M1911 and M1911A1 .45 automatic pistol

The M1911 was first adopted for the US army in 1911. A revised model was produced beginning in 1924, called M1911A1. This model was further modified a number of times. After WW1, the M1911 was adopted by several armies around the world as the standard sidearm. Colt signed contracts with manufacturers in Argentina, Norway and Canada to produce the gun under license. The US Army used the M1911A1 as its standard pistol until 1985, when the pistol was succeeded by the Beretta model 92F.

Manufacturers:  Colt Firearms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut; Ithaca Gun Co, Ithaca, New York; Remington Rand Inc, Syracuse, New York; Union Switch & Signal Co, Swissvale, Pennsylvania;

Status: current commercial production

Service: US and many other armed forces. One of the most widespread pistols in the world today.

Cartridge: .45 ball

Operation: short recoil, self-loading

Method of locking: projecting lug

Feed: 8-round box magazine

Weight empty: 1.13 kg

Length: 219mm

Barrel length: 127mm

Rifling: 6 grooves, one turn in every 406mm

Muzzle velocity: 253 m/s