The history of guns and ammunition is one of innovation and improvement. Constantly changing threats and opportunities drive the need to develop more effective weaponry. Firearm technology evolved rapidly starting in the mid-19th century, primarily triggered by the adoption of cartridge-based revolvers. By the 1890s, we see the first semi-auto pistols. Semi-auto pistols can be quickly reloaded with extra magazines and provide a significant upgrade from revolvers, which must be reloaded by hand after 5 or 6 shots.
The limited stopping power of the standard issue .38 Long Colt revolver led the US Government to search for a suitable semi-automatic sidearm, and John Browning's M1911 and its accompanying .45 ACP cartridge were the solution. 1911 saw action in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, among other conflicts and engagements.
Eventually, the .45 ACP cartridge would fall out of favor for military use. The Beretta M92, which chambers a lower-recoil and more affordable 9mm Parabellum cartridge, offered several advantages over the high-recoil and costly .45 ACP. The M1911 began to be phased out in the 1980s, although it is still used in some areas of the US Military today.
Western Stage Props offers several products associated with the 1911, including blank-firing models, non-firing replicas, and plastic polyurethane models. We also carry blank-firing .45 ACP cartridges for use in real firearms designed to chamber that caliber. Additionally, .45 ACP blanks can also be purchased from our sister site BlankAmmo.com
