Editing M1911 pistol (section)

==Versions==

=== Wartime production ===

==== World War I ====
The need to greatly expand U.S. military forces and the resultant surge in demand for the firearm in [[World War I]] saw the expansion of manufacture to other contractors besides Colt and Springfield Armory, including Remington-[[Union Metallic Cartridge Company|UMC]] and [[North American Arms]] Co. of Quebec.{{sfn|Hogg|Walter|2004|p=83}} 

Several other manufacturers were awarded contracts to produce the M1911, including the: 
# [[NCR Corporation|National Cash Register Company]]
# [[Savage Arms]]
# Caron Brothers Manufacturing of Montreal
# [[Burroughs Corporation|Burroughs Adding Machine Co.]]
# [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company]]
# [[Lanston Monotype Company]] 

However, the signing of the Armistice resulted in the cancellation of the contracts before any pistols had been produced.{{sfn|Thompson|2011a|p=26}}

==== World War II ====
The M1911A1 pistol was produced in very large quantities during the war. About 1.9 million units were procured by the U.S. Government for all forces, production being undertaken by several manufacturers, including: 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Manufacturer
!Quantity
|-
|[[Remington Rand]] 
|900,000 
|-
|[[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]
|400,000
|-
|[[Ithaca Gun Company]]
|400,000
|-
|[[Union Switch & Signal]]
|50,000
|-
|[[Singer Corporation|Singer]] 
|500
|}
M1911A1 pistols produced during WWII were given a [[parkerize]]d metal finish instead of bluing, and the wood grip panels were replaced with panels made of brown plastic. 

Among collectors today, the Singer-produced pistols in particular are highly prized, commanding high prices even in poor condition.

=== General Officer's Model ===
{{See also|M15 pistol}}

===M45 MEU(SOC)===
{{Main|MEU(SOC) pistol}}

In 1986, the USMC Precision Weapon Section (PWS) at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]] began customizing M1911A1s for reconnaissance units. The units served in a new Marine Corps program [[Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)]] (MEU(SOC)).<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Monique Randolph, MCSC Corporate Communications |title=MSCS trains Marines on new Close Quarters Battle Pistol |url=https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/509539/mcsc-trains-marines-on-new-close-quarters-battle-pistol/ |website=United States Marines Corps |access-date=25 August 2022 |date=19 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="Marine">{{cite book |last=Clancy |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Clancy |title=Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit |year=1996 |publisher=Berkeley Trade |location=Berkeley, California |pages=[https://archive.org/details/marineguidedtour00clan/page/64 64, 79–80] |isbn=978-0-425-15454-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/marineguidedtour00clan/page/64 }}</ref>{{sfn|Thompson|2011a|pp=55,58}} The pistol was designated the M45 MEU(SOC).<ref name="USMC2013" /> 

Hand-selected Colt M1911A1 frames were gutted, deburred and were then assembled with after-market grip safeties, ambidextrous thumb safeties, triggers, improved high-visibility sights, accurized barrels, grips, and improved Wilson magazines.<ref name="Marine" /><ref name="SemperFi">{{Cite journal |last=Hopkins |first=Cameron |title=Semper FI 1911 – Industry Insider |journal=American Handgunner |issue=March–April, 2002 |date=March 1, 2002 |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_156_26/ai_82533214 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050103095502/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_156_26/ai_82533214 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2005}}</ref> These hand-made pistols were tuned to specifications and preferences of end users.<ref name="SOF">Johnston, Gary Paul.(2004)"One Good Pistol", ''Soldier of Fortune Magazine'', December 2004, 62–67</ref>

In the late 1980s, the Marines laid out a series of specifications and improvements to make Browning's design ready for 21st-century combat, many of which have been included in MEU(SOC) pistol designs, but design and supply time was limited.<ref name="SOF" />  

The Los Angeles Police Department was pleased with their special [[Kimber Manufacturing|Kimber]] M1911 pistols, a single source request was issued to Kimber for just such a pistol despite the imminent release of their [[Kimber Custom|TLE/RLII]] models.<ref name="swat">Rogers, Patrick A.(2003)"Marines New SOCOM Pistol", ''SWAT Magazine'', December 2003, 52–57</ref> 

Kimber shortly began producing a limited number of what would be later termed the Interim Close Quarters Battle pistol ([[Kimber Custom|ICQB]]). 

Maintaining the simple recoil assembly, 5-inch barrel (though using a stainless steel match grade barrel), and internal extractor, the ICQB is not much different from Browning's original design.<ref name="swat" />

=== M1911-A2 ===
Due to an increased demand for M1911 pistols among Army Special Operations units, who are known to field a variety of M1911 pistols, the [[U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit]] began looking to develop a new generation of M1911s and launched the M1911-A2 project in late 2004.<ref name="AMU">{{cite news |last=Garrett |first=Rob |title=Army Marksmanship Unit: The Pipeline for Spec Ops Weapons |periodical=Tactical Weapons Magazine |publisher=Harris Publications, Inc. |volume=1 |issue=1}}</ref> 

The goal was to produce a minimum of seven variants with various sights, internal and external extractors, flat and arched mainspring housings, integral and add-on magazine wells, a variety of finishes and other options, with the idea of providing the end-user a selection from which to select the features that best fit their missions.<ref name="AMU" /> 

The AMU performed a well-received demonstration of the first group of pistols to the Marine Corps at Quantico and various Special Operations units at Ft. Bragg and other locations.<ref name="AMU" /> The project provided a feasibility study with insight into future projects.<ref name="AMU" /> 

Models were loaned to various Special Operations units, the results of which are classified. An RFP was issued for a Joint Combat Pistol but it was ultimately canceled.<ref name="AMU" />

Ultimately, the M1911A2 project provided a testbed for improving existing M1911s. An improved M1911 variant becoming available in the future is a possibility.<ref name="AMU" />

===M45A1===
In July 2012, the USMC awarded Colt a $22.5 million contract for up to 12,000 M45A1 pistols with an initial order of 4036 pistols to replace the M45 MEU(SOC) pistol.<ref name="Marines_order_M1911">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/sticking-to-their-guns-marines-place-22-5m-order-for-the-colt-45-m1911 |title=Sticking to their guns: Marines place $22.5M order for the Colt .45 M1911 |first=Maegan |last=Vasquez |publisher=Fox News |date=28 July 2012 |access-date=20 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809144416/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/28/marines-pay-22m-to-go-back-to-their-old-guns-colt-45-caliber-pistols/ |archive-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Colt Defense LLC Announces Award of Marine Corps M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) Contract |url=http://www.colt.com/ColtMilitary/News/tabid/84/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/54/Colt-Defense-LLC-Announces-Award-of-Marine-Corps-M45-Close-Quarter-Battle-Pistol-CQBP-Contract.aspx |website=Colt Defense LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829131746/http://www.colt.com/ColtMilitary/News/tabid/84/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/54/Colt-Defense-LLC-Announces-Award-of-Marine-Corps-M45-Close-Quarter-Battle-Pistol-CQBP-Contract.aspx |archive-date=29 August 2012 |date=20 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 

The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies, [[United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command|Marine Corps Special Operations Command]] (MARSOC) and [[Special Reaction Team]]s from the Provost Marshal’s Office.<ref name="USMC2013">{{cite press release |author1=Cpl. Mark W. Stroud |title=Reconnaissance Marines train with Close-Quarters Battle Pistol |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/532208/reconnaissance-marines-train-with-close-quarters-battle-pistol/ |website=United States Marine Corps |access-date=25 August 2022 |date=18 July 2013}}</ref> 

The new 1911 was designated M45A1 or "Close Quarters Battle Pistol" CQBP. The M45A1 features a dual recoil spring assembly, Picatinny rails and is cerakoted tan in color.

In 2019, the USMC selected the [[SIG Sauer M18]] to replace the M45A1.<ref>{{cite press release |title=U.S. Marine Corps Adoption of M18 Underscores Success of SIG SAUER Modular Handgun System Program |url=https://www.sigsauer.com/blog/u-s-marine-corps-adoption-of-m18-underscores-success-of-sig-sauer-modular-handgun-system-program |website=SIG SAUER |access-date=27 August 2022 |date=17 June 2019}}</ref> The Marines began the roll out of the M18 in 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Matt Gonzales, Marine Corps Systems Command |title=Marine Corps fields first new service pistol In 35 years |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2358194/marine-corps-fields-first-new-service-pistol-in-35-years/ |website=United States Marine Corps |access-date=27 August 2022 |date=23 September 2020}}</ref> The replacement was completed by October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trevithick |first1=Joseph |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/iconic-1911-pistols-are-finally-gone-from-marine-corps-service |title=Iconic 1911 Pistols Have Finally Been Retired From Marine Corps Service |website=thedrive.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008020638/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/iconic-1911-pistols-are-finally-gone-from-marine-corps-service |archive-date=8 October 2023 |access-date=24 October 2023 |date=21 June 2023}}</ref>

===Colt-produced models===
[[File:Colt1991A1ORM-01.JPG|thumb|right|A Colt M1991A1 Compact ORM pistol]]
[[File:Colt1991A1ORM-02.JPG|thumb|right|A Colt M1991A1 Compact ORM pistol with slide locked back to expose bull barrel]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Model
!Era
!Description
!References
|-
|Colt Commander
|1949 - present
|In 1949 Colt began production of the Colt Commander, an aluminum-framed 1911 with a {{Frac|4|1|4}} inch barrel and a rounded hammer. It was developed in response to an Army requirement issued in 1949, for a lighter replacement for the M1911 pistol, for issue to officers. 
|
|-
|Colt Combat Commander
|1970 - present
|In 1970, Colt introduced the all-steel "Colt Combat Commander", with an optional model in satin nickel. To differentiate between the two models, the aluminum-framed model was renamed the "Lightweight Commander".
|
|-
|Colt Government Mk. IV Series 70
|1970 - 1983
|Introduced the accurized Split Barrel Bushing (collet bushing). The first 1000 prototypes in the serial number range 35800NM–37025NM were marked BB on the barrel and the slide. Commander-sized pistols retained the solid bushing.
|
|-
|Colt Government Mk. IV Series 80
|1983 -present
|Introduced an internal firing pin safety and a new half-cock notch on the sear; pulling the trigger on these models while at half-cock will cause the hammer to drop. Models after 1988 returned to the solid barrel bushing due to concerns about breakages of collet bushings.
|
|-
|Colt Gold Cup National Match 1911/Mk. IV Series 70/Mk. IV Series 80
| rowspan="2" |1983 - 1996
|MKIV/Series 70 Gold Cup 75th Anniversary National Match/Camp Perry 1978. Limited to 200 pistols. 
|
|-
|Gold Cup MKIV Series 80 National Match
|Colt-Elliason adjustable rear sight, fully adjustable Bomar-Style rear sight, target post front sight, spur hammer, wide target trigger, lowered and flared ejection port, National Match barrel, beveled top slide, wrap-around rubber stocks with nickel medallion.
|<ref>{{cite web |date=28 July 2011 |title=The National Match .45 ACP Pistols |url=http://sightm1911.com/lib/history/nm.htm |website=sightm1911.com}}</ref>
|-
|Colt 1991 Series 
|1991 - 2001 ORM; 2001 - present NRM
|A hybrid of the M1911A1 military model redesigned to use the slide of the Mk. IV Series 80; these models aimed at providing a more "[[Military grade|mil-spec]]" pistol to be sold at a lower price than Colt's other 1911 models in order to compete with imported pistols from manufacturers such as Springfield Armory and Norinco. The 1991–2001 model used a large "M1991A1" roll mark engraved on the slide. The 2001 model introduced a new "Colt's Government Model" roll mark engraving. The 1991 series incorporates full-sized blued and stainless models in either .45 ACP or .38 Super, as well as blued and stainless Commander models in .45 ACP.
|
|}

=== Other models ===
Working for the U.S. Ordnance Office, [[David Marshall Williams]] developed a [[Sub-caliber training|.22 training]] version of the M1911 using a [[Floating chamber (firearms)|floating chamber]] to give the .22 long rifle rimfire recoil similar to the .45 version.<ref name="Poyer2">{{cite book |last=Poyer |first=Joseph |title=The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols |author2=Craig Riesch |author3=Karl Karash |publisher=North Cape Publications |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-882391-46-2 |page=544}}</ref> 

As the [[Colt Service Ace]], this was available both as a pistol and as a conversion kit for .45 M1911 pistols.<ref name="Poyer2" />

===Custom models===
Since its inception, the M1911 has lent itself to easy customization. Replacement sights, grips, and other aftermarket accessories are the most commonly offered parts, more so since the 1950s and the rise of competitive pistol shooting. 

Price ranges from a low end of around $400 for basic models imported from Turkey ([[TİSAŞ]] and [[GİRSAN]]) and the Philippines             ([[Armscor (Philippines)|Armscor]], Metro Arms, and SAM Inc.) to more than $4,000 for the best competition or tactical versions ([[Dan Wesson Firearms|Dan Wesson]], [[Les Baer]], [[Nighthawk Custom]], [[Springfield Armory, Inc.|Springfield Custom Shop]], and [[Wilson Combat]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Sweeney |first=Patrick |author-link=Patrick Sweeney (gunsmith) |title=1911: The First 100 Years |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4402-1115-7 |location=Iola, Wisconsin |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1911 Customization|url=https://www.wilsoncombat.com/1911-customization/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Wilson Combat|language=en-US}}</ref>

These modifications can range from changing the external finish, checkering the frame, to hand fitting custom hammers, triggers, and sears. Some modifications include installing compensators and the addition of accessories such as [[tactical light]]s and even scopes.<ref name="Thompson">{{cite book |author-last1=Thompson|author-first1=Leroy|author-first2=Rene|author-last2=Smeets |title=Great Combat Handguns: A Guide to Using, Collecting and Training With Handguns |publisher=Arms & Armour Publication |date=October 1, 1993 |location=London |page=[https://archive.org/details/greatcombathandg0000thom/page/256 256] |isbn=978-1-85409-168-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/greatcombathandg0000thom/page/256}}</ref> 

A common modification of John Browning's design is to use a full-length guide rod that runs the full length of the recoil spring. 

This adds weight to the front of the pistol, but does not increase accuracy, and does make the pistol slightly more difficult to disassemble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_165_27/ai_105698456/|title=Full length guide rods – myth or magic?|work=American Handgunner|edition=September–October 2003|author=Charles E. Petty|access-date=2011-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017004433/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_165_27/ai_105698456/|archive-date=2015-10-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2002, custom guns could cost over and are built from scratch or on existing base models.<ref name="Rauch">{{cite book |last=Rauch |first=Walt |title=Practically Speaking: An Illustrated Guide; the Game, Guns and Gear of the International Defensive Pistol Association |publisher=Rauch & Company, Ltd. |year=2002 |page=80 |isbn=978-0-9663260-1-7}}</ref>
=== International variants ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Model
!Origin
!Calibre
!References
|-
|[[IMBEL]] M973
|{{Flag|Brazil}}
|[[9 mm caliber|9mm]]
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Exército Brasileiro – Braço Forte, Mão Amiga |url=http://www.exercito.gov.br/01inst/armtmuni/pistola.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405085747/http://www.exercito.gov.br/01inst/armtmuni/pistola.htm |archive-date=2010-04-05 |access-date=2009-11-05 |publisher=Exercito.gov.br}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil – Pistola 9 M973 |url=http://www.imbel.gov.br/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=113 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222041929/http://www.geeky.net/geeky.css |archive-date=December 22, 2005 |access-date=2009-11-05 |publisher=IMBEL}}</ref>
|-
|[[Norinco]] 1911
| rowspan="4" |{{Flag|China}}
| rowspan="2" |[[.45 ACP]]
| rowspan="4" |<ref name="Small Arms Illustrated, 2010">'' Small Arms Illustrated'', 2010.{{full citation needed|date=April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Norinco]] NP-30
|-
|[[Norinco]] NP-28
| rowspan="2" |[[9 mm caliber|9mm]]
|-
|[[Norinco]] NP-29
|-
|[[Kongsberg Colt]] 
|{{Flag|Norway}}
|[[.45 ACP]]
|{{Sfn|Thompson|2011a|pp=64-65}}
|-
|[[STAR Model B]]
| rowspan="3" |{{Flag|Spain}}
| rowspan="3" |[[9mm Parabellum]]
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Firearm Review, June 2000 |url=http://www.cruffler.com/review-june-00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002171945/http://www.cruffler.com/review-june-00.html |archive-date=2008-10-02 |access-date=2008-09-08 |publisher=Cruffler.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Astra-Unceta y Cia SA|ASTRA 1911PL]]
|-
|[[Llama Firearms|Llama Model IX]]
|-
|Model 1927 Sistema Colt
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Argentina}}
| rowspan="2" |[[.45 ACP]]
|
|-
|[[Ballester–Molina]]
|{{sfn|Thompson|2004|p=65}}{{sfn|Thompson|2011a|p=65}}
|-
|[[Rock Island Armory 1911 series]]
|{{Flag|Philippines}}
|Various
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-04 |title=Armscor to supply 50,000 .45 ACP pistols to Philippine military (PHOTOS) |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2018/12/04/armscor-to-supply-50000-45-acp-pistols-to-philippine-military-photos |access-date=2025-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204153917/https://www.guns.com/news/2018/12/04/armscor-to-supply-50000-45-acp-pistols-to-philippine-military-photos |archive-date=4 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrales |first=Nestor |date=2017-07-18 |title=Duterte distributes 3,000 pistols to AFP |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/914852/duterte-distributes-3000-pistols-to-afp |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-20 |title=The AFP-wide Pistol Project - Pres. Duterte's Promised Handguns for the Filipino Soldier |url=http://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-afp-wide-pistol-project-pres.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The AFP-wide Pistol Project - Pres. Duterte's Promised Handguns for the Filipino Soldier ~ MaxDefense Philippines}}</ref>
|-
|T51 pistol
|{{Flag|Republic of China}}
| rowspan="6" |[[.45 ACP]]
|
|-
|Type 86
|{{Flag|Thailand}}
|<ref name="Small Arms Illustrated, 2010" />
|-
|MC 1911
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|<ref>{{cite web |date=26 April 2012 |title=MC 1911 - Girsan |url=http://www.girsan.com.tr/tr/mc1911/mc1911-siyah |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426120506/http://www.girsan.com.tr/tr/mc1911/mc1911-siyah |archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9xrmt_KlkvcC&pg=PA323 |title=Standard Catalog of Military Firearms |isbn=978-0-87349-902-6 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20151126222505/https://books.google.com/books?id=9xrmt_KlkvcC&pg=PA323 |archive-date=2015-11-26 |last1=Schwing |first1=Ned |date=5 November 2005 |publisher=Krause Publications }}</ref>
|-
|[[Obregón pistol]]
|{{Flag|Mexico}}
|
|-
|[[Arsenal Firearms AF2011A1]]
|{{Flag|Italy}}
|
|-
|Busanjin Colt
|{{Flag|South Korea}}
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyrE8JNbFxI |title=[온라인최초공개] 콜트 권총..니가 왜 부산에서 나와?! |date=2020-09-24 |last=전쟁기념사업회 |access-date=2025-03-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|}