| Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 | |
|---|---|
 M1911 and a M1911A1, both manufactured by Colt | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1911–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | As standard U.S.service pistol:In non-US standard use:
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | John Browning |
| Designed |
|
| Manufacturer | Colt Manufacturing Company,Smith & Wesson,Norinco, other companies |
| Unit cost | $26.38 (1938),[11] equal to $589 now |
| Produced | 1911–present |
| No. built | 2,734,345 (produced by Colt) 4,294,345 (total including licensed copies)[12] |
| Variants | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 39 oz (1,100 g) empty, with magazine[10][14] |
| Length | 8.5 in (216 mm)[10] |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | .45 ACP,.455 Webley Auto (British Contract),.38 Super,9x19mm Parabellum,7.65mm Parabellum,9mm Steyr,.400 Corbon, others |
| Action | Short recoil operation[10] |
| Muzzle velocity | 830 ft/s (253 m/s)[10] |
| Effective firing range | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Feed system | 7-, 8-, 9-, 10- or 12-round box magazines[15] |
TheColt M1911 (also known as1911,Colt 1911,Colt .45, orColt Government in the case ofColt-produced models) is asingle-action,recoil-operated,semi-automatic pistol chambered primarily for the.45 ACPcartridge.[10]
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.[16] The United States was adopting new firearms at a phenomenal rate; several new pistols and two all-new service rifles (M1892/96/98 Krag andM1895 Navy Lee), as well as a series of revolvers byColt andSmith & Wesson for the Army and Navy, were adopted just in that decade.
The next decade would see a similar pace, including the adoption of several more revolvers and an intensive search for a self-loading pistol that would culminate in the official adoption of the M1911 after the turn of the decade.Hiram S. Maxim had designed a self-loadingrifle in the 1880s, but was preoccupied withmachine guns. Nevertheless, the application of his principle of using cartridge energy to reload led to several self-loading pistols in 1896. The designs caught the attention of various militaries, each of which began programs to find a suitable one for their forces. In the U.S., such a program would lead to a formal test at the turn of the 20th century.[17]
During the end of 1899 and into 1900, a test of self-loading pistols was conducted, including entries fromMauser (C96 "Broomhandle"), Mannlicher (Mannlicher M1894), and Colt (Colt M1900).[16] This led to a purchase of 1,000DWMLuger pistols, chambered in7.65mm Luger. During field trials, these ran into some problems, especially withstopping power. Other governments had made similar complaints. Consequently, DWM produced an enlarged version of the round, the9×19mm Parabellum with fifty weapons chambered for it tested by theU.S. Army in 1903.[18]
American units fightingTausūg guerrillas in theMoro Rebellion in Sulu during thePhilippine–American War using the then-standardColt M1892 revolver,.38 Long Colt, found it to be unsuitable for the rigors ofjungle warfare, particularly in terms ofstopping power, as the Moros had high battle morale and often used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain.[19]
The U.S. Army briefly reverted to using theM1873 single-action revolver in.45 Colt caliber, which had been standard during the late 19th century; the heavier bullet was found to be more effective against charging tribesmen.[20] Problems prompted GeneralWilliam Crozier, theChief of Ordnance, to authorize further testing for a new service pistol.[20]
Following the 1904Thompson-LaGarde pistol round effectiveness tests, ColonelJohn T. Thompson stated that the new pistol "should not be of less than .45 caliber" and would preferably be semi-automatic in operation.[20] This led to the 1906 trials of pistols from six firearms manufacturing companies (namely,Colt,Bergmann,Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM),Savage Arms, Knoble,Webley, and White-Merrill).[20]
Of the six designs submitted, three were eliminated early on, leaving only theSavage, Colt, andDWM designs chambered in the new.45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge.[20] These three still had issues that needed correction, but only Colt and Savage resubmitted their designs.
There is some debate over the reasons for DWM's withdrawal—some say they felt there was bias and that the DWM design was being used primarily as a "whipping boy" for the Savage and Colt pistols,[21] though this does not fit well with the earlier 1900 purchase of the DWM design over the Colt and Steyr entries. In any case, a series of field tests from 1907 to 1911 were held to decide between the Savage and Colt designs.[20] Both designs were improved between each round of testing, leading up to the final test before adoption.[20]
Among the areas of success for the Colt was a test at the end of 1910 attended by its designer, John Browning. Six thousand rounds were fired from a single pistol over the course of two days. When the gun began to grow hot, it was simply immersed in water to cool it. The Colt gun passed with no reported malfunctions, while the Savage designs had 37.[20]
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.
TheDirector of Civilian Marksmanship began manufacture of M1911 pistols for members of theNational 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.[22]
The M1911 was formally adopted by theU.S. Navy andMarine 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.[23]
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.[24]
The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 wasAutomatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original model adopted in March 1911, andAutomatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the improvedM1911A1 model which entered service in 1926.
The designation changed toPistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 in the Vietnam War era.[10]
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, theU.S. Air Force ran aJoint Service Small Arms Program to select a new semi-automatic pistol using theNATO-standard 9mm Parabellum pistol cartridge.
After trials, theBeretta 92S-1 was chosen. The Army contested this result and subsequently ran its own competition in 1981, theXM9 trials, eventually leading to the official adoption of theBeretta 92F on January 14, 1985.[25][26][27][28]
Despite that, the M1911A1 has never been completely phased out. Modernized derivative variants of the M1911, such as theM45 MEU(SOC) and the M45A1 CQBP, as are still in use by some units of theUS Armed Forces.[29][30][31]
Browning's basic M1911 design has seen very little change throughout its production life.[10]
The basic principle of the pistol is recoil operation.[10]
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.[10][page needed]
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.[10]
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.[citation needed]
The military mandated agrip safety and amanual safety.[10] 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.[10]
Several companies have developed afiring 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.[32][33]
Language cautioning against pulling the trigger with the second finger was included in the initial M1911 manual[34] and later manuals up to the 1940s.
In addition to the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), M1911 models chambered for.455 Webley Auto,.38 Super,9×19mm Parabellum,7.65mm Parabellum,9mm Steyr,[35].400 Corbon, and other cartridges were offered.
The M1911 was developed from earlierColt semi-automatic designs, firing rounds such as.38 ACP.
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.[36]
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 preventhammer bite), a wider front sight, a shortened hammer spur, and simplified grip checkering (eliminating the "Double Diamond" reliefs).[20]
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.[20]
The need to greatly expand U.S. military forces and the resultant surge in demand for the firearm inWorld War I saw the expansion of manufacture to other contractors besides Colt and Springfield Armory, including Remington-UMC andNorth American Arms Co. of Quebec.[37]
Several other manufacturers were awarded contracts to produce the M1911, including the:
However, the signing of the Armistice resulted in the cancellation of the contracts before any pistols had been produced.[38]
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:
| Manufacturer | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Remington Rand | 900,000 |
| Colt | 400,000 |
| Ithaca Gun Company | 400,000 |
| Union Switch & Signal | 50,000 |
| Singer | 500 |
M1911A1 pistols produced during WWII were given aparkerized 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.
In 1986, the USMC Precision Weapon Section (PWS) atMarine Corps Base Quantico began customizing M1911A1s for reconnaissance units. The units served in a new Marine Corps programMarine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)).[39][40][41] The pistol was designated the M45 MEU(SOC).[42]
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.[40][43] These hand-made pistols were tuned to specifications and preferences of end users.[44]
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.[44]
The Los Angeles Police Department was pleased with their specialKimber M1911 pistols, a single source request was issued to Kimber for just such a pistol despite the imminent release of theirTLE/RLII models.[45]
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.[45]
Due to an increased demand for M1911 pistols among Army Special Operations units, who are known to field a variety of M1911 pistols, theU.S. Army Marksmanship Unit began looking to develop a new generation of M1911s and launched the M1911-A2 project in late 2004.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13] The project provided a feasibility study with insight into future projects.[13]
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.[13]
Ultimately, the M1911A2 project provided a testbed for improving existing M1911s. An improved M1911 variant becoming available in the future is a possibility.[13]
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.[46][47]
The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies,Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) andSpecial Reaction Teams from the Provost Marshal’s Office.[42]
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 theSIG Sauer M18 to replace the M45A1.[48] The Marines began the roll out of the M18 in 2020.[49] The replacement was completed by October 2022.[50]
| Model | Era | Description | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colt Commander | 1949–present | In 1949 Colt began production of the Colt Commander, an aluminum-framed 1911 with a4+1⁄4 inch barrel and a rounded hammer. It was developed in response to an Army requirement issued in 1949, for a lighter replacement for the M1911 pistol, for issue to officers. | |
| Colt Combat Commander | 1970–present | In 1970, Colt introduced the all-steel "Colt Combat Commander", with an optional model in satin nickel. To differentiate between the two models, the aluminum-framed model was renamed the "Lightweight Commander". | |
| Colt Government Mk. IV Series 70 | 1970–1983 | Introduced the accurized Split Barrel Bushing (collet bushing). The first 1000 prototypes in the serial number range 35800NM–37025NM were marked BB on the barrel and the slide. Commander-sized pistols retained the solid bushing. | |
| Colt Government Mk. IV Series 80 | 1983–present | Introduced an internal firing pin safety and a new half-cock notch on the sear; pulling the trigger on these models while at half-cock will cause the hammer to drop. Models after 1988 returned to the solid barrel bushing due to concerns about breakages of collet bushings. | |
| Colt Gold Cup National Match 1911/Mk. IV Series 70/Mk. IV Series 80 | 1983–1996 | MKIV/Series 70 Gold Cup 75th Anniversary National Match/Camp Perry 1978. Limited to 200 pistols. | |
| Gold Cup MKIV Series 80 National Match | Colt-Elliason adjustable rear sight, fully adjustable Bomar-Style rear sight, target post front sight, spur hammer, wide target trigger, lowered and flared ejection port, National Match barrel, beveled top slide, wrap-around rubber stocks with nickel medallion. | [51] | |
| Colt 1991 Series | 1991–2001 (ORM); 2001–present (NRM) | A hybrid of the M1911A1 military model redesigned to use the slide of the Mk. IV Series 80; these models aimed at providing a more "mil-spec" pistol to be sold at a lower price than Colt's other 1911 models in order to compete with imported pistols from manufacturers such as Springfield Armory and Norinco. The 1991–2001 model used a large "M1991A1" roll mark engraved on the slide. The 2001 model introduced a new "Colt's Government Model" roll mark engraving. The 1991 series incorporates full-sized blued and stainless models in either .45 ACP or .38 Super, as well as blued and stainless Commander models in .45 ACP. |
Working for the U.S. Ordnance Office,David Marshall Williams developed a.22 training version of the M1911 using afloating chamber to give the .22 long rifle rimfire recoil similar to the .45 version.[52]
As theColt Service Ace, this was available both as a pistol and as a conversion kit for .45 M1911 pistols.[52]
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 andGİRSAN) 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, andWilson Combat).[53][54]
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 astactical lights and even scopes.[55]
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.[56] As of 2002, custom guns could cost over and are built from scratch or on existing base models.[57]
| Model | Origin | Calibre | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMBEL M973 |  Brazil | 9mm | [58][59] |
| Norinco 1911 |  China | .45 ACP | [60] |
| Norinco NP-30 | |||
| Norinco NP-28 | 9mm | ||
| Norinco NP-29 | |||
| Kongsberg Colt |  Norway | .45 ACP | [61] |
| STAR Model B |  Spain | 9mm Parabellum | [62] |
| ASTRA 1911PL | |||
| Llama Model IX | |||
| Model 1927 Sistema Colt |  Argentina | .45 ACP | |
| Ballester–Molina | [63][7] | ||
| Rock Island Armory 1911 series |  Philippines | Various | [64][65][66] |
| T51 pistol |  Republic of China | .45 ACP | |
| Type 86 |  Thailand | [60] | |
| MC 1911 |  Turkey | [67][68] | |
| Obregón pistol |  Mexico | ||
| Arsenal Firearms AF2011A1 |  Italy | ||
| Busanjin Colt |  South Korea | [69] |
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.
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'sSpringfield Armory.
The M1911 and M1911A1 pistols were also ordered from Colt or produced domestically in modified form by several other nations, includingBrazil,Mexico,Argentina[70][71] andSpain.
Britain ordered approximately 13,000 1911s in.455 Webley Auto during the First World War, with examples known to go to theRoyal Air Force.[72] Some remained in service during the Second World War.
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 covertSpecial Operations Executive, as well as South African Commonwealth forces.[73][74][75][20]
Numbers of Colt M1911s were used by theRoyal Navy as sidearms during World War I in.455 Webley Automatic caliber.[20]
The pistols were then transferred to theRoyal Air Force where they saw use in limited numbers up until the end of World War II as sidearms for aircrew in event of bailing out in enemy territory.
The GermanVolkssturm also used captured M1911s at the end of World War II under the weapon code P.660(a), in which the letter 'a' refers to "Amerika", the weapon's country of origin.[76]
Brazil[77][page needed]
Bolivia[78]
Chile[79]
Colombia[80][78]
Costa Rica[80][78]
Dominican Republic[80][78]
Greece[80][78]
East Timor[81]
Ecuador[78]
Egypt[78]
Fiji[80]
Georgia[82]
Guatemala[78][83]
Haiti[78][83]
Indonesia[84]
Iran[85][84]
Liberia[78]
Lithuania[86]
Malaysia[87]Mexico[88][78][83]
Nicaragua[78][83]
North Korea[89]Philippines[90]
Papua New GuineaRepublic of ChinaSouth Korea[91][92]Thailand
Ukraine[93]
United States
Vietnam[94]
ZimbabweArgentina
Austria[96]
Belgium
CanadaChina[98]
Cuba[99]
El Salvador[100]
Estonia
Finland[102]
France[103][104]
Democratic Republic of Georgia
Kingdom of Laos[105]
Luxembourg[106]
Nazi Germany
Netherlands
New Zealand[107]Norway
Japan
Panama
Poland
Russian Empire
South Vietnam
Soviet Union
Ukrainian People's Republic[109]
United Kingdom
Free French Forces
Shanghai International Settlement
Viet Cong
The M1911A1 is popular among the general public in the U.S. for practical and recreational purposes.
The M1911 is commonly used forconcealed 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 theInternational Defensive Pistol Association andInternational Practical Shooting Confederation,[111] showing no signs of decreasing popularity.[13]
On March 18, 2011, the U.S. state ofUtah—as a way of honoring M1911 designerJohn Browning, who was born and raised in the state—adopted the Browning M1911 as the "official firearm of Utah".[112]
The M1911 served as the standard-issuesidearm for theUnited States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985.[113]
It was widely used inWorld War I,[114]World War II, theKorean War and theVietnam War.[115] It also has seen service in theDesert Storm,Operation Iraqi Freedom andOperation Enduring Freedom, albeit to a different extent.[29]
Many military and law enforcement organizations in the U.S. and other countries continue to use (often modified) M1911A1 pistols, notablyLos Angeles Police DepartmentSWAT., theFBI Hostage Rescue Team,[116] andDelta Force.
