IMBEL MD1
Industria de Material Belico do Brasil · Pistol · In Production · 1989
Also known as: 45GC-MD1, IMBEL GC MD1, Pistola .45 GC MD1
Overview
The IMBEL MD1 is a Brazilian recoil-operated, single-action semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, produced by IMBEL from 1989 as the 45GC-MD1. It is a descendant of the classic Colt M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol, retaining the John Browning short-recoil locked-breech action, exposed hammer, manual thumb safety and grip safety, but using a widened high-capacity (GC) frame that increases the magazine to 13 rounds of .45 ACP. The design was refined with computer-aided methods and its lockwork remains compatible with standard single-stack 1911 parts. It is one of several IMBEL 1911-pattern service and competition pistols offered alongside 9x19mm and .380 ACP chamberings.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1010 g (35.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1290 g (45.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Barrel Length | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 13 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 260 m/s (853 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 477 J (352 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 45 ACP, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Grip Safety
- Features: Single Stack Compatible Lockwork, High Capacity Frame, Exposed Hammer, Fixed Sights, M1911a1 Pattern
Service history
Operators
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Brazilian law enforcement agencies
Production
Production years: 1989-present
Part of IMBEL's M1911-pattern pistol line; also exported, including as a base for U.S.-assembled 1911 pistols
Origin
Country of origin: Brazil
Designer: IMBEL (based on John Browning's M1911 design)
Notes
MD1 denotes the higher-capacity (GC) frame variant; the related 45UC-MD1 is a more compact form with a shortened barrel, and the MD2 adds a perforated muzzle for recoil reduction. The 9mm equivalent of the GC frame is the 9GC-MD1 (17 rounds). The narrower-magazine M973 / M911A1 versions are direct single-stack M1911A1 copies.
Background
IMBEL's pistol line grew out of the Brazilian Army's long licence-production of the Colt M1911A1; the GC-series widened the classic frame for double-stack magazines, and IMBEL-made 1911 frames and slides were later exported to the United States, where they formed the basis of pistols sold under American brands.