim is right. There are 1911 designs now with optics cuts on the slides. You can get what you want with a 1911, you just have to pay the money. But remember, you get what you pay for.
And for the record, I don’t consider a commander size 1911 any heavier than any other carry gun, but it’s a lot narrower and easier to carry – for me.
You don’t have to spend 3K – 4K on a Wilson Combat pistol. You can spend much less and get a Dan Wesson (CZ currently owns Dan Wesson, and CZ is making fine products).
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 5 months ago
The first rule of gun club is that you don’t talk about gun club. But I will say this much. I agree with Tim that Dan Wesson makes a very good 1911. Dan Wesson is owned by CZ now. That was a good purchase by an already good company.
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 6 months ago
I do disagree with him that the .45ACP is becoming less and less popular.
I think overall this is a fair analysis. My experience is that if you pay for a good 1911, it serves you reliably. As I’ve said before, I’ve shot thousands of rounds out of 1911s and never had a single FTF / FTE. The things I like about 1911s are numerous, but here’s just a few of them
I like the grip angle.
I like the hammer fired operation. I do not have striker fired pistols and will not have one in the future. To me, pulling the trigger on striker fired pistol feels like letting a bucket full of compressed springs and rubber bands explode.
I like the smooth, crisp trigger.
I like the single stack design with the slim grip (which is good for my severe RA and gnarled up knuckles on my right hand).
I like the weight (what some people see as an undesirable, I see as a benefit). Getting a commander size 1911 brings the weight close to most striker fired handguns.
And finally, I like the safety, which can be swept off by merely achieving proper purchase on the pistol if you desire.
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 6 months ago
This is very interesting and a good commentary on the recent history of the 1911 in U.S. special forces by someone who was there.