M1911
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1911
Also known as: Colt Government Model, Colt 1911, Government .45, GI .45
Overview
The M1911 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company since 1911. Featuring a 7-round magazine capacity, this pistol offers compact firepower for concealed carry applications.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1105 g (39.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1247 g (44.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 219 mm (8.62") |
| Barrel Length | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Height | 133 mm (5.24") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Sight Radius | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 22 N (4.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 253 m/s (830 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 477 J (352 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, .45 Automatic Colt Pistol, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety, Manual Thumb Safety, Half Cock Notch, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Single Action Trigger, Locked Breech, Tilting Barrel, Exposed Hammer, Beavertail Grip Safety
Variants
- M1911A1 — Modernized
- Colt Government Model — Commercial
- Colt Commander — Compact
- Colt Officer's Model — Subcompact
- Springfield Armory 1911 — Commercial
- Kimber 1911 — Commercial
- M45A1 CQBP — Modernized
Service history
Operators
- United States Armed Forces · adopted 1911
- United States Navy · adopted 1913
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1913
- British Royal Navy · adopted 1914
- British Royal Flying Corps · adopted 1914
- Norwegian Armed Forces · adopted 1914 · as Pistol M/1914
- Argentine Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Philippine Armed Forces
- Canadian Forces
- Chinese Nationalist Forces
- Mexican Armed Forces
- Greek Armed Forces
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,700,000 · Production years: 1911-present
Military production approximately 2.7 million; civilian and commercial production by dozens of manufacturers continues to this day
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: John Moses Browning
Notes
The M1911A1 variant, introduced in 1926, featured several improvements over the original design including an arched mainspring housing, shorter trigger, wider front sight, extended grip safety tang, and simplified checkering. The pistol was officially replaced in U.S. military service by the Beretta M9 in 1985, though specialized units including MARSOC continued using modernized variants like the M45A1 CQBP. The M1911 remains in production by numerous manufacturers including Colt, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Remington, and Ruger, with modern variants offering features such as accessory rails, enhanced sights, and improved ergonomics while maintaining the core Browning design.
Background
The M1911 served as the standard U.S. military sidearm for 75 years -- the longest service tenure of any standard-issue handgun in U.S. history. John Moses Browning's tilting-barrel locked-breech design became the foundation for the vast majority of modern semi-automatic pistols. Over a century after its adoption, the 1911 platform remains one of the best-selling handgun designs in the world.