Many of you saw my previous TRP range report thread which has transcended to the archives - for those who didn't,  I've been able to give it a nice workout over the past several months.

As of today it has seen a smidge over 3,500 rounds and zero malfunctions to date. Most of the ammo fed to it has been a mix of Tula, Federal Aluminum, and the magical Federal 100 round value pack ($28.99 in Nashville area Wal-Mart's). For defensive ammo, I've shot 300 rounds of Golden Saber, 100 rounds of HST, and 100 rounds of some old Hydra-Shok I had in the ammo bin.

Magazines used have been Wilson 47's (7rd), CMC powermags (preferred mag), OEM mags, and some random GI mags that I put bumpers on. I prefer CMC powermags - no real statistical reasoning other than I like them.

I replaced the OEM rear 2 dot night sight with a .375 10-8 sight and finally decided on some VZ Frags for grips.

At the NRA show I spent quite some time chatting it up with the SACS sub booth at the massive Springfield booth about all kinds of stuff, notably how I wanted a professional. Then we got to talking about blackening my TRP barrel because: 1.) it looks awesome and 2.) it looks awesome. They said depending on the individual gun it would be either a complete waste of money or would hold up and eventually wear over an extended round count. They referenced that the professional and how even the Black T shows wear on the hood over time.

Well I'm dense and said I want to have that done.....

A day later I called Amanda at the custom shop and she put me on hold to go ask the guys what finish would be the best option to achieve a black bushing and barrel. Black T was the most expensive, Melontie the second most expensive, and the most economical means was the cerakote-H option. I was told if the tolerances would induce wear on one finish it would on the others so we decided to go with cerakote.

Well three weeks later I got everything back and I'm thrilled with the results. I will be keeping this thread going and documenting the wear characteristics so we can see if this was a complete and utter waste of $65 or a valid option for those who want to blacken a barrel.

DSC_6000 by The Dorsal Fin, on Flickr

DSC_5996 by The Dorsal Fin, on Flickr

DSC_5998 by The Dorsal Fin, on Flickr

On a side note I picked up some Raven IWB loops and converted my Good Medicine (find him on the EE - Excellent Kydex) to an IWB. One of the more comfortable IWB options I've tried to date.

Going to hit the range this weekend....stay tuned

Tagged. If it holds up well I may need to try that on my TRP. She looks awesome man.

Tagged. If that blacked barrel holds up, I may have that done to my MC Operator's barrel, bushing, trigger, and maybe hammer if it is stainless.

Damn does that black barrel look awesome!

Awesome gun.  To the guy who just grabbed the MC Operator, good choice.  I had one for a little over a year.  All kinds of ammo and mags, no functional issues whatsoever.  Was accurate as hell to boot.  Traded it off toward a Dan Wesson Valor with the duty finish.

Edited to add:  Finslayer83 has great taste in firearms.

holster shot

I really like those grips I have been contemplating replacing my factory blue ones because I am getting massive calluses on my palms from shooting my TRP .  I had my FIL this past weekend shooting my TRP (first 1911 he has ever shot) and while he loved it he kept going back to my custom SA Loaded because the TRP was chewing his hands up.  I am thinking about sending my TRP to SACS and having the slide stop pin flushed and the frame counter sunk, strip the armory kote too melonite the pistol and checker the top of the slide.

The coated barrel is a very nice touch!

Nice blaster

Out of curiosity, what made you wanna stick with the 6 oclock hold?

Good question - At the time they were out of the .325 and had the .375 in stock so I ordered one, which matched the factory rear height.

I shoot it nicely - but it might not be a bad idea to set it up to match my glocks so sight pictures are consistent. With that said I've no complaints with the 6:00 hold.

It's Blackety-Black...



I like it!



I'm glad kydex IWB works for you, but I tried Raven loops on a Goodmedicine Sig P226 holster and it was not comfortable. The slimmer profile of a 1911 would make a big difference, I imagine.

The slim width makes all the difference

Right on, I was just curious.

My TRP is still set up with the 3 dot .375. All my other blasters wear 10-8s .325.

But I as well have never had issues placing rounds where they needed to be. But the .325s make it a little more precise for me.

Cool tid bit of info. Seems the .375 is POA/POI at 50 yards when I was shooting at Defoors classes.

Still have the flashlight I won off him to prove it

ETA.

Don't be upset when the barrel does start wearing.

My black T is almost gone on the hood of my Pro.

The blackened FBI coating SACS offer is also wearing on my custom RO compact.

Both look real nice even with the finish wearing.

Now your trigger stands out like a sore thumb

Very nice

I've got a brand new Pro LR that i'll sell you

I saw it on GOC

Would love to but big money is going towards a new project jeep this summer.

Sharpie or some Birchwood Casey?

That is cool as a cucumber.

Very NICE!!

150 rounds - no visible wear on barrel

You need a better looking trigger on that pistol and I say if it is going to stand out ...
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/shop/triggers/nighthawk-customr-trigger.html

My Loaded I rebuilt with the trigger

Hey Fin, the sharpie I told you about should be there today or tomorrow.

I think the finishing touch would be a black STI trigger

Nah, go like Jesse Tischauser and get a blue or red.  I'm partial to black and gold or green and black, myself.

Thanks to khadafy I was able to put in a black trigger this afternoon!

DSC_6145 by The Dorsal Fin, on Flickr

Man that is sweet looking.  TRP is a gun I desire.

Much better with the black trigger.

Just picked up my railed TRP a couple weeks ago.

Planning to have my gunsmith do it up with 10-8 sights and trigger and a few other parts.

Put many rounds through it yet with the newly finished barrel? Curious....Honestly IDC how much it wears really, Once my Springfield gets here the barrel is being finished...

thats more like it, any mods on the trigger ?

250 rounds since it was coated, no visible wear yet.



dropped right in! thanks again brother.

Im really digging that 10-8 rear... I usually give Dawson P my business when it comes to sights....once my Operator Pro comes in I might have to break that tradition....

That's a real nice looking TRP

Now I want to black out my TRP.  Sweet gun.

Which do you like more?

I want to get a TRP but I'm torn between having a light rail and not.

And no, I'm not a 1911 "purist". I plan on shooting the piss out of it.

No rail

So far the non-rail but I've shot a lot more rounds through it... We will see after the modifications

Right on. I'm leaning towards no-rail. I suppose I can always get a 2nd 1911 with a rail should I want one in the future

Just a couple quick follow up Qs:

Does the bull barrel/guide rod bother you vs. having a standard barrel & bushing?

Do you notice if there is any accuracy difference between the two?

Do you notice any differences in reliability?

My comparison between the two is minimal.... I haven't had a chance to put any more rounds through the rail gun.

As for the parts... I swapped out the full length guide in both guns with the replacement parts from 10-8

I accumulating parts now and hope to drop the rail gun off to my smith in next couple weeks

Cool deal.

FWIW...I've had a full-rail Operator IonBonded, including the barrel.  Probably 3,000-4,000 through it, and no wear visible anywhere...even the barrel hood.

I've never seen a black finish hold up like that before.

this is fully ion bonded with my count around 700rds, but my dad and brother have both borrowed it.



holding up better than any finish i've ever seen

looks great with the black cerakote job.

mind if i ask of any other parts you swapped out or modified besides grips?

Im organizing my finances to scoop up a non railed TRP, 1000rds of .45 and 10 wilson mags in a huge purchase.

Nice looking gun op. Any other plans for it.

I actually think a solid trigger would tie that gun together.

I agree.

And put the black grips back on it. Sweet pistol! All murdered out!

Fin, looks like I'll be following your lead.  I'll be getting my barrel and bushing melonited on my MC Operator.