Weapons

Why the 1911 Handgun Still Lives On

A gun from the 1910s that’s still relevant today? This is likely the only example.

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If you were asked which handgun from the 1910s (or even the 20th century in general) was the most iconic, chances are you wouldn’t say the FN Model 1910, even though that gun technically started the Great War. You also likely wouldn’t say the Browning Hi Power if asked about the most iconic pistol of the 20th century, even though that pistol has a higher ammo capacity than the topic of today’s article. The Hi Power also hasn’t served the US Army in four different wars. Today, we will be looking at the Colt 1911 and why it’s still relevant after over a century (and will be relevant in years to come).

Designer

Leave it to, arguably, the greatest firearms designer of all time to make a handgun that remains timeless. Some of John Moses Browning’s designs, like the M2 Browning .50 BMG machine gun, still live on. Other designs of his, like the M1917, M1918 BAR, and M1919, had their time and have since become military relics of the past, but are not at all forgotten. The Model 1911, commonly referred to as simply "the 1911," was introduced in, well, 1911, and has since gained a reputation that practically no other firearm has. At that time, the US Army was looking for a newer semi-automatic sidearm that used the then-new .45 ACP cartridge. Browning then joined forces with Colt's Manufacturing Company to design something that fit the bill, and the 1911 was the result. Whether in civilian, military, or law enforcement hands, the 1911 has proven itself to be a design worthy of praise.

Trigger

Sometimes considered the best in the business, the 1911's single action, straight pull trigger has a smooth, crisp break and a small reset, all of which give a feeling of control that striker-fired pistols simply don't have. Not only those, but unlike most modern handgun triggers, the 1911's trigger slides backwards rather than pivoting. This allows for accuracy seen in almost no other handgun. Of course, there are other handguns with double action and striker-fired triggers that will feel as smooth as glass, but the 1911's trigger is an unmistakable part of its design that will outperform practically all other handguns.

Accuracy

The trigger is a large part of what dictates a gun's accuracy, but the trigger isn't the only factor in accuracy. Some 1911 variants are less accurate than others, but the overall platform's design of tight tolerances and balanced weight distribution make it easy to aim without inconsistent results. Competitive shooters, for example, have relied heavily on the 1911 for competitions when precision is the top priority. A match-grade Kimber, Dan Wesson, or Colt 1911 could easily be accurate to 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) at 25 yards (22.86 meters), and if properly tuned by a professional gunsmith, the margin could be even lower. In addition to all of this, the gun's grip makes the shooter feel like the gun is attached rather than just being held.

Reliability

The words "handguns" and "reliability" usually belong in the same sentence when talking about Glock pistols, but the 1911 came well before Glock founder Gaston Glock was even born. While it's true that questionable 1911 variants don't function too well, reputably manufactured 1911s can run thousands of rounds without any failure (albeit, with proper maintenance and care). During a 2-day military test, the 1911 reportedly fired upwards of 6,000 rounds of ammunition without malfunctioning once. And for civilian owners, reliability with any handgun is an absolute must. While the 1911's reliability has come under scrutiny on more than one occasion, a well-built and maintained 1911 will rival Glocks in regard to being dependable.

History and Variants

At the time of the 1911's release, the US military was looking for a new sidearm for troops. The 1911 would not only become the standard issue sidearm of the US Army, but it would also serve in this position for 74 years, until being phased out in 1985 by the Beretta M9. During that time, it would serve the US and other countries in both World Wars and in countless other conflicts. And variants of the original design are bound to come out of that. The 1911 has several variants for military and civilian applications alike, one of which is the 1911A1, which came out in 1924. A 1911A2 project was started in 2004 under the US Army Marksmanship Unit in response to growing demand for upgraded 1911s for special forces but would ultimately be canceled after the project wasn't selected. Still, other variants, like the M45 MEU (SOC) and M45A1 CQBP would very much exist and serve in the US Armed Forces.

Safety Features

Carrying a firearm requires the utmost of safety precautions, and the 1911 certainly has safety embedded in its design. Most modern handguns rely on internal safety, but the 1911 requires manual action to disengage its manual safety. This makes accidental discharges less likely, in cases of the user reholstering or drawing. A thumb safety also ensures the slide can't move unless that safety is disengaged. Any firearm user who knows what they're doing will always prioritize safety, and the 1911, even with its original design, is no slouch when it comes to that.

Caliber Options

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While it's most commonly chambered in the .45 ACP cartridge, several 1911 designs actually have been chambered in many other cartridges, such as .455 Webley, 9x19mm Parabellum, 7.65x21mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .22 Long Rifle, 10mm Auto, and even .38 Special. This diverse range of calibers means that, whatever your preference in that regard may be, there is almost certainly a 1911 for you.

Conclusion

We've looked over the reasons the 1911 is still popular after a century, and we've seen that the design is both timeless and historical at the same time. This has led the 1911 to still be a contender on the modern firearm landscape. The 1911 will likely forever remain an icon of timeless design and how, in the present time and even the future, classics are still classics. So if you carry a 1911 today, you should be aware that you're carrying a significant piece of American firearm history (as if you didn't already know that).