Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol

Nations: United States, Philippines, South Korea, South Vietnam +

Branch: Armed Forces, Law Enforcement

Time Period: 1924-present

Conflicts: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Global War on Terrorism

Other Names: 1911

Cartridge: .45 ACP

Info: Designed to improve on the original Browning design Model 1911, the M1911A1 was the primary service pistol for the US military going into WWII until it was replaced by the Beretta M9 in 1985 but can still be seen today as modified variants in military, civilian and in law enforcement use. The M1911 series of pistols are among the most copied pistols throughout the world, with most countries taking the design or parts of it and creating their own versions. Some examples are the Soviet Union with the Tokarev TT33, the Spanish Star BM series, and Canada’s Para Ordinance 1911 styled pistols among many others.