Happy Birthday M1911

Today marks the 100th birthday of the M1911, AKA the .45. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. John Moses Browning designed the firearm which was the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from 1911 to 1985. That is right, Sam Colt DID NOT design the Colt 45. The pistol has been widely copied, the operating system rose to become the pre-eminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. It is popular with civilian shooters in competitive events such as USPSA, IDPA, International Practical Shooting Confederation, and Bullseye shooting. Compact variants are also popular civilian concealed carry weapons, because of the design's inherent slim width and the power of the .45 ACP cartridge.

The pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, thus gaining its designation, M1911 (Model 1911). It was adopted by the Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. Battlefield experience in the First World War led to some more small external changes, completed in 1924. The new version received a modified type classification, M1911A1. Changes to the original design were minor.

Many military and law enforcement organizations in the United States continue to use M1911A1 pistols including Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. ,the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, F.B.I. regional S.W.A.T. teams, and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta.

Despite being challenged by newer and lighter weight pistol designs in .45 caliber, the M1911 shows no signs of decreasing popularity.

This is one of mine, a Paraordinance P14-45.


Well gotta go, the "Brown truck O' Happiness" just delivered a new scope.
Dan Emplit WBFD (and M1911 fan)