Posted: 9/30/2009 1:03:46 PM EDT
|
I'm applying to a department that allows 1911s for carry. IF I am hired, I am looking at the following (in order of preference)...
1. Wilson Combat CQB 2. Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon 3. Springfield Armory TRP 4. Springfield Armory Operator 5. Kimber Warrior 6. Kimber TLE II All pistols have light rails because I plan for a X300 + DG switch. I am also requiring a mag well (comes standard or will be added on). Question is which pistol, in your opinion, would be the "best"? Buying an expensive pistol with a nice name or buy a cheap pistol and send it off to be worked on by a custom shop? Also, all of the above listed models come with "snag-free" or "low-profile" rear sights. I was taught to use the rear sight to rack the slide with one hand. Does anybody feel that the sights need to be changed out? |
|
Before you haul off and spend $2000+ on a 1911. Make sure there are no manufacturer restrictions. All of those are fantastic pistols and they would be suited well for duty use. My personal choice would be the TRP operator (half rail). I have one and have found it to function flawlessly. I would tend to stay away from the Kimber based on the other options you have listed. Also, look into a mag carrying option which will allow you to carry 4 additional mags. There are plenty of options out there.
Oh and Safariland 6280, no substitutes. 
Good luck. |
|
Quoted:
Before you haul off and spend $2000+ on a 1911. Make sure there are no manufacturer restrictions. All of those are fantastic pistols and they would be suited well for duty use. My personal choice would be the TRP operator (half rail). I have one and have found it to function flawlessly. I would tend to stay away from the Kimber based on the other options you have listed. Also, look into a mag carrying option which will allow you to carry 4 additional mags. There are plenty of options out there. Oh and Safariland 6280, no substitutes.
Good luck. MC Operator worked over by a good smith. 10-8 rear sight for the single handed reloads. 
|
|
Quoted:
Before you haul off and spend $2000+ on a 1911. Make sure there are no manufacturer restrictions. All of those are fantastic pistols and they would be suited well for duty use. My personal choice would be the TRP operator (half rail). I have one and have found it to function flawlessly. I would tend to stay away from the Kimber based on the other options you have listed. Also, look into a mag carrying option which will allow you to carry 4 additional mags. There are plenty of options out there. Oh and Safariland 6280, no substitutes.
Good luck. Safariland recently made the 6360 for 1911 + X300 available. It's what I use with my current 226 + X300 and I think it is a superior holster to the 6280. 
|
| Though I would love to have a Wilson, I have had no problems with my MC Operator, which I carry on duty. The operator performs well and the only issues have been with mags. Check different brand mags and find which type works in your gun, then buy a bunch. As far as mag pouches, if you dont have to use leather, I like the blackhawk triple pouch designed for glock or other double stack mags. You can put 2 1911 mags in each slot, giving you 6 extra mags, in a fairly compact pouch. |
|
I'm mainly a Glock guy now.....
Now that my problems are out of the way here are a few suggestions. I carried and competed with 1911s for years prior to being hired by my department (that doesn't allow single action weapons) I sold off a half dozen 1911s once I got hired but kept several. I don't like an ambi safety on a fighting gun for a right handed person. I find the safety getting disengaged by bumping it to be a larger problem than if you train on disengaging the safety left handed. As for my choice of weapon I prefer a basic Springfield built up by Karl Sokol of Chestnut Mountain Sports. He has built five different 1911s for me and I swear they would feed .45 caliber rocks The 10-8 sights seem to answer the one handed racking problem. |
|
First off....The Wilson and NightHawk are excellent choices, but EXTREMELY pricey. If you are really looking to drop 2LARGE on a duty gun, may I also recommend RRA and STI
STI- Duty One 
RRA- Tactical 
RRA has suspended all 1911 production.....but they can still be found. That being said, if it was my money, I'd have the full rail TRP. Excellent piece, excellent parts, very decent price and looks MEAN AS SHIT. I own several Kimber but I wouldnt carry any of them on duty. |
|
Good looking pistol and sounds like a good option, but...... 10-8 Website
These limited run pistols are only made in very small quantity runs, and interested individuals should sign up for our email newsletter for updates. The 2009-1 run has been completed and all pistols were sold out. |
Some PORN for your thoughts. ETA: Not a bad price here. I believ they can get the full rail models also. ETA II: Just so ya know.....you are making me seriously consider selling my last build to fund a duty TRP........SUMBITCHES.....  
|
|
Quoted:
http://www.kywon.com/Guns/TRPOp/TRPOpR6s.jpg Some PORN for your thoughts. ETA: Not a bad price here. I believ they can get the full rail models also. ETA II: Just so ya know.....you are making me seriously consider selling my last build to fund a duty TRP........SUMBITCHES..... You know that thing is the closest that we will ever come to a robocop gun. I agree that i would crap myself if somebody pointed a TRP at me too. The stainless barrel really contrass against the parked slide. I would just think that they would be too front heavy to hold on a target for any length of time though. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://www.kywon.com/Guns/TRPOp/TRPOpR6s.jpg Some PORN for your thoughts. ETA: Not a bad price here. I believ they can get the full rail models also. ETA II: Just so ya know.....you are making me seriously consider selling my last build to fund a duty TRP........SUMBITCHES..... You know that thing is the closest that we will ever come to a robocop gun. I agree that i would crap myself if somebody pointed a TRP at me too. The stainless barrel really contrass against the parked slide. I would just think that they would be too front heavy to hold on a target for any length of time though. The TRP half rail model is only 4oz heavier that the Kimber Warrior. 43oz vs 39oz. |
| I've only had 1911s with standard bushings. I'm not familiar at all with the bull barrels in guns like the TRP or the Wilson CQB Tactical LE. Can anybody explain pros/cons to a bull barrel in a 5" gun? I normally see them in shorter 1911s and they seem like a pain to disassemble. |
|
I carry a Kimber Warrior on duty with a Safariland 6280 holster (Surefire X200B). Never any problems and it runs flawlessly.
If I were buying a 1911 today for duty carry, I would look at Springfield because of the recent Kimber QC issues. I bought an early Warrior (new) and it has been worth every penny. Bottom line, get what works best for you and what someone else posted get a 4 mag holder for your duty belt. |
|
I've got a Kimber TLE II that Ive used since 2003. The only issues I've had with it was my prolbem and not the gun. They are extremely tight upon receipt and needs to be shot a little to break it in. It went back to Kimber for Kim-Pro and servicing. They treated me damn good and did it really fast. I'd buy another one.
Dan Jones |
|
I just qualified to carry my Springfield G.I. 1911. I love the look of the original G.I. look. After a break-in period it runs great with FMJ and JHP. I've only owned three 1911's. The only that was reliable out of the box without a break-in was a Colt. I wouldn't leave a Colt off you list. |
|
Quoted:
Good looking pistol and sounds like a good option, but...... 10-8 Website
These limited run pistols are only made in very small quantity runs, and interested individuals should sign up for our email newsletter for updates. The 2009-1 run has been completed and all pistols were sold out. I hazard to guess that you could send an Operator, the parts you want and SA Custom would do build you essentially the same thing. |
|
I am a die-hard 1911 man, particularly Colt. However, having carried a Glock since 1991 and being a Glock armorer I'd go for the Glock 21 or 21 SF. 1911's can be finicky but Glocks go bang no matter what and they are so incredibly simple. I also build 1911's and as far as I'm concerned they are a real man's gun. But the Glock consistently works flawlessly and there are no grip safeties to get gummed up and no thumb safeties to be accidentally engaged or disengaged.
It only took me about 18 years to warm up to Glocks but I have 3 now and they are my main go-to guns. |
Some of you guys must be real men . A railed 1911 and 4 mags for a 12 hour shift, ouch can you say back problems. I went Glock a long time ago, a lot easier on my back, but that's me. Good luck on your search for the perfect 1911. They are like pringles chips you can't just have one. I own three but they don't see much use.
|
| I have to concur with the guys suggesting a Glock 21SF. While I love the 1911 I think the Glock is superior as a duty gun. That said, for a 1911 I would probably go with a MC Operator w/ 10-8 sights. Shoot it first and see if you need anything else done. If money is no object then go Wilson. And yes, the 6360 (ALS) is even better than the 6280 (SLS). |
|
Their are guys carrying the springfield mc operator, trp operator, kimber warrior, kimber tle, and s&w 1911 on our SWAT team. Everyone else carries glocks. There are ALOT more failures/issues with the 1911's. I carry a glock 21 with +4 arredondo mag extentions, so I change mags half as often as the 1911 guys. Just something to think about. And for the record I own and love 1911s Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
That's two that have told me to get a Glock. I don't like Glocks very much. I can shoot more precisely, faster, and more confidently with a 1911 than any other pistol (I've shot/owned Glock 17, 22, 26, Beretta M9, HK USP 45, HK P30 9mm, Sig P226 .357, 9mm, P239 .357, 9mm, and 1911s).
It is the handgun platform that I am most confident with and thus, why I want one as a duty gun. |
|
Quoted: That's two that have told me to get a Glock. I don't like Glocks very much. I can shoot more precisely, faster, and more confidently with a 1911 than any other pistol (I've shot/owned Glock 17, 22, 26, Beretta M9, HK USP 45, HK P30 9mm, Sig P226 .357, 9mm, P239 .357, 9mm, and 1911s). It is the handgun platform that I am most confident with and thus, why I want one as a duty gun. I'm with you, don't care much for Glock. I owned a Glock 21 and sold it at a loss to a brother in need. The only sidearm I've gotten rid of that I don't regret. I have carried the Kimber as a primary sidearm and though it was a reliable and accurate piece I don't like the firing pin block safety and hated the external extractor. The safety was removed and finally after tens of thousands of rounds, it developed an extraction issue which I have been unable to repair (it's gotta go back to Kimber and see if they can unfuck it). Like the Colt as well but again, hate the firing pin block safety. Have seen the 1991 series guns lock up due to the safety rendering the pistol useless. When I buy another pistol it will probably be an MC Operator. I really like the pistol and the examples I shot were tight, reliable, accurate and had nice triggers. I would have to replace the main spring housing though, won't have an internal lock on any gun of mine. I would carry any of the 6 you listed. Good luck. Hope you get hired. |
|
Glocks are a superior duty weapon to 1911's. They are more reliable, simpler to clean and maintain, easier to operate under stress, have better magazine capacity, more options for more users, are cheaper, ect. They have more than enough combat accuracy for police work, ect.
I really really admire them from a mechanical standpoint and recommend them to all new officers because i really believe in them.... But i CANNOT love them enough to make the leap. I love the short crisp SA trigger in my 1911, love the caliber and feel of the impusle/recoil, love the grip and the way it feels, love the accuracy, love the fact that its MY pistol that is unique, ect. There is not right answer to the glock vs. 1911 debate. They are both fabulous firearms, i just prefer the old school beauties! |
|
Bunch of girly men around here I have my Para P14 stainless on right now and can't even tell it's there... wait... I better check. Yup, good to go. I'm cheating, though. It's night, no one's here, and I patrol the inside of our buildings unless I go out to smoke or jump in the car to fetch dinner, so I'm wearing a Bianchi pancake holster on my inner belt and my rig is on the desk. And, of course, the one time I don't put on my rig before going out for food we wind up pulling someone over. Crap. At least there wasn't a gunfight. But back to the subject, a Safariland G20/21 dual mag pouch will hold 4 single stack 1911 mags, and I'd take a full-railed Springfield over pretty much anything else, possibly even including my Para. |