1911 for duty.

[jc0311]

I love 1911's and own several. When we became authorized for 1911's I bought a Sig TacOps for that specific purpose. But then I wondered off to Glocks because those were also newly authorized. 1911's are high on the cool and nostalgia meters, and there is an unspoken "gunfighter" vibe that goes with a cocked and locked 1911 in a duty holster. Nevertheless, I am in the Glock camp for duty purposes nowadays. In regard to the .45acp, I just bought a Glock 41 and I am considering the possibility of using it as a duty weapon, if I can find an authorized duty holster that fits it.

Same thing with me, I am currently using a Glock 17 Gen 4 as my duty weapon. I bought a 1911 S&W E series and 1911 Sig Scorpion. Besides taking time off two days for the course, the 1911 has the "cool" factor, however for on duty use I dont think it's the best choice. I find myself shifting between the Glock 17, to my Sig P226 Legion, to my Beretta 92FS for on duty use. I also have a Glock 21 and Glock 30. i am all for any type of authorized gun as long as your proficient in it.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Same thing with me, I am currently using a Glock 17 Gen 4 as my duty weapon. I bought a 1911 S&W E series and 1911 Sig Scorpion. Besides taking time off two days for the course, the 1911 has the "cool" factor, however for on duty use I dont think it's the best choice. I find myself shifting between the Glock 17, to my Sig P226 Legion, to my Beretta 92FS for on duty use. I also have a Glock 21 and Glock 30. i am all for any type of authorized gun as long as your proficient in it.

There is a stainless S&W 1911 E-Series .45 that has scalloped serrations and really nice custom wood grips. When I saw that it was less than an $800 pistol I bought it on the spot.

[DriftinG Z32]

To anyone out there carrying a 1911 on duty. How many magazines total are you carrying and what type of magazine pouch are you using?

[CinnamonBear723]

1911 = The garaged sports car, taken out on weekends and road trips.

Glock = Ugly commuter car. Daily driver. Turnkey, always works, and gets you where you need to go.

Pretty much my thoughts on the matter as well.

[9M62]

Consider a SIG P320 X-FIVE full size.

You get 1911 size and weight, 9mm round and 21 round magazine capacity.

To answer your question though: All the guys who switched to a 1911 at my place have switched back. They got tired of the maintenance and having to carry 5 magazines.

[micro911]

When I was on patrol, I used to carry a H&K USP 45. Because it was a big gun, and I thought it will scare the bad guys. Had the department authorized 1911s, I would carry it, since it fits my hands much better than USP.

[101st Airborne]

I was originally issued a 6 shot revolver and 2 speed loaders when I was hired in the 80s. I think we had much better hit ratio than now.

S&W Model 28?

Thank you for your service.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

S&W Model 28?

Thank you for your service.

I will guess S&W Model 15, a very popular duty revolver BITD.

[SoCalDep]

If carrying the 1911 I'm usually running four or five mags total (including the one in the gun) on me. For 8rd mags I like the Wilson ETM-HD or the Tripp Cobra 8rd mags. They seem to work really well in my TRP. The most reliable mag I've used is the CMC Power Mag bodies (originally 8rd) with Tripp Super-7 spring/follower kits - They turn the mags into 7 rounders, but they run like a top in every .45 1911 I own and I use them for all my spare magazines. I do not use 10rd mags.

As for switching to a 1911... If you like them and you will shoot them more and maintain them and understand the disadvantages and work to maximize the advantages (read: be a really accurate shooter) then go for it. If you will be a better shooter via enthusiasm then whatever decent gun gets you there is the best gun for you.

Personally, the 1911 is my favorite pistol and I love shooting them and carrying them sometimes, but I've been carrying 9mm Glocks mostly over the past four months or so and I've been really happy. I've got partners that rock M&Ps like you'd not believe and I still have a solid opinion of a well-set up Beretta in proficient hands. I honestly don't care what firearm a person uses as long as they practice with it and get really good.

If you were to work for a certain large Sheriff's department you might email certain members of the range staff, or maybe PM people here who might be part of that group who could run you through some drills to let you compare your performance with a Glock v. 1911 v. something else.

[micro911]

S&W Model 28?

Thank you for your service.

I will guess S&W Model 15, a very popular duty revolver BITD.

I was issued a "NEW" S&W model 67. I was the second class that was issued a model 67. Other classes were issued a model 15, some of them were old and beat up..

[SoCalDep]

I need to get an LASD model 15... hopefully not too beat up.

[Quiet]

Has anyone switched from a duty polymer gun such as Glock 21 or 41 to a 1911? Or the other way around. anybody here if they regret the switch or can tell me the pros and cons...

During the mid-2000s, when my brother was going through the Long Beach PD Academy, they issued him a Para-Ordnance P-7.45 LDA (all academy recruits were issued it). After he graduated, they told him he had to buy his own service weapon and he needed to return the Para-Ordnance P-7.45 LDA. He ended up getting a H&K USP-45 as his duty weapon.

[tahoetarga]

I went from a 1911 (Colt Mark IV, series 70) to a Para-Ordnance in the late 80's or early 90's. Carried it till about 2000 when I bought a G21. Pluses and minuses on all of them. The Glock has been a very dependable pistol...

[HP911]

I envy all you guys who have the different options for duty guns. I work for a large department and everyone has to carry a Sig 226 in .40 over here.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I love 1911's. That said however, one can't beat carrying a Glock factory 33-rnd magazine in their sap pocket or tactical vest for a G17 if one really wanted to. This is in addition to the four 17-rnd mags already carried on the Sam brown and one in the gun.

Like 'em or not, the polymer tactical-Tupperware 9's will always "outgun" a 1911 when it comes to ammo capacity. Always.