This is easily the fanciest firearm I’ve ever purchased, and it will probably be the only one I buy for a while. The price tag is definitely steep. I shopped around quite a bit, and Bud’s had the best price across the board, but even then it wasn’t cheap. That said, I firmly believe you get what you pay for, and with the Springfield Armory 1911 TRP AOS 9mm 4.25", Springfield’s top-tier craftsmanship really shows. My Perspective as a First-Time 1911 Owner I’ve never owned a 1911 before. Some people might say you should start with a cheaper one and work your way up, but I see it differently: I’d rather buy the gun I actually want instead of spending money upgrading through multiple purchases. In the long run, that usually saves money and time. That said, there is a learning curve coming from double-action firearms. I have to get used to always keeping the safety engaged when holstered. The trigger is extremely light—and I mean light. Because of that, I plan to get plenty of practice before I feel comfortable carrying it as my CCW. What Makes This Gun Stand Out There are a lot of positives with this firearm: Hand-fit construction with distinctly numbered components — this is not just another off-the-line production gun. Extremely tight frame-to-slide fit, but still smooth when cycling. Forged frame and forged barrel, which immediately sets it apart in quality. Outstanding trigger — light, crisp, and clean break. Very manageable recoil, especially for a 1911 platform. Aggressive grip texture that locks your hand in place. Speaking of the grip: It’s aggressive in a good way. If you have very soft or sensitive hands, it might feel a bit rough for you brochacho. But it’s not uncomfortable—if anything it gives you a confident, secure grip right from the first grab. Planned Setup I’m planning to add: Holosun HS507C X2 Green Dot once I finish my full setup. I just mounted a TLR7x as seen in the pics. For me, guns are meant to be used. I personally don’t believe in spending this kind of money just to let a firearm sit in the safe collecting dust. This will most likely become my primary CCW for quite some time once I’m fully comfortable with it. The “Downside” (If You Can Call It That) One interesting downside is something that many gun owners actually enjoy (I know I do): customizing their firearm. Normally people buy a gun and then eventually upgrade things like: Magwell Grips Trigger Checkering But with this TRP, Springfield already did all of that for you: Hydra VZ grips Gen 2 trigger Excellent checkering Beautiful frame contouring So honestly… there’s not much left to upgrade (if at all) they took the fun out of it LOL. It’s about as close to a factory-custom 1911 as you can get. One Real Con- My only real complaint: Springfield includes a coupon for an AOS optic plate, but for a firearm at this price point it should simply be included or offered free with purchase. Final Thoughts I could probably sit here all day talking about this gun like a kid in a candy store. But to keep it simple: If you're a serious 1911 fan, this is absolutely worth grabbing. The quality, fit, and performance live up to the reputation.