Brainchild of the legendary arms inventor John Moses Browning, it is a single action, short recoil operated, magazine fed auto loader. This venerable pistol had seen service in the US armed forces for 85 years since its official adoption in 1911. Originally chambered in the new (at the time) .45 ACP (automatic Colt pistol) The .45 "Auto" cartridge is a direct descendant of the much older .45 COLT revolver cartridge. The pistol was beginning to be replaced in the late 1980's by the Beretta 92f (M9 military designation) chambered in NATO standard 9x19mm. The 1911 pistol still remains popular in military service in special forces detachments such as Army Rangers, Delta and certain US Marine units. This pistol/cartridge combination has been battle proven as a very tough and reliable military sidearm. The Vietnam war wound studies of US military trauma surgeon Dr. Martin Fackler have revealed that the .45 has excellent terminal ballistics even in a military 230 gr. hardball round. In the civil market this firearm and newer various clones remain one of the most popular pistol types particularly for concealed carry and defense.
I choose .45", "because needing to shoot twice is just silly. " "US Government, model of 1911 pistol, cal .45 ACP is the only pistol I will ever need!"
by thebluelightning June 27, 2010