Today is the 111th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s official adoption of Colt’s Model 1911 pistol, marking a 111-year American love affair with a firearm that has seen U.S. service members through two world wars and beyond. No handgun in American military history has been more prolific than the 1911. 

With its patent issued on Valentine’s Day (2/14/1911), it’s no wonder we’ve been in love with this American staple for well over a century. Adopted by the U.S. Army on March 29, 1911, and thereafter officially known as the Model 1911 or M1911, Americans are very familiar with the firearm itself. But many people don’t actually know why it came into service with the military.

So, why did the U.S. Army choose the 1911? Let’s take a brief look back at the history of what is likely America’s most famous firearm.
 

Why It Was Needed

In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army predominantly used revolvers of various types, mostly double-actions chambered for .38 caliber, which had only just replaced the respected old .45 Colt. As they upgraded their service rifles, they also wanted to upgrade their handguns for their cavalry troops, and it was decided that a self-loading pistol would fit the bill. 

At the same time, the Army was still keenly aware of issues it experienced with previous handguns. While fighting Moro guerrillas in the Philippines, there were troubling reports from soldiers that their new double-action revolvers chambered for .38 Long Colt lacked sufficient stopping power. The smaller caliber being used by U.S. troops was not stopping the threat, and the enemy would advance even after being shot several times.

It was decided after a controversial series of tests on cadavers that, for better stopping power, future handguns should be chambered in “no less” than .45 caliber. Thus, when it came time to adopt a new firearm, the military decided its auto-loading handgun would be chambered for .45 ACP. 

Manufacturers Vie for Military Prowess

Originally, six manufacturers submitted designs to start the trials to see who would make the Army’s new handgun. Colt, Bergmann, DWM, Savage Arms, Knobel, Webley, and White-Merrill all submitted their best design for a self-loading pistol. Three of them were eliminated very early on due to unreliability. After much testing and firing 6,000 rounds from a single pistol, the design from Colt won. 

It’s said that the pistol got so hot, they dunked it in water to cool it, and as soon as it was cool enough to touch, they kept firing it. The Colt model had zero malfunctions and never jammed! This was the reliability and firepower that the Army needed.
 

The Man Behind the Design

The model submitted by Colt was designed by John M. Browning. To this day, Browning is thought of as the “Father of Automatic Fire.” The Browning-designed Colt was based on the short-recoil principle of operation. It was a magazine-fed, single-action, semi-automatic pistol. The pistol was equipped with both a manual safety as well as a grip safety. 

It demonstrated a level of simplicity, durability, and reliability that seemed well ahead of its time. Because it was designed primarily for cavalry troops, the Colt had specific features, including a lanyard ring, which was mandated by the cavalry troops. In the context of riding a horse while shooting a gun, a lanyard and grip safety make a lot of sense.
 

Adoption Into the Military

Formally adopted by the Army in 1911 – the Navy and Marine Corps followed suit in 1913 – the Model 1911 was first tested in combat in 1916 in Mexico. Following the attack in Columbus, New Mexico, by Pancho Villa, a rebel general from Mexico, President Woodrow Wilson ordered U.S. troops into Mexico to apprehend Villa. 

Led by General John J. Pershing, a force of almost 5,000 American soldiers, including one named George Patton, set out to capture Villa, who was also responsible for many U.S. service members’ deaths in several attacks that led up to the attack in New Mexico. This would be the first time the new Model 1911 was tested on the battlefield. Villa remained elusive, but the M1911 saw much action against his forces and proved itself on the battlefield. 
 

It Continues to Prove Itself

The M1911 went on to see action in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and multiple other conflicts throughout the world over the next several decades. Because of its popularity with the U.S. military, the M1911 was also put into service by law enforcement and other government agencies across the country. 

Many a service member turned to their 1911 for extra security in foxholes across Europe and the Pacific during World War II, and it was a very welcome companion with millions of pistols produced throughout the war. Faith in the gun carried beyond the front lines and followed service members home, where it became a quintessentially American firearm for any gun owner’s collection. 

Over the years, the design changed somewhat, with the M1911A1 introduced prior to World War II with changes to the trigger, beavertail, grip panels, and mainspring, among other small modifications. Still, the design is very similar even today to the original model. Improvements in technology have aided in upgrading and adapting the M1911 over the years, including triggers, grips, magazines, sights, etc. To this day, it’s still a go-to carry gun for many even in the age of polymer-framed firearms like the Glock 17.
 

Conclusion

Today, 1911s remain among the most popular firearms on the market. They’re still chambered in .45 ACP, but you can also find them in multiple other popular calibers, including 9mm. Popular uses include target shooting, competition shooting, concealed carry, and collecting. Because of their popularity, a host of accessories are readily available for them as well, so they’re easy to customize.

The M1911 will always be an important part of American firearms history. If you’ve ever shot one, you understand why they remain popular well over a century after John M. Browning’s design was first accepted into service by the U.S. Army.