Colt 1911: Pop Culture's Most Iconic Pistol - Loadout 

"A gun so good, they named a year after it."

"This type of .45 automatic pistol was designed by one of my tribe almost four hundred years ago. Learning its use is a New Canaanite rite of passage.” - Joshua Graham, Honest Hearts; Fallout New Vegas

It's doubly amazing that the same man who designed this pistol, John Browning, also designed the BAR, the M2 heavy machine gun, the Winchester Model 94, the Auto-5 shotgun, and dozens more. You could make a game where the player has access to nothing but Browning designed guns, and have a pretty complete range of weapons for a typical FPS.

Hard to think that a gun made 110 years ago is still perfectly serviceable and effective nowadays. John Moses Browning was indeed an engineering genius.

I believe John Wick reloads “too much” in that scene in JW2 because he’s mostly reloading half-empty pistols from people who had been shooting at him before he killed them. You can watch him scrounge pistols like he’s in a FPS, occasionally managing to get .45 ammo to go back to the Kimber but mostly using mook’s guns until they go dry and grabbing another.

Forgot to mention the one thing that keeps folks coming back to the 1911 platform: the superlative trigger.

The scene where Snake gets his 1911 Operator in Snake Eater is what got me. He was like a kid opening his presents on christmas

The talk about stopping power reminded me of something I read not too long ago. If I remember correctly, according to FBI statistics the 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP have comparable stopping power. The 9mm cartridge however has a couple of advantages over the other two: you can fit more rounds in a magazine and it has less recoil.

Also love to mention the AMT Hardballers from the HITMAN franchise! ;)

.45 huh? Incredible. The feeding ramp is polished to a mirror sheen... The slide's been reinforced, and the interlock with the frame is tightened for added precision. The sight system is original too. The thumb safety is extended to make it easier on the finger... a long type trigger with non-slip grooves... A ring hammer... The base of the trigger guard's been filed down for a higher grip. And not only that, nearly every part of this gun is expertly crafted and customized.

After 62 years exploring life and earth, the 1911 is still my favorite personal rock thrower. At least 30 vendors make a modern version of it, so obviously I am not the only one that feels that way.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Feels fitting that today’s video is on one of the most iconic weapons in all of history ❤🎉

I was disappointed Jonathan didn't take the chance to talk about John Browning, he may not have designed the 1911 directly, but his designs during his time at Colt made it possible and he is the important designer of military firearms in history.

112 years and STILL the Best Handgun Ever Made! Well done John Moses Browning, your design is a work of art, hope it lasts another 100 years.

Props to John Moses Browning for designing this iconic pistol!

These guns are just as good in real life as they are in games. Fantastic to shoot.

This is one of those guns where if it's in a game, I'm going to use it, and if it isn't I'm going to mod it in.

Jonathan's revulsion at ridiculous gun decorations gives me life and joy.

Watching this while reading "Kongsberg Colten" the history of the Norwegian 1911 (mod 1914)!

Bad Company 2’s 1911 was my favorite, it felt good to make the trade off in mag capacity in exchange for the extra power

My favorite firearm. I bought a Springfield Armory 1911 when I was 21 and I think since then I've fired it more than all the other firearms I own combined. I do actually agree that it is technically obsolete at this point for LEO and military. But for a personal defense weapon it's still more than up to the task and feels so good to shoot and train with.

At least in pop culture it surpassed the improved and way better version, the HP, which still being used and got upgraded recently, even tho the 1911 looks better, I rather have the HP, double the capacity makes way more difference than stoping power.

These are 100% the best loadout episodes :D I love seeing you two just sit down and chat about something with some rich history & cultural relevance to dig into - we get to see you be yourselves and enjoy the discussion - great video!

Jonathan discussing my favourite firearm, that's a christmas gift

I love Dave and Jonathan's dynamic. I truly hope that they enjoy working with one another. They seem to.

Solid vid and a good way to kick off Christmas

I really needed this! Thank you very much, Dave & Jonathan 🙂👏

I'll be honest I was surprised to not see the 1911 in Modern Warfare 2.

Alyx's gun in _Half-Life_ is a heavily modified 1911 (the wiki claims it's a Para-Ordnance P14-45 model)! In _Half-Life: Alyx,_ you get to take it through the upgrade path that eventually results in the gun you see Alyx using in _Half-Life 2_ !

When I was buying my first handgun, I picked the 1911A1 pretty much without thinking... Never regretted that decision.

Great video guys thanks Dave and Jonathan I love the 1911 it's the benchmark for all modern semi automatic pistols 🔫 merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 😀 respect

👏👏👏 I must say, the interview style of this Loadout was a nice change of pace.

The 1911 is certainly outdated, but the fact that people are still even having this debate about it is extremely impressive when you compare it to it's peers. I can't think of another pre-WWII automatic handgun that is still remotely relevant today, other than maybe the Hi-power. It was basically the first modern handgun and the tilting barrel locking mechanism and full length slide has become the default way to design a handgun. Even to this day, deviations from this form factor are extremely rare. An interesting fun fact is that Georg Luger made a version of his toggle lock handgun in Browning's .45 acp round, to compete with the 1911 in US army trials. Now it's common to see the 1911 chambered in the 9mm round that Luger designed.

I own and have carried a 1911 as a self-personal defense weapon. This weapon is timeless and versatile. I live in Washington State if you go out into the woods you're equally as likely to run into a tweaker high on methamphetamine or a bear. The 1911 chambered in 45 ACP can handle dealing with either. This pistol carries flatter and more comfortably than a lot of 9 mm that I own or have owned. This weapon was designed originally for the calvary and it's designed to be carried cocked and locked. This weapon works fine that way because turning off the safety on the draw is something that takes about 30 seconds to teach yourself how to do after that it's natural. It's pistol fires a big heavy piece of lead and can be reloaded very quickly. Also there are 10 round magazines that can be had aftermarket.

It's the best looking handgun and best trigger. Ever.

The best designs, are timeless. The wheel. The lightbulb. Sliced bread. The 1911, ranks among these

Many people still like and use the 1911 because it has a lot of good soft points. It is well balanced, slim slide and grip, not small but not too large either, steel and wood rather than plastic, 45 auto has a smoother recoil impulse than 9mm, 45 auto is more easily suppressed, when suppressed the gun shoots quieter, good triggers, intuitive controls, slide can be buttery smooth on even cheaper guns, and also has a huge array of aftermarket parts.

Merry Christmas thanks Johnathon🎄🎁

No handgun that I have held or fired feels as comfortable and natural in my hands as the 1911A1.

Oh the topic of the American-ness of the M1911, it might of interest to note, that the first large scale combat use the M1911/Colt Government Model saw, was likely with the 1st Canadian Division in 1915. Due to a shortage of Webley revolvers, an order for Colt Automatic Pistols was placed by the Canadian government in 1914 for first batch of troops training than departing for England. The first action those saw was at Ypres and St. Julien in early 1915.

Having made a 1911, I really appreciate it. It is gorgeous and very versatile

I'm really basic when it comes to appreciating pistols. The 1911 is always one of my favorites in any game I can get my hands on it in, and if there's not a 1911, there's often one of its descendants. Notably, things like the H&K USP, which is often my go to if the 1911 isn't available, because... well, it's a more up-to-date design of a similar principle. The 9mm handguns may have more practicality in real life, but in video games I love me my .45s.

I think one of the biggest reasons you see it in comics so much is that it's so easy to draw lol

It’s just classic, I think that’s the best way to describe it. It’s just got a classic beautiful look to it.

My grandfather was a marine during the 50's. He loved this gun.

I got a Thompson 1911..I love it

What many don't know is that Colt 1911's main competition in US Army trails was actual Lugar pistol chambered for in .45ACP. That version of the Lugar was created by Lugar himself and though it lost to Browning's pistol. When the gun was rediscovered in the 1990's, people were shocked at how good of feel it was. To the point its made today and is considered the smoothest and perhaps the most accurate .45 caliber pistol in existence. So that one US Army competition give us at least two amazing things.

Nice video. I have only ever used guns in computer games... but there the '1911 has been a long-time favourite.

Ahh yes , I was just waiting for this iconic gun to come up on my RU-vid notifications (;

"9mm kills the body but 45. ACP kills the soul, you gotta make sure people don't come back as a lich"- TheRussianBadger

More knowledge, thank you.

I hadn't realized it before they mentioned it, but when I as a kid was drawing guns, I always did and still would draw a 1911. Though it is my favorite pistol, it didn't become my favorite until I was in my mid/late 20's (unrelated to me drawing it in my youth).

It even apears in Titanic, a movie set in 1912, the only 1 year old gun (very unlikely) got into the hands of the bad guys henchman.

One reason they use them alot in movies, I reckon. Is that it's just easy and cheaper to get replicas for it than alot of other guns.

I heard a lot of movies actually used the Browning Hi Power because it looks quite similar to the Colt 1911 but were easier for some reason. Not sure if they were cheaper or 9mm blanks were easier to find or whatever it was

Love the “see you in fallout 5,1911” at the end.

glad Medal of Honor got a decent mention, good old series that needs some love

We can also argue that in context of the story, the Terminator keeps the laser sight for plausible deniability. People are less likely to think he is a robot if his gun has a laser sight cause, well, he doesn't need it.

Yes! I’ve been waiting for this! My favorite gun ever. In Battlefield 1, it was literally my best weapon (not just best sidearm) with over 2400 ks I just love everything about it.

I love the 1911 pistol, I should know I own a Rock Island Armory 1911 chambered in .45 ACP and I absolutely love it and plenty of others as well. I think it’s fair to say that pop culture has kept the 1911 alive and probably will for a long time.

I was waiting for this one

The 45 long slide with laser sighting

I've fired my fair share of handguns, and to this day my favorite pistol to shoot is still this old, cheapish S&W 1911. It fires so smoothly, but with authority, balance and grace. The limited ammo capacity is obviously a liability in combat scenarios, but for just shooting for shooting's sake, that old 1911 holds a special place in my heart.

My every day carry is a Colt Officers Model 1911, you could never talk me out of it!

.45 ACP The lords caliber on earth

At a young age, I didn't like the 1911 because of bo1 Zombies but as I got older and played more games I now appreciate the gun's significance.

I grew up with m9 that will always be my favorite handgun

Tom Hanks had a 1911 in Saving Private Ryan AND Forrest Gump. Iconic

Such a great looking gun

3 clips of John Wick with his Kimber Warrior within 30 seconds of playtime coupled with all the 1911 love on display? Simply leaving a “like” wouldn’t be enough to show my appreciation, lol, well done! ❤️

Happy Holidays!

Very first gun I ever owned. Still love it.

merry sunday

10:22 yesss, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.! I wish you guys reacted to the various weapon mods for this game (not just Clear Sky, but mainly the weapon packs for Anomaly).

9mm kills the body, but .45 ACP kills the soul!

I've never shot a finer pistol than my father's 1942, Remington Rand. Amazing gun. When I turned 21, I bought a 1911.

I'd love to see Johnathan react to and assess the heavily customized 1911 from Metal Gear Solid 3, and all the upgrades Snake gushes about over the radio.

merry Christmas to Gamespot and to all!!!

Usually the first gun you get.

Merry Christmas

I think the first 3D WWII shooter was 1999's Hidden & Dangerous, and the only sidearm you could equip your SAS commandos with in that was the .45 Colt 1911. The expansion offered up the Browning HP, and I think you could acquire Lugers off dead Germans but Hidden & Dangerous predates Medal of Honor by a few months. And desperately needs a remake, it was the absolute business for a '99 game.

I always like the Para-Ordnance P14, admittedly having never shot one, since they managed to create a double stack .45 magazine and were made here in Canada. Unfortunately there were apparently quality control issues and the whole thing eventually moved out of Canada to the United States. But for a while it was a uniquely Canadian handgun, which you don’t get a lot of.

Not that long ago I went to a gun shop with my father, he's planning on buying a pistol. He was looking at some glocks, but my eye kept getting drawn to an all black 1911 in the case.

There are M1911 variants that are double stack magazines. Therefore carrying 15+ rounds and matching modern pistol capacities. At the time, other than the C93 and C96 Mausers, most guns were revolvers that had usually 6 rounds. Yes, some smaller caliber revolvers had more chambers, but not what the military was using. The M1911 was 7+1 capacity and speed of reloading was miles ahead of the existing technology at the time. The gun has an excellent feel in the hand for most people. Newer pistols that are double stack are less comfortable for people with smaller hands.

You did forget to mention the inventor, and the fact it's still the iconic main weapon of The Punisher. You could do a series on this firearm alone. (Or the Remington 870, another historic gold mine)

Engravings… give every advantage that I can possibly think of

It's just a beautiful gun. I like the lines, the contour, I just like it.

A feeding ramp polished to a mirror sheen, providing a smooth area for the cartridge to slide into the chamber on, improving reliability; A reinforced National Match slide;[4] Mating of frame and slide for a precise, tight fit, with the frame itself having been iron-welded and scraped down multiple times, for maximum precision and accuracy; "Stepping" texture on the mainspring housing to avoid slippage during recoil, as well as a checkered front strap part for a more positive grip; A high-profile 3-dot type sight system. It features an enlarged front sight, giving it superior target sighting capability, helping the user to see over the suppressor; A ring hammer from the Colt Commander model, replacing the standard spur hammer. This eliminates "hammer bite" occasionally experienced by some shooters and decreases lock time, making the ignition system faster; A unique dovetail that stood in for the altogether removed grip safety mechanism, designed to simultaneously accommodate the ring hammer; An extended thumb safety and slide stop to allow for easier operation of both controls; A long-type trigger replacing the standard version, which is more comfortable for people with longer fingers. Holes have been drilled into the trigger shoe to reduce bouncing from the recoil. Trigger pull has been estimated to be around 3.5 lbs(1.6kg); A bevelled magazine well for easier and swifter reloading; A shaved down and recheckered magazine release button to lessen the chance of accidental magazine drops during a firefight; Cocking serrations at the front of the slide to allow the user to press-check and clear jams using the front of the slide. This is easier to do for some shooters; Whittled down walnut grips to create a less bulky grip when holding the CQC knife. A threaded barrel made to accept a custom suppressor

The 1911 is like a classic muscle car, cool to look at, cool to use, get the job done; but they are outdone by more modern cars in the practical sense. And much like people restomodding classic cars giving them modern features, people are doing the same to 1911s.

Yes my favourite pistol!

Finally, M1911 episode

I fired my first 1911 at twelve years old. Even then, I knew pretty much precisely how to operate it because it was/is THAT intuitive, like an AK. Almost three decades later, I still carry one when I go out every bit as often as a more modern polymer-framed sidearm with higher capacity and I don’t feel like I’ve made a bad choice in defense in the least. Sometimes, a classic is a classic because it just works.

Honestly probably the first handgun I'll but I know they are expensive but they're so beautiful and reliable

Remember seeing the 1911 in action in Black Hawk Down. All the Delta Force guys were carrying 1911's.

The 1911 may not be as groundbreaking as it once was, but it works and has stood the test of time.

Imagine making something so well that every version of that thing made after copy's you

"M1911: The pistol that forgot to become obsolete" -Ahoy

I appreciate that Jonathan clearly isn't a huge fan. Not just hyping it for the videos sake.

Honor Harrington carries one in David Weber's far future Space Opera book series... along with a Katana, of course!

The 1911 .45 is the Quintessential GUN. It’s virtually perfect.