If a revolution is, as Tommy Lee Jones said in Under Siege, something that keeps coming around in your face, is the 10mm approaching a new apex? Signs suggest that it may be. There have been a number of new 10mm firearms recently introduced – from the Hi-Point Carbine to the Ruger Super Redhawk revolver. Now Springfield Armory is jumping into the pool with a 10mm pistol.
The Springfield Armory TRP 10mm Operator is a handgun that is described by the company as its “most elite production 1911.” These forged steel frame pistols will be offered in two basic models: one with a 5” barrel and a second with a longslide 6” barrel. The two share most features other than size, though the longer gun has an adjustable rear sight.
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Both guns use “precision fitted” match grade barrels made of stainless steel. They have supported ramps. Both the frames and forged steel slides are finished with a Black-T process that give the guns a matte appearance while also providing corrosion resistance.
Springfield Armory uses its own Gen 2 Speed Trigger that is set to 4.5-5.0 pounds. An ambidextrous manual safety is standard. Compared to the .45 ACP versions of these guns, the 10mm models have a heavier slide and barrel combination with a tuned recoil spring to handle the power of the longer cartridge. The 5” model weighs 40 ounces (unloaded.) The longslide pistol is 5 ounces heavier.
For these pistols, 8 round magazines are standard. The company includes two with the gun, and I would recommend buying a few more to keep with the gun. Magazines tend to be a common point of failure, and you don’t want to wait a few years to discover you need a replacement. (See also Bren Ten.)
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A nice set of VZ Alien grips in Dirty Olive match this pistol’s styling perfectly. They should work well with the Octo-Grip texturing on the front- and backstraps.
Like any high end gun, the Springfield Armory TRP 10mm Operator is not cheap. The suggested retail price is $1,790 for the 5” model. The 6” model is a little more at $1,842.
