Do You Think the 1911 Is the Worst Gun for Cops?

The 1911 is one of if not the most iconic pistols of all time. But is it the worst gun for cops, as some say? To this day, over 100 years after its inception...
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[@MDpolo]

All the officers at my town’s Sheriffs department use 1911s. Thank you very much for the video.

[@BERETTA9mmUSA]

Some Cops still carry them. It is an Excellent Platform. Beretta9MMUSA Sr.

[@christophermead9800]

It’s an expert’s weapon. And those who can use the 1911 properly are at a great advantage in shootability, and accuracy. Also consider the power of the 45 over 9mm or 40 cal. The 1911 is not for everyone, but those who can use them can really use them!

[@OkamiiSenpai]

A bunch of guys at my department just got staccatos, and I just switched to a 1911. It just feels so much better.

[@stephenjake2021]

@OkamiiSenpai What setup you have?

[@zerofactor7871]

The 1911 is a highly capable tool, it just asks a little more of you than something like a G17 or M&P does. There's a tradeoff when switching from a high capacity polymer 9mm to a steel framed .45 auto with anywhere from 7-10 rounds in the mag. You're trading light weight/high capacity but lesser stopping power for heavier/lower capacity but improved stopping power. There's often an advantage in trigger function and accuracy with 1911s too, but only training can unlock those benefits. Training that a lot of people won't do. Most people who are issued a service pistol are perfectly fine with G17s, M&Ps and even Taurus as I've seen in some oddball departments. They're not "gun guys" per se, they just need them for their job and don't want to have to think about it too much. However, "gun guys" working in LE should definitely at least take a 1911/2011 for a spin and see how they feel with it.

[@pray4mojo35]

I started my career carting a Glock 17. After 7 years I switched to a 1911 in .45 ACP and carried it for another 12 years until the Glock 17 became the required and issued duty pistol for my department. I never had any issues with the 1911 and preferred it greatly over the Glock.

[@zboyjason]

Carried both the 1911 and 2011 for duty and I love both. Makes me miss my Staccato more and more.

[@scottydoo919]

I might sound crazy, but I went back to my TRP for duty. I sold my staccato P to a fellow deputy who has a lot longer to go then me. One of the retired guys who did 34 years comes down to the range. He told me limited rounds so you better make them count. Lol

[@zboyjason]

@@scottydoo919 not at all, to this day I still outperform everybody with my 1911 when I have to read qualify every year. It's just a platform that's hard to beat and the trp is on my list to get

[@scottydoo919]

@@zboyjason so I bought a ismi recoil spring and a aftec extractor. The only 2 things I changed. It flat out runs. Grab ya one. You’ll be grinning ear to ear. Ohh and I got a fusion firearms tooless guide rod. Make it easy to take down.

[@xstugee]

Its all about training...it is a superb weapon...just keep in mind that everyone out there wants to make a sale...

[@ericjohnston7189]

I carried a 1911 for about 14 yrs and then switched to a glock45 gen 5. And did so for so many reasons and now switching back to the 1911!

[@scottydoo919]

lol I did the exact same thing I had the Glock 45. It just wasn’t for me. I threw the TRP back in my holster.

[@williamstringer2846]

Outstanding, clear, concise. Thank you for the information.

[@aggrodkreg4321]

I don't see an issue with this. The LEOs carrying 1911s are probably going to be the ones that understand the platform's pros and cons. I wouldn't hand them out as a department-wide service pistol like a Glock or M&P, but if the individual officer wants a 1911 out of pocket, chances are they're going to actually train with it, and be better equipped to respond to a call, both in gear and training, than the rank-and-file that only takes out their service pistol for quals yearly.

[@resolute123]

Exactly.

[@ravenrise320]

For general police issue in a large department? It's not a good idea. The 1911 takes a slightly higher skill set of training to get the most out of it. It's not a "spray and pray" type of weapon like most high cap 9mms are. But issue to a small town department? Or to a SWAT team? It's not a bad idea. Smaller units can be trained more intensively for less money. And could take better advantage of a quality 1911's increased accuracy and threat stopping capability. Also seeing the number of accidental discharges that police in big departments have with guns like Glocks and M&P's? Giving them a quality 1911 and minimal training like most large departments tend to offer wouldn't be conducive to increased safety. Also there will be some who will denigrate the 1911 due to its mag capacity. 10 round and larger capacity mags have been made for 1911's for decades now. And 10 or 11 rounds of .45 Auto isn't anything to sneeze at in a gun that can deliver those rounds accurately and rapidly. Also. If a cop has had to mag dump 10+ rounds to stop a threat? More ammo in a handgun ain't necessarily going to save their ass, so it's time to break out an AR or other long gun and change tactics while calling for back up. Which with the number of short barreled AR, carbines and pistols around now? I'm surprised more cops aren't doing that from the start of calls they answer or traffic stops they make.

[@protectiverailroaddad7541]

I get what you’re saying and agree on most points. However, having 17+1 rounds vs 10+1 rounds is kind of a big deal for a leo who may have to engage multiple threats or engage in a gunfight with their sidearm with someone who may be carrying a higher capacity firearm. It not like every time a cop gets out of his vehicle he brings his AR15 with him, sometimes stuff just happens quickly.

[@scottydoo919]

TRP has been in my hip for quite a while. I put a Aftec self adjusting extractor, too less guide rod and some magpul grips. I recently had Vulcan machine werks mill the slide for a green dot. My eyes aren’t what they used to be. I carry 6, 10 round mags. A guy at the range said what about ammo shortage on the 1911. I said practice and make your rounds count.

[@lucifiedlunatic110]

I've seen some police officers carry kimber 1911 in Waller County Texas

[@Jayreisofficial]

When he said for law enforcement and security work as well , I absolutely agree , I will continue to use this on the field until I’m not allowed too

[@frankplissken143]

The 1911 is great for gun guys. Non gun guys should probably stick to glock. You can tell a lot about a guy by his pistol.

[@Milkman3572000]

NOT a LEO but I did just purchase my first 1911 and it's in 10mm. I've seen it said elsewhere... It may take more training but you will be a better shot.

[@dannilyons198]

I have one as well Springfield Ronin in 10 mm I love it! Shoots so crisp its made me faster better shot training with it!

[@texassportsman5880]

I carried a Colt 1970A1CS for years and it easy for me to qualify and ammo is everywhere.

[@cliffarend8455]

For police duty, what are your thoughts on the s&w 1911 e series?

[@denniswerner1670]

The 1911/2011 is a superb pistol for military/LE.

[@resolute123]

I wouldn't say it's the worst, but it has limitations like any tool. The biggest limitation will always be the user; as long as the trigger puller position themselves to take advantage of the 1911s strengths, he should be able to get out of most sticky situations.

[@resolute123]

@@anthonyarcher7268 No I don't, but feel free to make a bad comment (at least what the YT Ghestpo will allow). Btw, what's your problem bub?

[@HankSnatchez]

Awesome video!

[@pcfire0364]

Most officers yes…some officers no.

[@Montblanc1986]

Mines on duty right now!

[@TheRealZJE313]

Dude how the hell u get that SA operator 1911? I ben look for one sents it came out but al I can find is it in Puny 9mm

[@Minuteman4Jesus]

No, if it's a DS Prodigy!

[@Burna43]

Still saving up for the Operator 💰

[@TheRealZJE313]

Good luck. Al I seen it is in puny 9mm cents it came out

[@Renaissanceman75]

I think the Prodigy is the worst gun ever made. Mine is on its 3rd warranty claim. Luckily, my 1911 is a Bul Armory. I will never ever buy another Springfield.

[@resolute123]

Love SA, but they really screwed the pouch on the Prodigy. Really wanted it to be good, but SA's track record when offering something new is less than stellar.

[@jeffanon1772]

99% of Cops are NOT gun enthusiasts...most have never held a handgun before & definitely aren't interested in practicing with one...if you didn't make them qualify periodically, they'd never ever take it out of the holster. Combine that with the sad fact that proper training requires a huge investment in time and money...so virtually every L.E. Agency cuts their training budgets to bone & the 1911 definitely is a poor choice for the rank & file Cops. W.W. II training films clearly show exactly how to train an average person to shoot & safely handle the 1911 well... but no contemporary Agency has the budget for that kind of training. Since it might be able to make something foolproof, but almost impossible to make anything Cop proof, I definitely wouldn't suggest 1911's for general L.E.O.'s... Seriously, you could lock a dozen Cops in a bank vault with two bowling balls & when you come back 15 minutes later, one bowling ball will be missing & the remaining one broken and NOBODY will have seen what happened to them.

[@RepentorPerish77]

Not a cop but I'd carry my TRP Operator any day

[@ryanranard5187]

.45>9mm 💯

[@Jayreisofficial]

Everyone who includes security and law enforcement, I will alaways add and subscribe too

[@tattoochef]

Is it the worst gun for cops??? No. But there are better options......im not a cop but I carry and love the 1911..for a duty pistol.....there are better options

[@resolute123]

I feel the same way.

[@prodigalson1500]

The 1911 is a great pistol. It has a lot of knock down power and I love the trigger. I own two Kimber 1911s. I used to carry a HK USP 45 for work, but it was too heavy. I carry a Glock 22, but I think I’ll end up carrying a Glock 17 for work really soon. It’s cheaper on maintenance and ammo to carry a 17.