1911 and the 230 gr. bullet

[wisconsin]

I always thought that JMB engineered the 1911 for use with the 230 gr. hardball ammo. I had a conversation with someone today who told me the he originally designed it for 200 gr. swc ammo , but the miliitary requied a heavier ammo for knocking down not men, but thier horses. Is this a line of crap or is thier truth to this. I always though that the barrels rate of twist and the 230 gr. ammo made it the most accurate combination. Both my 5"@ 6" 1911's are more accurate with  200 gr swc ammo than with 230 gr of anything. Does anyone have the true story about JBM and what he designed his creation for 

[CurrieS103]

Check this out.  It clearly states 230g FMJ.  I think the 1911 has evolved to the point that it can digest then hit the target fairly accurately with any good ammo.

http://www.m1911.org/full_history.htm

[TAB]

I've heard lots of things...

what I do know is before the us gov changed the contract from a "38" cal to 45 cal he was designing a 9 mm  pistol.   the gripe safety and the manuel safety were also required by the army.  I'm not sure rather he had plans for those or not.

[Ron J]

American Rifleman TV did a show from the Browning Museum. They said Browning started with a 45 Colt bullet and kept rounding it off until it fit the gun.  Ended up with 230gr. RN. 

[CDR]

American Rifleman TV did a show from the Browning Museum. They said Browning started with a 45 Colt bullet and kept rounding it off until it fit the gun.  Ended up with 230gr. RN. 

Exactly....from my understanding this is correct.  He essentially took the flat 45 Long Colt bullet, which weighed in at 250 gr., and rounded off the sides to allow it to feed reliably in an auto loader.  This obviously was not an issue in a revolver, but became extremely important in a military semi auto pistol. The result was the removal of 20 gr. of lead that left us with the fabulous 230 gr. 45 ACP round.  There was no predetermined weight in mind for the round, it simply evolved as a great example of necessity being the mother of invention.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Exactly....from my understanding this is correct.  He essentially took the flat 45 Long Colt bullet, which weighed in at 250 gr., and rounded off the sides to allow it to feed reliably in an auto loader.  This obviously was not an issue in a revolver, but became extremely important in a military semi auto pistol. The result was the removal of 20 gr. of lead that left us with the fabulous 230 gr. 45 ACP round.  There was no predetermined weight in mind for the round, it simply evolved as a great example of necessity being the mother of invention.

Don't let that guy that gets on MB about 'long colt' hear you say that!    (no, it's not me)

[TAB]

If I want to call it long colt, I'll call it long colt.

[CDR]

If I want to call it long colt, I'll call it long colt.

Yeah.........see.   Me too!!!
 
 

[tombogan03884]

If I want to call it long colt, I'll call it long colt.

You can call it Hazel for all I care.     

[Michael Bane]

I now call the .45 ACP the "Short Colt," or just "Coltie" for short!

Anyhow, I always heard the .45 Colt story, too...seems reasonable. Interesting enough, today I was shooting Tex-X 200-grain flat points in my unmodified 1911A1 Remington Rand, and it really likes 'em.

mb