There was a very silly idea in Vietnam that helicopter pilots shouldn't carry 1911s. The reasoning being a spent shell might jam the controls. A. Nobody planned on shooting their sidearm in the cockpit,inflight and B. just behind them was a door gunner throwing brass all over the deck. So the pilots were officially armed with M&Ps with that charming 158 GR FMJ bullet. This sillyness was circumvented by acquiring a venerable 1917 Colt or S&W in .45 ACP. In the shoulder holster the butts with lanyard ring looked identical. In the Coast Guard we could carry personal 1911 .45s ( when authorized) after the gunsmith checked them over for safety and standard harball ammo used exclusively. I used to cause a stir with my 1911 NAVY marked 3 digit piece <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />