REMINGTON RAND 1911A1 US ARMY MAGAZINE LICENSE
REMINGTON RAND 1911A1 US ARMY MAGAZINE SERIES

After its service in the preceding World War, the M1911 underwent some minor modifications during the post-war years which led up the new standardized designation of 'M1911A1' appearing in 1926. British forces would also take the weapon into inventory for their Royal Navy and Royal Flying Corps ranks up until the end of World War 2. The Colt M1911 entered US Army service in 1911 and would be fielded as the standard-issue sidearm for both the United States Army and Navy from 1911 to 1992. As semi-automatic pistols proved more complex internally than revolver types, they required regular cleanings to keep an optimal action. 45 ACP rounds to be fired as fast as the operator could press the trigger. The semi-automatic short-recoil action allowed for all seven. Of course the safety would have to be set off for active management of the mechanism.

The initial cocking of the weapon was handled by manually pulling the slide to the rear with the support hand - this introducing the initial live round into the chamber and setting the hammer. The 'semi-automatic' nature of the weapon meant that there was one cartridge fired for every trigger press. In practice, the weapon was very sound with a manageable recoil, the slide quickly moving rearwards to allow ejection of the spent cartridge and introduction of a live one into the chamber. Overall weight was roughly 2.4lb (sans magazine) with an overall length of 8.25 inches (the barrel measuring just over 5 inches). A tang overhung the rear area of the grip and sat over the firing hand's web. Wooden or rubber grips straddled the metal pistol grip frame. Various levers along the side of the receiver controlled a safety, magazine release and slide release. The curved trigger assembly sat within an oblong trigger ring which gave good support when firing.

The pistol grip was well-angled up to the receiver. The magazine was inserted into the base of the pistol grip in the traditional way. A slide covered the internal working functions as well as the barrel. The external design of the M1911 proved the classic semi-automatic frame. Additionally, the pistol proved to be wholly reliable and robust even in the heat-of-battle, qualities that would ensure its survival through the countless conflicts it would be featured in. Muzzle velocity was 830 feet-per-second giving the required man-stopping capability that went on to become a staple of the pistol's service record. The large, man-stopping rounds promoted an equally large pistol grip (which housed the magazine) and filled up the firing hand rather completely. 45 ACP cartridge and this was fed from a stout 7-round detachable box magazine. By the end of the trials, only the Colt M1911 remained against a Savage sidearm with Colt eventually earning the US military deal.

The requirement of the government was for a modern, semi-automatic pistol capable of firing the lethal 230gr bullet - a bullet which had already been made for another Colt product. With so many like-minded automatic weapons companies vying for such lucrative government deals with the US military, it was decided that all interested parties should compete through trials to be had in 1907. By 1905, the system was refined to the point it could compete for government contracts. The M1911 was a design by famous American gunsmith John Browning and was based on his earlier Model 1900 design. The M1911 continues service in many forms today (2012) and is still a favorite among sporting, security and casual operators the world over.

REMINGTON RAND 1911A1 US ARMY MAGAZINE LICENSE

The handgun has been produced in quantity in the United States, Argentina and Norway (the latter two under license production as the m/1914 and the Model 1927 respectively) and was fielded in both World Wars and many of the major and minor conflicts of the century - eventually becoming a commercial success for the Colt concern.

REMINGTON RAND 1911A1 US ARMY MAGAZINE SERIES

The Colt model M1911 series of pistols is one of the most successful small arms designs of the 20th Century - and in all of warfare history for that matter.

Remington rand 1911a1 us army magazine