Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War Colt M1911

PistolsUnlocked at Level 3No weapon camos
PistolsColt M1911 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the Colt M1911?

The Colt M1911 unlocks at Level 3 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). It matches the Nambu, Walther and Tokarev in standard close-range performance and eight-round capacity. Its quick partial reload and familiar sight picture make it an uncomplicated backup, but its empty reload is the slowest of the four standard pistols. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 3
Weapon camosNot in this game

Reviewed July 26, 2026. Weapon ranks and Marksman requirements were checked against original World at War multiplayer rank and challenge tables plus contemporaneous platform guides; historical models were cross-checked against museum and firearm-reference records. Loadout advice is editorial. Multiplayer only — not Campaign, Zombies, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), or later games.

Sources: Official World at War manual · Prima official game guide sample · Contemporaneous multiplayer guide · World at War challenge reference · Weapon camouflage reference

How does the Colt M1911 play in World at War?

RoleBalanced quick-partial-reload sidearm
Real-world basisJohn Browning-designed American M1911 service pistol
StrengthsQuick partial reload within the standard pistol group; Simple sight picture and Level 3 access
TradeoffsSlowest empty reload among the four standard pistols; Same damage and capacity as three other standard pistols
Setup notesNone. World at War pistols do not have individual attachment tracks
Challenge noteClass-wide Pistol Marksman requires 25, 50 and 100 kills; Pistol Expert requires 5, 15 and 35 headshots. These challenges award XP only, with no attachments or camos.
Use tipSwap to it instead of reloading an empty primary in a close fight, then reload both weapons from cover.
Compared withThe Nambu has the fastest partial reload, the Tokarev the fastest empty reload, the Walther lower visual recoil, and the .357 greater power.

No multiplayer weapon camos — Expert headshot challenges award XP, not skins. See the camo, perk and Pack-a-Punch distinctions.

Read the camo explainer

Colt M1911 — common questions

What level does the Colt M1911 unlock at in World at War?

The Colt M1911 unlocks at Level 3 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008) multiplayer. The level cap is 65, and prestige is up to 10 on all main multiplayer platforms.

Does the Colt M1911 take camos?

No — the Colt M1911 cannot equip weapon camouflage in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). It has no individual attachment unlock track. Class-wide Pistol Marksman requires 25, 50 and 100 kills; Pistol Expert requires 5, 15 and 35 headshots. These challenges award XP only, with no attachments or camos.

Can you unlock the Colt M1911 for me?

Yes — our World at War Unlock All service covers prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99. See the service.

More Pistols

All Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapons →
Nambu — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)NambuLevel 1 · PistolsWalther P38 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Walther P38Level 2 · PistolsTokarev TT-33 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Tokarev TT-33Level 21 · Pistols.357 Magnum — Call of Duty: World at War (2008).357 MagnumLevel 49 · Pistols

Skip the grind

Our World at War Unlock All service includes prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99.

See World at War servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page