[JoeFromTheOtherDay]

Just a general question I’ve always had. I tried to Google the answer but to no avail. I’m wondering, which manufacturer was the first to have an integral Picatinny rail on the 1911?

I’m not referring to the Dawson Style rail attachment. I mean an actual built in rail on the frame. Thanks in advance!

 

[scottl]

Possibly Springfield. Operator has been out for long time with several variations.

 

[farscott]

Kimber is believed to be first with the TLE/RL in 2001. SIG introduced the GSR in 2004.

 

[TPC]

Not sure I agree with Kimber. Springfield started selling the Professional (with or without rail) in 1998 and the TRP in 2001. Kimber was pretty early, but I believe Springfield got there first.

 

[Sevens]

If they find him, I hope he gets run over by a bus! 🤣 I'm kidding of course, variety is the spice and all that.

 

[farscott]

Not sure I agree with Kimber. Springfield started selling the Professional (with or without rail) in 1998 and the TRP in 2001. Kimber was pretty early, but I believe Springfield got there first.

The Professional with a rail was introduced well after 2001. In 2006, the FBI started the transition to the Professional Light Rail model. The first "Operator" I saw was in 2003.

 

[TPC]

I owned a TRP Operator with full dust cover (and rail) in 2001. Heavy gun, but strangely one I wish I'd hung onto.

 

[farscott]

I owned a TRP Operator with full dust cover (and rail) in 2001. Heavy gun, but strangely one I wish I'd hung onto.

Thanks for that information. I never saw one until 2003 when I ordered my first Pro.

 

[TPC]

No worries. At the time I was in the retail gun biz and was a master dealer for both Kimber and Springfield. I picked up the very first TRP Operator that came through the shop. I have never really loved Springfield, but I wish I'd kept that one. Especially seeing what they sell for these days!

 

[Lisa93]

If they find him, I hope he gets run over by a bus! 🤣 I'm kidding of course, variety is the spice and all that.

What i was thinking.. lol. I don't mind them on 2011s for some reason. I guess because they are already "tacticooled" with their slide cut/optics, lizzerd skin grips, and big goofy magwells. But not on JMBs sexy invention.. But there are probably people out there trying to figure out how to put a rail on a Single Action Colt..

 

[TPC]

You mean like this?

 

[Sevens]

😂that's as bad as the tac'd up lever action guns. And please, in the name of humanity, don't put up a pic! 🤣

 

[sinister]

I believe Dawson sold the add-on (bolt-on/weld-on) rail piece.

Perhaps Caspian, with their raw, in-the-white frame?

 

[Lisa93]

You mean like this?

View attachment 1136047

Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor ..

 

[TPC]

Yep. Every good single action army needs one.

 

[Uncle Bob]

You mean like this?

View attachment 1136047

Ooooohhhhhh red dot man!

 

[SLG]

I think it was Caspian.

 

[TPC]

That makes a ton of sense. I tend to forget them since they sell components and not completed guns. But in line with the OP, I think that is probably the correct answer.