Not so much about using a steel 3rd gen .45, but here's an interesting experience I just had with my 4506 while on-duty... I just cleared an assist to another agency that involved a few of us from the Sheriff's Office. A supervisor from the police department came straight over to me to get a situation report and to see what we were going to do, instead of going to our supervisor, who was standing next to me. Later on I asked that police supervisor why he came to me and he said because I was wearing leather gear and carried a 4506, whereas everyone else was wearing Bianchi Accumold and carrying a Glock. He figured I must have been around a long time, and naturally the ranking officer, as I had what he called a "steel .45."

Interestingly enough, I've had this happen before. I guess what we carry says something to others.