Which 1911 for duty?

J

jwise

New member
I am applying w/ a local Police Department, and just learned that the department allows its officers to carry any pistol they can qualify with (and is permitted by the range officer.) Single-action pistols are included, and that has got me thinking...

I was first considering the HK USP45F, but now that the option of a 1911 has come into play, I'm at a bit of a loss. I love my Kimber Pro CDP, and for that matter, ALL 1911s. But, I'm not sure which one (exactly) I'd pick given the opportunity. It would have to be steel framed (not aluminum or polymer), full-size (5" bbl) and corrosion resistant (stainless, chrome, nickel, etc...) I would want fixed night-sights, and a low-rise beavertail safety (high-rise causes problems.)

I want to keep it under $1k, so no custom jobs, Wilsons, Les Baers, etc...

Any suggestions, or have I priced myself out of the competitive market?

I'm thinking I might just want to stay w/ the HK in stainless, and call it quits.

My arm is ready to be twisted, so go ahead, tell me what I need...
 
I have no idea about "duty"...

but I just got a "loaded" Springfield 1911 stainless. Comes with the extended beavertail, cocobolo deep checkered grips. I got Wilson Combat nite sites installed...yellow on the back and green front. I also had an extended slide release added. My local 'smith also dropped the trigger to a super crisp 3#. Took maybe 10-15 minutes.

Other than perhaps checkering on the front I can't imagine anything else you'd need. It's textured anyway so I personally don't feel it would be needed. It's WAY plenty accurate. Feeds well. If I had to bet my life on one handgun in the safe that would be it.

Total cost new would be $850-900 in our shop. Our gunsmith is a county sheriff and thinks the Springfield is preferable to other 1911's. I bought it on his recommendation.

hope this helps...good luck
 
SIG P220ST is less than $800.
220ST-4-small.jpg
 
1911

Duty carry for me = Para P-14ltd - with Novack Nite sights - Factory high cap mags, with +10% springs, Houge grips.

I just bought a Wollf 24 pound spring, i just got a box of Triton 450smc cartridges that require a spring change before firing. This 230 grain load is similair to 10mm specs. 1150 fps - 675fpe from a 5 inch barrel.

This could be a great duty round if it lives up to factory specs.

Over all a 1911 is a little heavy fot duty use, but all its other great qualities make up for this one fault.

My choices = Para - Kimber - Colt gold cup - Colt Delta Elite in 10mm.

12-34hom.
 
Which 1911...

None. Buy a Sig 220 and don't look back. It's more reliable than 99% of 'em, points better, and will do anything that a 1911 will do simply by cocking the hammer- which, incidentally, you can reach with the thumb of the shooting hand. You'll get a better SA trigger than on all but the most tricked-out 1911s.

I've had Colt 1911s and copies, carried for decades and taught firearms to cops for years. Played with the Glocks, shot the HK's some, etc.-etc. There simply is no better single-stack .45 than the Sig.
 
People seem to either love or hate the SIG's. I bought a P220 many years ago because everybody told me they were THE .45 to have. Carried it, shot it, eventually sold it because I couldn't get used to the feel of the grip or the stiff DA trigger. It also didn't like to feed CCI "Flying Ashtrays" either, which at the time was my favorite .45 ACP load. This isn't to say that the P220 isn't a good gun, but like any other gun design out there it's not for everyone.

Back to the subject at hand- 1911's. If you want a reliable duty gun I'd say the simpler the better. Baseline Kimber Custom, Colt Government, or Springfield Loaded. Just make sure it has fixed sights. A stainless steel finish isn't a bad idea, but make sure to keep the thing reasonably maintained. Even stainless steel guns can rust, and they dislike being run without lube.
 
Kimber Classic Stainless would be my first pick, followed by a Springfield Loaded Stainless. If you're a Colt fancier, their XSE model is a good gun, just a bit overpriced IMHO.
 
I know 3 guys that went w/ the stainless Para P14-45 Limited for duty use and have been very happy. 1911 design, stainless steel construction and 14 round mags. Tough to beat.

Now, if the USP 45 is an option, that would be my first choice carried cocked & locked. Remember all the weight savings ;)
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with carrying your Kimber Pro CDP. You have the full length grip and the 4" barrel still generates respectable velocities.

In comparison a duty size Glock 21 is 4.6", SIG P220 is 4.4". Approx 1/2 inch of barrel length difference isn't enough to worry about.

As for alloy frame..the Sigs have an alloy frame and stand up just fine for duty use.

A bonus..you are already familiar with the pistol.

Good SHooting
RED
 
Your first instinct is usually the most sensible ;)

USP45 all the way. I would definitely trust my life to mine. Try to find a fullsize Stainless (or the compact if that's what you want), because the HE finish isn't going to look pretty with a year's worth of holster wear. The Stainless models will always be sexy with just some metal polish and a rag, and the BG's will take notice of the big .45 on your hip :) There's always the debate between stainless and a dark finish on a defensive/duty pistol, but I think the difference is negligible betwen the pro of making the gun more noticeable and the con of...well...making the gun more noticeable.

Or, a Glock 21 with the LEO 13 round mags would be a good choice, too.
 
Seems to me that someone here has never had the pleasure of playing with a stock Kimber....
Click to expand...

Seems to me that someone here has never had the pleasure of playing with a stock P220....
 
Stock Kimber...

Actually I did shoot one, and only one. It jammed- wilson mags and all. The old 1991-A1 Commander I was shooting that day (informal IDPA course) ran like a Singer with the same ammo, and with the Kimber's mags.

Some like their Kimbers, but it sorta soured me on them right off the bat. It also reinforced a long-held opinion; want a 1911, buy a Colt. But if you want the best, buy a Sig.
 
What about a Colt Gold Cup National Match in Stainless? Used can be picked up for well under $1000 and people do not abuse them.

Mine loves hardball.
 
If you are thinking about 1911s, check out the Springfield Loaded models. Be weary of the new Series II Kimbers. I've read reports about the new safety system breaking and causing malfunctions. This may just be an isolated case though. I have my flame suit on.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm really hoping I get hired by this department. It seems to be just what I've been looking for. If I do- then I'm going to have a heckuva good time picking out the "perfect" duty pistol.

All of your suggestions and input are logged away, and I'll be sure to weigh them all while I choose.

Good suggestion on the Sig 220. I've been toying with that idea as well.

If anyone has any more suggestions, let me know!

So- what's the deal w/ the series II Kimbers? Is it the same safety "upgrade" that Colt did to the series 80s? If so, why is everyone up in arms about Kimber doing it, since Colt has been that way for a while now? Should I worry about the series II?
 
I see two people mentioned weight as a factor. Of course I see the point, but I thought I would do some checking to see what we are talking about here. The full sized USP is 1.74 lbs. The Glock 21 weighs 1.65 lbs. A 1911 milspec weighs about 2.2 lbs. Given a 10 round mag weighs close to a pound anyway, far and away the largest contributor to the weight of your firepower setup will be the loaded mags. An extra half a pound pro’ly ain’t that much when talking about a duty load. IMHO.

Now, on to picks for a duty 1911 maintaining a lower than $1000.00 price tag. I think any of these would serve you well, I will mention them in the order I think is the best pick.

- Springfield Loaded (800.00)
- Colt 1991A1 (550.00) Cheaper price allows you to add the features you want and stay well under a grand. Plus they have those cool new rollmarks. ;)
- Colt Special Combat (possible to find at right at 1000.00) Adjustable sights, but other than that it would be perfect.
- Colt Gold Cup Trophy (800.00 or so) Adjustable sights which you didn’t really want, but still an OUTSTANDING pistol and you could add the right sights and stay under 1000.00.
- Springfield Mil-Spec (550.00) I know this doesn’t have all the requirements you specified, but at about 500.00 less you could add them and still come out well under a grand
- Kimber Good pistols all of them, I just personally prefer Colts and Springfields.
 
It's not the same modification that Colt did to the series 80 pistol and I've heard several complaints but they've all been with compact frames that I can recall.

I think the Sig or any 1911 that fits your taste would do you quite well. I'm a proud owner of both. Some people have a natural dislike of Colts because the design was made for Hardball ammo and when hollowpoints came on the market there were feeding problems. I haven't seen that to be the case now.

Factory mags are probably ok and I wouldn't let talk of replacement mags scare you. The Wilson 47D's are without a doubt some of the best made.

If there were an after market mag of like quality for my Sigs and Hi Powers I'd buy them for those guns too. Simply put, when my ass is on the line I want the best and little room for error or Mr. Murphy. A top shelf mag adds itself to the philosophy quite nicely.

I carry a Les Baer with Wilson Mags because those are what I like.

Good luck with your job and your decision.
 
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