Original Colt 1911

Published on June 18, 2019
Duration: 28:23

This review delves into a rare, all-original 1918 Colt 1911, highlighting its historical significance as a WWI-era sidearm. It contrasts the original model's features, like its stiff trigger and small sights, with the later 1911A1, explaining design evolutions driven by combat experience and user feedback. The video also touches on the .45 ACP's adoption and the 1911's enduring reliability.

Quick Summary

The 1918 Colt 1911 is a historically significant WWI-era firearm, notable for its original condition and functionality. Key differences from the later 1911A1 include a flat mainspring housing, short beaver tail, long trigger, and smaller sights, reflecting design evolution driven by combat needs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: 1918 Colt 1911
  2. 01:28Historical Significance & Military Use
  3. 03:08Trigger Characteristics & Shooting
  4. 05:06Commercial vs. Government Production
  5. 08:321911 vs. 1911A1 Comparison
  6. 13:03Origins of .45 ACP Caliber
  7. 14:55Reliability & Hammer Bite

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 1918 Colt 1911 historically significant?

The 1918 Colt 1911 is significant as an original World War I-era sidearm, representing a piece of American history and a highly sought-after collectible. It served as the primary sidearm for the US Army for decades and this specific example is over 100 years old.

What are the key differences between the original Colt 1911 and the 1911A1?

The 1911A1 introduced several changes: an arched mainspring housing (vs. flat), a longer beaver tail, a shorter trigger (vs. long), and larger sights. These modifications aimed to improve ergonomics and handling for military users.

Why did the US military adopt the .45 ACP caliber?

The US military adopted the .45 ACP caliber following combat experiences in the Philippines, where .38 caliber revolvers proved to lack sufficient stopping power. Extensive testing led to the adoption of John Browning's robust semi-automatic design.

What is 'hammer bite' on a 1911 pistol?

'Hammer bite' is a common issue on original 1911 models with short beaver tails. The hammer can pinch the web of the shooter's hand between the hammer spur and the frame, causing discomfort or injury.

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