The birthday — that was predominantly ignored by the DEM/MSM?
The 100th birthday of Colt’s Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol. (1911 Centennial commemorative here.)
1911 to 2011. A “game changer” of the highest order. The handgun of issue during WWII.
I personally carried one of these guns, in Condition One, in my holster, whilst working for my department in 1981. The holster I mounted placed a black leather Safariland strap between my hammer and the frame.
I carried my Colt 1911 Series 80 with hammer back, left-frame thumb safety up. All said, it was a tidy, thin and easily-carriable handgun — with a big hole at the end.
I carried that gun for only a year, until I replaced it with my Sig-Sauer P220, in .45 caliber, European release, and then expanded the magazine carriers on my belt. I carried four magazines on my Sam Browne in double pouches, horizontally, to be loaded by my left hand, throat-down for faster insertion.
There’s nothing wrong with carrying a Colt 1911 in Condition One.
When I hired onto my department, I purchased three specific things back then:
1. A Honda CB750;
2. A pair of crocodile cowboy boots;
3. A Colt 1911 Series 80 handgun;
I should care to point out that the .45 ACP round is uniformly excellent.
But that, of course, is another post for other days.
Happy birthday, thusly, to the Colt 1911!
BZ
P.S.
And, of course, Colt still manufactures (much to the chagrin of Leftists and Demorats) its guns in the United States of America.
For me it was a Mark IV Series 70…
Still love that pistol, the workmanship is beyond compare, even with these tricked out *knock-offs* that call themselves 1911’s…
I am a 1911 SNOB of the 1st order, if it ain’t a Colt it ain’t a 1911…
And as to the .45 ACP? There’s no way to explain it to those that have never experienced it! Sheer brute force in the old 230gr ball, in these new configurations, higher pressures and velocities, the hollow points are unsurpassed man stoppers!
On the other hand, sir, if I’m not mistaken, you really enjoy the Springfield XD45.
What I’m going to carry again in Patrol — just as I carried in the 80s?
My Sig Sauer P220 in .45ACP with Euro release and my doubled magazine pouches.
I like the Big Hole.
BZ
Never a handgun fan. In the Army, qualified Expert with everything we had. Made Expert with two rounds to spare with the .45. Watched a Camp Perry vet qualify 100% with an issue weapon older than me.
WSF, okay, so you were an M14 fan or an M16 fan or, absent that, a Dragon fan. Or Claymore?
“THIS SIDE TOWARD ENEMY” — ?
Hell, I’d be a fan of THAT!
BZ
M-1, Ma Duece, 3.5 Rocket launcher. Det cord, C4.
Early M-14s had lots of problems. Poor stocks, jams.
WSF, and considering your comments, I THANK YOU for your service during the Vietnam era, my friend.
BZ
I’m always a little uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my service. Three years during the Cold War era isn’t much.
You, on the other hand, have put your ass on the line for how many years? THANK YOU for your service.
I bought my first 1911 after the Honda dealer declined financing because I had not been on the job for a year. Bill Davis was glad to take my money, however.
Lately I still have a German .45 and four cylinder motorcycle. Enjoy!
DM, thank you indeedy-do, sir!
BZ
BZ — I do indeed LOVE my XD-45 Tactical… 14 rounds of Federal Tactical Law Enforcement 230gr+P Bonded? What’s not to love?
Those that have never shot a .45 on a regular basis just don’t understand, it’s a real LOVE or HATE affair, I have always LOVED a .45…
My Mark IV Series 70 was ramped and throated and would digest anything I put in it… And I never saw a *bad guy* that a .45 wouldn’t stop immediately and make him seriously rethink his ways…
That P-220 is a hell of a weapon, our Troopers here in Texas carried them for years until some egghead decided that a .357Sig was a better fit and more effective… I totally disagree with that assessment, but, I don’t buy guns for Texas DPS…
I will say this, although I am old, fat and infirm, if I go out and about I still carry a .45 and will until the day I die… If I was young and going to WAR, here or elsewhere in the world, I would still carry a .45…
Can’t give any higher praise than that!
The .357Sig really never did take off. Maybe they liked it because all you’d have to do is change barrels? That and the 10mm — that fizzled too.
BZ
I too am a .45 Colt fan. Both the 1911 and the moon-clip Colt Revolver.
Yes-sir-ee, stun and knock-down power is what I needed in tunnel cleaning 1961 to1965.
Had a few “bug-tussles” with the long barrel stuck out in front of me. That’s why I requisitioned the Colt Revolver the with a cut-down barrel of 1 5/8 inches.
Also lit up the tube for a short moment. I still have to ask someone to repeat something if they speak softly.
I am still disgusted when the US ARMY selected the Italian Beretta 9mm Commander as it’s official replacement.
Stupid politics, it was.
I know what the .45 caliber can do, and I smile when I see a police Officer carrying a .45 auto.
Today, as an old, crippled up warrior, I carry a Kimber Ultra .45 auto.
Assures one side of the report.
I am really glad you are back in patrol. I thought maybe you were being punished, or going out the door to pasture. Great news!
Thank you MrC. I was in Training for many years, first as Rangemaster and then as Supervisor in EVOC (vehicle training), but budget cuts killed our training division.
BZ
The 357Sig is a *necked down* .40 and a .40S&W is a Short&Weak version of the 10mm…
I had a S&W 1006 10 mil several years ago, it was great, but it was designed to give the Feebies a more powerful weapon, and it was more powerful, so much so that those delicate wimps cried about how it hurt their well manicured little hands when they shot the beast.
Wussies, a 10mm is a hell of a weapon when loaded with 200gr hollow point ammo, but, guys like us, we dig a .45, and most of the wimps in the Hoover Bldg are afraid of them too…
Amen to that 🙂 I STILL carry a 1911 as a concealed carry about 1/2 the time.
The Combat Commander is within an arms reach of my bed, alongside two full mags. “Big Hole” explains it all to those of us who love the piece.
Pilots in my division were issued
.38’s in RVN. When I asked why, the answer sorta made sense:
“If you crash and have a broken arm you can still shoot/reload the revolver with one hand.”
(But I searched for a grease gun during my entire tour. I still wanted that big hole.)