The legendary M1911 is a semi-automatic magazine-fed pistol chambered in .45ACP.  It has a 5" barrel with a 7 round magazine.  It was designed by famous firearms inventor John Browning after years of development of other various semi-automatic pistols.  The 1911 pistol allowed the U.S. forces to quickly reload and was a significant battlefield advantage.

Before and during WWI Colt, Springfield, Remington-UMC all built pistols for the U.S. Government to be used in service.  North American Arms of Quebec Canada was offered an educational contract but ended abruptly when the war ended.