M1911

The M1911 is a single action, semi-automatic handgun, originally chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, although it has also been chambered for the .38 Super, 9mm Parabellum, and other loads. It was designed by John Browning, and was the standard-issue handgun in the combat arm of the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

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The weapon originated in response to problems encountered by American units fighting Moro insurgents during the Philippine-American War. The then-standard .38 caliber (9.65 mm) revolver was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power. (The Moros were found to be wearing improvised chest armor, and frequently used native drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain.) The Army briefly reverted to the .45 Long Colt revolvers which had been standard during the last decades of the 19th Century; the slower, heavier bullet was found to be more effective against charging tribesmen. An Ordnance Board, headed by John T. Thompson, concluded that a .45 caliber (11.4 mm) semi-automatic weapon would be most appropriate, and took bids from six firearms manufacturing companies in 1906.

Single action: In a single action gun, the trigger's only function is to release the hammer. On a revolver, the hammer must be manually cocked each time. On a semi-automatic gun, the hammer must be cocked only for the first shot. The slide cocks the hammer for subsequent shots....

Semi-automatic handgun: REDIRECT Semi-automatic pistol...

.45 ACP: The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) pistol cartridge was designed by firearms designer John Browning. Based upon his earlier .380 ACP pistol cartridge, the .45 ACP was introduced along with Colt M1911 pistol adopted by the US Army in 1911. The round was later used in several submachine guns....