Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Model

Published on September 4, 2018
Duration: 7:35

The Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Model was a custom 1911 variant developed by Dale Hoffman to replace older sidearms for U.S. Army generals. It featured a shortened 4.25-inch barrel and National Match sights, winning 1971 Army trials against competitors like Colt and Smith & Wesson. Only 1,004 units were produced between 1972 and 1974, making it the last specialty pistol issued to general officers before the adoption of the Beretta 92.

Quick Summary

The Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Model was a custom .45 ACP pistol issued to U.S. Army generals from 1972-1974. Developed by Dale Hoffman, it featured a 4.25-inch barrel and National Match sights, winning 1971 Army trials. Only 1,004 were produced.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the M15 General Officer's Model
  2. 00:40Historical Context: Pre-M15 Sidearms
  3. 01:08Dale Hoffman's Development at RIA
  4. 02:151971 Army Trials and Competition
  5. 03:32Technical Features of the M15
  6. 04:55Internal Modifications and Conversions
  7. 06:38Production Numbers and Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Model?

The M15 General Officer's Model was a custom .45 ACP pistol developed by Dale Hoffman at Rock Island Arsenal. It was issued to U.S. Army general officers from 1972 to 1974 as a more modern alternative to older sidearms.

Why was the M15 General Officer's Model developed?

It was developed because existing sidearms like the Colt Model M were becoming scarce after WWII. Dale Hoffman designed a shortened 1911 variant with accuracy improvements to meet the Army's need for a contemporary general officer pistol.

What made the M15 pistol unique?

The M15 featured a 4.25-inch barrel, National Match sights, and a specialized miniaturized recoil system. It was also distinguished by a grip medallion and a blank silver plate for the officer's name.

How many M15 General Officer's Model pistols were produced?

A total of 1,004 M15 General Officer's Model pistols were produced by Rock Island Arsenal between 1972 and 1974. This marked the end of custom specialty pistols for general officers in the U.S. Army.

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