M1911-A1 .45ACP is 100 years old today, March 29,2011..

[GreenStormCloud]

After extensive trials which included issuing pre-production pistols to troops for field evaluation the Army on Marcy 29, 1911 officially adopted John Browning's design. It replaced the .38 Special that had given a poor showing in the Moro conflict. The A1 stands for a modification that the Army requested to his original design. The Army wanted a grip safety, making the pistol one of the earliest drop-safe guns designed. Unless a hand is squeezing the grip, it won't fire. The Army faulted the pistol for not having a loaded chamber indicator and for not having a ready way to determine how many rounds were still in the pistol after firing, except by ejecting the magazine. But the pistol's simplicity, stopping power, extreme reliability, and safety, carried the day and the design was adopted. The sidearm was carried by U.S. Forces in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and numerous other conflicts around the globe. It is the official sidearm of the Texas Rangers. It became legendary for its knockdown power and reliability.

Although Colt originally held the patents they have long since expired and now the gun is still in manufacture by numerous companies and still enjoys brisk sales. Accurized versions are used in target competitions and millions are in homes for a home defense gun. Some are used for personal carry, both open and concealed. Many of the concealed ones are in shorter barreled versions than the original five inch barrel.

At the time it was adopted service men were proclaiming it "The greatest pistol in the world." There are many modern pistoleers who would still stand by that claim. A person who uses it for personal defense can not be said to be undergunned as far as pistols are concerned.

Arizona has legislation pending to make it the official state gun. I hope the bill passes. The M1911Al is one of the all-time great pistol designs.

[Arctic Dave]

1. So throw yer gunz in da air and Pop Pop like ya jus don't care.

Word.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. Official State Gun?

"This is my rifle, this is my gun"

[MineralMan]

3. And mine's still working perfectly.

It wasn't built in 1911, but that's not the point. The design is very sound.

[VoteProgressive]

4. Even I, a pro CCW holder, think an official state gun is a stupid idea. nt

[Deep13]

8. I'm still waiting for OH to adopt an official state...

drill press, bobsled and floor covering.

[VoteProgressive]

9. LOL!

[slackmaster]

24. Ohio already has an offical state rock song

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1878

[jeepnstein]

31. Many of us prefer this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV0rAwk4lFE

[DonP]

11. Falls into the same category as "National Polish Sausage Day"

At least the manufacture of the 1911 has provided thousands of skilled machinists jobs for over a century. I wonder if Springfield Armory or Les Baer is doing a big cake with 100 candles today?

[VoteProgressive]

12. Looking at it as a job generator makes sense. nt

[-..__...]

14. Stupid?

Perhaps, but there probably isn't a state in the union that doesn't have it's own symbolic gestures of "Official State whatevers"...

My state for example...

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2terminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=State+Government&L2=About+Massachusetts&L3=Interactive+State+House&L4=History+Resources&sid=massgov2&b=terminalcontent&f=interactive_statehouse_fun_facts&csid=massgov2

[gejohnston]

54. call me old school

but I think anything beyond bird, tree, and flower is kind of stupid.

[Deep13]

5. It's definitely a milestone in the history of small arms...

...but I still prefer Browning's last pistol design, the Hi Power.

[RSillsbee]

25. I want to add a Hi Power to my collection

But I prefer the CZ75B because I can carry it DA

[cliffordu]

6. I sure have cherished the ones that I've owned.

They are an awesome bit of engineering.

And outside of a shotgun, nothing sez "you could get your stupid ass shot for real" like a 1911.

[DonP]

7. Utah already has the 1911, Arizona was going for the Colt SAA (IIRC)

The fact that any product designed before 1910 is still being sold, in it's original form, over 100 years later is a testimony to brilliant design and engineering.

Imagine Ford trying to still sell the Model T, as as a practical every day car a century later.

[Arctic Dave]

10. I understand your sentiment but saying a pistol is the engineering equivilant of a motor vehicle has

fail all over it.

If you break down different parts of the Model A, many of the features are still used today in their original form.

[DonP]

13. That would be the Model T and ... not really

The Model A didn't come out till nearly a decade and a half later.

Once you get beyond the basic reciprocating internal combustion engine, nothing from the Model T is still in use today. Nobody does the Model T style CV transmission, worm and sector steering, leaf spring suspension, or even chassis/separate body construction anymore. When was the last time anyone stopped in at the dealers to have their mechanic rebabbit their main bearings?

The 1911 is still made using the same blueprint measurements as it originally was, sure better quality steels are used, but otherwise exactly the same product. That's superior engineering.

[Arctic Dave]

15. Do you ever look under a truck?

Half the things you wrote asre still used today from light duty to heavy duty vehicles. Leaf springs? Seperate body/chassis construction? Really?

[DonP]

18. All the time, but the Model T was a passenger car - different category

No passenger cars but heavy duty still use the old fashioned leaf spring system and the chassis/frame combination, yes. Most, if not all, light duty trucks have moved away from leaf springs now too and I can't remember the last truck of any size with worm and sector steering.

Based on your point, a few lingering bits and pieces of the original Model T design, highly modified over the last century, may still be used in some parts of the automotive industry. OK granted.

But if you think the Model T was a brilliant long lasting piece of design work, good for you. Feel free to go into any Ford dealership and buy a brand new one, made to the same specs today, stamped on pretend door and all. (Ooops!)

OTOH, I can walk in the door of any gun store in America and walk out with an exact copy of the original 1911. Better design, better engineering, a longer lasting product.

On an additional note, skilled machinists are still turning out 1911s in multiple factories around the country over a hundred years later. A lot of them are using CAD/CAM to produce the major components but there are still skilled hands assembling and doing the final fitting and tuning.

Can you give us an example of any other manufactured product still being sold in its original configuration 100 years later?

[AtheistCrusader]

45. Coil over struts in the front, maybe.

CV axles as well, on mine. But in the rear, for load carrying, little beats leaf springs for sheer load capacity. Ride? Well, that's debateable.

On your last question: my push mower. My hammer(s). um... welp. That's about it.

[cleanhippie]

23. Oh, SNAP! Don dispenses a history lesson and a spanking.

Well done.

[RSillsbee]

26. Some manufacturers have added a firing pin block NT

[GreenStormCloud]

17. Yes. I have made an error correction post below. Thanks. N/T

[GreenStormCloud]

16. ERROR CORRECTION:

Utah has adopted the M1911-A1 as the official state gun. Arizona wants the Colt Single Action Army of 1873.

Sorry for the error.

[DonP]

19. Altogether fitting. After all JMB was ... "The Wizard of Ogden" ntxt

[one-eyed fat man]

20. Mine was built in November, 1913.

This is my 1911, I bought it in 1961 just out of overhaul at Rock Island. Based on the serial number, it left the Colt factory in Hartford, CT in 1913 and was initially shipped to a cavalry troop in Arizona. After forty-eight years of Army service, it was sold as surplus through the DCM. It went with me to Viet Nam twice, Germany three times. I only quit taking it overseas as my service pistol when Army regulations changed. (Nothing like a copy of the SF97 to frustrate MP's over the "United States Property" markings.)

At twenty-one bucks and change, Railway Express, delivered it was, hands down, the best money I ever spent on a pistol! Nearly a 100 years old, and I'd still stake my life on it!

I have personally put a couple hundred thousand rounds through this gun. I silver soldered the front blade in place when I got it, other than that, I've replaced the mainspring twice, the recoil spring number of times, and thrown away a bunch of worn out magazines.

John Browning's classic design still sets the standard by which all fighting handguns are judged. With proper care, I suspect my grandchildren's grandchildren will still be able to shoot mine a 100 years from now.

[cliffordu]

30. I am SOOOOOOO fucking jealous....

[guitar man]

47. Sweet!

Mine was made in 1918. There's nothing better than original 1911s and original Colt SAAs. I love them :P

[rl6214]

21. I have always wanted a 1911 to go with my WW2 collection

Looking at this one:

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/RIA.htm

[DonP]

22. One vote for the Springfield Armory Mil Spec model

I bought one used a few years back. It's got the little tiny sights on it, but it's all original 1911A1 down to the bluing, original ejection port and wood grips. My model doesn't even have any additional roll stamps on it either. About as close to a Mil issue as I could afford.

I've "updated" it with Crimson Trace grips to help my aging eyes a little, but otherwise I left it alone. It eats anything I feed it (except that stupid blunt tipped Win-Clean in .45ACP)

[Ryano42]

34. Another Vote!

Rugged, simple and classic.

And one of my favorite features is the multiple safetys; heel of the hand, tab and half cock. I wouldn't get near a Glock with it's "safety" :dunce:

[RSillsbee]

27. Quite happy w/ my RIA

I don't think any collection can really be called complete w/ out at least 1 1911

[guardian]

28. Condition one baby!

Cocked, locked, and ready to rock.

[one-eyed fat man]

37. OK, here you are

The first version of the rear sight. Small "U" notch and profiled like the frame on a Single Action Army. I have often wondered what the story is about chip out of the slide. It was there when I got it fifty years ago.



The slide and frame markings

[AtheistCrusader]

43. That's why I like my Springfield.

Lets me safely carry in condition 0.

[ileus]

29. God Bless the 1911....may it live on forever.

[jeepnstein]

32. It's still my duty weapon.

There are few pistols I'm willing to bet my life on. You don't see as many of them as you used to because of the "simpler and safer" designs out there today. I'm not giving up my Colt until they buy me it's replacement out of their pockets.

[pipoman]

35. Do you answer questions daily about why your 'gun is cocked'?

Years ago, before ccw in my state, I had a rare carry permit issued by the state AG. I was involved in a court ordered civil action when the police were called to the scene. Two young officers arrived who didn't know me. I presented my court documentation, ID and carry permit. They ordered my against a wall where they frisked me finding my 1911 cocked and locked. They reported by radio an armed and dangerous and made me remain in the position for 10 minutes until a superior got to the scene. The superior knew me, laughed at the youngsters, and told them they would be going back for training on private process servers and firearms identification..I'll bet there is even less knowledge of 1911s today than there was then.

[jeepnstein]

38. No so much.

I had a kid at a gas station call to complain to my supervisor once that I was carrying my weapon in an unsafe manner and refused to listen to him about the matter. Much hilarity ensued.

A dear, and recently deceased, friend of mine used to jump on me about carrying cocked and locked. He was a Naval officer before he became an attorney, one of the truest gentlemen you'd ever meet. One of his duties was to go pick up the payroll and he would always draw a 1911 before doing this. He carried it cocked and locked, which usually got him chewed out by someone on base. He always enjoyed dishing out a bit of what he got during those years.

Since I carry an Officer's Model I usually get asked why I don't carry a bigger gun, like a 9mm or something.

[krispos42]

33. I thought the A1 came out after WW1?

They put a curve to the backstrap and scalloped the frame around the trigger, if I recall correctly.

[DonP]

36. I believe the "A1" was added in 1927 ntxt

[one-eyed fat man]

39. In a nutshell....

[GreenStormCloud]

40. Cool joke.

For those who don't get it JMB are the initial of John Moses Browning, who designed the M1911A1. He also designed the M2 .50 caliber machine gun in about 1920 and it is still the standard heavy machine gun for American forces. Many other of his gun designs are still being manufactured, unaltered.

[Hangingon]

41. It can split families.

My son in law is on the darkside (Glock).

[one-eyed fat man]

42. You have no choice.

You must write him out of your will.

[RSillsbee]

48. GLOCKs

In just a few minutes, a Glock fanboy will come by and post a link to a test where a Glock was put in a blender filled with Drano, sulfuric acid, Coca-Cola, piranha, and 2 pounds of industrial diamonds. A CAT D8 bulldozer was then dropped on it from 1000 feet. The owner picked up the Glock, chambered a 155mm HE round, hit a post-it note at 917 miles, and then proceeded to run 726,761 rounds of Wolf ammo coated with Gorilla Glue with no failures. "

[krispos42]

49. Let's not be hyperbolic here

It was 917 kilometers. Remember, metric metric metric.





917 miles.... yeah, right! :rofl:

[one-eyed fat man]

50. Glock's innovative trigger safety

was such clever idea that that crafty old Norwegian, Iver Johnson, copied it on the revolvers they were building in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1894.

[burrfoot]

51. How dare anyone have a difference of opinion?

That said, the 1911 is a beautiful thing. No arguments there.

[AtheistCrusader]

44. His middle name is 'moses' after all.

[Bold Lib]

46. I really like the 1911 but . . .

Para-Ordnance made it into a masterpiece!

[jody]

52. M1911A1 adopted in 1924. nt

[Euromutt]

53. I never understood the fuss about 1911s, until I fired one

It is a joy to shoot, no question. Though I did appreciate this page http://www.sightm1911.com/index.htm which contained the following passage:

Now, here's where I may get in trouble with a few folks. Some people seem to regard the basic 1911 design with an uncritical awe. To their minds, the 1911 represents handgun perfection; it is without flaws -- without flaws, you hear me? Any criticism of the gun threatens their perceptions of the universe. Meanwhile, back in reality, the basic 1911 is an antiquated design and it is far from perfect (sacrilege, I know). Come on, folks, if John Browning was alive today, do you really think he'd be designing guns like the 1911? Hell no, (Actually, Browning had moved far beyond the 1911 by the time he died in 1926. In his prototype for the Browning Hi-Power, already completed at the time of his death, he did away with many of the flaws of the basic 1911 design.)

Without trying too hard, I can think of four flaws in the basic 1911 design that range from moderate to serious.

The author then proceeds to list the four (the slide stop, the extractor, the barrel bushing/recoil spring plug, and the plunger tube) and argues that getting the most out of a 1911 includes acknowledging the weaknesses in the design, so as not to let them detract from the strengths.