All of the manuals & blueprints you could ever want to read about the m1911 pistol is here for your viewing pleasure.

• 1911 Commercial Manual
• 1911 Pistol Blueprints
• Original Colt M1911 & M1911A1 Basic Field Manual (FM 23-35)
• The M1911A1 Notebook

Often referred to as the Browning Pistol, the M1911, remains one of the most popular guns in military, law enforcement, and competition shooting arenas. The single-action, semi-automatic handgun, designed by John Browning, is best known for being a basic weapon that allows the user to customize almost every aspect of the gun. Due to its popularity, the pistol was copied by many manufacturers and became a preeminent weapon throughout the 20^th century. It was used as standard issue in the U.S. military from 1911 to 1986 when it was replaced by the 9mm Beretta.

The M1911 remains popular with civilian competition shooters, due in part to the ability to customize the handgun. Users may use grips, replacement sights, and aftermarket accessories to personalize the piece or change the triggers, hammers, and sears. Various compact, target and tactical models are available.

What Types of Ammo for 1911

Typically, we’ve had good luck with the major American manufacturers in our 1911s. That is, Federal, Remington and Winchester. You can often save a few cents per round going with brass-cased importers too. So don’t be shy to pick up a box from Magtech, Fiocchi or Sellier & Bellot too. 

Remember, full metal jacket rounds are ideal for range use. If you’re looking for concealed carry ammo, go with a jacketed hollow point. You’ll want a bullet that expands.

Best Places to Buy Ammo

Our Top Pick for Best Online Ammo store is Ammo.com. This site offers the best ammo prices on an easy to use site. Customers rave about their customer service and fast shipping as well as their dedication to Second Amendment rights.

Other noteworthy sites:

1. Ammo Man – Launched in 1998, Ammo Man is a New Hampshire-based e-commerce company that specializes in ammunition. Ammo Man has a vast catalog featuring ammo for handguns and rifles. Shipping is free on orders over $99.
2. AmmoForSale.com – Their name says it all but they even have a specific 1911 ammo page where you can see where other 1911 shooters have voted on their choices of ammo that fires well in their pistol.
3. Ammo to Go – This online seller has gone from garage to super power when it comes to selling ammo. A fully stocked warehouse gives this Texas-based company the ability to offer hundreds of items to its customers. Competitive pricing and quick turn around times make Ammo to Go a contender in the marketplace.
4. Ammunition Depot – Like Ammo.com, Ammunition Depot fully supports Second Amendment rights. The family-owned retailer carries a wide variety of ammunition, magazines, cases, and gear. They take pride in offering high quality goods backed by outstanding customer service.
5. Bone Frog Gun Club – An expert and former Frogman developed this site devoted to supplying customers with the best in ammunition. The company only sells new, American-made items and gear.
6. Brownells – Outstanding reputation as a source for ammo and supplies and offers 100% guarantee. The Iowa-based site is often referred to as a go-to place for ammo and anything related to firearms.
7. Buds Gun Shop– Listed as a reputable site by customers. Large selection and good service allows it to compete with much bigger outlets.

8. Bulk Ammo – If you’re looking to buy in bulk, Bulk ammo is the best want to order large quantities of ammo, Bulk Ammo is the place to go. Buying in bulk means getting great ammo prices. Check out their weekly sales.

9. CheapAmmo.com – A relative new-comer to the ammo game, these guys have rounds at bottom of the barrel prices but it typically sells out very quickly. “They sell it cheap, you stack it deep!”
10. Lucky Gunner – Lucky Gunner ranks at the top of many shooting enthusiasts’ lists. They have an excellent price estimator for shipping. 
11. SGAmmo – Their website needs an update, but SGAmmo still gets points for products and services. A family-owned and operated business, SGAmmo has a massive selection of ammo, with low prices.
12. Sportsmans Guide – SG is a good choice to when you want to buy ammo online. Customers can order top brands in single boxes or in bulk. They have a huge selection of ammo for handguns, shotguns, and rifles with brand names such as Federal, Remington, and Hornady.

Beware When Buying Ammunition Online:

• Not all sites quote accurate shipping prices. Even if the site promises the best prices, your steal of a deal can turn into an expensive venture.
• Does the store show which items are in stock? A store may offer excellent deals but if they don’t have the items in stock it can become an exercise in frustration.
• Buying ammunition online is relatively easy but can cause big problems if you violate local, state or federal laws. You may not receive your order and/or end up paying shipping or restocking costs.

This is a very good cut away photo of the Colt M1911A1.  This Cut-away 1911A1 photo shows how the ammunition feeds from the magazine into the chamber.  The photo clearly shows the GI-style (not full length) guide ride and spring.  It shows the leaf spring for the grip safety, but does not show the mainspring.

This is a 1911A1 cut-away drawing in high detail.  If you have an interest in the M1911A1 pistol, this is an excellent resource.  The 1911A1 cut-away drawing shows all of the internal details of the classic pistol.  This is a 1911A1 cut-away drawing, not a 1911 cut-away drawing.  However, most of the changes between the two do not have any bearing on this 1911A1 cut-away drawing.

The gun pictured below is a Enterprise 1911.  Entreprise Arms  once made the Enterprise 1911, but the company only makes parts now, mostly for the FN-FAL rifle.  Not much is known about the pictured gun beyond the fact that it is based on the 1911 design and has various features not found on the original.

The Springfield Mil-Spec 1911A1 is pictured below.  The gun, magazine and ammunition are laying on a United States of America flag.  The Springfield Mil-Spec 1911A1 is a parkerized gun that is not truly mil-spec, but close enough for most folks who don’t know better.

The Springfield Mil-Spec 1911A1, for example, does not have a mil-spec front sight.  The grips are also aftermarket pieces.

Please Note: The Webmaster does not own any of the guns portrayed in the Gallery.
This is a collection of pictures from a variety of sources. The Sight M1911 does not deal in firearms.

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This is the original Colt M1911 pistol.  The 1911 is chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge.  It was adopted by the US Army in 1911 at the official sidearm of the military.

The 1911 pistol is more than 100 years old and it still remains one of the most popular handguns today.

Additional Resources:

• Colt 1911 on Wikipedia

Suppressors are not a new technology.  Here is a photo of the Colt M1911A1 with an attached suppressor from World War II.  Suppressors in the 1940’s were not as effective as modern silencers, but with the subsonic .45 ACP cartridge, they were effective.

This is a Colt Model 1911A1 pistol manufactured in 1941.  As compared to the M1911, the M1911A1 has a curved mainspring housing, shorter trigger, larger front sight and enlarged grip safety tang among other features/changes.

This 1911A1 is well preserved and would be a fine addition to anyone’s collection.

Additional Resources:

• Colt M1911A1 on Wikipedia