Post 911 History of M1911A1 in use with U.S. Special Forces
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- Retired Green Beret Jeff Gurwitch covers the re-adoption of the M1911A1 by U.S. Special Forces after 911. Time line, how it was employed, accessories, and performance in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Fantastic video! First hand accounts gives us great context on this subject. One of my good friends was a 90's-2000's CAG operator who would always show up to the range with me running his 1911 and there was no convincing him to shoot my normie M9 that I so enjoyed shooting :)
Thank You..BTW I went 5.56 AK because of your Alpha Trainer video
Concur. Best gun channel on YT.
do you know why CAG used the glock 22 for early GWOT, coming from the 1911 platform, before they going to 9mm glocks later on?
@@user-rs1fo2dd9b Mythos surrounding stopping power of 40S&W
@@user-rs1fo2dd9b idk how true it is, but my understanding is that CAG transitioned because they were seeing more and more usage of body armor by groups like AQI, so their doctrine went from “Two to the chest, One to the head”, to just “Put five in their pelvic girdle”.
“By me, because I was there”. Fact over fiction. Thank you for putting out such fantastic content.
The biggest problem with the GI slides from WW2 were they were not entirely through-hardened. Stripping out the locking lugs is exactly how I would expect one to fail when subjected to a large number of rounds. The only slides that were through hardened were National Match slides and Post War replacement slides. Those would have a parts number on the left hand side rather than a manufacturer name. Awesome video, the 1911 is legendary for a reason and still king in some aspects today.
I can’t believe that a WW2 era colt made it to the GWOT. That’s insane.
Wait till you hear about the M2 Browning
@@kingofwishfulthinking2490 LOL
I carried a Remington rand 45 in the gulf war.
American manufacturing, son
@@kingofwishfulthinking2490 bro I just got dead 🤣
My dad, who passed away a year ago, was a huge 1911 fan. He had 13 various frames and calibers. I asked him what hit was about them, he said “It’s reliable and tested. It’s survived 2 world wars and many other smaller ones. They are easy to work on and will last forever “. Thank you for your service and for the video. I live in Raeford so I’m sure you know where that’s at if you went through Q at Mackall. 🇺🇸
Thanks for making this video! I was one of the gunsmiths at 5th Group back then that rebuilt those 1911's. Steve Holland was trying to get Kimbers but couldn't get the funding so what you see is what happened. We wanted to add night sights and a few other upgrades but we weren't allowed to permanently alter the guns because of regs.
Did you ever run into MSG "Bones" Jernigan down at Bragg?
It's possible but I don't remember the name. 5th SFG had moved to Ft. Campbell by the time I showed up so I didn't spend any time at Bragg until after 2005.
For me, videos like that are true gems that are so hard to find in this day and age, when the whole UA-cam seems like a big pile of crap.
Please keep up the good work, listening to people with actual first-hand experience on topics like that is truly fascinating.
Thank you! Part of the reason why I started this channel is to pass on info from my experiance so its not lost forever. I agree alot of hot garage on youtube, also alot of good stuff
I was born In 2000 and I was also raised on the 1911. The first firearm my grandpa gave me was a colt 1911 when I was 10 years old. It’s always been my favorite
Great video on my favorite sidearm the 1911. My father was a Navy SeaBee on Guam in WW2, he went ashore with the Marine corps in the first wave to liberate Guam from the Japanese. His unit built the crushed coral airfields on Guam, that are still the tarmac bedding at the Guam international airport today, a test to the SeaBees. His daily carry was his 1918 vintage Colt 1911, Ka-Bar Mk11, Winchester m1 carbine....All of which he sent home to his brother from Hawaii after the Japanese surrender. His Colt was used a lot he told me, he ran bulldozers and graders, the Japanese snipers were always taking shots at the SeeBees, although he had his carbine with him, he preferred his 1911 to return fire while jumping off his equipment to take cover and return fire, he had more confidence in the 45acp than the 30 carbine. He passed away in 2008, his Colt and Ka-Bar are now mine and both still capable battle proven weapons, that says a lot since the Colt made in January 1918 is now 104 years old and I would not hesitate to use it today in a defensive role, or in combat.
Do you run ball ammo or jhps in it?
Hey I'm a local from Guam. I love the 1911 & I always use my 1911's in shooting competitions any chance I get. Your father helped make Guam into what it is today & I'm sad that you can't tell him that I said thank you for his service. You inherited a real peace of history from him & all I will ask is don't sell it.
I am also from Guam. Thanks for this writeup - It was super interesting. And we appreciate your father's and everyone else's efforts liberating Guam.
That's awesome! I was stationed at Guam & have been on that very tarmac many times.
Both of those a family/national treasures. Don't neglect those or allow them to be 'altered'.
In 1987 I was an MP NCO in Panama and a member of the pistol team. We went to Ft. Benning for the U. S Army Pistol Championship. We were issued TZZ .45 ammo . Out of 6 guns mine was the only one to survive. When we got back to Panama I sent my gun in to be rebuild. The Chief armor in country called me and told me my gun had 16 cracks in the frame. He didn’t bother checking the slide.
Was this ammo HP? Did you happen to see if your slide had the heat treated discoloration on end of slide and slide stop notch? Thanks
Ow!
That sucks ...
Just because the tactics have changed, it doesn't mean that the M1911A1 isn't lethal. It is. I enjoyed this video. Thanks for my freedom, Jeff.
It's rare to read a comment from someone who made it out alive after being held captive! Thank God you're now home did you seek help, which I hope you see no shame in getting after being a prisoner in what I can only imagine were fucking nightmare conditions. Enjoy breath you can.
True, but its still outdated and objectively not that great of a gun, especially when JMB made a better handgun already
@@dogguy8603 If you're referring to the HiPower, JMB actually had little hand in making that, and the HiPower has its own issues that the 1911 never had.
My experiences were similar. When I was in 10th Group in Iraq in 2004-2005 my team had several of the old WW2 1911s. When I was moved to 3rd Group in Afghanistan most of the 1911s were given to the support guys so they could push more M9s to the teams.
I have a buddy that was in 10th Group, and I believe he was over there during that time frame. He always stuck with the M9 because, in his words, it “felt right”.
I spent 2002-2006 in 3rd group in Afghanistan. I was issued a springfield 1911. They were in some rough shape but we were happy as hell to have them.....loved mine so much i bought the exact same gun when i got home.
I still have my safariland holster...that thing is durable beyond reason.
As far as handguns go, I grew up shooting my dad’s Colt Gold National Match 1911. I bought a USP 45 tactical the day I turned 21 in 2002, and I picked up a Smith and Wesson Performance Center 1911 when they first came out. When I turned 30 I was given my dad’s mint condition 1952 Belgian Browning Hi Power. Added a USP Expert 9mm, along the way and for the last few years I’ve mainly been carrying my Staccato C2. All fantastic weapons.
While I love the capacity of 9mm pistols, and the improvements to 9mm ammo has certainly made a difference, those same improvements have .45 just as swole.
One thing that the forum warriors keep forgetting is that if you have to run suppressed, all 9mm ammo sucks enormous fat butts while the ballistics of .45 are almost completely unchanged.
In the mid 70s, i was a gunner 11Charlie…and got my first issued 1911. It was worn out, but I loved it. Years later I got the M9 for 2 deployments, and i loved it. After I retried I bought an M17, and love it.
I'm 65 years old and I too grew up with the M1911. I remember as a small child, I had a die-cast, pot metal toy M1911 probably 2/3 or 3/4 scale (I can't remember if it fired caps) but I played with it all the time. I especially remember sitting on my father's lap (a WWII Navy vet) and I asked him, "Dad, what kind of gun is this?" his response, which I can still hear today, "That's a FORTY-FIVE". Until 1992, I referred to the M1911 as 'a forty-five'.
Yep "45" everyone knew you meant M1911.
Great video. My 1911 served me well all 3 tours in Afghanistan. I personally like a bigger caliber...and the stopping power it provides. But everyone is different...
As a Marine MP in 1986 my duty pistol was an Army hand me down 1911A1(stamped US Army colt 1942). Had a rebuild or two in it's 44 years up to that point, but it shot great. Like to see a berretta 9mm do that.
I didnt mention in the video, I was Army Reserves in 1989. As a M60 gunner, my sidearm was a super old beat up M1911A1.
As an MP in 1984 I had a Remington Rand… it rattled but was very accurate… came into possession of one a few years ago… best weapon for personal defense and will be with us for another 100 years… just like the “BUFF”
Excellent video. As a Marine I tend to lean more towards tradition and I prefer the 1911a1. I carry an old government model Colt 1911 til this day. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏼🇺🇸
Navy Corpsman here hooyah from the devil doc. I carry a 1980s Springfield.
Navy Corpsman here hooyah from the devil doc. I carry a 1980s Springfield.
Very Nice Devil Dog!!!! 🤠👮🏻♂️🇺🇸👍🍀😉👻👋🐉🌚. B9USA Sr.
C Co 1/9 1988 to 1992.
@@BERETTA9mmUSA lol I love seeing B9 in comments sections in the wild. Thank you for influencing me to buy a Dan Wesson Vigil, Sr B. It was worth every penny.
@@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop Thank-you! Great 1911 that DW Vigil…. I still own the Commander version. 🤠👮🏻♂️🐉🇺🇸👍👻🍀🌚
I carried 1911s on both my deployments, and after I got out, I carried it as my EDC from 2013 to 2020 until I replaced it with a Shadow Systems DR920 which is a re-engineered Gen 4 Glock 17 that I am running the 1911 grip angle on, loved the video
I struggled with the M9‘s ergos. It’s probably my shorter fingers but the palm swell and DA pull made it a struggle. Most of the senior NCO’s in the battery had a negative viewpoint of 9mm. The 1911 is truly an everyman‘s pistol.
Outstanding review. The 1911 first saw combat in Mexico in 1917 during the Poncho Villa Punitive Expedition. Mexicans who survived a 1911 hit called it the "Yankee Fist" because it felt like being punched. Thank you John Moses Browning.
Just found this channel and I’m really excited about it. Looks like great content!
Love the stories of real life experience and the history. Please keep the videos coming! Thanks
Great to hear these stories straight from the source man, keep it up.
Very informative. Thanks for posting the video!
Not a 1911 owner nor do I have much interest in them, but these videos are awesome. Fun to learn the history of use of various weapons with SF during the GWOT.
Man I don't know how I missed this video! Great stuff!
Thank you for your Services!
outstanding historical perspective...thank you sir.
Excellent video! Just a few years ago I inherited my grandfather’s Remington Rand and I absolutely love shooting it. This was a great video to give this pistol new life for me and how it served our nation’s heroes!
This is great info. Thank you for your time here and your service.
👍. Thanks for posting. Thanks for your service.
Thank you gor your service
.... I will never forget my first expert with the 1911.... I fell in love with it immediately, and had no idea or knowledge of the history and tradition of the side arm at that time, but I only got sucked in deeper the more I learned about it... To a certain point, I don’t even look at the price of a bulletproof built 1911... All I am really interested in is the dependability and consistency... When you get a 1911 that is built correctly and doesn’t have any reliability issues, and has all the comforts to make it carry all day without a problem, then I feel this is something you can’t really put a price on... I prefer an all steel frame and slide, with no sharp edges that will tear up skin and clothing, make in gods caliber , the .45acp 👍🇺🇸... I don’t mind a little bit of weight or having to constantly maintain it, but it must be able to preform and go many rounds without failure... That said, if I was going to war or any hostile environment, I would take an HK Mark23 or USP, or HK45/45c before any other side arm if given the choice 👍🇺🇸
VERY VERY informative sir...Thank you for your service...I'm looking forward to more tactical videos from you
Thanks for the video and history and first hand experience.
Great video!! My Dad was SF from '60-'73 Thank You for your service!!
I also grew with 1911s as the go to, mainstay of semi auto handguns. I still have the one my parents got me for Christmas after I graduated OSUT and remember thinking it was the be all end all of combat handguns, and seeing SF run them down range in the earlier GWOT years (I was a regular nothing special soldier who didn't even carry a handgun), only confirmed my biases. I run Glocks primarily these days as well, but will always love John Moses Browning's masterpiece and will always keep that Christmas gift handy.
Im not one to bash "regular Army soldiers, I did 7 years Infantry prior to SF. Over the years I have worked with plenty of attachments assigned to support us that were awesome. Hence my dedication to SPC Fiscus (25th ID) at the end of the video.
@@ModernTacticalShooting yeah, I always appreciated how cool the SF guys were and they never had a chip on their shoulder in my experience. That was the best part about being at Bragg in my opinion. Getting to occasionally get schooled up by current and former SF was always a good experience.
Thanks for the video
Always a good time for a 1911 story. Its easy to leave it sitting all alone while you shoot all the fancy new pieces but when you take it out and shoot it, it just seems so sweet and balanced
Actual treasure tove of knowledge, criminally under-viewed video and channel. Thanks for the video Jeff.
Thank you ..best comment yet!
Great channel and content. Really cool stories and real world experience 👍🏻
I used 1911a1 era of ww2 pistol in my compitition back then in my unit and its very reliable to use, thousand of rounds fired,never bad issues happen. Great pistol and i own it someday for my retirement.
Great history vid! Subscribed.
Superbly fascinating video. Even if the 1911 falls out of favor with military/LE or even civilian carry crowd, I think that it will remain an extremely popular platform amongst all types of shooters
There's just so much nostalgia and history to the 1911
Besides, name a movie that doesn't have at least one appearance by the 1911
The Yankee Fist is 111 years old as I write this. Here's to another 111 years
Again, outstanding video, sir. Thank you
Great video, and great information!
Thank you 😊
Very professional and informative video! I look forward to attending one of your classes.
Way cool those old pistols continued service with you all. Cool history. Thanks for the story.
Please write a book with these histories. So much has been lost and these gems are wonderful to hear from a man who was there.
Excellent video! Great info!
Great channel you have here. I really like the narrative style of conveying information that you have. The 1911 is my all time favorite gun.
Thank You
Sitting here in my nice warm home, full stomach, and the freedoms that I have, I can not express the gratitude sincerely enough for everything you did and continue to do. Thank you, thank you to you and all of your teammates. And thank you Mr. Browning. I agree with you about the loose tolerance and reliability over tight tolerance and accuracy. Thank you… for everything.
Really appreciate this channel. And it is entertaining without trying to be. Maybe I'm just old now. Again, thanks.
Excellent video. And thank you for serving...
Good to hear some war stories and the gear that got ya through. Thanks for sharing.
Thank You Man. Great Insight.
wonderful. very helpful info, thanks
Stumbled on your channel this morning and have to say I’ve been very impressed. Coming from a background in martial arts I never felt naturally comfortable with the squared off shooting stance - seeing your son and demo made me understand why.
I also appreciate your delivery which doesn’t try to compete with guntubers (who have zero combat experience). You walk softly but carry a big stick of experience. Lastly you’re in my home state - hopefully we can connect sometime. I could definitely use the training!
Super interesting experience since you can't (ethically) test lethality in a lab. I always thought of the 92/M9's two different trigger pulls as an advantage, but a woods and farm sidearm has different priorities than special forces.
Enjoyed. Thanks!
First up thanks for your service. Second thanks for sharing your experience and the video. My dad did 21 years and 2 foreign wars. Korea and 1st. Cav in Vietnam. I know he carried the 1911.I Acquired a TRP a few years ago. Maybe the M1911-A1 has seen it's day in combat with the US military. But after a century..... A enduring legacy.
Thank you! 👍🏻
Did y'all smirk at the mothballed junk you were getting kitted with( albeit Remington-Rands are highly collectible)? A unique and much needed video, especially for us 1911 guys wonderin' how old ironsides fared? I have a hard time believing the 9mm ineffectiveness bit. Just like 45acp "only shoot once" thing. They both make holes and cause trauma. You confirm that munitions aren't about a static "best", but are about what's best for the shooter and mission.
Great video thank you 😊
I just found this channel, it is becoming one of my favorites. This fella seems very humble.
I try!
As I sit at my reloading bench I like to listen to something in the background. You have a knack to explain and make a point without being condescending. I'm not an internet warrior, it appears we are both in the same age group, I appreciate listening to what happened during the war. Thank you for your service, Merry Christmas to you all.
When I went to my first unit in the FMF in 1982 I was issued a 1911A1 made by Ithaca. I was told by the armorer from what he could tell by the serial number it was made in 1944. I used to keep a cleaning rag in the leather flap holster because it used to rattle so loudly. But I have to say it always worked and it shot fine.
@Modern Tactical Shooting: Thank you for your service. this is a great story sir.
Thank you
I have owned s Colt 1991 a1 45 acp for about 25 years and i love it. With regular maintanance and plenty of lube i have had few failure to fire. And in most of thise cases i think they were due to faulty mags or poor ammo
What a awesome video! As a veteran that went in 05/06 this man is 110% correct with every word he has said in this video. Great history my man!
Old Marine your spot on I still sleep with my 1911 thanks for your video. From my hill top in Sc
Carried a kimber in Afghanistan 2020. Used a Blackhawk holster which was ok but preferred leather. Had a local from the Bazaar craft a leather holster. Worked great.
Do you see any guys still perferring 45/1911 platforms?
Great stuff! Keep up the great work brother! DOL!
i am so excited to watch this video!
When the WW2 1911s were produced the only parts that were heat treated was the slide release, hammer and sear.
Great video and subject!! I love seeing the classics like John Shaw and MidSouth get some credit.
Love your assessment of L10, it's the small pond appeasement division to hide from real shooters in. I started with a single stack in LIM, and still have several.
I'd love to hear more about 2011s / STI etc in the "CAG" type units. I was working one of their guys, he loved my LIMITED STI and made reference to the unit having some STIs for T&E.
I also had buddies on our program that reported seeing STIs in the sandbox.
There was also the mysterious "mag scarcity" that pointed to this in the early 2000's after 911.
First shooting book I ever read John Shaw's You Cant Miss, I still have it.
Thanks for sharing Your experience Sir . I competed while serving in the USAF during the 1980s and We had old 1911s .
Great video, I get to switch between a GI 1911A1 and a Wilson Combat, thanks to my Dad and brother. My true love is that GI 45.
Thanks Sir. And I value your firsthand knowledge and experience.
Excellent video! Thank you for providing your perspective on the 1911. Most of all thank you for your service to our country. The 1911 has always been my favorite pistol.
Thank you
I learned the 1911 during my army officers training in 1980. I have since owned about 10-11 1911s since then. I still own 5 1911, 2 Les Baers. 1 Ed Brown SF, 1 Colt Commander, and 1 Springfield Operator Railed. I also own HK VP9 and FN FNX .45, a Browning HP and Springfield SA35. Nothing feels like a high-end 1911, and when things go bump in the night, nothing feels as comforting as a 1911.
I was working in a gun shop in Los Angeles in 1992 during the Rodney King Riots and had a Colt Government 1911 on my hip. I had a 1911 kept behind my pillow when kick in home invasion robberies were prevalent in LA in the 1990s. And when I die I will have a 1911 close to me.
I truly enjoyed this vid. 👍🏻 I own a 1944 Remington Rand myself and it's just a joy to feel the smooth action of this little beauty.
Hi Th.Burggraf i enjoyed this video too ,because i own a 1945 Remington Randall is a awesome gun ,salutes from Mexico
@@mariosaintandre7496 oh wow, these Randall's are awesome indeed. 👍🏻👍🏻
I would love to have one too. Greetings from Germany. 👋🏻
Exelente video, gracias por la opción del traductor al español.
Thanks for serving.
I really love your channel.
Thank You
I have carried the same 1911 since 1992 and I will always carry it, its served me well and been thru alot with me.
You've been carrying a 1911 as long as I have been alive. I also carry a m1911a1.
This answers so many questions. I just received a Freedom of Information Act request on a Remington Rand 1911a1 I received from the CMP. It was assigned to 5th Group in 2003 until 2014. I couldn’t understand why it would have been there in that time frame. Makes sense now. It has an 80s Government Contract replacement slide from the 1980s. Thanks for the great information.
Glad it was helpful!
Pretty bad ass you have a M1911A1 from 5th SFG, talk about history there. Shit It could have very well been put to good use by a 5th SFG guy!
Any chance you still have the serial numbers of the 1911s you took to Mid South or Down Range? My 5th Group pistol serial last four is 9119. Thanks.
@@patrickkeane753 sorry no
@@tyestes7046 No one, Im gong off memory alone, I was there
I used Glocks and M4s at work. So that’s what I trained with for quite some time. Now as an old man I’m rocking a Springfield M1A, SOCOM 16 , in a Sage International EBR chassis and love it. I’ve partnered that with a Springfield 1911 A1, Loaded in SS. My wife has never seen me so happy. Run what makes you happy not what someone else thinks is cool. Also, I’m a dropped leg holster guy. 🤙❤️🇺🇸
We had modified and improved 1911’s for Iraq in 10th group. The guys in group did most of the work themselves. One guy in my company put down a JAM fighter with his pistol after he transitioned from his M4.
While I was a Military Police K9 officer I always asked for a Remington Rand , Mainly because I grew up near Syracuse NY where they were made, Great Video, Thank You for you service
I picked up one of the decommissioned M45A1's that the Marines used, but I wasn't aware that the 1911A1 was used with other operators. Great info. I can see why Jeff would be jealous of them. The M45 had a rail for a Surefire and they appeared to be made +P or greater ammo. For example, it used the Colt 10mm Delta Elite dual recoil spring, however for some reason they used only 7 round Wilson mags.
Do you notice if the dual recoil spring makes any difference in how it feels shooting compared to other 1911s?
I wonder if they went with 7 rnd mags because whom ever made the decision was old enough to have had bad experiences with the earlier 8 rounders before Wilson put out the 47D
Great video! I am the happy owner of a CMP service grade, 1945 vintage Remington Rand 1911a1.
12:02 Very true. Loose 1911s are not a bad thing (within reason). As Larry Vickers says: "built right, not tight."
Probably one of the coolest vids on UA-cam
Thanks
Thank you for your service sir , If I could be half the man you are at 30 years old - I’d consider my life a success 🇺🇸
My grandfather was in the Pacific during WW2 and he didnt have any combat experience since he was a electricians mate and enlisted in 1944 while he just turned 17, but he did tell a story of his petty officer shooting a Japanese soldier who was hiding on the island they were on with a 1911. The unfornate Japanese soldier tried to sneak in their base and steal some food since he was starving and didnt want to surrender.
Hey Jeff, just wanted to clarify, several times you say “SF” but I believe you actually mean “5th SFG.” For example, you say Steve Holland was in Force Mod, responsible for getting guns and gear for SF, when in fact he was in 5th Group’s Force Mod shop. Some of his hard work did eventually benefit all SF, but the 1911 issue was completely different for 3/3.
For 3rd BN, 3rd Group, we requested extra sidearms in mid 2002 during the run up to OIF, to put in resupply bundles. Since you normally don’t have extra guns just lying around, if you want them in your emergency resupply bundles they have to come from some where. We were offered 1911’s, but for US, we were also told we may not be able to resource the amount of training ammo we felt necessary to get proficient with the different ergonomics of a new gun. Every ODA in my company was given the option to receive the 1911’s but risk not having a thorough transition like you got at Mid-South, so all of them turned them down. 3/3 did draw them, but issued them to folks in jobs that usually didn’t get a pistol based on the MTOE, and we drew M9’s from somewhere else for the bundles.
Hope all is well, P Helms
5th SFG was the best! Of course until I switched to 3rd SFG.
Great video
I have a mk IV mod80 officers acp. Putting a Hogue wrap around grip on it made a world of difference in shooting comfort. I recommend that for any large hand shooters on most any 1911 model.