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

Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week
Springfield Armory Hellcat 380 Gun of the Week

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

New for 2026: Shadow Systems Axio Pistol Platform

A duty-size handgun platform joins the Shadow Systems family of 9 mm pistols.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 30, 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.

Review: Hi-Point HP-15 Carbine

In 2025, Hi-Point Firearms surprised the firearm community with the news that it would offer a complete line of HP-15 carbines and pistols. Since then, the company has expanded their offerings.

New for 2026: Springfield Armory Saint Victor .300 BLK 9.5” Pistol

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor family now has a pistol in .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.