The Government Model is unusual in that it came about as the result of evolutionary development rather then something that was simply blueprinted and put into production. John Browning and Colt, over a period of 10 years or so, would make a prototype and the army would test it. Following an after-action report the gun’s designer would modify the prototype and submit a new gun for testing – and so it went. By the time the final version emerged in 1910 the bugs were pretty well worked out – so much so that the guns being made today aren’t substantially changed mechanically from the first ones.
The pistol remains popular because it is unusually reliable and accurate (if made the way the originators intended) and a relatively light, crisp trigger pull allows the user to take full advantage of it’s other commendable features.
It should be noted that later pistol designs frequently incorporate Browning’s short-recoil barrel locking system. Currently the only major manufacturer that doesn’t is Beretta.
The pistol remains popular because it is unusually reliable and accurate (if made the way the originators intended) and a relatively light, crisp trigger pull allows the user to take full advantage of it’s other commendable features.
It should be noted that later pistol designs frequently incorporate Browning’s short-recoil barrel locking system. Currently the only major manufacturer that doesn’t is Beretta.