Over the years, countless handgun models have been introduced, each with their own distinct features and benefits. Relatively recent handguns like the GLOCK 19, SIG Sauer P320, and H&K VP9 are considered by many to be the pinnacles of modern handgun design, and when you go back a couple hundred years, you’ll see timeless classics like the Colt 1851 Navy and Single-Action Army revolvers. But between these periods, you’ll find one of the most iconic handguns ever created: the M1911.
Developed by John Moses Browning and introduced in 1911, the Model 1911, or just 1911 as its colloquially known as, was a revolutionary pistol model that’s garnered a substantial reputation. Since its inception, it’s been used in some capacity by both Military and Law Enforcement Officers around the globe, and it’s long been favored by civilian enthusiasts as well.
Seeing great success throughout its lifespan, over 100 years later the 1911 still remains and is widely considered to be one of the best handgun models available. Follow along as we highlight the history and features of this iconic pistol.

History of the 1911
As we mentioned above, the M1911 was designed by John Moses Browning and introduced in the year 1911. At the time, the U.S. Military was searching for a newer semi-automatic handgun that used the .45 ACP cartridge, which was new at the time. As such, Browning, in collaboration with Colt, began developing a new pistol to fit their parameters, resulting in the 1911 pistol.
When it was tested, the 1911 reportedly hadn’t malfunctioned once, despite firing upwards of 6,000 rounds in their two-day testing stage. This reliability led to its eventual adoption by the U.S. Military, where it would go on to see widespread use by Military and Law Enforcement groups, as well as civilian enthusiasts. Over the course of its lifespan, these pistols would be primarily produced by Colt, but as America entered WWII, brands like Savage Arms, Remington, and even non-firearm manufacturers like the Singer Sewing Company were all producing M1911A1 pistols for the Military.
Post-WWII, the 1911 would still be the Military’s standard-issue side-arm for quite some time, with it being in use from its adoption in 1911 up until 1985 when it was replaced by the Beretta M9. Even after it was formally retired, 1911s were still used by select Special Forces and Law Enforcement groups, with some still using it today.

Variants of the 1911
Over the years, the 1911 has had some design changes. Although the pistol has remained relatively the same at its core, there have been some slight alterations made to enhance its capabilities.
The first production model of the 1911 was the M1911 (Model 1911). It came standard with a 5.03-inch barrel, smooth slide with grip serrations in the rear for charging, and a standard hammer fire design. The first updated version of the M1911 was the M1911A1, introduced in 1926. The grip had a relief cut to provide better access to the trigger, and the trigger itself was made shorter for less travel. Additionally, the hammer spur was lengthened for easier operation, and the beavertail of the grip safety was also extended to protect against hammer bite when cocking the pistol or firing it. The M1911A1 would be the standard until its replacement, but changes would be made later.
One notable variant of the 1911 would be the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) pistol, better known as the M45 MEU(SOC). Developed for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Recon element, these pistols were essentially modified M1911A1 pistols. They were fitted with a series of aftermarket components such as G10 or rubberized grips, night sights, and upgraded magazines from Wilson Combat. Later, in 2012, the M45 MEU(SOC) would be replaced by the further enhanced Colt 1911 Rail Gun and would be classified as M45A1 CQBP (Close Quarter Battle Pistol).
In 2004, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit began the M1911A2 project in response to growing demand for upgraded 1911s from members of various Special Forces units. They would go on to produce several new 1911 variants, but ultimately, none of them would be selected, and the M1911A2 project was cancelled.
The civilian 1911 market has seen the greatest amount of change, with there being countless renditions of the 1911 manufactured by dozens of brands. We’ll touch more on the various models below, but these pistols can come in a multitude of unique configurations to make them better suited for a wide array of different applications.
Features of the 1911

Trigger Design
To understand why 1911 pistols are so popular, it’s important to look at their features, and one of their most notable is its single action, straight pull trigger. We go more in-depth on the benefits of these triggers in our guide, “Single-Action vs. Double-Action”, but single-action triggers require the hammer to be cocked to fire. Pairing this with the 1911s straight pull trigger design, the resulting trigger feel is smooth and consistent, with it having a light pull weight, crisp break, and a quick reset.

1911 Ergonomics
As a single-stack pistol, the 1911 is slimmer compared to double-stack pistols, making it easier to grip and conceal for personal protection. Additionally, the 1911 grip angle greatly helps with aiming, as it naturally aligns the pistol’s sights when gripped properly. Although the overall feel of these grip ergonomics can vary depending on individual factors—such as individual hand size and grip preferences—the 1911 offers a natural and intuitive feel for many.
Even further, you can easily change out the grip panels too. The grip panels on the 1911 are interchangeable, and with the substantial parts aftermarket dedicated to these pistols, you can easily tailor your 1911 to better fit your personal needs and preferences.
Caliber Options
As we mentioned above, the 1911 was originally designed to be chambered in .45 ACP, and today it’s still one of the most common chamberings offered on the platform. Still, as manufacturers have continued to develop new variations on the pistol’s original design, there are now several 1911 variants that are compatible with other pistol calibers.
Depending on the model you look at, 1911s can come chambered in 9mm, .40S&W, 10mm, and even more unique options like .38 Super. Of these calibers, .45 ACP and 9mm are the most common, with 9mm options coming with their own benefits. 9mm has the distinct advantage of being smaller, giving 9mm 1911 models a greater carrying capacity compared to.45 ACP models. They generally have less felt recoil as well. Ultimately though, you have several caliber choices to choose from.
Best Brands for the 1911
There is a wide assortment of manufacturers producing high-quality 1911 pistols today, highlighting the significant appeal for the platform. However, having such variety can make choosing one a challenging task. Below are some notable brands to help you get started in your search:

Colt
Colt is well known as the original manufacturer of the 1911, and today, they continue to produce various high-quality 1911 variants. Of the various Colt 1911 options, the Colt Classic, Delta Elite, Defender, and Series 80 models are each an excellent choice.
The Colt Classic comes with Colt’s Series 70 firing system, staked front sights, and a spurred hammer, giving it a classic look and feel. For a more modern take on the 1911, the Colt Delta Elite comes chambered in 10mm and is equipped with several upgraded components. These pistols come standard with enhanced Novak white dot sights, an upswept beaver tail, extended safety, composite grip scales, and come with the option to have an accessory rail for optics.
The Colt Defender is a compact 1911-style pistol designed with concealed carry in mind. Coming with a shorter 3-inch barrel, they’re available in either 9mm or .45 ACP, and comes with Novak sights, and extended safeties too. Also, for added safety, Colt’s series 80 1911 models come with an additional firing pin block and various internal safeties to make them drop safe. As such, they’ve long been a popular option for concealed carry purposes.
Dan Wesson
Dan Wesson is a well-known name amongst 1911 enthusiasts. Since their inception, they’ve garnered a substantial reputation for meticulously crafting industry-leading 1911 models such as the Valor and specialist series pistols.
The Valor is one of Dan Wesson’s most iconic 1911 models that effectively blends the classic style of the 1911 with modern comforts and construction. Notably, it comes standard with GI style slide serrations that pay homage to the M1911A1, while also coming with enhanced G10 grips, night sights, and either a black or stainless finish. As of right now, these pistols are only available in .45 ACP.
DW Specialist pistols are another solid choice to consider that offer more in terms of defensive capability, as they were originally designed for Law Enforcement use, as well as personal defense. Like the Valor, the specialist pistol is available with many upgrades such as G10 grips and night sights, but they also come standard with a dedicated accessory rail for lights and other accessories. Even further, these pistols can come factory optic cut slides as well. Currently, they’re available in either a .45ACP, 10mm, or 9mm.

Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory has long been at the forefront of modern 1911 production since their founding in 1974. Over the years, they’ve built up a significant product lineup, with there being several Springfield 1911 models to choose from.
Notably, Springfield’s Mil-Spec line is essentially a clone of the original M1911A1 that comes with some upgrades. It comes standard with a 5-inch match-grade barrel, a forged frame and slide, and the original military aesthetics. For more of a modern shooting experience, Springfield’s Operator line consists of various models that come with different barrel lengths, accessory rails for weapon lights, and other features such as enhanced triggers, grip scales, and ambidextrous safeties.
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson has been a cornerstone of the firearms industry for over 150 years, with their 1911 models being among their most popular offerings. There are many unique Smith & Wesson 1911 models available like the standard SW1911 and SW1911TA.
Standard SW1911 models all feature a full-length 5-inch barrel, an 8-round capacity, front and rear slide serrations, checkered wooden grip panels, and front grip serrations on the slide. Depending on which model you look at, they can come in an assortment of finishes and can feature different grip panels. The SW1911TA is largely the same, but it comes standard with an accessory rail for mounting pistol weapon lights. They produce a compact option as well in the form of the SW1911SC. It shares the same features as the standard SW1911 model, albeit with a shorter 4.25-inch barrel.

Wilson Combat
Wilson Combat is another industry titan that’s earned a substantial following for their top-tier 1911 options. Having been at their craft since 1977, Wilson Combat has produced a plethora of upgraded parts and components for the platform, as well as their own 1911 models, with some of the most notable being the ACP and X-Tac Elite.
Wilson Combat’s ACP pistol is constructed from high-quality components, holding true to their commitment to quality. The ACP is currently available in either a full-size, commander, or compact size. Each model comes standard with a stainless-steel barrel, upgraded G10 Eagle Claw Grips, upgraded fiber optic sights, and either a bead blasted stainless finish, or their Armor-Tuff black finish.
The X-Tac Elite is a more premium 1911 option offered by Wilson Combat. X-Tac Elite pistols are offered in either a full, commander, professional, compact, or sentinel size which is only available in 9mm. Professional size pistols are more unique, featuring a full-size frame and compact 4-inch barrel and slide. Sentinel frame pistols are the smallest ones available in the X-Tac Elite line, coming with a short 3.5-inch barrel, as well as a smaller frame (½-inch shorter than their compact frame) for better concealed carry capabilities. Regardless, each pistol comes equipped with Wilson Combat’s aggressive Starburst G10 grips, their Bullet Proof® magazine well, beaver tail, grip, and thumb safeties, and upgraded sights.
Kimber
Kimber is another highly recognizable 1011 producer. For decades, they’ve developed incredibly sought-after 1911s with their lineup constantly expanding to include an array of excellent options, with the Rapide Heat and KHX being some of the most notable Kimber 1911 models.
The Kimber Rapide Heat blends old and modern technology to form a truly unique 1911 variant. They come standard with enhanced KimProll V-Cut Triggers, suppressor height iron sights, G10 grip scales, an integrated accessory rail, and they come with an optic-ready slide from the factory. The KHX shares many of the same features, but it comes with hexagonal slide serrations. Regardless, depending on the model configuration, they can both come chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm, and they’re available in different finishes as well.
Savage Arms
Though their arguably most well-known bolt-action rifle and various shotgun models, Savage Arms is an avid manufacturer of 1911s, with them offering an assortment of different models to choose from.
Depending on which Savage 1911 you look at, their caliber, finish, and barrel length can vary. Standard Savage 1911s is available with either a black, stainless, or dual-tone finish, and they can come with or without an accessory rail. These pistols are primarily chambered in .45 ACP and come with more modern features such as an upswept beaver tail grip safety, ambidextrous thumb safeties, G10 grip scales, and Novak sights. Additionally, they also produce an assortment of 9mm 1911s that come outfitted with the same features.
Conclusion
Despite its age, the 1911 is still a popular pistol in the modern firearm landscape. Ever since its introduction over a century ago, it’s stood tall as one of the most reliable and battle-tested pistols ever designed.
The appeal of these pistols is rooted in their design. Their triggers offer a consistent and light pull weight, while their grips make sight alignment natural and intuitive. And while these benefits are present on mil-spec and other classic style 1911s, they carry over incredibly well to the more modernized variants that are popular today.
Ultimately, the 1911 will forever remain an icon of firearms technology, highlighting the legacy of a time-tested design. If you’re interested in seeing what other incredible pistol designs are available, we recommend checking out our guide on hammer-fired pistols. It goes in-depth on several of the industry’s top models and will highlight what you should consider before choosing one over the other.