Colt 1911 Information
The Colt 1911 handgun is one of the most famous gun designs in history. It is produced in several different models, each tailored for a different group of users (military, law enforcement, security, private etc.), and periodic changes have been made to update and improve it. Despite changes, the 1911 remains one of the most respected handgun designs ever made, and its future remains bright.
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Models
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Officially, there are two models of the gun: The original Model 1911 or simply M1911 (introduced in 1911) and the updated M1911A1 (introduced 1927, although transition models were introduced in 1924). The changes between the two were relatively minor, and consisted of details such as a shortened trigger and a longer grip safety tang, the latter to help protect the area between the user's thumb and forefinger from being pinched by the hammer when the gun was fired. Numerous other minor changes are made from time to time, but the gun is typically just referred to as an M1911.
Specs
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The original 1911 measured 8.25 inches in length and 5.25 inches in height, and its unloaded weight was 39 ounces. It used a .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge, and its magazine held seven of them. The gun had fixed sights with a minor adjustment for windage (the effect of wind on bullet flight). The production models were blue and had wooden grips.
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Stopping Power
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It was the Army's desire for a gun that could stop attackers more quickly--preferably with a single shot--that spurred the development of the 1911. The U.S. Secretary of War set four criteria that the gun had to meet: It should use at least a .45 bullet, hold at least six rounds of ammo, the bullet should weigh no less than 230 grains (about 15 grams, or just over .5 ounce), and the trigger pull should be no less than six pounds. The 1911 was built to meet or exceed these expectations.
Reliability
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It was the reliability of the 1911 that built its reputation as much as its stopping power. Its performance in the Army tests performed in 1911 (the gun was named after the year) set a record that was not beaten until a machine gun (also developed by Browning) broke it. The 1911 fired a continuous 6,000 rounds, stopped only for cooling, cleaning, and attempts to make it jam as it might on the battlefield.
Military Service
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The 1911 was the official military sidearm from 1911 until its retirement in 1985. Although it was replaced with the 9mm Beretta 52F (largely for conformance with NATO forces and its 15-round capacity), the U.S. military has not barred its forces from using the 1911. It continues to be used by special forces units which prefer its battlefield-proven pedigree.
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References
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