The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, recoil-operated pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge that would see service with the United States Military from the Mexican Expedition and World War I to the Invasion of Grenada (with some exceptions). Despite its incredible service life of over seventy years, the overall design has remained largely unchanged. It has been hailed as "the gun that forgot to become obsolete".
With the Philippine Insurrection demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the .38 caliber Colt Model 1892 Revolver, the U.S. Army began calls for a new service pistol. Coupled with this were horrifying reports of Moro rebels taking shot after shot of .38 Long Colt. These experiences, as well as the results of the 1904 Thompson-LeGarde tests of a variety of pistol cartridges, helped to solidify the idea among military officials that America’s new service sidearm “should not be of less than .45 caliber.” With these criteria in mind, the military would find something amazing: a strikingly modern design from legendary US arms designer John Moses Browning, chambered for the novel .45 ACP.
Trials for America’s new service pistol would be held in 1906 with seven companies competing, including DWM, Savage Arms, and Webley. After initial testing, the Savage and Colt designs would be asked to move forward, with field tests continuing between 1907 and 1911. Working with Fred Moore, Browning worked to produce the best pistol he could. This would culminate in the final round of trials in 1911. After an endurance test of 6000 rounds, Savage’s design had 37 malfunctions; The Colt had none. Browning's design would be adopted as the ‘US Army Model of 1911 Colt Automatic Pistol’.
It wouldn’t be long until Browning’s design would prove itself in combat. With Mexico in disarray following revolution, rebel leaders like Pancho Villa attacked U.S. nationals and their property in Mexico. This culminated in an attack on Colombus, New Mexico in early 1916, giving President Wilson cause to push into Mexico to chase after Villa. The M1911 would serve with distinction with both infantry and cavalry in the short expedition. However it wouldn’t be until the following year when it would go through its real trial by fire.
The United States’ entry into the Great War would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the effectiveness of the handgun, as well as bring to light any problems Browning had failed to rectify. Although less than 75,000 M1911s were available at the onset of America’s arrival, nearly 643,000 would be produced by the time of the armistice. From officer to NCO, from machine gunners to signal corps, the M1911 was a venerable sidearm that proved itself as a life saver in case of rifle malfunction or in close quarters combat. Cases like that of Sgt. York downing six Germans with the pistol and capturing another 132 only helped to build up the myth surrounding the handgun. With it as a part of America’s arsenal, and with the combined efforts of Entente forces, the Hundred Days Offensive would lead to the collapse of the German lines and culminate in the November 11th Armistice.
With the end of the Great War, an analysis of issues with the M1911 began. Most issues were relatively minor, with the most severe problem involving the hammer biting into the soldier’s hand upon firing. A number of fixes came about to remedy these mostly ergonomic issues, including a larger safety spur, improved sights, and an arch on the mainspring housing. Following these changes, the improved handgun would be given the 'M1911A1' designation.
In the years leading up to the Second World War, the M1911’s prestige continued to grow as it was adopted and produced by other nations, including Norway, Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. As the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor plunged America into the war, President Roosevelt quickly moved to turn civilian production towards a war economy. Unable to keep up with demand, other companies joined in the production of M1911A1s, including Remington Rand, Ithaca Gun Company and Union Switch & Signal. All totaled, nearly two million M1911A1 pistols would be produced over the course of the war. The pistol would follow the American GI faithfully through North Africa and Europe, hop from island to island with the Marines, coast the waves with the Navy sailor, and soar through the skies with the US airman.
With the surrender of Japan and the end of World War 2, many soldiers optimistically returned home, hoping to get back to normal American civilian life. The military downsized, and the government rationalized that no more new M1911 pistols needed to be produced; the remainder could be repaired from new parts as the need arose. With its veteran handgun at its side, America stepped forward into a new world, the chill of the Cold War only just starting. The M1911A1 handgun would fight in China, but fail to stop the Communist takeover. It would hold its ground in the cold, mountainous terrain of Korea in the hands of Americans and Koreans alike. It would move from the freezing into the sweltering jungles of South Vietnam and Laos, always faithful, reliable, and dependable.
By the late 1970s, the venerable M1911 handguns were looking a little long in the tooth. With prodding from both NATO and Congress, the US military was pressured to replace the nearly seventy year old sidearm. 'Wonder Nine' handguns (pistols chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge) had rapidly grown popular throughout NATO militaries, with their lower recoil and higher magazine capacity. It was a contentious debate, as lovers of the M1911 staunchly defended the veteran handgun with arguments of superior stopping power and reliability. However, with the U.S. Air Force adopting the Beretta 92SB and the Army adopting the 92FS in 1985, the reign of the Colt Automatic Pistol in US Service had come to an end, save for among the staunchly proud U.S. Marine Corps. They would continue to field a modernized version of the M1911A1, designated the M45 MEUSOC (later renamed the M45A1), equipped with new triggers, grips, improved sights, and a picatinny rail. However, all good things must come to an end, and even these finally started to be phased out of service in 2016 in favor of the Glock 19. However, in 2018 it was announced that the true successor to the Marine's M45 would be the newly adopted SIG Sauer M17/18 handgun.
Looking back, it’s impossible to miss the influence of the M1911 over the past century, though John Browning may not have realized it when he presented his design to Colt in the early years of the 20th Century. Even he could have hardly realized the profound effect his design would have on the advancement of pistol technology. Though not the first self-loading pistol, it was the first locked-breech recoil-operated handgun system, and it set the standard for nearly every other semi-automatic pistol design to come, ranging from classics like the TT-33 Tokarev, PPK, and Hi Power to modern mainstays from Glock, HK, Beretta, and more. Whilst other design attempts like toggle-lock actions have faded away to the annals of firearms history, the M1911 has soldiered on with a legacy built into almost every modern pistol, never to be forgotten.
In the end, a good thing can’t be kept down. Even if the M1911 has finally seen an end to its use in U.S. Military service, it’s still used by many militaries worldwide. Various law enforcement agencies continue to service the M1911 in the field. Not to mention the pistol’s extensive civilian use since its adoption. Whether it be for plinking, competition shooting, or self defense, the M1911 remains a stalwart choice for those that value a reliable handgun with a great history. Over a hundred companies from Wilson Combat and SIG Sauer to Rock Island Armories produce a version of this venerable pistol. The aftermarket for the 1911 is huge, with an endless number of parts to suit one’s needs. With a hundred years of service, and ready for a hundred more, it is truly a ‘classic without compromise’.
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