some 1911 questions.

[eatatjoes]

i have just recently began full-size pistol shooting after a lengthy training session with a .22 Neos. as such, i have become very interested in the history of my 1911 and the history of the 1911 in general. after reading dozens of articles on the development, history and use of the 1911 i found this article that features the following quote:

While Browning was producing 1911s for military service, Colt sold commercial models as well. Published data shows that Colt sold over 300,000 commercial pistols from 1912 to 1970. Data for production beyond that point is not available, but informed speculation is that in the last few years Colt sold up to 60,000 pistols per year.

i find it odd that only 300,000 1911s were sold over such a long period. was the 1911 relatively expensive when compared to a .38 revolver? or was it just not considered as suitable for the general shooter? is the popularity of the 1911 somewhat of a recent occurence? i do not know much about automatic pistols since from an early age all i have been exposed to is rifles and the occasional revolver.

 

[cornbread2]

In those days auto pistols just were not so pouplar.

The vast majority of police carried revolvers and in those days the old .45 auto had a reputation of being extremly inaccurate.

If I had a dime for everytime an old WW-II vet told me how inaccurate the .45 was I would be a rich man today.

Also in those days autos the 1911 was known to have reliability problems.

Things have changed. Almost all cops carry auto pistols and now the 1911 is considered the most accurate and reliable pistol made.

It was really in the last 30 years that auto pistols really caught on.

 

[444]

"While Browning was producing 1911s for military service, ...."

I wasn't aware that Browning produced any 1911s other than the prototypes