M15 pistol
| M15 General Officer's Pistol | |
|---|---|
 M15 pistol |
|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972-present |
| Used by | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rock Island Arsenal |
| Manufacturer | Rock Island Arsenal |
| Produced | 1972-1984[1] |
| Number built | 1,004 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.03 kg (2.27 lb) empty |
| Length | 200 mm (7.90 in) |
| Barrel length | 108 mm (4.25 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | .45 ACP |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Muzzle velocity | 800ft/s (245 m/s) |
| Feed system | 7-round single column, detachable box magazine |
The M15 General Officers is a .45 ACP pistol developed by the U.S. Army's Rock Island Arsenal from stock M1911 pistols. as a replacement for the aging Colt Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. The pistol was issued to United States Army officers as a personal weapon.
The M15 is quite similar to the Colt Commander and is operationally similar to the M1911A1. Formally adopted in 1972 it is no longer produced but can still be seen in service with officers who have long service careers.
Contents |
[edit] History
Originally intended for high ranking military personnel, the M15 was built from an existing stock of Colt M1911 pistols. [2] It is similar to the Colt Commander, but has internal differences. Colt later released a similar pistol called the Colt Officer's ACP. This model is commonly referred to as the "Officer". It was adopted to give officers a weapon with greater stopping power and effectiveness over previously issued sidearms. There is some disagreement in sources over its formal designation, possibly either Pistol, General Officers', Caliber .45, M15 or Pistol, Cal. .45, Semi-automatic, M1911A1, General Officer's. The M9 9mm has replaced the M1911 as the General Officer Pistol.
[edit] Operational traits
Functionally, the M15 operates the same as a basic M1911 Colt pistol. The shorter barrel is reported to have a greater muzzle blast, yet even with the abbreviated barrel, the pistol maintains a muzzle velocity of 245 m/s (800 ft/s). The pistol's sights are larger than the standard M1911A1's including a taller front sight.[3] Magazines remain interchangeable between the two models. A lanyard may be attached to the mainspring housing.
[edit] Officer Weapon Distinction
The M15 is made to a higher standard of finish to distinguish it as an officer's pistol. It has select-grade walnut grips with brass placards on each grip with the owner's name engraved in each. The slide is also engraved, "General Officer's Model" and the abbreviation "RIA" for Rock Island Arsenal. [4] The greater flash and bang of the muzzle blast is also believed to be more appropriate for an officer to some observers.[5]
[edit] Users
[edit] References
- ^ McNab,Chris The Great Book of Guns, p. 108, Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
- ^ Thomson, Leroy. The Colt 1911 Pistol, Osprey Publishing 2011.
- ^ Thomson, Leroy. The Colt 1911 Pistol, Osprey Publishing 2011.
- ^ Kinard, Jeff. Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact, p. 154, ABC-CLIO, Inc. 2003.
- ^ McNab,Chris The Great Book of Guns, p. 108, Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
- ^ McNab,Chris The Great Book of Guns, p. 108, Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
[edit] Bibliography
- Kinard, Jeff. Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact, ABC-CLIO, Inc. Santa Barbara, CA(USA) 2003. ISBN 1-85109-470-9
- McNab, Chris, The Great Book of Guns, Thunder Bay Press, San Diego, CA(USA), 2004. ISBN 978-1-59223-304-5.
