1911 for duty use

wkdk2 · 12-10-2003, 09:53 AM

Hey Fellow LEOs

I am kicking around purchasing a new 1911 to carry on duty and was curious to what you all recommend. The thing is that it has to be a stock (factory) 1911 for liability reasons. Now when I say factory it needs to come from the manufacure as i carry it. Although I own several colt 1911s I was thinking or getting the Kimber TLE but I am open to ideas as long as it is a goverment size. I am currently assigned to the Tac Team and am currently carrying a Glock 34 with m3 light. I am lucky enough to work for a agency in south Fla that still allows the 1911. As a matter of fact are undersheriff carrys a 1911 colt series 70 and is known on ocassion to go on search warrants with us carrying Twin 1911's. I want to purchase the most reliable 1911 out there so lets hear some opinions.

Witherspoon · 12-10-2003, 04:02 PM

My Sheriff is carrying a box-stock TLE. He has had it on the range 3 or 4 times, with at least 300 to 350 rds through it. So far it has had nary a bobble and is dead on accurate out to 25 yards. The slide is very smooth and it has a great trigger. Don't know the pull weight, but it breaks very cleanly and crisply.

Having said all of that, there is the never ending discussion/debate on the MIM parts. I'm sure you know about that, so there's no reason to go into it here.

The only stock 1911 I have is an early Wilson Protector. It is a great pistol.

There have been many raves about the new Colts and the SA Mil-spec. I don't have either, so can't comment. I'm sure somebody will.

Good luck!

12-10-2003, 06:39 PM

For some out of the box extras the Kimber is probably the way to go. If I were in your shoes I would probably try to find a Series I Kimber. I would assume you can change sights right? If so I would put a set of Heinie's on and be done. We can also carry 1911's and as long as it is a Colt, Kimber, or SA base gun and the work done to it passes inspection we can carry it. Good luck to you and let us know how it works out.

Damian Worthy · 12-11-2003, 03:10 PM

Steve, that sounds like a professional department with the officers safety, and efficiency held paramount. Good for you. Stay safe!

Damian

12-11-2003, 08:05 PM

Damian,
I am fortunate to work for a great agency. Our Chief Deputy goes everywhere with a Colt Officer's model. As long as our Sheriif stays in office we are good to go.............believe it or not we can still chase bad guys in our cars, we can even say the P word. Pursuit. The Sheriff says "we should chase these guys until the earth ends or they run out of gas" Fun stuff. Be safe.
Steve

wkdk2 · 12-12-2003, 09:15 AM

Steve

I too work for one of the last great agencies in South FL. We can chase also but are Undersheriff says it better end it before we get to the county line since the county south of us will not chase no matter what and on more then one occassion refused to assist us in pursuing violent felons. They will not even assist via air unit. As a matter of fact i have just finished PIT training. Man that was fun. Nothing like being told to "hit" another car. I should clarify my first post when i say they want a stock gun they ment no wild modifications like reduced triggerpull or magnaporting other than factory. Minor motification and reliability work is ok.

Stay Safe
Kendall

Damian Worthy · 12-12-2003, 07:05 PM

Always good to hear it isn't the good guys with their "hands tied"! I hope it catches on.

Be well!

Damian

12-13-2003, 07:53 AM

Kendall,
In that case send me an email and I can detail for you what I have found important and not so important on my work guns and maybe how to sell it to your range guys or whoever decides what will go on your hip and won't. Take care.

Damian, I still get people walking up to me from time to time asking me if I new the hammer on my gun was cocked. :roll: Jeez.....some people's kids.

wkdk2 · 12-16-2003, 07:11 AM

I was alsowondering if anyone carries the Springfield TRP? What do you think about this pistol for Duty Carry? Are they made in the USA or are they made overseas? I was told that the PRO models are made in the USA but am not sure about the lower models.

Thanks
Kendall

Erick Tamberg · 12-26-2003, 03:33 PM

I have objections only to Novak-style rear sights, because its make impossible to use the emergency stoppage drill, pushing the gun frame down while the slide is retained on the belt by the rear sight. This drill is very useful when you are wounded on hand or arm.

Erick Tamberg · 12-26-2003, 03:41 PM

Dear wkdk2,

All Springfield pistols are, on really, made in Brazil by Imbel - (Bellic Material Industries), that sends these guns with no marks to Springfield Armory. The Springfield only puts its own marks and gives a better finish.

wkdk2 · 01-06-2004, 08:47 PM

well I have decided to go with a Kimber TLE/RL II. I am going to take it out and shoot it till I am satified that it is good enough for duty carry. I think after that in the near future I will send it to Ted Yost and have the 1* package completed on it.

thanks for all the advice and info
Kendall

LordPhoenix · 03-15-2004, 06:49 PM

wkdk2,

Go with the Springfield TRP-Pro. Thats what FBI SWAT uses. Or at least the TRP.

What agency do you work for?

Andrew

jnh95 · 01-28-2005, 12:48 PM

If I were able to carry any weapon I wanted for duty use, I would go with the STI Duty One.

http://www.stiguns.com

James S

blueglock · 02-18-2010, 11:14 AM

If I was allowed to carry a 1911 Duty gun, (unfortunately we're not), I'd buy a Nighthawk Tactical GRP Recon. Very well made reliable gun.

blueglock · 02-18-2010, 11:17 AM

Almost forgot STI, I agree with the Duty One too.

Swamp · 02-18-2010, 05:26 PM

Did you see this post:

Why I own and carry Kimbers only

LOTS of law enforcement organizations choose Kimber for the accuracy and superior reliability.

12-10-2003, 09:53 AM	#1
wkdk2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 22	I can carry a 1911 On Duty but which one? Hey Fellow LEOs I am kicking around purchasing a new 1911 to carry on duty and was curious to what you all recommend. The thing is that it has to be a stock (factory) 1911 for liability reasons. Now when I say factory it needs to come from the manufacure as i carry it. Although I own several colt 1911s I was thinking or getting the Kimber TLE but I am open to ideas as long as it is a goverment size. I am currently assigned to the Tac Team and am currently carrying a Glock 34 with m3 light. I am lucky enough to work for a agency in south Fla that still allows the 1911. As a matter of fact are undersheriff carrys a 1911 colt series 70 and is known on ocassion to go on search warrants with us carrying Twin 1911's. I want to purchase the most reliable 1911 out there so lets hear some opinions.

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12-10-2003, 04:02 PM	#2
Witherspoon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 524	My Sheriff is carrying a box-stock TLE. He has had it on the range 3 or 4 times, with at least 300 to 350 rds through it. So far it has had nary a bobble and is dead on accurate out to 25 yards. The slide is very smooth and it has a great trigger. Don't know the pull weight, but it breaks very cleanly and crisply. Having said all of that, there is the never ending discussion/debate on the MIM parts. I'm sure you know about that, so there's no reason to go into it here. The only stock 1911 I have is an early Wilson Protector. It is a great pistol. There have been many raves about the new Colts and the SA Mil-spec. I don't have either, so can't comment. I'm sure somebody will. Good luck!

12-10-2003, 06:39 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	For some out of the box extras the Kimber is probably the way to go. If I were in your shoes I would probably try to find a Series I Kimber. I would assume you can change sights right? If so I would put a set of Heinie's on and be done. We can also carry 1911's and as long as it is a Colt, Kimber, or SA base gun and the work done to it passes inspection we can carry it. Good luck to you and let us know how it works out.

12-11-2003, 03:10 PM	#4
Damian Worthy Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 89	Steve, that sounds like a professional department with the officers safety, and efficiency held paramount. Good for you. Stay safe! Damian

12-11-2003, 08:05 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	Damian, I am fortunate to work for a great agency. Our Chief Deputy goes everywhere with a Colt Officer's model. As long as our Sheriif stays in office we are good to go.............believe it or not we can still chase bad guys in our cars, we can even say the P word. Pursuit. The Sheriff says "we should chase these guys until the earth ends or they run out of gas" Fun stuff. Be safe. Steve

12-12-2003, 09:15 AM	#6
wkdk2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 22	Steve I too work for one of the last great agencies in South FL. We can chase also but are Undersheriff says it better end it before we get to the county line since the county south of us will not chase no matter what and on more then one occassion refused to assist us in pursuing violent felons. They will not even assist via air unit. As a matter of fact i have just finished PIT training. Man that was fun. Nothing like being told to "hit" another car. I should clarify my first post when i say they want a stock gun they ment no wild modifications like reduced triggerpull or magnaporting other than factory. Minor motification and reliability work is ok. Stay Safe Kendall

12-12-2003, 07:05 PM	#7
Damian Worthy Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 89	Always good to hear it isn't the good guys with their "hands tied"! I hope it catches on. Be well! Damian

12-13-2003, 07:53 AM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	Kendall, In that case send me an email and I can detail for you what I have found important and not so important on my work guns and maybe how to sell it to your range guys or whoever decides what will go on your hip and won't. Take care. Damian, I still get people walking up to me from time to time asking me if I new the hammer on my gun was cocked. :roll: Jeez.....some people's kids.

12-16-2003, 07:11 AM	#9
wkdk2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 22	I was alsowondering if anyone carries the Springfield TRP? What do you think about this pistol for Duty Carry? Are they made in the USA or are they made overseas? I was told that the PRO models are made in the USA but am not sure about the lower models. Thanks Kendall

12-26-2003, 03:33 PM	#10
Erick Tamberg Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Guarulhos - SP, Brazil Posts: 40	I have objections only to Novak-style rear sights, because its make impossible to use the emergency stoppage drill, pushing the gun frame down while the slide is retained on the belt by the rear sight. This drill is very useful when you are wounded on hand or arm.

12-26-2003, 03:41 PM	#11
Erick Tamberg Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Guarulhos - SP, Brazil Posts: 40	Dear wkdk2, All Springfield pistols are, on really, made in Brazil by Imbel - (Bellic Material Industries), that sends these guns with no marks to Springfield Armory. The Springfield only puts its own marks and gives a better finish.

01-06-2004, 08:47 PM	#12
wkdk2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 22	well I have decided to go with a Kimber TLE/RL II. I am going to take it out and shoot it till I am satified that it is good enough for duty carry. I think after that in the near future I will send it to Ted Yost and have the 1* package completed on it. thanks for all the advice and info Kendall

03-15-2004, 06:49 PM	#13
LordPhoenix Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 109	wkdk2, Go with the Springfield TRP-Pro. Thats what FBI SWAT uses. Or at least the TRP. What agency do you work for? Andrew

01-28-2005, 12:48 PM	#14
jnh95 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11	If I were able to carry any weapon I wanted for duty use, I would go with the STI Duty One. http://www.stiguns.com James S

02-18-2010, 11:14 AM	#15
blueglock Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: GA Posts: 6	If I was allowed to carry a 1911 Duty gun, (unfortunately we're not), I'd buy a Nighthawk Tactical GRP Recon. Very well made reliable gun.

02-18-2010, 11:17 AM	#16
blueglock Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: GA Posts: 6	Almost forgot STI, I agree with the Duty One too.

02-18-2010, 05:26 PM	#17
Swamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Down by the river Posts: 175	Did you see this post: Why I own and carry Kimbers only LOTS of law enforcement organizations choose Kimber for the accuracy and superior reliability.