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The 'M15 General Officers' is a .45 ACP pistol developed by the U.S. Army's Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) from stock M1911 pistols. Adopted in 1972, the M15 replaced Colt Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols with a weapon with greater stopping power and effectiveness. It was issued to US Army personnel of General Officer rank as a personal weapon. Models were hand-built at the RIA and had a brass plate inset into the left grip that was inscribed with the officer's name.
It is similar to the Colt Commander, but has internal differences.
This model is commonly referred to as the "Officer". There is some disagreement in sources over its formal designation, possibly either 'Pistol, General Officers', Caliber .45, M15' or 'Pistol, Cal. .45, Semi-automatic, M1911A1, General Officer's'.

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Operational traits

See also

Operational traits

Functionally, this pistol operates the same as a basic M1911A1. The shorter barrel is reported to have a greater muzzle blast yet, even an abbreviated barrel, maintains a muzzle velocity of 245 m/s (800 ft/s).
The pistol's sights are larger than the standard M1911A1's including a taller front sight. Magazines remain interchangeable between the two models.
A lanyard may be attached to the weapon's butt.

See also

★ List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces