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Evolution of the 1911: From Military to Everyday Carry
The Colt M1911 has been the quintessential handgun of the American shooter since its inception in World War I. Since then, the original design has been revised many times to keep up with the demands of current conflict zones.
Modern conflicts have brought the M1911 away from the battlefield and onto shooters’ hips and belts across the states. But what made it so famous? Why did the old design stick around far longer than other pistols?
Long story short, old habits die hard. And it’s hard to mess with perfection.
But if you want a long story, then you should keep reading.
If you have to do it, do it with pizazz. Source
Model of 1911 (The Early Days)
Before the M1911 came along, the U.S. Military used revolvers chambered in .38 Long Colt. Seeing how inadequate revolvers were at fighting in the jungle, the Army started looking for a semi-automatic pistol.
Mind you, this was in the 1890s. It wouldn’t be until late March of 1911 when the Colt M1911 would start seeing some action. And it was a bit rough around the edges until after WW1 when revisions could be made.
The first iteration of the 1911. Source
The M1911 then became the designated sidearm and saw action in every war fought in the 1900s, from the Banana Wars to the Falklands. It became a favorite not only of U.S. warfighters but also of those worldwide.
Like any other pistol with a vast military following, it fell into the hands of the civilian populace, and the rest is history.
111 year old 1911. Source
Adoption in the Civilian World
For many of our grandfathers, the 1911 was the first pistol they had ever held. It became familiar, and it became a symbol of America. Think about it. What pistol is most synonymous with Americans?
Since our grandfathers had used the M1911 in combat, they went with what they knew best when it came time to carry a pistol stateside. As they always said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Creatures of habit that silent generation.
So they either purchased or took a 1911 from the battlefield and brought it home. It became a prized possession of years past and places far away—a time capsule for some.
And nothing beats an excellent ol’ .45 ACP, am I right?
Decades of combat experience make for a fine fighting pistol. Source
If you were lucky, these 1911s would be passed down from generation to generation.
Once the hype around the 1911 was realized, many manufacturers started pumping them out by the numbers. This gave those who didn’t have one an opportunity to get their hands on a reliable and, at the time, “duty-driven,” 1911.
Think of the Glock 17 and Glock 19, but back then, the 1911 became the go-to semi-auto pistol for shooting.
Revisions and Modern 1911s
What does a human being do when they have a proven platform? We tweak it. It’s in our nature. We can never leave good enough alone.
And when it comes to modern 1911s, that’s not a bad thing. Have you seen the Staccato or any of the new competition 1911s? Revisions were needed to keep the 1911 alive, and these days, they are some of the finest pistols you can get your hands on.
It’ll cost you a hefty amount, but it shoots like a dream. Source
Offering the 1911 in 9mm was one of the best ideas. They’ve also made the magazine a double-stack in place of the ancient single-stack that came standard on the older 1911s. The double-stack feature, among a few other characteristics, helps to distinguish a 2011 from a 1911. Doubling the capacity and making the 1911 available in a more user-friendly caliber made it a possibility for more shooters.
It’s a hefty pistol, weighing around 2.2 pounds even with the modern lightweight revisions, which may turn some off from being a concealed carry option. But it’s incredibly smooth and accurate. These new 1911s have as minimal felt recoil as any of the new pistols out today, even when the newer pistols are fitted with a compensator.
How else could you make the 1911 a better platform? You can add optic cuts, smoother slides, and enhanced match-grade barrels. Many higher-end 2011s and 1911s come standard with all the goods you can request.
You can expect a cult-like following with those looks. Source
Price Ranging
With all the hype surrounding the new 2011s and 1911s, it’s natural to find some in the more affordable category, as so many manufacturers are throwing their offerings into the mix.
Take, for instance, Rock Island Armory with the TAC series or Springfield with its Prodigy. Those are far more affordable than the Staccatos and, if you’re a baller, Atlas Gunworks options.
You don’t need to ball out for a fine shooting experience. Source
Of course, you won’t have the same premium experience, but you still get the grip angle and the attraction of the classic 1911 silhouette.
This further opens up the availability. You don’t have to have much money to own a 1911, whether chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP.
Conclusion
The 1911 platform isn’t going away any time soon. With all the modernizations and popularity surrounding the new 2011s, we can only expect more tweaks and updates in the features and comforts offered.
Can they be considered niche? The Glock is far lighter and fulfills the same purpose. Many shooters want to be comfortable and mobile with a proven platform and couldn’t care less about the 1911. You should forget about this article if that sounds like you and buy a solid mid-tier rifle for the price you would pay for a Staccato instead.
But there is a market. The 1911 has come a long way over the past 113 years, and it’s not stopping anytime soon.
Be good and take care.
