The 1911 pistol was designed by John Moses Browning, one of the most influential firearm designers of the 20th century, and was adopted by the United States Army in 1911 as the M1911. It replaced the earlier M1910 revolver and was intended to meet the Army's needs for a more powerful, semi-automatic pistol that could be effective in combat.

Browning’s design was groundbreaking at the time. It was a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), a new cartridge that combined power with reasonable recoil control, making it ideal for self-defense and combat situations. The design was intended to be durable, reliable, and effective at close to medium ranges, with a robust mechanism that could endure harsh conditions.

The M1911 went on to serve as the standard-issue sidearm for the U.S. military from 1911 to 1985, and remains in service with various military and law enforcement agencies worldwide in its modernized forms.