Courtesy of Tactical Life
In the mid-1990s, the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team released a solicitation for a 1911 duty pistol.
The selection process was extensive, with some of the biggest names in the industry not making the cut. At the end of the process, the FBI selected Springfield’s Professional model. Several years later, the Professional was adopted by the Bureau’s regional SWAT teams. In 2000, I had an opportunity to evaluate the Professional model for “Combat Handguns,” and I was so impressed with the gun that I purchased it. In fact, to date, it’s been one of the most shot and carried pistols in my inventory. Since 2000, I have evaluated at least a dozen 1911-style pistols from the great folks in Geneseo, Illinois, and have continued to be impressed with their quality and performance.
Of course, the Professional model is a limited-production pistol that is hand-built in Springfield’s Custom Shop. For many years, the majority of the production has gone to fill government agency contracts, with a small number being allotted to dealers. It should come as no surprise that the demand for the Professional has continued to outstrip the supply, and there is currently a two-year backlog of orders.
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