[Burkeman1]

Actually- I think the .45 caliber was first adopted during the first Phillipines war 100 years ago.

[Steel Wolf]

Army reports from the time showed that lower caliber handguns were not particularly successful in stopping Moro combatants. The .45 has considerably more 'stopping power', and was much more effective.

The Phillipine Insurrection was a very bloody affair. The local Moros noted that "Attacking an American is like setting off one firecracker in a link. They'll all go off if you attack one." The culture down there is unbelievably violent, the eradication of slavery a very recent affair, and they are known in the region as pirates, criminals, and bullies.

[Centurion2000]

Actually- I think the .45 caliber was first adopted during the first Phillipines war 100 years ago

That's true ... and most of the officers tried to go with a Colt .45 before the 1911 arrived.