The Colt .45 was the American military's sidearm from 1911 to 1984, known for its stopping power and rapid rate of fire.
The Colt .45 was the sidearm of choice for the American military from 1911 until its retirement in 1984. Initially, the military had reservations about its innovative autoloading mechanism and requested inventor John M. Browning to refine it before adoption.
A later iteration, the M1911A1, used recoil to operate its slide, eject spent casings, cock the hammer, and reload the chamber in mere moments. This refined semi-automatic pistol offered superior stopping power compared to its predecessor, the .38-cal M1900, and its improved autoloading system allowed for a faster rate of fire.
During World War I, over half of all enlisted men carried the Colt .45. Although regulations prohibited infantrymen from using them in World War II, these rules were seldom enforced, as many soldiers acquired them as a last resort weapon.
On VJ Day in 1945, the US military canceled the final order for Colt .45s. For the subsequent 39 years, all service pistols were refurbished second-hand units. The Colt .45 is widely regarded as the finest American military sidearm ever produced due to its reliability and accuracy.
- The Colt .45's autoloading mechanism was a significant innovation for its time.
- The M1911A1 variant improved upon the original design with enhanced functionality.
- Despite regulations, the Colt .45 remained a popular weapon for soldiers in World War II.
- The US military continued to use refurbished Colt .45s for nearly four decades after the last new order was canceled.
100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content