M1911 Pistol - Specifications

Specifications

• Cartridge: .45 ACP;
• Other commercial and military derivatives: Other versions offered include .22, .38 Super, 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .400 Corbon, .460 Rowland, .22 LR, .50 GI, .455 Webley, 9x23 mm Winchester, and others. The most popular alternative versions are 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm), .38 Super and 10mm Auto.
• Barrel: 5 in (127 mm) Government, 4.25 in (108 mm) Commander, and the 3.5 in (89 mm) Officer's ACP. Some modern "carry" guns have significantly shorter barrels and frames, while others use standard frames and extended slides with 6 in (152 mm) barrels
• Rate of twist: 16 in (406 mm) per turn, or 1:35.5 calibers (.45 ACP)
• Operation: Recoil-operated, closed breech, single action, semi-automatic
• Weight (unloaded): 2 lb 7 oz (1.1 kg) (government model)
• Height: 5.25 in (133 mm)
• Length: 8.25 in (210 mm)
• Capacity: 7+1 rounds (7 in standard-capacity magazine +1 in firing chamber); 8+1 in aftermarket standard-size magazine; 9+1 in extended and high capacity magazines. Guns chambered in .38 Super and 9 mm have a 9+1 capacity. Some manufacturers, such as Armscor, Para Ordnance, Strayer Voigt Inc and STI International Inc, offer 1911-style pistols using double-stacked magazines with significantly larger capacities (typically 14 rounds). Colt makes their own 8 round magazines which they include with their Series 80 XSE models.
• Safeties: A grip safety, sear disconnect, slide stop, a half cock position, and manual safety (located on the left rear of the frame) are on all standard M1911A1s. Several companies have developed a firing pin block. Colt's 80 series uses a trigger operated one and several other manufacturers (such as Smith & Wesson) use one operated by the grip safety.