1911s In The News

I 'm a big fan of the 1911 model pistol. I also am a big fan of Springfield Armory products (I have no financial interest in the company - I just think they produce a quality line of firearms. I also happen to own a Springfield 1911, in .45 ACP, of course.) And I respect and admire Christ Kyle. So I read with interest this announcement.

Springfield Armory Released Limited Edition Chris Kyle 1911

Springfield Armory announced earlier this week that it will be honoring the memory of famed US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle with a limited run of 1911 TRP pistols collectively called the Legend Series. Kyle, who is perhaps better known for his expertise with rifles, carried a Springfield Armory TRP on occasion and counted the pistol among his preferred favorites, even reminiscing about it briefly in his best-selling book American Sniper.

Some of the favoritism may be due to the fact that the gun possibly saved his life.

“In 2004, I brought over a Springfield [Armory] TRP Operator, which used a .45 caliber round. It had a 1911 body style, with custom grips and a rail system that let me add a light and laser combo,” Kyle wrote. “Black, it had a bull barrel and was an excellent gun – until it took a frag for me in Fallujah. I was actually able to get it repaired – those Springfields are tough.”

Kyle, often recognized as deadliest sniper in US military history, was also an avid firearm enthusiast. While he was more often associated with the .300 Winchester Magnum M24 and later on, the Magnum Accuracy International, Kyle also was a fair shot on the pistol course and had previously earned an expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal, the highest decoration that one could receive for weapons qualification. Kyle especially preferred 1911-style pistols for shooting.

Each handgun in the Legend Series will be laser engraved with a unique serial number and comes with a customized mahogany case, certificate of authenticity, and silver Chris Kyle challenge coin. In addition, the firearm will also be issued with a memorial copy of American Sniper, signed by his wife Taya Kyle. Only 1,000 of the pistols will be produced.

The MSRP of the pistols is expected to be $2,499, and a portion of each sale will be donated to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Taya Kyle to assist military families.

Now if I could just come up with $2500 I don't need...

In other 1911-related news:

A vintage pistol that was once owned by legendary performer Sammy Davis Jr. was among 791 guns that the Los Angeles Police Department collected during a weekend gun buyback program, officials said.

The Rat Pack member’s 1911 .45-caliber pistol was one of the weapons turned in for Ralphs grocery store gift cards during the events held in Mission Hills and South Los Angeles.

No details were available about who donated the gun or its origins because the program is anonymous...

Boy, I bet there's a great story behind how that particular 1911 ended up in the gun buyback program. I wonder if whoever turned it in knew what he had.