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The Evolution of the Standard-Issue US Army Sidearm Over Nearly 250 Years
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The American military has issued a variety of sidearms since the Revolutionary War. Guns were chosen for their reliability, durability, and lethality. These early weapons were, quite often, privately owned. As the officers were typically more affluent, they were able to afford the pricier sidearms while the enlisted men made do with what they could get. In an attempt to get the same firearm to the Continental Army, Congress opted for an imitation of the British Model 1760 flintlock pistol, known as the Model 1775. This model is considered the first handgun issued by the US Army.
Sidearms of the U.S. Army are a direct reflection of the evolution of firearm technology. These flintlock pistols of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were eventually replaced by percussion cap firearms, which ignited gunpowder with an explosive chemical compound rather than a piece of flint-striking steel. These guns were easier to load, more reliable, and more weather-resistant than the flintlock design.
Revolvers then became the standard issue military pistol from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century, which marked a significant upgrade from percussion cap guns. These newer revolvers were loaded with self-contained cartridges and capable of firing multiple rounds before being reloaded.
In January 2017, the U.S. Army announced plans to switch to a new standard-issue pistol – the Sig Sauer M17 and M18, based on the company’s P320 pistol. The decision marked the end of over 30 years of service for the Beretta M9 pistol and is only the latest in a long series of upgrades in the last two and a half centuries. (Here is a look at 17 prototype guns rejected by the U.S. military.)
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.
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. Semi-automatics are also easier to functionally maintain in muddy conditions than revolvers. In service for multiple decades before being replaced by the Beretta M9, the Colt 1911 semi-automatic pistol was used by the U.S. military in nearly every conflict the U.S. was involved in during the 20th century – from World War I through Vietnam. (Here is a look at America’s top pistol companies.)
Here is the evolution of standard US Army sidearms across centuries
19. British Light Dragoon Saddle Pistol
- Primary era of use: Late 18th century
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: American Revolution
- Firearm type: Flintlock
- Chambered in: .70 caliber
18. North Model 1819 Pistol
- Primary era of use: 1786-1833
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: War of 1812
- Firearm type: Flintlock
- Chambered in: .54 caliber
17. Johnson Model 1836 Pistol
- Primary era of use: 1786-1833
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: War of 1812
- Firearm type: Flintlock
- Chambered in: .54 caliber
16. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol
- Primary era of use: 1786-1833
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: War of 1812
- Firearm type: Cap lock
- Chambered in: .54 caliber
15. Colt M1851 Navy Model
- Primary era of use: 1851-1872
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Civil War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .36 caliber
14. Colt M1860 New Army Model
- Primary era of use: 1851-1872
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Civil War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .44 caliber
13. Remington Army Model
- Primary era of use: 1851-1872
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Civil War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .44 caliber
12. Colt New Army Model
- Primary era of use: 1872-1902
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Spanish-American War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .44 caliber
11. Remington Army
- Primary era of use: 1872-1902
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Spanish-American War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .44 caliber
10. Colt Single-Action Army
- Primary era of use: 1872-1902
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Spanish-American War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .45 caliber
9. Smith & Wesson No. 3
- Primary era of use: 1872-1902
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Spanish-American War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .45 caliber
8. Double-Action Army
- Primary era of use: 1872-1902
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Spanish-American War
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .38 caliber
7. Colt Model 1901
- Primary era of use: 1902-1926
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: World War I
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .38 caliber
6. Colt Model 1909
- Primary era of use: 1902-1926
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: World War I
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .45 caliber
5. Colt/Smith & Wesson Model 1917
- Primary era of use: 1902-1945
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: World War I
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .45 caliber
4. Smith & Wesson Victory Model
- Primary era of use: 1926-1956
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: World War II
- Firearm type: Revolver
- Chambered in: .38 caliber
3. Colt Model 1911
- Primary era of use: 1912-1985
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: World War I, World War II, Vietnam War
- Firearm type: Semi-automatic
- Chambered in: .45 caliber
2. Beretta M9/92 FS
- Primary era of use: 1985-2017
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Firearm type: Semi-automatic
- Chambered in: 9mm
1. Sig Sauer M17 & M18
- Primary era of use: 2017-present
- Notable conflict(s) of the period: War in Afghanistan
- Firearm type: Semi-automatic
- Chambered in: 9mm
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