Originally intended for high-ranking military personnel, the M15 was built from an existing stock of Colt M1911 pistols. It is similar to the Colt Commander, but has internal differences. Colt later released a similar pistol called the Colt Officer's ACP. This model is commonly referred to as the "Officer". It was adopted to give officers a weapon with greater stopping power and effectiveness over previously issued sidearms. 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. The M9 9mm has replaced the M1911 as the general officer pistol.
Operational traits
Functionally, the M15 operates the same as a basic M1911 Colt pistol. The shorter barrel is reported to have a greater muzzle blast, yet even with the abbreviated barrel, the pistol maintains a muzzle velocity of 245 m/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 mainspring housing.
Officer weapon distinction
The M15 is made to a higher standard of finish to distinguish it as a general officer's pistol. The finish on the guns was a deep blue on portions of the slide and frame. The exposed metal parts such as the safety and slide lock have a polished blued finish, while the top of the slide has a black matte-type finish. It has select-grade walnut grips with a brass placard on the left grip, with the owner's name engraved in it, and the Rock Island Arsenal seal on the right grip. The slide is also engraved, "General Officer's Model" and the abbreviation "RIA" for Rock Island Arsenal. The pistol came with a black leather belt, black leather holster, black leather two-pocket magazine pouch, cleaning kit, and three magazines that were serial-numbered to the weapon. The belt's buckle and any other metal parts were either in gold for the Army or silver for the Air Force. The M15 pistol was issued from 1972 to 1981, after which it was replaced in Army and Air Force service with the unmodified M1911A1. A total of 1,004 were made and issued. When a general left active service he was given the choice of returning it or purchasing it. Most chose to buy it as a memento of their service, a tradition that continues to this day.
