Shown on the left is a Colt .45 Automatic, general officer's version. The M1911 is the most well-known of John Browning's designs to use the short recoil principle in its basic design. This operating system became the pre-eminent type of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic pistol (handgun) chambered for the .45 caliber 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. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, and Korea. 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. In total, the United States procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols during its service life. M1911A1 Colt 45 Automatic is 8.625 inches long with a 5.03 inch barrel, 2.5 pounds unloaded, muzzle velocity: 830 FPS, magazine: 7 rounds, self loading, single action. Copyright 2009, by Acepilots.com. All rights reserved.