1911 Fit for Duty?

General Firearms Handguns - 1911
1

There talks of possily allowing some people at work to Carry 1911’s, after a change over course from Glock.

Id like to get one just in case and lets face it I just want one. I already have a PRO which I LOVE

But id like to get one with a RAIL… Imwondering what else to look at
Trying to be around $2500.00
I get some guns at dealer cost from a shop i work part time at soo let me know what you reccomend for duty… and ill check out prices

Considerations
Nighthawk GRP
Wilson CQB RAIL
ED BROWN SPECIAL FORCES
Springfield PRO RAIL (operator)

Let me know what you think and why. Main reason or adversion to another PRO is the wait.

2

There are some good links to 1911 discussions (duty grade) on 10-8 in this thread:

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=30221

There is also a good review of the status of the 1911 today, that is worth a look.

M_P

3

Read this:

http://www.10-8performance.com/id8.html <—“Choosing a 1911 for Duty Use by Hilton Yam”

4

well i guess my gut to go with another PRO was right

5

Naw I don’t think the 1911 has been around long enough to get all the bugs worked out of it. I would give it another 100 years or so before I bet my life on it. Now these 20 to 30 year old plastic guns are good to go out of the box.:smiley:

6

All of those you list would make great choices. Like any other weapon, I would run it with a good amount of duty rounds to “proof it”. I guess I just don’t like to say 'break in".

7

my Springfield mc operator has handled everything ive thrown at it.

thing is a beast

8

What exactly have you “thrown at” it?

M_P

9

I love my Ed Brown. I’d go that route.

The white rings around the tritium really stand out for daytime shooting. I hate the silver rings that Springfield uses by default.

I had them put white ringed novaks on my Custom Springield when they built it.

10

Springfield Pro, no question.

11

The Pro had to pass one helluva testing process prior to being accepted, and they are consistently built to a high standard (for many years now).

You can get that the FBI would send them back or cancel the contract if they had problems.

An incredibly well-vetted pistol, unlike most other 1911s.

12

Wasnt asking if the platform was proven was looking for a proven maker

I dont plan on carrying a charles daly or somehting

Ok ill start looking into a PRO Operator to go with my Pro

13

Roy,

I’m the guy that did the review of the Pro Operator a couple weeks ago.

My department started allowing patrol guys to carry 1911’s 10/08 (only SWAT was allowed before) and we now have at least forty guys that have switched to the platform.

One of the nice things about it is that I’ve had the great chance to look at lots of examples of fine 1911’s including Wilsons, Ed Browns, Nighthawks, some total custom work and LOTS of Kimbers.

I like my Pro, but I also like the Ed Brown Special Forces guns quite a bit. Now that I have both railed (including a Dawson) and non-railed 1911’s I’m not totally sold that light rails on 1911’s are the way to go.

If you don’t feel like waiting for a Pro then I say buy an Ed Brown.

14

Wilson Combat CQB FTW!

15

Does anyone have any experience with the new Colt Railed 1911? Good? Bad? Meh?

16

Brother I gotta ask and I hate to hi jack this thread a little, but any problems with a railed 1911? I’m in a similar spot as the op and am thinking of making the switch to a 1911 for duty carry. I currently run a Glock with a TLR-1. Having a weapon mounted light is a big plus for me on my shift. I am just curious if the rail induces any problems with the platform?

Matt

17

my next 1911 will be a Berryhill, I’m not sure which yet,I’m leaning towards the MEUSOC new version,it sounds perfect and it sounds like he spendsalot of time making sure it runs perfect.check them out,cheaper then what you were looking at.
http://www.berryhillguns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
you can also get a rail gun

18

As long as you can properly maintain a 1911 and don’t mind the additional cost of the handgun, I think its a great choice as a duty handgun. I don’t recommend a 1911 to officer’s who think of the handgun as just another “tool” and will only clean and maintain the handgun on qualification day. A good 1911 is like a sports car…they need a lot of attention and care but as long as they get it they perform very well.

Most of the guys at my department carry 1911’s…a few Kimbers and Wilson’s. I use a STI Tatical and love it. I think the biggest problem facing the 1911 for duty is the perception from the administrative side that a “cocked and locked” firearm is not as safe as a “safeaction” or double action firearm.

19

Actually I would highly recommend any handgun for duty be equipped with a rail (and light) and the 1911 is no exception…

Some people are against them because they think and officer will start using the firearm as his/her main source of illumination (like traffic stops) but I dont agree with that. Since we will have to check alarms and buildings in the dark it gives us a tactical edge and causes less fatigue.

To answer your last sentence, I have never seen mechanical problems develop with having a rail and light on a 1911 (actually there were problems with Glock 22’s for a bit with mounted lights. The polymer was flexing too much and eventually the handguns began to malfunction…this happened with the ones issued to the Alaska State Troopers). Just remember to check your hex screws on the light from time to time because all the shooting and drawing with cause them to come loose (I use an X300 surfire).

20

The biggest issue that the rails bring up is in holster selection. Some holster manufacturers will differentiate between the types of rail you have (none, Dawson, extended dustcover, etc)