History
Early history and adaptations
The M1911 pistol originated in the late 1890s as the result of a search for a suitable self-loading (or semi-automatic) pistol to replace the variety of revolvers in service at the time. The United States was adopting new firearms at a phenomenal rate; several new pistols and two all-new service rifles ( M1892/96/98 Krag and M1895 Navy Lee), as well as a series of revolvers by Colt andService history
Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, when it was designated "Model of 1911", later changed in 1917 to "Model 1911", and then "M1911" in the mid-1920s. The Director of Civilian Marksmanship began manufacture of M1911 pistols for members of the National Rifle Association of America in August 1912. Approximately 100 pistols stamped "N.R.A." below the serial number were manufactured at Springfield Armory and by Colt. The M1911 was formally adopted by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. The .45 ACP "Model of 1911 U.S. Army" was used by both U.S. Army Cavalry troops and infantry soldiers during the United States' Punitive Expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa in 1916. The M1911 officially replaced a range of revolvers and pistols across branches of the U.S. armed forces, though a number of other designs have seen use in certain niches.Designation changes
The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 was ''Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911'' for the original model adopted in March 1911, and ''Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1'' for the improved M1911A1 model which entered service in 1926. The designation changed to ''Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1'' in the Vietnam War era.Replacement
At the end of hostilities the government cancelled all contracts for further production and made use of existing stocks of weapons to equip personnel. Many of these weapons had seen service use, and had to be rebuilt and refinished prior to being issued. From the mid-1920s to the mid-1950s thousands of 1911s and 1911A1s were refurbished at U.S. arsenals and service depots. These rebuilds consisted of anything from minor inspections to major overhauls. Pistols that were refurbished at government arsenals will usually be marked on the frame/receiver with the arsenal's initials, such as RIA for Rock Island Armory or SA for Springfield Armory. By the late 1970s, the M1911A1 was acknowledged to be showing its age. Under political pressure from Congress to standardize on a single modern pistol design, the U.S. Air Force ran a Joint Service Small Arms Program to select a new semi-automatic pistol using theVariants
Operation
The basic principle of the pistol is recoil operation. As the expanding combustion gases force the bullet down the barrel, they give reverse momentum to the slide and barrel which are locked together during this portion of the firing cycle. After the bullet has left the barrel, the slide and barrel continue rearward a short distance. At this point, a link pivots the rear of the barrel down, out of locking recesses in the slide, and the barrel is stopped by making contact with the lower barrel lugs against the frame. As the slide continues rearward, a claw extractor pulls the spent casing from the firing chamber and an ejector strikes the rear of the case, pivoting the casing out and away from the pistol through the ejection port. The slide stops its rearward motion then, and is propelled forward again by the recoil spring to strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine and feed it into the firing chamber. At the forward end of its travel, the slide locks into the barrel and is ready to fire again. However, if the fired round was the last in the magazine, the slide will lock in the rearward position, which notifies the shooter to reload by ejecting the empty magazine and inserting a loaded magazine, and facilitates (by being rearwards) reloading the chamber, which is accomplished by either pulling the slide back slightly and releasing, or by pushing down on the slide stop, which releases the slide to move forward under spring pressure, strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine, and feed it into the firing chamber.Composition
Other than grip screws there are no fasteners of any type in the 1911 design. The main components of the gun are held in place by the force of the main spring. The pistol can be "field stripped" by partially retracting the slide, removing the slide stop, and removing the barrel bushing. Full disassembly (and subsequent reassembly) of the pistol to its component parts can be accomplished using several manually removed components as tools to complete the disassembly.Safety
The military mandated a grip safety and a manual safety. A grip safety, sear disconnect, slide stop, half cock position, and manual safety (located on the left rear of the frame) are on all standard M1911A1s. Several companies have developed a firing pin block safety. Colt's 80 series uses a trigger operated one and several other manufacturers, including Kimber and Smith & Wesson, use a Swartz firing-pin safety, which is operated by the grip safety.Davis and Raynor(1976), ''Safe Pistols Made Even Safer'', American Rifleman, Jan. 1976 Language cautioning against pulling the trigger with the second finger was included in the initial M1911 manual and later manuals up to the 1940s.Calibres
In addition to the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), M1911 models chambered for .455 Webley Auto, .38 Super,Interwar changes
Battlefield experience in World War I led to some more small external changes to the M1911, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1, in 1926 with a stipulation that M1911A1s should have serial numbers higher than 700,000 with lower serial numbers designated M1911. The M1911A1 changes to the original design consisted of a shorter trigger, cutouts in the frame behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, a longer grip safety spur (to prevent hammer bite), a wider front sight, a shortened hammer spur, and simplified grip checkering (eliminating the "Double Diamond" reliefs). These changes were subtle and largely intended to make the pistol easier to shoot for those with smaller hands. No significant internal changes were made, and parts remained interchangeable between the M1911 and the M1911A1.Versions
Wartime production
World War I
The need to greatly expand U.S. military forces and the resultant surge in demand for the firearm inWorld War II
The M1911A1 pistol was produced in very large quantities during the war. About 1.9 million units were procured by the U.S. Government for all forces, production being undertaken by several manufacturers, including: M1911A1 pistols produced during WWII were given a parkerized metal finish instead of bluing, and the wood grip panels were replaced with panels made of brown plastic. Among collectors today, the Singer-produced pistols in particular are highly prized, commanding high prices even in poor condition.General Officer's Model
M45 MEU(SOC)
In 1986, the USMC Precision Weapon Section (PWS) at Marine Corps Base Quantico began customizing M1911A1s for reconnaissance units. The units served in a new Marine Corps program Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)). The pistol was designated the M45 MEU(SOC). Hand-selected Colt M1911A1 frames were gutted, deburred and were then assembled with after-market grip safeties, ambidextrous thumb safeties, triggers, improved high-visibility sights, accurized barrels, grips, and improved Wilson magazines. These hand-made pistols were tuned to specifications and preferences of end users.Johnston, Gary Paul.(2004)"One Good Pistol", ''Soldier of Fortune Magazine'', December 2004, 62–67 In the late 1980s, the Marines laid out a series of specifications and improvements to make Browning's design ready for 21st-century combat, many of which have been included in MEU(SOC) pistol designs, but design and supply time was limited. The Los Angeles Police Department was pleased with their special Kimber M1911 pistols, a single source request was issued to Kimber for just such a pistol despite the imminent release of their TLE/RLII models.Rogers, Patrick A.(2003)"Marines New SOCOM Pistol", ''SWAT Magazine'', December 2003, 52–57 Kimber shortly began producing a limited number of what would be later termed the Interim Close Quarters Battle pistol ( ICQB). Maintaining the simple recoil assembly, 5-inch barrel (though using a stainless steel match grade barrel), and internal extractor, the ICQB is not much different from Browning's original design.M1911-A2
Due to an increased demand for M1911 pistols among Army Special Operations units, who are known to field a variety of M1911 pistols, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit began looking to develop a new generation of M1911s and launched the M1911-A2 project in late 2004. The goal was to produce a minimum of seven variants with various sights, internal and external extractors, flat and arched mainspring housings, integral and add-on magazine wells, a variety of finishes and other options, with the idea of providing the end-user a selection from which to select the features that best fit their missions. The AMU performed a well-received demonstration of the first group of pistols to the Marine Corps at Quantico and various Special Operations units at Ft. Bragg and other locations. The project provided a feasibility study with insight into future projects. Models were loaned to various Special Operations units, the results of which are classified. An RFP was issued for a Joint Combat Pistol but it was ultimately canceled. Ultimately, the M1911A2 project provided a testbed for improving existing M1911s. An improved M1911 variant becoming available in the future is a possibility.M45A1
In July 2012, the USMC awarded Colt a $22.5 million contract for up to 12,000 M45A1 pistols with an initial order of 4036 pistols to replace the M45 MEU(SOC) pistol. The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies, Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and Special Reaction Teams from the Provost Marshal’s Office. The new 1911 was designated M45A1 or "Close Quarters Battle Pistol" CQBP. The M45A1 features a dual recoil spring assembly, Picatinny rails and is cerakoted tan in color. In 2019, the USMC selected the SIG Sauer M18 to replace the M45A1. The Marines began the roll out of the M18 in 2020. The replacement was completed by October 2022.Colt-produced models
Other models
Working for the U.S. Ordnance Office, David Marshall Williams developed a .22 training version of the M1911 using a floating chamber to give the .22 long rifle rimfire recoil similar to the .45 version. As the Colt Service Ace, this was available both as a pistol and as a conversion kit for .45 M1911 pistols.Custom models
Since its inception, the M1911 has lent itself to easy customization. Replacement sights, grips, and other aftermarket accessories are the most commonly offered parts, more so since the 1950s and the rise of competitive pistol shooting. Price ranges from a low end of around $400 for basic models imported from Turkey ( TİSAŞ and GİRSAN) and the Philippines ( Armscor, Metro Arms, and SAM Inc.) to more than $4,000 for the best competition or tactical versions ( Dan Wesson, Les Baer, Nighthawk Custom, Springfield Custom Shop, and Wilson Combat). These modifications can range from changing the external finish, checkering the frame, to hand fitting custom hammers, triggers, and sears. Some modifications include installing compensators and the addition of accessories such as tactical lights and even scopes. A common modification of John Browning's design is to use a full-length guide rod that runs the full length of the recoil spring. This adds weight to the front of the pistol, but does not increase accuracy, and does make the pistol slightly more difficult to disassemble. As of 2002, custom guns could cost over and are built from scratch or on existing base models.International variants
Usage
The M1911 design has been offered commercially and has been used by other militaries. The M1911 was likewise widely copied, and their localized variants remain in use worldwide to date.During wartime
World War I
By the beginning of 1917, a total of 68,533 M1911 pistols had been delivered to U.S. armed forces by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and the U.S. government's Springfield Armory. The M1911 and M1911A1 pistols were also ordered from Colt or produced domestically in modified form by several other nations, includingWorld War II
The M1911A1 was a favored small arm of both U.S. and allied military personnel during the war. In particular, the pistol was prized by some British commando units and Britain's highly covertUsers
Current
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Former
* ** Manufactured M1911 pistols under license from 1945 to 1966 by Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares * * * ** First Special Service Force * * * * ** Replaced by the Heckler & Koch USP * * ** Used as the "Automatic pistol 11.4mm (calibre .45)" () * * * * * * * * ** Japan Self-Defense Forces ** Law enforcement in Japan * * ** Polish Armed Forces in the West * * * * *Non-state actors
* * ** Shanghai Municipal Police * ** Crude copies and captured pistols usedLegacy
The M1911A1 is popular among the general public in the U.S. for practical and recreational purposes.Civilian use
The M1911 is commonly used for concealed carry thanks in part to a single-stack magazine (which makes for a thinner pistol that is, therefore, easier to conceal), personal defense, target shooting, and competition as well as collections. There are a growing number of manufacturers of M1911-style pistols and the model continues to be quite popular for its reliability, simplicity, and patriotic appeal. The M1911 is popular with civilian shooters in competitive events such as the International Defensive Pistol Association and International Practical Shooting Confederation, showing no signs of decreasing popularity.State firearm
On March 18, 2011, the U.S. state ofMilitary and law enforcement
The M1911 served as the standard-issue sidearm for theSimilar pistols
* AMT Hardballer * Ballester–Molina * Browning Hi-Power * Kimber Custom * Kongsberg Colt *See also
* List of the United States Army weapons by supply catalog designation (SNL B-6) * Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS * Table of handgun and rifle cartridgesReferences
Sources
* * * *Further reading
*Meadows, Edward S. ''U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894–1920''. Richard Ellis Publications, 1993. * ''The Bluejackets' Manual'', 12th edition. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute, 1944. * Official U.S. Army description of the original Model 1911 pistol and its .45 ACP ammunition.External links