The Colt 1911 Pistol (Weapon, 9) Paperback – May 24, 2011

This is a moderate-length book that features something that some authors don't cover very well in some 1911 books-- that would be the history of the brave men who used these pistols in combat. Very well written and researched, with an emphasis on the people who made the gun what it is today, those people being American heroes. Detailed yet succinct, a very nice simple read that is great for any 1911 fan, especially people new to the gun.

The Colt 1911 Pistol M14 rifle was developed for in the early 1900s to replace the revolver. It has been used by the US Army from the punitive raid in Mexico through WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and into OEF in Afghanistan. The Osprey Weapon book by Leroy Thompson is well written and provides ample pictures, diagrams, and uses artwork to supplement the text on combat operations. The 1911 pistol was also used by British Commandos in WWII and has been used by law enforcement to the present day.This was the weapon which I carried as sidearm while serving as pay officer in West Germany in the early 1980's and for other special missions. I became very familiar with this weapon and was thankful that this volume was produced.I have over 500 Osprey titles and enjoy reading and benefit from the information contained in the volumes.

The Colt Model 1911 pistol has had an astonishingly long service life, arming U.S. forces in the Philippine insurrection, the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the war on terrorism. Although the M1911 .45 has been generally replaced as an issue weapon in U.S. forces by the M9 9mm Beretta, selected units, and private individuals, continue to use it for its undoubted stopping power."The Colt 1911 Pistol" is an Osprey Weapon Series book, authored by Leroy Thompson, with illustrations by Peter Dennis and Alan Gilliland. The narrative includes a quick introduction, an extended discussion of the development of the Colt .45 caliber pistol, and a history of its long service use. The service history includes a number of interesting stories about its use in combat in multiple wars, and by lawmen in the United States, China, and other locations. The text is backed up by period photographs, breakout diagrams of the pistol itself, and some nifty illustrations of it's use. This book will be a concise and interesting read to the scholar of military firearms, and the general reader. Recommended.

This is a great book on the development, history, and use of the Colt 1911. This is great for researching the various questions that may arise with ownership of the 1911.

Lots of good info and insights on the development, use, and stories of this historic weapon. Also info on variants, such as those made under license in other countries, helpful to a collector.

Great history book on the 1911. It is a light and interesting read. Something that can be read in one to two days. If you are a 1911 guy or gal the this is for you.

I am an owner of one of the 1911 pistols, and it would be much better if the editors of the series asked a non-american to write a book on this legendary pistol. The author is very shallow on the history of development of the pistol and says almost nothing about ground-breaking work of Browning who was able to make a pistol to handle this humongous .45 cartridge. Instead, the book is full of stories about war heroics with it. Not many words about its disadvantages, and these are many (clumsy disassembly, sensitivity to bad magazines and bad ammo, steep learning curve, bad recoil handling). After all, it was replaced with 9 mm Beretta (Beretta!!). Understandably, it is a cult weapon in America, but for the rest of the World - not so much. Interestingly, the author does not mention Tokarev TT pistol, which was a much simplified and somewhat better Russian replica of this pistol.

Just got the book, leafed through it, pictures and print are very sharp...definitely worth it.