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In the aftermath of the SAW, the US came into possession of the Phillippine Islands, and soon found themselves involved in putting down the local resistance. It was quickly discovered that the .38-caliber round just didn't have the same knock-down effect as the old .45 and the US Army scrambled to refurbish and reissue as many of the "old" revolvers as possible. It also spurred Colt to develop the M-1911 pistol, one of the longest serving, and most reliable, hard-hitting weapons of the 20th Century.
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This doesn't really belong in a "really bad weapons" thread, as there was nothing wrong with the weapon itself -- which was a dramatic improvement in ergonomics and functionality over the Single Action Army. The problem was that the .38 caliber cartridge in question was extremely anemic -- loaded weaker than modern .380 ACP, which most experts either consider to be the bottom end for serious defensive/fighting pistol calibers.
Anyway, the Moro story is primarily myth -- at least the idea that the 1911 fixed the problem. There were lethality complaints concerning 30-40 Krag rounds as well, and if a full power rifle round couldn't get the job done no handgun round could. The 1911 is a great design (I carry one as a duty sidearm), but the Philippine Insurrection stories are enshrined legends rather than reality.