Today general officers don’t commonly need to carry firearms, and those in the Pentagon are likely not armed. Likewise, most military personnel today generally don’t carry weapons on domestic military bases, but the situation is very different even for those with stars on their shoulders while in the field.

Generally speaking, most generals carried whatever was the commonly issued sidearm of the day. During World War II General Omar Bradley carried the standard-issue Colt M1911 .45 pistol, and most other U.S. general officers opted to go the same route. Then there was General George S. Patton who opted instead to carry his personal .45 Long Colt Single Action revolver, 1873 Army Model, and .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson at various times. Patton may have been a stickler for the rules, but apparently, said rules didn’t apply to him when it came to a sidearm!

More recently, U.S. Army General Austin “Scott” Miller, a former member of Delta Force and Special Operations, made headlines for his choice of sidearm. While serving as the top general in Afghanistan, he had been known to carry a full-sized M1911, which he had reportedly even drew during a 2018 attack—showing that he was ready to fight alongside his troops.

“He is the most lethal guy in the U.S. military,” an unnamed special operations member told CNN following the attack.

Miller Loves His Glocks

At some point, Gen. Miller may have hung up the M1911 as earlier this year he was spotted with a Glock 43X MOS, a pistol. The general was photographed with the weapon while meeting with the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in March.

The particular Glock was seen complete with a compensator from Zev Technologies attached, as well as a flared magazine well that could ease reloading. Clearly, the former special operator remains ready for action.

The G43X MOS is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and features slide cuts designed for specific micro-optics and the GLOCK Slim Mounting Rail for mounting accessories. The handgun also has a short subcompact barrel length and a comfortably balanced, versatile compact-size grip with a minimal profile. The G43X MOS incorporates elements of the Slimline series such as the short trigger distance, a frame with a built-in beavertail as seen on the G43 and the G42, a reversible magazine catch. This model also offers an incredibly accurate, match-grade GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB) of the Gen5 series as well as the tough nDLC finish on the slide, as well as features precision-milled front serrations.

Gen. Miller may have had his Glock 43X MOS at his side, but the handgun has been noted for being very lightweight, weighing at 23 oz fully loaded, making it one of the best pistols for concealed carry.

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites. He regularly writes about military small arms, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com.

Image: Creative Commons.