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R. A. Crowder’s Favorite Gun

July 12th, 2007 by Syd

R. A, “BOB” CROWDER
Chief of the Texas Rangers

“To name my favorite gun is easy: for 35 years, Colt’s .45 automatic pistol is the only side arm I have used, It was the first pistol I ever shot. 1 used a Colt .45 auto for three years in the Marines, five years with the Dallas police, seven years in the Teas Highway Patrol, and 20 years in the Texas Rangers. I like it because there are eight shots instead of six. With modern ammunition, .45’s have metal piercing ability. When I use a rifle, it is a .30-06 Remington pump. I wear my engraved, silver grip .45’s loaded and cocked, with safeties on.”

From Guns Magazine, July 1957

9 Responses to “R. A. Crowder’s Favorite Gun”

  1. on 13 Jul 2007 at 8:04 am1 DonW

    Syd,

    Do you have a date for the photograph?

  2. on 13 Jul 2007 at 8:16 am2 Syd

    I assume it is around 1957, but I don’t know that for a fact.

  3. on 14 Jul 2007 at 10:16 am3 Jim V

    Syd, any way to get a copy of the photograph for my Texas Ranger/1911 photos collection? Everytime I’ve tried to get photographs of Rangers armed with JMB’s fine invention, I’ve gotten a “We can’t find any.” reply.

  4. on 14 Jul 2007 at 10:20 am4 Neil Evangelista

    The 1911 is my favorite for concealed carry as well. I no longer carry my full-size government model Colt, but either a Para P12 or Springfield Armory V-10. Both are slimmer than my Glock, and I’d rather have 9 rounds of .45 than 17 of 9mm. One shot - one stop.

  5. on 14 Jul 2007 at 10:38 am5 RICARDO E. ALVILLAR

    The 1911, in .45 ACP, is not only an American icon; but, Crowder’s testament to this weapon speaks volumes about the Texas Rangers “in the day.”

  6. on 16 Jul 2007 at 7:11 am6 Tom Griswold

    Not many problems can’t be solved with a 30-06 and two 45s! Although, a little cash helps at times. I am turning 61 next month and I grew up with ’06s and 45s, the latter have usually been Government Models. Haven’t been far from one since I was 12 years old!

  7. on 16 Jul 2007 at 12:16 pm7 Arthur Mallory

    I have all ways liked the .45 1911 ACP and used it in the military, but carried a .357 or .40 S&W professionally most of my 30 year career. My opinion as to preference was changed several years ago by a non-law enforcement related event.

    I began competion pistol shooting involving bowling pins, not paper target or metal plates. Bowling pins have a certain amount of weight that increases during a match. The requirement is to knock the pins off the table at approxinately 25 feet. Hits with a 9mm, .357 or .40 can knock the pins off if hit correctly most of the time, BUT it is obvious through observation and experience at numerous matches that .45s are much more effective and accurate.

    So what you say? If I am aiming center mass of a threat and hit an arm instead, which caliber is the most likely to end the threat? The bowling pins answered the question for me. Thanks.

  8. on 25 Jul 2007 at 3:35 am8 Mike Perry

    If you are ever near Waco Texas you HAVE to stop in at the Texas Ranger Museum. It’s got an incredible collection of old 1911’s as well as other tools of the trade used by the Rangers.

  9. on 27 Jul 2007 at 4:40 pm9 jim pearson

    when you rate defence AND offence side arms, there is the 1911 then what ever you manage to grab on the way to the scene.

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