In January 2017, the U.S. Army switched to a new standard-issue pistol – the Sig Sauer M17 and M18. The decision marked the end of over 30 years of service for the Beretta M9 pistol. Since their initial adoption of the Model 1775 (also known as the British Model 1760 flintlock pistol) the American military has issued a variety of sidearms. (Here is a look at 17 prototype guns rejected by the U.S. military.)
Sidearms of the U.S. Army are a direct reflection of the evolution of firearm technology. The flintlock pistols of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were eventually replaced by percussion cap firearms. Revolvers then became the standard issue military pistol from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. Since World War II, the U.S. Army has relied almost exclusively on semi-automatic pistols, which offer greater magazine capacity and faster reload times than revolvers. (Here is a look at America’s top pistol companies.)
To determine which sidearms were used by the U.S. Army since the 18th century, 24/7 Wall St. used data from the Army report Survey of U.S. Army: Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements. For earlier weapons, we listed the era in which they were primarily used, but for more modern handguns, the exact years of use are noted. This list includes flintlock pistols from the earliest days of American independence to modern-day semi-automatics.
Here is the evolution (over nearly 250 years) of the standard-issue US Army sidearm
19. British Light Dragoon Saddle Pistol
The British light dragoon saddle pistol is a .70 caliber flintlock pistol. It was primarily used during the late 18th century and served in the American Revolution.
18. North Model 1819 Pistol
The North Model 1819 pistol is a .54 caliber flintlock pistol. It was primarily used between 1786-1833 and served in the War of 1812.
17. Johnson Model 1836 Pistol
16. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol
15. Colt M1851 Navy Model
14. Colt M1860 New Army Model
13. Remington Army Model
12. Colt New Army Model
11. Remington Army
10. Colt Single-Action Army
9. Smith & Wesson No. 3
8. Double-Action Army
7. Colt Model 1901
6. Colt Model 1909
5. Colt/Smith & Wesson Model 1917
4. Smith & Wesson Victory Model
3. Colt Model 1911
2. Beretta M9/92 FS
1. Sig Sauer M17 & M18
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Author: Sam Stebbins
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