Why is it a 1911, and why is it not?

[clayintx]

I don’t own a 1911.

I carried one in the Air Force as an escape and evasion arm should I be shot down.

I will offer a bit of opinion. For me a 1911 must use a .45ACP cartridge and in all features match what I carried in the Air Force. Other calibers and features don’t get it as far as I’m concerned, but it seems I’m a minority.

So—what features make an automatic pistol be a 1911 whereas some of similar construction and action are not?

[Alan Duke]

There are many companies that make 1911 based firearms. Colt, Springfield, Kimber, and Para Ordenance just to name a few. As far as the 1911 being a Colt original----not true. The 1911 was originally desgned by John Browning and submitted to the U.S. Army (who was looking for a larger cal. sidearm in the field) in 1908. The Army approved the gun and placed an order. Browning, who did not have a facility large enough to produce the quantity needed for the demand, penned a deal with Colt. Colt released them as tha Colt "1911" .45 ACP....the year.....1911.

[clayintx]

Alan,
I agree that what you said is true, but that’s history not an answer.

Note that the opinion I gave is just that—opinion. Now of course it’s the correct opinion because it’s mine.

But,
back to the question, regardless of my opinion. What features must a gun have to be called a 1911 and are there specific features which preclude it being called a 1911?