When the Springfield Armory TRP with Agency Optics System arrived, I had a dandy optic to mount for a fair test of the newly refitted Tactical Response Pistol. The only problem was that the device projected over the ejection port, however slightly. It was something the sight’s maker didn’t recommend and I wasn’t going to let a stoppage unfairly tarnish the not-inexpensive pistol. Since then, someone else mounted an optic with some forward projection and apparently had no problems.
Better safe than sorry, I ultimately installed the Trijicon RMR Type 2. A premium pistol optic, this is a visual aid that is designed to be a “slide riding” sight. Adding the “button lock” mode and battery saving features, the Type 2 is a remarkable unit.
The TRP with the Agency Optics System plates requires a shorter screw than shipped originally with the RMR. I got the Trijicon RMR screw kit from the factory and got to it. I found the only thing I was missing was the sealing plate that goes between the optic and the mount; no matter, this was just for a range trip.
After the right optic was secured, the 45 was ready to go back to the range for ammo testing.
A few days later, I had time for a flying trip to the range. I included a small selection of 45 ammo, including, but not limited to, Federal Punch 230gr. JHP, Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. FTX, Black Hills 230 grain JHP and Super Vel +P 160 grain all copper HP.
It was windy, sunny and 56°, a good time to check the TRP for accuracy and velocity. The distance, checked by the Vortex Impact Rangefinder, was 23 yards away from the bench. I fired from a seated rest over a bag, using the Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph.
The Hornady Critical Defense was only slightly more accurate than the Black Hills load – for the groups shown.
When I installed the optic, I adjusted the red dot to appear just over the front sight – but the longest distance I had to do this was 24 feet. I used old stock Ruger ARX 118gr ammo for the first five rounds. I hit high over the bull and a bit right. The round generated 1,394 fps and clustered into two inches.
That was interesting. I adjusted for elevation and shot the Federal Punch 230gr. round. That averaged 931 fps and went into just over two inches.
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Load – maker, weight
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Average velocity
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Group: total, best 3/5
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Ruger ARX 118gr.
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1,394
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2”; 1 1/8”
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Federal Punch 230gr. JHP
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931
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2 ¼”; 1”
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Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. FTX
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1,071
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1 5/8”, ¾”
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Black Hills 230gr. JHP
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861
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1 7/8”; 7/8”
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Super Vel 160gr Copper HP +P
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1,165
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2 ½”; 1”
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If you note the large disparity between total group size and the best three of five shots in a group, that’s because it’s a human firing the gun. Were the best three the first out of the magazine? The last? In the middle?
Super Vel 160 gr. SCHP +P tied with Federal Punch 230gr JHP for third place. The TRP doesn’t seem to care what ammo it gets; the performance is consistent.
Humans aren’t a machine rest. If the gun were locked in a Ransom Rest, that best three figure you see is the likely result and tells more of the gun and ammo combination than the shooter.
From that standpoint, the most accurate load was the Hornady Critical Defense – from this gun, that lot of ammo, the day it was fired. A close second was Black Hills, followed by Federal Premium and Super Vel.
At that, the old Ruger branded ammo wasn’t far behind. I noticed some “last round” stoppages, each a failure to go into battery. When shooting from a bag, I believe the end of the strings saw me at my most feeble, with me allowing too much “give” when the round fired. That kept the pistol from going into battery.
It’s not even broken-in yet.
I mixed Federal Punch with Ruger ARX, the two extremes of bullet weight, into a couple of magazines. They all functioned without a hitch and kept the six-inch steel paddles swinging at fifteen yards – when I paid attention.
The Springfield Armory TRP is a high-quality pistol. Put it under a top-of-the-line optic and you have a great combination.
— Rich Grassi
