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

 

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

 

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.

 

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..

 

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.

 

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!

 

You mean like this?

 

Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor ..

 

😂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! 🤣

 

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

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

 

Yep. Every good single action army needs one.

 

I think it was Caspian.

 

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.