others had offered such special 1911s.
Smith & Wesson entered the 1911 field in 2003 and markets an extensive line, including variants of the full-size SW1911.
THE NEW CENTURY
With the flurry of interest in the 1911 that had exploded in the closing decades at the end of the 20th century, the production of 1911-style pistols had been spread among a large and growing number of different companies Colt was no longer the primary producer. Three relatively new companies — Kimber, Springfield and Para-Ordnance — vied for that position. Kimber advertised their company as “first in the number of 1911 pistols made and sold.” Not to be outdone, Springfield claimed “the greatest selection of 1911 pistols.” Para-Ordnance introduced features that set its offerings apart.
As the new century began, Colt again fell on hard times. In the year 2000, the company discontinued most of its handgun line. Only the Single Action Army and the 1911 were left. The 1911 was offered in 45 caliber only. Within a few years, however, Colt’s fortunes improved.
Not everyone had liked the Series ’80 firing pin safety. Colt decided to go back to its roots with new 1911 offerings. The Series ’80 continued in the line, but by 2002, Colt had reintroduced its Series ’70 pistol, without the firing pin safety. Actually, it could have been considered a “pre ’70” Government Model, as it also did not have the fingered barrel bushing. The “new” Series ’70 has modern higher sights, and improved barrel ramping.
Reception was good, and in 2003, the original WWI-era Model 1911 was reintroduced. The pistol was a faithful recreation of the .45 as made around the year 1918.
Colt remained a 1911 manufacturer in an increasingly large group of 1911 manufacturers.
New names continued to enter the world of the 1911. New companies appeared to offer their versions of the 1911. In the first few years of the 21st century, one could see new 1911 pistols bearing the names of Dan Wesson (a revolver company making its first autoloaders), High Standard (the resurrected company expanding its product line), Peters Stahl, Rock River, Century, Firestorm, Casull, Pacific Armament, DPMS (prototype only), Bond Arms, Lone Star, Ed Brown, Guncrafter, Uselton and Detonics USA (the latest incarnation of the original Detonics).
In 2003, the familiar old name of Smith & Wesson was also added. Apparently figuring “if you can’t beat them, join them,” S&W introduced the SW1911, and plunged into an extensive line of 1911-design pistols within a few years. A year later, in 2004, SIGARMS (now SIG-Sauer) also decided to get into the 1911 business. SIG brought out its GSR (Granite State Revolution) line of 1911 pistols, which soon became known by “Revolution.”
In 2004, a bright spot appeared for firearms owners: the absurd “Assault Weapons Ban” was allowed to sunset. High-capacity pistols and magazines in all calibers could again be made. Of course, smaller calibers could be made with larger magazine capacities. New high-capacity 9mm pistols were offered. However, the popularity of the 1911 had grown to the point that it was not threatened by new designs.
After the AWB sunset, in the last half of the new century’s first decade, firearms developments continued. The pace of 1911 development was breathtaking.
The largest additional entry into the 1911 field was Taurus, in 2005. Billing itself as the “World’s Foremost Pistol Maker,” Taurus quickly marketed a full line of 1911 pistols. The Brazilian maker joined Smith & Wesson and SIG, all of which had just joined frontrunners Kimber, Springfield and Para as new major players in the 1911 world.
In 2006, the U. S. military called for tests of 45-caliber pistols due to questions of the 9mm’s efficacy during the Desert Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Exactly 100 years after calling for tests to consider a .45 in 1906, the military wanted to again consider a .45 in 2006. The traditional 1911 was not invited, however; .45s to be considered would be double-action, polymer-frame pistols. As before, the tests were postponed and at the time of this writing have not been resumed. The companies that had been preparing pistols instead offered them to the commercial market, in competition with the 1911.
The 1911 seemed not to notice the new competition. The 2005 introduction of the Taurus 1911 showed that major companies still saw potential in the design.
The Taurus was not the only new entry of this recent period. Just within the last few years, new 1911 pistols with new names were introduced by Double Star, Iver Johnson, Rock Island (RIA), U. S. Fire Arms (1911s with the wide grips of the 1905), Nighthawk, American Classic, Tisas (the first Turkish 1911), EMF (the Cowboy arms company, branching into 1911s), and Legacy Sports (offering their Citadel 1911). Dan Wesson was acquired by CZ-USA, giving the Czech company access to 1911 sales.
Colt remains a major player in the 1911 field, offering new variants as well as traditional models. In 2007, Colt introduced the Concealed Carry model, followed by the New Agent in 2008. Colt decided to cash in on the trend of accessory rails on the front of a 1911 frame, and came out with a gun for that niche in 2009. What to call it? Colt kept it simple: the Colt Rail Gun.
Colt, the original manufacturer, has made the 1911 continuously since its introduction in 1911. The amazing growing interest in the century-old pistol now has, quite literally, dozens of other companies simultaneously making their versions of the same design. These guns are being made in the United States and in a growing number of foreign countries. This situation is unprecedented in the world of firearms.
CONCLUSION
A complete description of every 1911 made by every maker would be a huge volume of information, beyond the scope of this presentation. What is here presented is the basic history of the development of the 1911 design, and the amazing growth in the popularity of the design with the passing of time.
Now, one hundred years from its beginning, we have no idea where we really are in the story of the 1911. Has the 1911 reached its peak, and will it start a decline? Or, is it about to begin a new phase of popularity?
What words can summarize the amazing story of the 1911 at the event of its centennial, its 100th year? We can try a few:
The Colt/Browning 1911 design has completed its first century. It has stood the test of time. It has proved itself in military combat, law-enforcement use, target competition of many types, personal protection and recreational shooting.
It has been scaled down, both in size (3-inch barrels) and in caliber (22-caliber). It has been scaled up, both in size (7-inch barrels) and in caliber (50-caliber). Millions upon millions have been made, many of them close to the original specifications, others gussied up with a number of modifications and accessories.
In its early days, the 1911 was so good that it discouraged competition. It was then considered the best pistol ever designed. One hundred years later, there are many who say that it still is.
The .38 S&W: THE LITTLE ROUND THAT REFUSES TO DIE
BY DAVID J. LAPELL
1942 Vintage Smith & Wesson .38-200 British Lend Lease revolver.
It has been known by many names throughout its long life: the .380/200, the .38 New Police, the Belgian 9mm revolver, but it first started off as the lowly .38 S&W.
In
