[PAPA G]

if the 1911 was not chosen as the winner of the USArmy's pistol trials.

suppose one of the other entrients were chosen instead. would Luger, Mannlicher, Savage or some other be as common and popular as the 1911 is now? would there be many aftermarket items to add to that pistol? what do you think.

[cjleete]

The Savage was reeeaaal close. It was a fine gun.

[Big Dog]

They tested a .45ACP version of the Luger as well - THAT would have been a hoot - our going to war against Germany using the same pistol in both armies - though we'd have the edge in caliber!

[waterdog]

Like the M1903 mauser knockoff.

[XIDshooter]

BAH,the troops woulda balked at anything less.
Stop blasphemin'!

[Jay]

The 1911 design worked, and "fit" more folks than virtually any other firearm design. If not in 1911, it would have eventually come into it's own, and I think it would have easily achieved it's current status.

[Don357]

It's possible, but I think the other guns would have evolved a lot more than the 1911 has. Look at the styles of the modern pistols, the Luger would probably resemble a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mark 3, with a bull barrel, and still be out of balance. As for the others, they too would have become more ergonomic. But, since there's no need to mess with perfection, the 1911 remains basically unchanged, for the mostpart, since 1909.

[nathangdad]

the 1911 was the first and only handgun carried by a great many soldiers in both world wars. So, it had a built in favor factor just as does the .223 and .308 rounds do in our time.

The Luger, while famous as a design, was difficult to manufacture due to a great many small parts that had to fit well to function. The Luger also had a bit of a reputation for failing to function when exposed to sand.

I doubt the 1911 would have been so famous if it were not the military choice.