![\"M1971\"](\"https:\/\/hcsblogdotorg.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/03\/m1971.png?w=620\")
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nIn 1971 Colt unveiled a new modern service pistol, one that the company believed was the natural successor to the venerable Colt M1911\/A1. At first glance, the Model 1971 looks very similar to the 1911. However, the new pistol incorporates some major changes.<\/p>\n
Developed by the Research and Development Department of Colt Industries\u2019 Military Arms Division, the M1971 is a double-action, single-action semi-automatic pistol. It comes in nine-by-19-millimeter, .38 Super and .45 ACP. The former two calibers allow the use of a double-stack magazine for increased capacity, while the .45 ACP version\u2019s capacity is nine rounds.<\/p>\n
The technical report on the pistol also includes an interesting section about Colt\u2019s Salvo Squeeze Bore concept \u2014 a multiple-projectile cartridge system that could, in theory, increase the pistol\u2019s firepower.<\/p>\n
The new pistol is shorter than the 1911 and also five ounces lighter. The 1971 also boasts a slide-mounted de-cocker\/hammer-block safety similar to that on the Walther P38, replacing the 1911\u2032s manual and grip safeties. Colt uses blued stainless steel alloys in both the frame and slide. The company justified the added expense by noting that corrosion accounted for the majority of M1911A1s deemed unfit for service after time in storage.<\/p>\n
Colt\u2019s aim was to introduce a new modern sidearm that could sell internationally and could also compete with Smith & Wesson\u2019s semi-automatic pistols, such as the Model 39 and Model 59. The M1971 also represented an attempt by Colt to anticipated a U.S. military effort to replace the M1911A1.<\/p>\n
![\"1971\"](\"https:\/\/hcsblogdotorg.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/03\/1971.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\n
Colt produced between 30 to 50 M1971 pistols. With no major sales, interest\u00a0Colt shelved the pistol until the U.S. Department of Defense launched its Joint Service Small Arms Program \u2014 an initiative to replace the 1911 \u2014 in 1979. Colt resurrected the M1971 with some minor changes, including an ambidextrous safety and a contained removable fire-control mechanism.<\/p>\n
The standard Colt SSP comes chambered for nine-millimeter, as required by the military trial, and does not<\/em> include the Salvo Squeeze Bore concept. But some .45 ACP examples do<\/em> exist. The\u00a0SSP competed against a number of contemporary pistols including the Walther P88,\u00a0Smith & Wesson 459,\u00a0Beretta 92, Sig Sauer P226 and Steyr GB and HK P7.<\/p>\n Beretta\u2019s 92 won the first set of trials. But the Army objected and, in 1983, the Defense Department ran another trial. The SSP competed, but the Beretta\u00a0won out again with the Model 92. The U.S. military adopted the Model 92 in 1985, calling it the M9.<\/p>\n This story originally appeared at Historical Firearms.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=waisbo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1849084335\")