Better than M4, but you can’t have it

[Cavguy]

Any idea why those soldiers were engaging insurgents at conversational distance with a 1911 and not their M4?

I know that in OIF 1, most armored crewmembers and staff ONLY had M9's. I carried an M9 through OIF 1 as a BN S4, including HIC fighting against Mehidi Army in Najaf, 2004.

My advice, never carry a pistol to a gunfight. Hence we kicked, screamed, and bullied to get a rifle (M4 or M16) for every soldier the second time around.

Strange, but true.

Occasionally early on guys would pack an AK-47 on the tank as a backup, I rarely heard of anyone packing a non-issue pistol, although I'm sure it happened.

Despite anecdotal claims, 99% of soldiers in OIF 1 carried and used their issued weapons. By OIF 05-07, I never saw any soldier carry a non-issue weapon.