Friends of NRA Announces 2011 Gun of the Year
Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- Thanks to collaboration with Colt and Baron’s Engraving, Friends of NRA is pleased to announce the 2011 Gun of the Year: a custom made Colt 1911 that honors the firearm’s 100 years of service in the United States Armed Forces and will be a great addition to any firearm enthusiast’s collection.
Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army in the year 1911, thus gaining its designation as the Colt Model 1911. Later adopted by both the Navy and Marine Corps in 1913, the high-demand for the pistol during both World Wars undoubtedly led to its universal popularity today.
The Colt 1991TM Series is a direct descendant of the original 1911A1 and after more than nine decades many consider it the standard which has often been imitated, but never duplicated. The pistol dually serves as both a staple of the military and as an iconic symbol for it. After two years in development and in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the 1911 model, the combined efforts of Friends of NRA, Colt Manufacturing and Baron’s Engraving bring you the exclusive 2011 Friends of NRA Gun of the Year – A unique Colt Model 01991Z Government .45ACP with commemorative engraving illustrating every major war in which the Colt prevailed.
“It was an honor working with two respected, American owned companies to develop this exclusive pistol for Friends of NRA events,” said John DaSilva, National Manager of Events and Marketing.
“We know our volunteers are very excited and pleased with the opportunity to feature the Colt 1911 pistol at fundraising events beginning in 2011.”
The 2011 Gun of the Year is custom made with a 24 karat gold plated barrel bushing and screws on the grip panels and ornate embellished slides. The serpentine Colt logo and “2011 Gun of the Year” text is featured in a 24 karat selective gold fill on the right side of the firearm’s slide with sculpted roll engraving boasting a scrolling banner with the phrase “Military U.S. Standard” alongside the names of every major war it participated in. The left side slide features the rampant Colt horse and “Colt 1911 100 Years” embellished in 24kt gold fill and sculpted roll engraving showcasing four military vehicles used by the U.S. throughout wartime.
Offered only at your local Friends of NRA events, each pistol has a 5” barrel, carbon steel polished blued finish, 7+1 capacity, standard grip safety, spur hammer and custom rosewood grips with an NRA medallion recessed on both panels. Every specially produced Colt commemorative pistol in this limited edition is individually serialized in sequential order from “1911NRA0000” through “1911NRA1150.” Each is encased in a Colt Blue Custom Shop box with white sleeve and can be added to your existing Colt collection.
Friends of NRA is a grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement, raises money, and gives 100 percent of the net proceeds to qualified local, state, and national programs. Working with the NRA’s field staff, thousands of volunteers nationwide participate in the program by organizing committees and planning events in their communities. Over the course of its history, over 12,000 events have been held which have reached over two million attendees. Monies raised at these events go to The NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Visit the Friends of NRA website at www.friendsofnra.org. For more information contact National Manager of Events and Marketing John DaSilva at (703) 267-1356 or jdasilva@nrahq.org.