“M1911 firing mechanism”

The Colt M1911, designed by John Moses Browning, is one of the world’s most successful (and copied) firearm designs. It was commissioned in the early 20th century to be an effective and dependable standard service pistol for the United States Armed Forces. It was adopted in 1911 and while it was replaced as the standard U.S. sidearm in the 1980s, it is still immensely popular among some special operations forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooters.

The M1911’s design has remained essentially the same since its introduction over 100 years ago, as its relatively few moving parts and multiple safety features have made it reliable and practical for its users.

To use 3D animation to illustrate the inner workings of an M1911 in operation. Audio will provide background music and sound effects for moving parts, and text will describe the different mechanisms.

The intended audience for the animation is people (high school aged or older) interested in how this extremely popular and elegant firearm design works.

M1911 fansite, with information, history, blueprints, and other illustrations

M1911 firing mechanism (3D animation)

M1911 operation (2D animation)