1911 for LEO use? Who carries one?

The entire Tacoma, WA police department has the option of either a Kimber Pro Carry or a Glock. Most are choosing the Kimber. :)

As to why, I think it has to do with the all the issues surrounding the Glock in police service. Administrators are finally realizing that the SA design of the 1911 is no more dangerous than the so-called "Safe-Action" of the Glock, assuming proper training is given. In addition, you get the benefit of a manual safety in the event of a gun snatch.
 
Maybe when the FBI approved the 1911 for its HRT it set a precedent. LAPD approved it as well for carry by certain supervisors (last I heard) after North Hollywood. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office (LASO) SWAT also carries it. These are large organizations that get ample visibility by the community. With the Miami and North Hollywood battles, more men and women in "blue" realize that they need to be armed as well if not better than the BGs. Certainly the mystique of the 1911 is certainly adding to its return to prevalence of use in the LE population. I certainly hope that the appropriate training is being incorporated into its adoption into the inventory.
 
Long Beach, CA Police

has it as an option. I've seen several with 1911 variant pistols in Condition one.

And some of them carry revolvers.

What freedom!

I'm limited to a Glock 17. It's better than a sharp stick.

I'd carry a 1911 in a heartbeat.
 
Not to deny the 1911 is a good weapon - I use one as my carry gun - but how does a 1911 help in a situation like the North Hollywood or Miami shootouts? It is really no more effective than any other .45 ACP platform. An officer would be no better armed than using a Sig 220 or Beretta 8045, among others.

I would assume some of the mystique and image of the 1911 has to do with it. I am guessing that LEO work is about as testosterone filled as football, and a cocked-and-locked gun adds to the image.

I also hope that added training is given for the 1911. I would think that rifle and additional shotgun training is actually more appropriate for rare situations like the Miami and North Hollywood shootouts. A 12 gauge slug or .308 will certainly slow a guy down even if they don't penetrate armor.
 
Para P-14ltd 1911.

I carry a Para P-14ltd. After changing the sites and replacing the mag springs with +10% springs.

The accuracy, reliability of this weapon is #1 issue with me. No other handgun i've owned is as easy to shoot & as accurate. [H&K comes close] Having a weapon that has a manual saftey is important while using it for duty porposes IMHO.

I have the utmost confidence in this handgun. Thats what it boils down to, if that means 1911, Glock, H&K etc.... then that should be the weapon of choice for duty. It's too bad that politics play such a role for weapon choice for average LEO. That is one choice that should be strictly left up to the individual officer. If you can qualify with your personal choice of handgun and show safe handling practices that should be enough.

12-34hom.
 
There is no trend toward the 1911. Some allow its use. None I know of issue it. ITs an ok gun if you were lucky enough to get a reliable one. Give me a glock instead.

PAT
 
355sigfan,

None I know of issue it.
Click to expand...

Well, Tacoma WA, for one. ;)

It's mostly been seen as a "specialist's weapon" for many years; hence its' long use by LAPD SWAT, FBI SWAT, FBI HRT, etcetera.
 
Pima County sheriff's Department, Arizona

Believe it or not, my department allows a wide range of duty options. The Glock 17 (9MM) are issue. SWAT gets the .357 SIG version of the Glock.
The Springfield M1911A1 (.45), Colt Ser 80 (.45), ParaOrd (.45) and some H&K, and SIGS are allowed as options. Buy your own.
We use Hydra-Shock loads for the 9MM & .45. I forget what load is used for the .357 SIG.
I've carried a M1911A1 type for 20 years in the Marine Corps and now for 16 years with the department. Currently I carry a SS M1911A1 .45 ACP Springfield that has been "tuned up". It is a real good shooter. If you miss, it's YOUR falt! Not the pistol.

Clem
 
I carry a 1911

My agency allows LEOs to carry anything with which you can qualify (and which the RangeMaster approves). I carry a 70 Series 1911 when in uniform and an Officer's Model when in plain clothes & off-duty (well... we're never off-duty, just before & after the 8-hr shift).

Carrying something other than a 1911 is like trying to solve a non-existent problem. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
 
Here, in the mid-west, many departments have the .38 revolver/9mm auto minimum rule. Anything that meets these requirements you can qualify with.

I'm full-time licensed but only work part-time for special events. I carry a Commander sized 1911 while on duty. For many years I was a revolver fan, and carried a 4" K-frame M65 S&W .357.

I still stay in contact with a good friend from the service. He works for a county in Georgia in the Savannah area. Their manditory issued sidearm is a 1911. He does not like the 1911s, and said they are 'stuck' with them. I recall him being a 'plastic' man anyways.
 
I've seen a number of Houston, TX LEO's carrying 1911's at the IAH-Bush Airport. One is a nice, female sergeant. Blonde, 5-8, cocked and locked....I think I'm in love.
 
A few departments in the Denver metro area allow 1911s. Quite a few officers in those departments rely on them.
 
Shooter,
Your buddy at the city where I live cannot. But, the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department allows it. Last time I checked, a Para and a couple of Colts. Killen PD can. Their new Chief carries a Colt. Littleville PD can and they have a couple of Colts.
 
The following 3 departments did issue 1911's, I don't know if they still do or not:
Keene, NH
Hermosa Beach, CA
Compton, CA

Those are the three I can remember off the top of my head and I can not find my records that list others.

BTW, I carried one on my first department since we supplied our own pistols and I carried one while on my second department when we were between revolver "upgrades".
 
Sgt. 830...

Yeah...I think he's a dyed in the wool Glock fan, anyways...but IIRC, he DOES want(own(?)) a Kimber.

I carry a G17, but every once in awhile, I get the URGE to carry a good 1911.......
 
Going backwards here

My city of Pembroke Pines, FL (just a little southwest of Ft. Lauderdale) used to issue 1911 pistols (mostly Colt Commanders) in 45ACP for to all officers for atleast 20 years but in last 3 or 4 years they have all gone to 40 S&W Glocks.
 
Maricopa and Pinal Counties allow their Deputies to carry a 1911. Most agencies issue a Glock because of their cost, not because they're a better gun.
 
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