M-1911A1
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Semi-automatic pistol side arm
Date
deployed: unavailable
Contractor:
unavailable
Unit cost:
$242
Length:
8.625"
Weight:
2.5 lbs. empty, 3.0 lbs. loaded
Rate of Fire:
Sustained: X rpm; Rapid Fire: X rpm; Cyclic: approx.
X rpm
Ammo type:
.45 caliber (7 round magazine)
Guidance:
Visual
Range:
approx. 25 m |
|
|
Description:
The M-1911A1 Colt .45 is arguably the most famous
semiautomatic handgun in the world. As its name
implies, it was adopted by the U.S. armed forces in
1911.
Features: The .45 caliber semiautomatic
pistol M1911A1 is a recoil-operated hand weapon. It
is a magazine-fed semiautomatic weapon, which fires
one round each time the trigger is squeezed once the
hammer is cocked by prior action of the slide or
thumb. This design is referred to as "single
action only." The thumb safety may only be
activated once the pistol is cocked. The hammer
remains in the fully cocked position once the safety
is activated. (Note: More modern pistol designs of
the "double action" type will allow the
hammer to move forward to an uncocked position when
the thumb safety is activated.) The M1911A1 was
widely respected for its reliability and lethality.
However, its single action/cocked and locked design
required the user to be very familiar and
well-trained to allow carrying the pistol in the "ready-to-fire"
mode. Consequently, M1911A1s were often prescribed
to be carried without a round in the chamber. Even
with this restriction on the user, numerous
unintentional discharges were documented yearly.
Background: The M1911A1 had been the
standard handgun issued to Marines for many decades.
Selected weapons were modified in the 1980s to meet
the requirements of the MEU(SOC) in lieu of arming
them with the M9 9mm pistol.
|
|
|
