45ACP

[sqlbullet]

The US Military load for the 45 Long Colt was 30 grains of black powder under a 250 grain bullet for 800 fps.

Commercial loads of the time used 35 grains of black powder with the same bullet for 900+ fps.

http://gunsmagazine.com/black-powder-cartridge-ballistics/

The 45 ACP was meant to be between the 45 Schofield and 45 Colt in ballistics, and fits that description nicely.

[Captain O]

It s too bad that the US Government Ordnance Department couldn't have retained the .45 S&W (Schofield). With the longer case, (sans the "baloon" head) and thicker case walls, the Department could have attained 1000 fps with 230 lead bullet for use in both the S&W 1917 and Colt's New Service revolvers. With 1929's advent of heat treatment, It would have been advantage during "the war to end all wars".

Captain O

[gandog56]

Ahhh, but then we probably would not have John Moses Browning's wonderful creation of 1911.

[Captain O]

If the revolver is such a poor choice, why, with a shortage of 1911 pistols during WW1, were Colt's Manufacturing and S&W call upon to supply their double-action revolvers for military service?

You can give that some consideration.

[sqlbullet]

It isn't that they were a poor choice.  The M1917's were fine revolvers.  I lament that they are so dang expensive today.

But, the M1911 was lighter (.06 lbs), smaller (8.5" vs 10.8"), carried two extra rounds in condition 1 or 2, and was much faster to reload.  It is a better platform for a sidearm.

We pressed S&W and Colt for M1917's because they had lots of revolver production capacity in place, and would have needed a good bit of time to ramp M1911 production capacity.  Plus, a sidearm is NOT a primary weapon for a soldier.  If you were expected to fight, you had a rifle.  If you weren't expected to fight, then, in the words of Sgt.Major Plumley, there are plenty [of rifles] available if you need one.

[Captain O]

There was a shortage on M1911 pistols. That was the primary reason! (I knew this because my daddy told me the original story). It pays to be a member of a military family. They worked, and worked well. Lots of "doughboys" owe their lives to the M1917 S&W Revolver and it's Colt counterpart.

[sqlbullet]

There was a shortage on M1911 pistols. That was the primary reason! (I knew this because my daddy told me the original story). It pays to be a member of a military family. They worked, and worked well. Lots of "doughboys" owe their lives to the M1917 S&W Revolver and it's Colt counterpart.

The shortage of pistols drove a need to acquire handguns, but  if they could have tooled up fast to make M1911's, the 1917 never would have been.  But, they didn't have auto making capacity in reserve.  Revolver capacity they had.

[Captain O]

There was a shortage on M1911 pistols. That was the primary reason! (I knew this because my daddy told me the original story). It pays to be a member of a military family. They worked, and worked well. Lots of "doughboys" owe their lives to the M1917 S&W Revolver and it's Colt counterpart.

The shortage of pistols drove a need to acquire handguns, but  if they could have tooled up fast to make M1911's, the 1917 never would have been.  But, they didn't have auto making capacity in reserve.  Revolver capacity they had.

In spades!