NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Custom Professional 1911-A1 Pistol

by
posted on April 27, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
It was in the mid 1990s when the FBI sought to re-arm its special teams with a high-quality 1911. Of the companies pursing the exclusive contract, Springfield Armory stood on top, meeting the stringent requests of the Bureau for accuracy and reliability. These contract guns, built by Springfield’s Custom Shop, soon became available to the commercial market and one example is subject of this week’s review. The Springfield Armory Custom Shop Professional 1911-A1 chambered for 9 mm Luger, features match-grade, hand-fit parts wearing a Black “T” finish. Cocobolo stocks and checkering placed on the front and back straps allow for positive purchase, while Novak and Trjicon tritium sights aid accurate shots on paper from the 5" barrel. For more, watch this NRA Gun of the Week hosted by American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Model: Springfield Custom Professional 1911-A1
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Frame: National Match; steel
Slide: stainless steel
Barrel: 5”
Finish: Black T
Sights: Novak three-dot; Trijicon Tritium
Trigger: 4-lb., 9-oz. pull
Magazine: 10-round detachable box
Weight: 39 ozs. (empty)
MSRP: $3,363

Additional Reading:
Video—ARTV Review: Springfield EMP4 9 mm Luger Pistol
Tested: Springfield Armory 1911 TRP 6" 10 mm RMR
NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory XD Mod.2 5" Tactical Model Pistol
The U.S. “.45 Automatics”















Latest

Spandau Arms RL
Spandau Arms RL

Review: Spandau Arms RL

The Remington Model 700 lives on in the form of this RL bolt-action rifle produced in Turkey by Huglu and imported into the U.S. by Spandau Arms.

The (Not So) Gray Man: Tips to Avoid Tacti-Cool & Blend into the Background

Being a true "gray man" is not flashy. It won’t get you followers or likes or nods from across the room. What it will get you is something far more valuable in the real world: freedom of movement. Reduced attention. Lower probability of being selected, targeted or remembered.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 28, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

How to Accurately Measure a Gun Barrel's Length

Measuring the actual length of a barrel might seem like a simple task, but there's an industry-standard (and legally required) method to accurately measuring the length of your firearm's barrel.

Winchester Ammunition Named Second-Source Provider for U.S. Army

Winchester Ammunition has once again been selected by the U.S. Army as the second-source provider for small-caliber rifle ammunition. The most recent contract covers 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO and .50 BMG cartridges.

Tips for Buying Your First Handgun

Buying a gun based on how it feels at the counter is like buying a car without test-driving it. It's the firearm equivalent of just sitting behind the wheel, going “vroom vroom!”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.