Firearm: Springfield Armory TRP 1911 AOS 9 mm (MSRP: $1,999)
Springfield Armory added several 9 mm chamberings to the TRP line in 2025, and we’ve chosen the 4.25-inch barrel, AOS-equipped version for today’s kit. This is a marked departure for Springfield Armory, as all previous TRP pistols have been chambered in .45 ACP, providing yet another data point toward the ubiquity of 9 mm. Fear not, those who prefer their 1911s in .45 ACP, there are plenty of TRP variants in the old standard.
Sizewise, the TRP 1911 is well-suited for concealed carry. The 4.25-inch barrel gives the pistol an overall length of 7.9 inches, and height is 5.5 inches. That height covers a frame that allows a full, three-finger grip and a magazine with 9-round capacity. Ten-round magazines are plentiful in the aftermarket and also fit flush in the grip. Carry is further assisted by the Carry Contour cut at the back of the grip that relieves some material at the outermost edge, where the pistol is most likely to print under a cover garment.
Up top, the Agency Arms AOS system for mounting optics allows an electro-optic to be added to the TRP if desired. This is a two-stage system, where the optic plate is attached to the pistol’s slide, then the optic is mounted on the plate. The Agency system includes a raised portion on the pistol slide cut that mates with a groove in the bottom of the optic plate, resulting in a very sturdy mount. One feature of the AOS system is that the optic-cut cover plate and all optic plates have tall rear sights for co-witnessing purposes, just to ensure a backup is available.
So, why opt for a 1911-style pistol over a striker-fired, polymer-frame pistol with greater capacity? In a nutshell, it boils down to the excellent single-action trigger of the 1911, combined with the extra heft resulting in what many consider a better overall shooting experience. Yes, you have 11 rounds total rather than the expected 16 or so from a similarly sized polymer-frame double-stack handgun, but those 11 rounds are easier to deliver to their intended target. Whether the shootability can overcome the deficit in onboard rounds is a choice for the individual. Opting for the Springfield Armory TRP, though, is an excellent choice indeed.
ANR Design Non-Lightbearing IWB holster (MSRP: $69.99; $82.24 as equipped)
We’ve opted for ANR Design’s Non-Lightbearing IWB holster to carry the Springfield Armory TRP. Yes, 1911-style pistols are often associated with leather outside-the-waistband arrangements, but given the modern nature of the TRP line, combined with the addition of a red-dot sight to the kit, the Kydex IWB holster from ANR Design seemed appropriate. Single-sheet, taco-style construction makes the IWB holster rugged yet simple, and our experience with ANR Design holsters has been nothing short of exemplary.
Despite the Non-Lightbearing IWB holster being listed as a “Quick Ship” product, meaning it’s ready to ship in 5 to 7 business days, there’s quite a bit of customization possible. We’ve opted for a blue kydex holster, simply to help distinguish this as a holster for a 1911 with a rail, and upgraded the belt-attachment system from the standard polymer clip to the metal, low-profile DCC monoblock clip. This is a personal preference, as my experience has been that the slimmer metal clips protrude less when worn in the appendix position.
Accessory: Leupold DeltaPoint Pro FDE (MSRP: $449.99)
Rounding out today’s kit is the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro red-dot sight. Naturally, we’ve opted for the model in flat-dark earth to match the finish on the TRP – one must accessorize, right? Regardless of finish, the DeltaPoint Pro is an excellent addition to the TRP, bringing the precision and reliability one expects from a Leupold optic to this setup. How reliable are the DeltaPoint Pro optics? At a class with Scott Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project, he called out three optics that, given his experience in classes, seldom had problems. The DeltaPoint Pro was one of those optics.
With a 2.5-MOA dot, eight illumination settings and motion-sensing technology that deactivates illumination after five minutes of inactivity and reactivates when motion is sensed, the DeltaPoint Pro offers 1,600 hours of run time on low intensity. Power is provided by a single CR2032 battery that is accessed through the top of the optic, so removal is not required to change out the battery. One note on the DeltaPoint Pro, though, is the depth of the unit may not allow co-witnessing with certain rear sight arrangements.
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