The 1911A1 - America's Workhorse

 John Moses Browning created more great firearm designs in his lifetime than anyone in world history.  His influences truly changed the world in ways even the creation of nuclear weapons hasn't.  The 1911 pistol remains one of the most successful pistol designs more that 100 years after it's inception.  It hasn't gone this long without changes and improvements, but the overall design and manual of arms remains largely the same.

 The 1911A1 designation introduced several changes that were seen as improvements at the time, but modern shooters have backtracked on the changes to a shorter reach trigger and the arched mainspring housing.  The extended beavertail was a welcomed change, and modern designs have extended it even further.

 Surplus M1911A1 pistols have been on the market for decades, but many of these were relegated to special NRA surplus programs, or even family members taking their pistols home with them against orders.  The Civilian Marksmanship Program was authorized to facilitate the surplus of M1911A1 pistols by Congress relatively recently, and has been working to maximize the 10,000 pistols per year limit each year since authorization was granted.

 Tens of thousands of these pistols are now in the hands of American citizens, which is exactly where they belong.  The 1911 IS America, as it's been used by American soldiers, American citizens, and even American gangsters since it's inception.  You can't hold a Colt, Ithaca, Remington Rand, Union Switch & Signal, or even a Singer (if you're lucky) without smiling and thinking about it's history.  There have been countless manufacturers since World War Two that have continued this great design, and we should all hope this continues another 100 years because not everything has to be a Glock.