Colt M1911

The Colt M1911 was a .45 caliber automatic handgun, and the basis for nearly all automatic handgun designs ever since. Designed by the famed John Browning in 1911, the Colt 1911 became the standard issue weapon of the United States military for over 60 years. Slight modifications following World War I led to the redesignation M1911A1.

Serving through both world wars, the weapon gained widespread use amongst civilians, police units, and the armed services. Most notably, the famed Allied mercenary, Tanya Adams always went into battle with her pair of customized Colts.

By the late 1980s, the Colt was phased out of standard issue, replaced by Beretta 92 in most military organizations. However, various Special Forces and Police units continued to use the Colts, and it's use by members of the general public has not waned either.