LEOs that carry a 1911

[barca101]

Greetings, I wanted to find out is there any N. California LEO specifically in the bay area that carry a 1911 on duty. Did you have to attend a course or class before carrying it on duty? Do you know any departments that will allow a LEO to sit in a class? What is your qualification like? The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to push my department to allow us to carry a 1911, if not on duty atleast off duty would be a good start since it will be concealed. People freak when they see a cocked and locked 1911. I believe a 1911 is much more safer platform than the Glock, which I currently carry. Thanks all.

[9mmepiphany]

I believe member KevH is in your area and his department has the 1911 as an optional duty weapon...you might send him a PM.

My department currently only authorizes the 1911 for officers who had previously been approved/qualified before we became a Sig department. We had to take a orientation class and qualify to a certain standard...I carried a tweaked Colt Combat Commander.

If you get approved to go the 1911 route, don't go cheap on your carry gun. A 1911 really needs to be set up correctly for duty to be a superior weapon...otherwise you'd be better off something else.

Here is a good selection guide http://www.10-8performance.com/1911_Duty_Use.html

[barca101]

9mmepiphany, thanks. I had practiced with my Kimber TLE, I sold that to fund a different model, now I have a NHC GRP. I've been training with my Glock. In 2011, I'm going to take some training classes using my 1911. Hopefully it durable and will hold up like my Glock.

[Steyrlp10]

Contra Costa County -- the last time I looked it was either 1911s or Glocks. My friends went to Gunsite when they switched to the 1911s.

[OrgJuce]

Hey, I work for a S.O. in Nor-Cal (in the Sac/Tahoe area) and we can carry 1911's have have been able to for more then 8 years now. we have more then 20 guys who carry them. I did carry one until it hurt my hip carrying a hug hunk of metal on my hip. I love my Springfield TRP and how it shoots, but it was getting the crap beat out of it and i hates having to carry so many mags. I switched back to the Dpt .40 and only carry my 1911 for class "A" and off duty.

I am a firm believer you should carry what you shoot well and feel comfortable with. forcing someone to shoot a firearm that does not fit in your hand or is too powerful for the shooter (like a .45 for smaller women shooter), is asking for trouble. good luck getting your dept on board with the 1911!

[J_B]

My department currently only authorizes the 1911 for officers who had previously been approved/qualified before we became a Sig department. We had to take a orientation class and qualify to a certain standard...I carried a tweaked Colt Combat Commander.

What he's really saying is the old people can carry them...

I meant "seasoned."

[9mmepiphany]

No, we were old

This was back in the day when adding adjustable sights, meant in-letting the top of the slide for the leafspring of a S&W K-frame sight

[HAVOC5150]

Richmond, Concord, Solano SO (if your a rangemaster or on the SWAT team), BART are authorized to carry them. I believe there are several others that carry them but can not think of them off the top of my head.

[TrailerparkTrash]

Greetings, I wanted to find out is there any N. California LEO specifically in the bay area that carry a 1911 on duty. Did you have to attend a course or class before carrying it on duty? Do you know any departments that will allow a LEO to sit in a class? What is your qualification like? The reason I'm asking is I'm trying to push my department to allow us to carry a 1911, if not on duty atleast off duty would be a good start since it will be concealed. People freak when they see a cocked and locked 1911. I believe a 1911 is much more safer platform than the Glock, which I currently carry. Thanks all.

Sorry I can't help with NorCal, but here in SoCal, Long Beach PD carries 1911 predominantly and starting next year, LAPD will authorize them for patrol officers!!!!!!! Those are only two major law enforcement agencies down here off the top of my head. Several smaller departments also authorize them!

...Now Only if Lee Baca will allow his L.A. County Deputies to carry them, life will be *****en!!!

[ckim34]

A lot of Richmond guys carry 1911 and a few other west county agency (including mine) allow officers to carry them.

[nickvig]

Do those LEO's who are authorized to carry a 1911 carry in condition 1?

[BigDogatPlay]

This was back in the day when adding adjustable sights, meant in-letting the top of the slide for the leafspring of a S&W K-frame sight

Describes my Combat Commander to a 'T'.

San Rafael PD authorized 1911 in the 1980's. There was extra training and I recall some of those officers went to Gunsite. I know several departments in the North Bay that allow 1911 either as an option for patrol, or for all their tactical guys whether they are on patrol or other assignment. I know there are guys on Napa PD carrying them.

As above, any 1911 carried on the street should be tweaked a bit.

[9mmepiphany]

I recall some of those officers went to Gunsite.

As above, any 1911 carried on the street should be tweaked a bit.

We sent some officers to Gunsite too...you have to remember that they were the only school around at the time, other than the FBI Academy (who were still teaching clenching your off fist in front of your heart)

I remember hearing about departments who would allow 1911 carry, but wouldn't allow any custom work on them...that would be frightening, even today with the better 1911s available

[RedFord150]

I am told that the Arcadia PD issues Colt 1911's. Arcadia is a suburb of Los Angeles and is just East of Pasadena, CA.
I would expect their training would be pretty good since the 1911 is the standard issue.

[Steyrlp10]

Describes my Combat Commander to a 'T'.

San Rafael PD authorized 1911 in the 1980's. There was extra training and I recall some of those officers went to Gunsite. I know several departments in the North Bay that allow 1911 either as an option for patrol, or for all their tactical guys whether they are on patrol or other assignment. I know there are guys on Napa PD carrying them.

As above, any 1911 carried on the street should be tweaked a bit.

I still have the Gunsite photos