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| articles:1911_improvements [2021/02/01 14:00] – [The Improvements Continue... with the M45A1] rrandall | articles:1911_improvements [2023/01/31 15:26] (current) – [The 1911 - A History of Improvements] rrandall | ||
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| ====== The 1911 - A History of Improvements ====== | ====== The 1911 - A History of Improvements ====== | ||
| - | One of the most popular handguns in the world is the " | + | One of the most popular handguns in the world is the " |
| I was recently having a discussion with a "gun guy" about some improvements to the popular 1911 pistol. To my surprise, he balked at the idea of ANY improvements to the 1911. He literally stated, "//How can anyone improve upon perfection?//" | I was recently having a discussion with a "gun guy" about some improvements to the popular 1911 pistol. To my surprise, he balked at the idea of ANY improvements to the 1911. He literally stated, "//How can anyone improve upon perfection?//" | ||
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| Upon discussion, he actually thought that John Moses Brown, the inventor of the 1911 pistol, was so brilliant that his first design had survived for over 100 years without any changes! | Upon discussion, he actually thought that John Moses Brown, the inventor of the 1911 pistol, was so brilliant that his first design had survived for over 100 years without any changes! | ||
| - | All you have to do is look at an older Colt 1911 slide that has patent dates listed on it. You’ll see that the first patent was in 1897... followed by another in 1902. The U.S. Military adopted the 1911 version (and designated it the M1911). And, while most people are unaware of the change made in 1913, it was significant... and included in the M1911. | + | All you have to do is look at an older Colt 1911 slide that has patent dates listed on it, and you’ll see that the first patent was in 1897... followed by another in 1902. The U.S. Military adopted the 1911 version (and designated it the M1911). And, while most people are unaware of the change made in 1913, it was significant... and included in all M1911s manufactured after that date. |
| In his 1913 patent application, | In his 1913 patent application, | ||
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| Among the many changes, Browning redesigned the grip and frame safety, simplifying their internal design and multi-function while still maintaining their intended purpose. Browning noted that this “// | Among the many changes, Browning redesigned the grip and frame safety, simplifying their internal design and multi-function while still maintaining their intended purpose. Browning noted that this “// | ||
| - | <note>Not fully satisfied with the safety that Browning designed into his 1913 version, during the series of changes that Colt made later, they added a firing pin block safety (aka a "drop safety" | + | <WRAP center round info 40%> |
| + | Not fully satisfied with the safety that Browning designed into his 1913 version, during the series of changes that Colt made later, they added a firing pin block safety (aka a "drop safety" | ||
| + | </WRAP> | ||
| To achieve the goal of allowing the gun to be disassembled without any tools, one of the ways this was accomplished was by simply redesigning the spring and its housing between the frame safety and the slide lock. By allowing the now-slightly-bent spring to essentially hold itself in tension between the safety and lock, Browning was able to eliminate a locking pin and frame stud. Fewer parts meant faster production, less cost, and easier assembly and disassembly. | To achieve the goal of allowing the gun to be disassembled without any tools, one of the ways this was accomplished was by simply redesigning the spring and its housing between the frame safety and the slide lock. By allowing the now-slightly-bent spring to essentially hold itself in tension between the safety and lock, Browning was able to eliminate a locking pin and frame stud. Fewer parts meant faster production, less cost, and easier assembly and disassembly. | ||
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| The next major change took place in 1924... with which the U.S. Military changed the designation of the pistol to M1911A1. | The next major change took place in 1924... with which the U.S. Military changed the designation of the pistol to M1911A1. | ||
| - | The below video describes the most significant differences between the " | + | The below video describes the most significant differences between the M1911 and the M1911A1. |
| {{ youtube> | {{ youtube> | ||
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| ===== The Improvements Continue... with the M45A1 ===== | ===== The Improvements Continue... with the M45A1 ===== | ||
| - | As mentioned above, the [[https:// | + | As mentioned above, the M45A1 (used by the USMC) is a modernized |
| * A Decobond™ Brown Coated Stainless Steel Slide & Frame | * A Decobond™ Brown Coated Stainless Steel Slide & Frame | ||
| * M1913-spec Picatinny rail (for mounting lights, lasers, and other accessories) | * M1913-spec Picatinny rail (for mounting lights, lasers, and other accessories) | ||
| - | * Dual Recoil spring system (reduces | + | * Dual Recoil spring system (to reduce |
| - | * Based on Series 80 design | + | |
| * Novak tritium front and rear three-dot night sights | * Novak tritium front and rear three-dot night sights | ||
| * Serrations added to the front portion of the slide (as well as the rear serrations remaining) | * Serrations added to the front portion of the slide (as well as the rear serrations remaining) | ||
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| * G10 Checkered Desert Camo Grips (with Magwell cut) | * G10 Checkered Desert Camo Grips (with Magwell cut) | ||
| * Extended trigger (as appeared on the original M1911 design) | * Extended trigger (as appeared on the original M1911 design) | ||
| + | * Based on Series 80 design | ||
| * A lanyard loop (below the handle grip) | * A lanyard loop (below the handle grip) | ||
| - | |||
| <WRAP clear></ | <WRAP clear></ | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP center round info 80%> | ||
| + | Read a review of the Dual Recoil Spring system approach at: [[http:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| However, it's difficult to justify spending $1699.00 (MSRP) on a [[https:// | However, it's difficult to justify spending $1699.00 (MSRP) on a [[https:// | ||
| * Built with 4140 Ordnance steel finished with a Parkerized Matte Coating | * Built with 4140 Ordnance steel finished with a Parkerized Matte Coating | ||
| - | * A full tactical | + | * M1913-spec Picatinny |
| * A Full Length Guide Rod | * A Full Length Guide Rod | ||
| - | * A skeletonized hammer and trigger with adjustable over travel stop. | ||
| - | * Based on Series 70 design (typically in the higher end pistols) | ||
| * Front Sights - Dovetail Fiber Optic / Rear Sights - LPA MPS1 Adjustable | * Front Sights - Dovetail Fiber Optic / Rear Sights - LPA MPS1 Adjustable | ||
| * Serrations added to the front portion of the slide (as well as the rear serrations remaining) | * Serrations added to the front portion of the slide (as well as the rear serrations remaining) | ||
| * Ambidextrous Thumb Safety and extended Grip Safety | * Ambidextrous Thumb Safety and extended Grip Safety | ||
| * G10 tactical grips (with Magwell cut) | * G10 tactical grips (with Magwell cut) | ||
| + | * Based on Series 70 design (typically in the higher end pistols) | ||
| + | * A skeletonized hammer and trigger with adjustable over travel stop. | ||
| Don't let the comparatively low price fool you. On Nov. 19, 2018, [[https:// | Don't let the comparatively low price fool you. On Nov. 19, 2018, [[https:// | ||
