Springfield's 21st-Century Model 1911

Springfield Inc. has integrated a nearly invisible yet fully functional modern safety lock mechanism into all its 1911 pistol models for 2001.

ou have to look hard to find it. I’m talking about the new “Integral Locking System” (I.L.S.) for classic-form Government Model 1911 semiauto pistols that has been invented and patented by Springfield Inc.

Developed in response to current unprecedented government pressure upon the entire firearms industry to provide additional and improved security features and accessories for all types of guns, the I.L.S. is a major contribution to firearms safety technology. It provides one of our most venerable handgun designs with a state-of-the-art safety lock that in no way detracts or diminishes the gun’s original form or function, and it will be a standard feature on every factory Model 1911 pistol produced by Springfield Inc. (Dept. ST, 420 W. Main St., Geneseo, IL 61254; www.springfield-armory.com) after January 1, 2001.

In basic description, the distinctive I.L.S. is a totally internal, completely passive locking system that operates completely enclosed within a conventional, standard-dimension Model 1911 mainspring housing. Externally, an I.L.S. mainspring housing looks the same as any other Model 1911 mainspring housing (and can be flat or arched, grooved or checkered, in any finish, like any other) except for an unobtrusive, slightly recessed “pin head” about 1/8 inch in diameter, located slightly below the base of the grip safety on the housing’s left side.

At rest, the I.L.S. is completely passive, is inconspicuous, is tamper resistant, does not interfere with the shooter’s grip or operating actions, and does nothing to interrupt the gun’s normal function. To activate, with the gun’s hammer fully at rest, you insert a small two-pronged key (two keys are provided with each gun) into the two matching holes in the I.L.S. surface and rotate it one-quarter turn clockwise. The internal mechanism of the I.L.S. is then interposed beneath the base of the hammer strut, preventing it from compressing the mainspring within the mainspring housing. In essence, it completely blocks the hammer from any rearward movement and, by blocking the hammer, also freezes the slide. The magazine (loaded or unloaded) can still be freely inserted or removed, but nothing else on the gun can function. If the chamber is empty, it can’t be loaded. If the chamber is loaded, it can’t be cleared or the chambered round fired. With the I.L.S. dialed on, the gun is as inert as if it were welded shut.

Note that the hammer must be fully forward for the I.L.S. to be activated. If you try to engage the I.L.S. lock with the hammer cocked or with the hammer even slightly to the rear in the “safety shelf” position, the lock head simply will not turn. Don’t try to force it; nothing will happen. In normal operation the lock turns easily, with a positive, detent-set feel, so you will sense immediately if the hammer is even slightly back. (A hurried glance will sometimes not distinguish between a hammer at rest and a hammer barely backward on the safety shelf, so this is a good thing.) The steel used in the I.L.S. key is extremely hard, to protect the small prongs from breakage. The key is also “universal” for the system and will activate or unlock any I.L.S.-equipped Model 1911. Springfield expects the key design to become as ubiquitous as standard-type handcuff keys.

Springfield estimates that there are approximately two million-plus standard-spec Model 1911s already in use worldwide, and it says that it will soon have a retrofit kit available for every one of them that can be installed without modification to the pistol. (The kits should be available by the time you read this, and suggested retail prices will range from $38 to $44.) Anyone who knows how to disassemble the hammer assembly and switch mainspring housings on any Model 1911 will be able to perform the installation themselves, or you can have it done in a two-minute switch by a local gunsmith. According to the director of Springfield Armory’s Custom Shop, David Williams, “Whether it’s vintage World War I, World War II, or a new 2001 model, the Springfield I.L.S. will completely disable the movement of slide and trigger components while never affecting the regular function of the firearm.” Springfield also anticipates offering kits for compact-dimension Model 1911 variants with shorter-than-standard mainspring housings (Officers Models, Ultra-Compacts, etc.) once the initial demand for full-size versions slacks off somewhat.

By design, the I.L.S. functions as an integrated part of any make or model 1911, unlike separate attach/unattach locking or security systems. It allows gun owners to choose when and where they determine activation is necessary without incorporating a bulky and obvious locking system that is highly visible when used—particularly in home security or personal-defense situations. Put it this way: Should an intruder suddenly burst into your bedroom and you reach into the nightstand drawer and come out with a pistol wearing a large, bulky external trigger lock, he’s going to see it and laugh. If you come out with an I.L.S.-activated Model 1911, he’s not going to have a clue whether the gun is ready-loaded or not, unless he’s willing to risk that you can’t cock that hammer back there behind the muzzle you have trained on him. Just another little measure of possible nonviolent deterrence.

1911 Models For 2001
In addition to the new I.L.S. features, Springfield has also added several other new standard features to its Model 1911/2001 Government Model pistol lineup, all of which capitalize on the company’s recent coup in receiving a highly prized federal contract to provide 5000 customized 1911-A1 pistols to specially SWAT-trained FBI agents nationwide, at a rate of 250 guns every six months over 10 years—the largest special-duty order ever issued by the FBI. The commercial benefit for you and me is a slightly less-full-featured civilian line of semiproduction pistols based on the FBI’s custom version, called the TRP Series (for “Tactical Response Pistol”).

Configurations in the TRP Series offer varied options, but all include Limited Lifetime Warranty, forged frame and slide, high-hand grip (relieved frame), beveled magazine well, lowered and flared ejection port, double-serrated slide, Novak patented Low Mount Sights, fitted beavertail grip safety, hammer-forged match-quality throated barrel with polished feedramp (barrels on LWT and Carry versions are ramped/fully supported), checkered Cocobolo wood grip panels, skeletonized “Delta” hammer, lockable blue plastic case, and two magazines (drilled and tapped for bumper pads). Selected models have an extended and/or ambidextrous thumb safety and full-length solid recoil spring guide.

Plus, for its new-for-the-year “M1911/2001” models, Springfield is also adding new standard features including a loaded chamber indicator, dovetailed interchangeable front sight, adjustable speed trigger, contoured edges, stainless-steel magazines with all stainless guns, and Novak Tritium Night Sights and a magazine funnel on selected models. All models are available in stainless, blued, Parkerized, or Springfield’s proprietary low-friction “Black T” finishes. Specific new Springfield Model 1911 configurations for 2001 include a full-size Mil-Spec .38 Super, a full-size High Capacity.40 S&W Stainless, a High Capacity.45 ACP Parkerized, an Ultra-Compact 9mm LWT Stainless, an Ultra-Compact High-Capacity.45 ACP Parkerized, a Light Rail Parkerized .45 ACP, and a TRP Light Rail Operator .45 ACP Armory Kote.

Shooting Times obtained a review sample new-package M1911/2001,
configuration I.L.S.-equipped Springfield TRP-Series pistol with a subtle matte Parkerized finish, Tritium-equipped Novak sights, full-length steel guide rod, match bushing, beveled magazine well, adjustable Videki speed trigger, skeletonized hammer, extended right-hand manual safety, high-ride hammer-cupping beavertail grip safety, and crisply checkered Cocobolo figured-wood grip panels with smooth frontstrap. The magazine release button and slide release lever on this particular version came standard-configuration (i.e., low-profile, nonextended). According to my computerized Dvorak TriggerScan instrument, trigger pull on the M1911/2001 measured 4.251 pounds—overtravel-free thanks to the adjustability feature. The I.L.S. setup, incidentally, works flawlessly.

I reviewed chronograph velocity and 25-yard accuracy for the M1911/2001 pistol with six different commercial .45 ACP ammunition loads of varying bullet weights, configurations, and performance profiles. The results are shown in the chart on the first page of this story. The gun functioned perfectly with each load type and yielded an overall combined two-inch group average, with its preferred load of the group coming in at 1.75 inches. Considering that nearly all standard-duty law-enforcement and military semiauto pistol specifications call for a 4.00/4.50-inch standard at 25 yards, this is notably better than average performance for any from-the-factory Government Model 1911. With its new I.L.S. setup and full features set, this is a gun to be prized.

This article was originally published in Shooting Times magazine in May, 2001.

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