Home  |  Advertise  |  1911 Diagrams  |  Link To Us  |  Gun Dictionary  |  2nd Amendment  |  Vault Sites  |  Blog  |  Contact Us

The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge.  It was designed by John M. Browning, and was the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from 1911 to 1985, and is still carried by some U.S. forces.  It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Its formal designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original Model of 1911 or Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924. The designation changed to Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 in the Vietnam era.

The M1911A1 design is favored by a large number of police SWAT teams throughout the United States. Many military and law enforcement organizations in the United States and many other countries continue to use M1911A1 pistols because they favor the greater stopping power of the .45 cartridge.

The M1911A1 is also extremely popular among the general public in the United States for practical and recreational purposes. The pistol is commonly used for concealed carry, personal defense, target shooting, and competition.

To find 1911 Pistol dealers, 1911 Pistol accessories and 1911 pistol information, visit 1911 Handgun Vault.