What 1911 and ammo does the LAPD ...

[tlhelmer]

SWAT team use. I had heard that they use the Kimber 1911, but not the model.

Is if factory or modified?


What ammo do they use?

 

[denfoote]

From kimber's web site:

The Custom TLE/RL II™ is based on the LAPD™ SWAT duty pistol and is the first non-military Kimber with the rail. This model also features Meprolight® Tritium night sights and a 30 LPI checkered front strap for positive grip.

www.kimberamerica.com

I have no idea about the ammo. I assume it's Speer Gold Dot.

 

[tlhelmer]

Thanks Denfoote!

Next question: Does anyone have one and how do they compare to other 1911's?

 

[clubsoda22]

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/st_0212_lapd/

 

[Sean Smith]

I have no idea about the ammo. I assume it's Speer Gold Dot.

Why?

 

[Highland Ranger]

the Winchester SXT JHP carried on duty

from the above referenced article . . .

 

[tlhelmer]

Nice gun! I think I would prefer the model with the integrated light rails. They seem pretty expensive.

Ive got the 1911 bug again.:banghead:

 

[dsk]

Don't take this as a flame attack, but why on earth would LAPD's choice in gun and ammo have any bearing on what kind of 1911 you want to buy? Over on the 1911 forum people are moaning and whining about how Kimber doesn't make an equivalent 1911 to the one they recently sold to the Marines. A person should buy a gun based on their own needs and preferences, and forget about what some elite operative is issued. Then again, maybe there's something I just don't get.

 

[DMK]

Don't take this as a flame attack, but why on earth would LAPD's choice in gun and ammo have any bearing on what kind of 1911 you want to buy?

For the same reason some people buy M4 clones, Walther PPKs and Colt 1911 WWI replicas. Sometimes it's cool to have a gun that's just like the one's you see the pros (real or movie heros) play with. That doesn't mean it's the best for the job. It's a novelty, similar to collecting Makarovs from each country or CZ-52s of each year.

I wouldn't mind having a clone of one of those Marine MEU(SOC) 1911s. The fact that they rebuilt them and put 'em back in service was a big deal for 1911 fans. Plus it's a pretty nice setup regardless. I think Kimber or Colt would sell them well.

The ammo I can see arguments for and against. Yea, the LAPD has the same desire as you or I to see the badguy go down as quick as possible. They also have more money that you or I to do some lab testing and such. However, there is also the possibility that the ammo is bought from the lowest bidder or off a favorable contract.

 

[tlhelmer]

DSK, No offense taken.


I had a conversation with a friend about 1911's. I told him that my experience with them has been pretty bad. I had a SA 1911-A1 loaded that I couldnt put a full mag of hp bullets without a FTF. I had another 1911 that the previous owner had some gunsmith work on. The hammer followed the slide and I had a AD with I had it fixed and sold it.

He said that he had heard great things about the 1911 the LAPD swat team had adopted. He thought it was a Kimber, but was not sure of the model.