On this day in 1911...

[DFW1911]

1911 – The M1911 single-action, semi-automatic pistol developed by American firearms designer John Browning became the standard-issue side arm in the United States Army.

Wow, how time flies while you're having fun!

Source: Wikipedia

 

[ArthurDent]

99 years and still going strong!

 

[Hatterasguy]

99 years and they still can't improve on it much...just some tweaks here and their.

 

[wishin]

Thanks to Browning, I have a Colt 1911A1 Gold Cup and a 9mm Hi-Power. Brilliant guy.

 

[Baba Louie]

Thanks to Browning, I have a...

Win 94, 97, Auto 5, Baby Browning (KBI/FN clone), a 1911 or 2, a Browning Citori (superposed cheaper clone?) and I'm sure a few others. 7 million Winchester 94s and who knows how many 1911s have been made over the years?

 

[Dominus]

What an awesome day in history!

 

[Domineaux]

As much as I would love to do so sooner, I am already planning to have money saved up so that on this day next year I can purchase my first (hopefully of many) 1911.

 

[Beelzy]

Should be a National Holiday!

Thanks JMB for the 1919a4 as well.

 

[rm23]

Last year on this date, I started putting away $200 a month to buy a Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade so that I'd have enough to buy one on the centennial.

 

[Gouranga]

That is an impressive feat. Imagine, what else do we have out there that can claim such a longevity? In 99 years vehicles have changed drastically. Aircraft, went from a curiosity to a mainstream item.

Working in IT 4 years is an impressive run for a good system. 99 years on a design is awesome.

 

[LoneCoon]

So, will Colt be issuing a 100th anniversary version of the 1911 next year?

 

[shotgunjoel]

Don't people realize that it was designed several years before 1911? I think that the origanal were in 1906, making the design at least 105 years old, not 99.

 

[loadedround]

Went out a bought a SS Colt Delta Elite in 10MM to celebrate this day. Love my 1911's.

 

[Just One Shot]

Yep, time to retire the design.





















(Ducks and runs for cover!)

 

[dovedescending]

Who cares if it was made in 1906? The Model Number is 1911, so let's celebrate in 2011!

John Browning is my homeboy...

 

[Vonderek]

It is amazing how JMB created so many incredible designs in an age without CAD design. I don't think he even used blueprints or technical drawings of any kind.

 

[Domineaux]

It is amazing how JMB created so many incredible designs in an age without CAD design. I don't think he even used blueprints or technical drawings of any kind.

I don't know how he would have done such a design without any tech drawings or blueprints at all.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Hurrah for JMB and for the 1911!!!

Domineaux--

I don't know how he would have done such a design without any tech drawings or blueprints at all.

First he would have had to have been genius enough to conceive of the design in his head--that's where intellectual pioneers of all kinds have it over the rest of us. McCormick, Appleby, Whitney, Conan Doyle, Bach, and Hieronymous Bosch come to mind. But fiddlesticks on arguing the exact details of conception, design, and production! Browning's great pistol design needs celebrating!

When I go to the range today I'll be sure to shoot mine!

 

[R.W.Dale]

This is like an religion with you guys isn't it?


You guys aren't going to commit mass suicide in preparation of planet X's return are you???

 

[Domineaux]

First he would have had to have been genius enough to conceive of the design in his head--that's where intellectual pioneers of all kinds have it over the rest of us.

I'm absolutely sure you are right about him conceiving the rough designs in his head, which is certainly impressive to me, I just can't imagine anyone not requiring a progression to tech drawings/blue prints before getting further along.
I mean even da Vinci made tech drawings of ideas far before the construction stage.

 

[Smokey Joe]

No blueprints...

Domineaux--Well, I know that I've gone from idea to execution with no drawings, but it was just building rough shelving or stuff like that, and working alone. Prolly you're right, and Vonderek is wrong: at some point in the transition from idea to finished product there simply must be drawings and specs, especially if more than one person is working on the project.

In my listing of intellectual pioneers, I unforgivably left out Leonardo's name. What a mind!

 

[Domineaux]

Domineaux--Well, I know that I've gone from idea to execution with no drawings, but it was just building rough shelving or stuff like that, and working alone. Prolly you're right, and Vonderek is wrong: at some point in the transition from idea to finished product there simply must be drawings and specs, especially if more than one person is working on the project.

In my listing of intellectual pioneers, I unforgivably left out Leonardo's name. What a mind!

I never intended to say anyone was wrong, just meant that "if" JMB did it without tech drawings or blue prints then I don't know how he managed it.

I need to draft it out before I put up a shelf..or I will when I get around to it (procrastinators unite...tomorrow!)..lol

 

[skoro]

One of the finest sidearms ever designed became official US issue.

 

[mothermopar]

Yeah, what a time for firearms enthusiasts... the greatest handgun ever conceived... and its 100th 'official' bday is coming upon us. Still the best overall design, still a worthy firearm to be carried in combat/patrol... still the best.

 

[Noxx]

This is like an religion with you guys isn't it?

Yep.

Brownings tilting short recoil design not only gave us the venerable 1911, but practically every widely used serious caliber handgun since.

Not only did he design a firearm whose genius is in it's absolute simplicity, but the mechanism set forth set the stage for the next century of handgun development.

This is pretty damn impressive, yes?