[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by Figmo Bohica

Actually the 45 ACP was developed during the Phillipine police action. Seems that the locals would drug up and the standard at the time .38 special did not have enough stopping power to put them down. So after many test calibers the 45ACP was adopted to replace the .38 revolver. Several reasons, one being the additional stopping power, 230 grain bullet, plus faster reloads. Magazine vs cylinder.

A little fine tuning, if you don't mind. The semi auto pistol was beginning development then but the 45 acp was not in reality until about 1907 and adopted by the army in 1911, navy and marines in 1913.
The Phillipine Insurrection was from 1899-1902. As stated, the 38 long Colt caliber (not special) in the Colt Model 1892 wasn't doing the job so the U. S. Army brought back the old standard Colt Single Action Army revolver in 45 long Colt caliber that was used from 1873 (Indian Wars and old west) til about 1895. This is the revolver you see on the old westerns. They were deemed obsolete but they worked! Before being sent to the Phillipines, they were reworked in the arsenal and barrels were cut down from 7.5 inches to 5.5 inches as they were being transformed from cavalry revolvers to infantry revolvers. They are some of the rarest to be found in collecting circles.
Also used was a Colt double action revolver from 1878 that was renamed the Model 1902 with an enlarged trigger and trigger guard, which was also in 45 long Colt caliber. Since those 45's proved themselves as sure stoppers the Army later adopted the John Browning developed 45 semi auto in the year 1911, hence the name Colt (which made them) Model 1911 Government semi auto 45 acp caliber (a short version of the 45 long Colt) which was used in WWI and WWII until the 1970's when the army went to the 9mm. To be a collector is to be a historian.