[Mark IV Series 80]

I can think of a couple:

The Walther PP, first produced in 1929, was the first successful double action automatic pistol manufactured.

In 1965, the Smith & Wesson Model 60, "Chiefs Special" was introduced - the first revolver made of Stainless Steel.

Which other developments in Handgun Manufacture and Design are the most significant since the 1911?

[Schuey2002]

The introduction of polymer framed handguns..;)

[Ian11]

I'm not a firearms historical expert but here's a few that I think are significant.

Luger pistol: The introduction of the 9mm. THE handgun caliber of choice worldwide in the 20th Century and beyond.

Browning HP/P-35: Convinced the world about the virtues of the high capacity combat pistol

Glock 17: obviously. They weren't the first to use polymer but after the G17 plastic spread everywhere to the chagrin of handgun traditionalists, contrarians, and snobs. Pisses off people like the AR-15 rifle but is as utilitarian and reliable as an AK.:uhoh:

S&W Model 27: The introduction of the .357 Magnum. Since then people have become addicted to "more power" out of handgun cartridges.

[Pendragon]

The 9x19 predates the .45 ACP

I would say:

JHPs

Tritium

DA and DAO (since this is developments and not improvements)

Alloy metals and poymers so we have very light, powerful guns.

Useful sights on most guns

Better metalurgy and hardening - the old guns just cannot compare to the new steels which are extremely durable.

"porting"

integral laser "sights"

internal locks

Striker fired guns (although I though some of the original autos from way back used a striker)

Electronic triggers on some Olympic pistols.

The use of "stampings"

Much better finishes

[Matt G]

Funny, I was thinking the Chief's Special, as well, but I was thinking of the all-aluminum one introduced in the '50's. (with steel barrel, of course.)

Model 29-- paired with the introduction of the .44 Magnum, the first production model repeating handgun capable of shooting loads with muzzle energy equivalent to a .30-30 rifle. Created a whole genre of hand cannons.

How 'bout the M10 and M11? Suddenly the world knew you could have a full-auto pistol...

Obviously the Glock 17. Love it or hate it; it set a huge trend.

I've got to believe that Taurus's total titanium pistols represent a benchmark in handgun technology.

I'm tempted to consider the Ruger Mk I .22 pistol, as it represented an efficient, accurate, affordable semi-auto .22 pistol, as well as the advent of a new company.

The Desert Eagle series of pistols deserve mention, for managing to feed and fire well the magnum rounds.

[Matthew_Q]

Someone asked something to that point, trying to dawg the 1911. I don't think anyone's trying to do that here, tho... ;)

I just ask the people who like thier plastic polymer tupperware, and diss the old steel what their little pistol does that the 1911 doesn't. The answer is, not much.

I don't think there have been any quantum leaps in pistols since the venerable autoloader was perfected by Mr. Browning.

There have been DA/SA and DAO pistols, highcaps, polymer frames, light rails, nicer sights, porting, and lots of neat little tweaks.

At the core of what a pistol is, and what it does, though, there haven't been any world altering advancements. Which might be why so many people still love shooting and competing with the old 1911.

(the above is just my opinion! :cool: )

[10-Ring]

Polymer frames & the use of MIM parts

[RON in PA]

I would submit that there have been no major advances in "BASIC" handgun design since the 1911 and S&W revolvers of approximately 1915. Polymer frames, aluminum frames, DA/SA, "safe action" and high cap mags are improvements, but there is little you can do with a Glock or a SIG or a Beretta that you can't do with a 1911. These guns are no doubt "safer" for the "average" shooter and easier and cheaper to manufacture. The same goes for ammo, no doubt it is more reliable, more accurate, non-corrosive and maybe in the current JHP form a better stopper but all these improvements are ones of degree and not in the same class as the change from muzzle loaders to breech loaders or from single shot to revolver.

[Longbow]

The incorporation of polymer into production of guns (I like poly 1911's :)) I think is significant. Lighter than alluminum yet stronger. Hate or love it, it works. Also CAD and CNC machining.
For complete gun design, I say Glo.. I mean XD! :D

[curt]

I think the availabilty of powerful cartridges (9mm and up) in a reliable concealable pistol (take your choice) is a major advancment. I mean the epitomy of a concealed weapon in 1911 was a .32 ACP blowback.

Stiker fired systems seems to have contributed to small guns. Maybe the H&k VP70Z (?) plastic, hicap, striker fired unsuccessful but a harbringer.

The use of "new" materials such as aluminum alloys, plastic, titanium and SS seems to be an evolution that is marked by specific handguns along the way.

[MonkeyMan]

How about the locking block arrangement used on the Walther P-38 and the Beretta 92. A short, straight, recoil operation instead of a tipping barrel.

[Navy joe]

Hmmmm, the 1911A1? :D

[dairycreek]

As others have posted these include polymers and MIM kinds of materials. I suspect the "exotic" metals such as titanium and scandium would kind of qualify her as well. Good shooting;)

[Blackhawk]

I agree with Pendragon right down the line.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The '94 Weapons Ban---what else has had more influence on handgun design in the last 10 er 9 years.

[duncan]

Sorry but when 60-70 percent of the law enforcement community adopts a brand name over a 15-20 year period of time, that innovation speaks volumes.

http://glockfaq.com/images/pics/g19john.jpg

Polymer frame
internal striker - no external hammer
tennifer finish
safety built into the trigger
easy to repair - 30 something parts

[BamBam]

"I just ask the people who like thier plastic polymer tupperware, and diss the old steel what their little pistol does that the 1911 doesn't. The answer is, not much."

Hmmmm.....

- Internal striker
- 17 round capacity (more than DOUBLE the 1911)
- WILL NOT fire unless trigger is pulled
- Teniffer finish
- Ultra-durable
- Simple to use, clean
- lighter
- 10,000+ rounds without cleaning (please don't argue, I've done it)
- Damn near as reliable as a revolver....out of the box

Glock IS the 1911 of modern times.

[Standing Wolf]

Transfer bar ignition.

[Stephen Ewing]

One minor correction, BamBam: The 1911 pre-ban mag limit is 32 rounds, so the Glock has nearly half the magazine capacity, for those who believe in missing frequently before hitting. :neener:

Seriosly, R&D departments gotta eat, too. Just because they're not actually accomplishing much of anything is no reason to fire the poor guys.

Steve

[The Silver Bullet 1719]

Introduction of the Glock, Hollow-Points, and engineering the size down.

[BamBam]

One minor correction, BamBam: The 1911 pre-ban mag limit is 32 rounds, so the Glock has nearly half the magazine capacity, for those who believe in missing frequently before hitting.

You can hang at least 30 rounds out of a Glock......(maybe even 50?). Not really practical, though. Seventeen rounds in the grip (from the factory, no less) is the cool part.

As far as the "for those who believe in missing frequently before hitting the target", that was the second excuse 1911ers came up with after the whining about polymer didn't cut it anymore. But heck, if one round was enough for Barney Fife................

Darn! I promised myself I would quit ranting about Glocks...........sorry! My one sensitive spot.

All in good spirit,
BamBam

[Stephen Ewing]

Candidly, I'm a believer that if you can't handle it in less than a half dozen, then what you needed wasn't a handgun, but yeah, 17ish is the most I can recall that passed for practical. In the end, though, any human engaging in "spray and pray" is not a mechanical defect.

And if I can't see much a Glock/Sig/HK/CZ/Beretta/etc. will do better than a 1911, I can't see much they do worse. Ignoring those silly little European calibers, of course. :neener: Speaking of calibers, I actually regard the .40 as the most important advance in handguns in the last 90 years.

Steve

[telewinz]

I don't like Glocks, I prefere the Hi-Power but I'd give the nod to Glock.

[Boats]

The Glock as innovation? Isn't that special?:banghead:

Let's see, they give it away to police departments like it is LEO crack and suddenly it is great? Funny, I never thought of S&W revos as the best handguns in the world when American po-pos used them almost exclusively, why change my mind now that cop guns have a recycling symbol on them somewhere?

I second the JHP as the most significant advance. Without HPs, the 9mm would be a novelty round outside of the military in North America.

[Tamara]

Funny, I never thought of S&W revos as the best handguns in the world

Oh well, there's no accounting for taste... ;)

[DeltaElite]

The creation of the 10mm cartridge. :D
Also Polymer frames.
Oh yah, and tac lights for my duty weapon.

[Baba Louie]

Since the 1911?

FN-BHP's locking lug?

Walther P-38's DA?

H&K's (not Glock) Polymer Frame?

Metallurgy?

Ammunition R & D? (Powder and bullet design)

Smaller and Smaller Laser sights?

And of course the "Internal locking lawyer proof its for the children owner recognition it'll only fire for that one registered user" system, soon to be incorporated into every handgun mfg'd and sold in NJ, MD and probably coming to a state near you.

Other than that... nothing really.

Adios

[Kahr carrier]

The HK P-7 squeeze cock design.:D

[DrDremel]

I'd have to say
1. Browning P35 Hi-Power, 1st successful hi-capacity semi-auto.
2. S&W model 60, 1st stainless handgun
3. Ruger MK II Most reliable low cost semi-auto .22 pistol
4. S&W 29 in .44 magnum. The pinacle of high powered handgun.
5. HK VP70 - 1st plastic framed pistol.
6. Glock 17, first handgun to convince the public that they should pay the same price for a poured plastic pistol as an all steel handgun.