The Quintessential American Handgun

[Ian11]

Since its the 4th of July I'd thought I'd have a vote for what you think is the quintessential American Handgun.

I can already tell you that the Colt 1911 will probably be #1 based on previous polls we've had here and TFL. But it'd be interesting to see which would be #2 and #3.


*Thought about adding the BHP P-35 since its a J.M. Browning design but it has more of a European pedigree. So apologies to BHP fans.

 

[MarineTech]

My gut reaction was to say the 1911, but after I thought about it for a while, I really had to pick the Colt SAA. It has outlived the 1911 be more than a few years, and because of the current growing Cowboy action crowd, almost as many companies are making an SAA clone as are making 1911s.

 

[amprecon]

I also agreed with the Colt SAA, it's silhouette is recognizable world over. All those cowboy movies and John Wayne certainly helped its popularity.

 

[444]

My initial gut reaction was the 1911, but, I didn't want to make a knee jerk response. I thought about it and saw a lot of merit in the Colt SAA and the S&W Model 10. After giving the matter some thought I chose the 1911. It was carried to all corners of the globe throughout most of the 20th century by our military. It is one of most popular (if not THE most popular) handgun designs ever made in the US. It is THE gun for formal bullseye shooting. It was THE gun for a lot of the action pistol shooting sports through most of their existance. The Colt SAA is a well recognized piece, but was never used in such a variety of circumstances and locations. It also was never as popular and never had the numbers of the 1911. The S&W Model 10 has been in the S&W line up for a very long time and was a very widely used law enforcement handgun all over the world (one of mine is marked RHKP on the grip frame for Royal Hong Kong Police). But, it's popularity wasn't as wide spread as the 1911.

 

[cool45auto]

Okay, I'll go with the Colt.

 

[boing]

Colt 1911. Sometimes the gut reaction is right for a reason.

 

[sm]

1911.

3 guns stand out in my mind, in respectful platform: The SAA, The model 10, and the 1911. Tough call.

 

[Majic]

I'll go with the SAA. The 1911, which evolved from the 1905, was designed to modernize the merits of the SAA.

 

[seeker_two]

1911...

Closely followed by the SAA...

Actually, it's a toss-up b/t the two....

And no Glocks to be found...

 

[Mike Irwin]

I've got to go with the S&W Military & Police.

It's probably the single most manufactured, and copied, handgun in the world.

S&W alone has made over 20 million of them, possibly closer to 30 million.

Add to that the number of licensed and unlicensed copies, and you've got a true passel of handguns.

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

I'm completely torn b/t the M&P and the 1911. I vote for both.

M&P for LEO use.

1911 for military.

Both for civilians.

 

[10-Ring]

Not so easy decision, but I ended up voting on the 1911 & the all American 45 acp

 

[Tamara]

As much as I love S&W and Colt wheelies, Ol' Slabsides had to take my vote.

92 years and counting of military service. Currently manufactured in various versions by more gun companies than any other pistol design. More or less dominates IPSC, IDPA and Bullseye shooting, as well as being the majority favorite at any shooting school you go to. It can lay a serious claim to being the Big Kahuna of fighting and gaming handguns in America, if not the world.

 

[denfoote]

1911 followed closely by the SAA.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

The 1911, of course. The SAA would take the vote for the 19th century, but its functional life span and numbers manufactured pale in comparison to the Colt 1911 for the overall title.

 

[Rob96]

1911.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

For my personal interest, I voted for the Smith
and Wesson model 36/60; cuz that is my choice
in a CCW .38 Special snubby. I've owned several;
and occassionally still carry a 1979-80 vintage
2" pinned barrel "Chiefs Special" model 60, with
an "R" serial prefix.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[YodaVader]

"And no Glocks to be found..."

Yes and thank goodness! Heard at comment at the range recently - "You can't beat a Glock!" They were trying to teach this young lady to shoot. I just shook my head - Give me a good 1911 any day! The most accurate semi-auto centerfire pistol shooting I have ever witnessed has taken place with 1911's usually in 45 ACP.

 

[Island Beretta]

The 1911 gets the edge over the M&P but only because of its continued popularity.

As for the Glock comments, ask this question 50 years from now and guess which handgun it will be

 

[stevelyn]

I too thought of the 1911, but after reflecting on the 4th of July spirit of the question, I chose the Colt SAA.
Reason? The 130 year old Colt SAA in both it's 44-40 WCF and .45 Colt chambering helped forge the nation we live in today. Serving with distinction in the Army and with civilians alike. It helped tame the west and made it safer for Americans to carve out their part of the American Dream in the wilderness of the western U.S. and was instrumental in securing safe passage for those building America.
When the 1911 came on scene, the nation was already established.

 

[YodaVader]

"Quintessential American Handgun"

"As for the Glock comments, ask this question 50 years from now and guess which handgun it will be"

The day the Glock is considered the Quintessential American Handgun - even if it is 50 years from now - will be a sad day.

 

[YodaVader]

"It's an 88 Magnum, it can shoot through..........."

Schools?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Single Action Army.

 

[stevelyn]

Yes! I like the line, but thought the school term should be dropped to maintain the standards of the website and not give any enemies who could be lurking any ammo to use againt us.

 

[Jim March]

I went SAA.

A case can be made for the Model 19. It's the same K-frame as the 10, but in 357, which even more than the 45ACP is an "only in America is it common" caliber.

And it's a good symbol of America's continued reliance on wheelguns when the Europeans went almost entirely slidegun.