Colt 1911 100th Anniversary

Colt M1911 as made today 100 years later



This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol which famously and reliably served American armed forces for so many decades. Not being a collector or shooter myself, I am familiar with the 1911 from war films, documentaries and the history books. It served and defended America and its soldiers in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War in Iraq.

M1911 in combat during WWII

Intentionally designed, by John Moses Browning, as a military side arm it was first adopted by the United States Army as the standard issue March 29, 1911. The .45 caliber pistol was soon the standard issue for all branches of the U.S. military, and it quickly gained a reputation as the greatest combat pistol ever made.

Most amazing is not the anniversary of its design but that 2011 also marks 100 years of continued use, and the pistol is still regarded as one of the finest semi-auto fire arms available.


It has not been the standard issue for the U.S. military since 1985 when it was replaced partially due to NATO’s desire to share standardized ammunition between nations. This meant either the U.S. changes from its .45 cal or the majority of the other NATO nations change from their 9mm. January 1985 the United States moved to the Beretta 9mm still used today; although, the 1911 is still used by Special Forces groups, Marines and various police departments. Many feel the United States moved to an inferior weapon and cartridge when it withdrew the M1911 as standard military sidearm.

I cannot help but wonder in amazement: What would it be like to be the creator of a revolutionary and lasting design like the 1911? I am respectfully in awe of John M. Browning’s genius. Browning’s creation remains as not only a viable and reliable design but one that is still highly desirable and elite in its field, 100 years later.  Even more amazing is that this is not Brownings only such acheivement.  His Browning M2 .50 cal machine gun which has seen vast military service on tripods, on armored vehicles, on warships, in aircraft and as a sniper rifle is also approaching 100 years of service.

John Moses Browning with M1917 machine gun



So many other technologies have come and gone since then; so many other designs have been improved upon and advanced over and over again in the last 100 years. Not Browning’s Colt .45. It has changed so very little and has rarely been improved upon. In 1911 America was still a horse culture.  Aviation was still in its infancy, and the planes were made of wood and cloth. The majority of American homes still lacked running water. It would be several more years before Charlie Chaplin would begin to make films—10 to 15 minute silents. America only had 46 states.