1911 all the way, not only did it forge a caliber still in use today, it has been used by generations of soldiers around the globe, and continues to be in use today for not only civilians, but for law enforcment as well. Something must be right with it...
The Quintessential American Handgun
- Thread starter Ian11
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BHPshooter
Member
:banghead: Okay, then I'll vote for the ever-popular model of 1911.
Wes
Just take a look at some of the fantastic calibers invented here in the USA! Among them still in relatively widespread use: .32 H&R, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10mm, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 LC, .45 ACP, and then all of the wildcat revo rounds, and tell me what besides a crop of mostly insignificant "me too" 7.62 mms, 9mms, (especially after the BHP set the hi-cap standard), and the .357 Sig was invented anywhere else since Webley and its .455 went the way of the dinosaur?
When it comes to handguns, we essentially armed the world with ideas for anything that turned out to be really useful.
Europe "gave" the world 8mm French revolvers, status pistols like the Luger and the Broomhandle, plastic frames, as well as a gun control laborotory to watch foolish social phenomena play themselves out. Thanks.
When it comes to handguns, we essentially armed the world with ideas for anything that turned out to be really useful.
Europe "gave" the world 8mm French revolvers, status pistols like the Luger and the Broomhandle, plastic frames, as well as a gun control laborotory to watch foolish social phenomena play themselves out. Thanks.
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DWS1117
Member
1911 gets my vote. If anyone wants to give me any of the others so that I can make a more educated choice, I'll take it 
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I have to go with the 1911 for my choice. It's a design that's nearly a century old and still going strong. Not only is it still manufactured, it's still in active service and customized to fit nearly every situation from SWAT operators to Bullseye pistol shooters.
As for you Glock detractors, the reason the pistol isn't on the list is probably because Glocks are made in Austria.
As for you Glock detractors, the reason the pistol isn't on the list is probably because Glocks are made in Austria.
"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."
Understand what you mean- yeah , I remembered that line from "Johnny Dangerously" after all these years.
Understand what you mean- yeah , I remembered that line from "Johnny Dangerously" after all these years.
Zeke Menuar
Member
I cannot pick a specific brand of gun. I would pick the revolver for the quintessential American handgun. The revolver was designed and patented in the 1830's by Sam Colt and has been around in it's basic form since those times. There are single action and double action models, break-top and swing out cylinders. It really doesn't matter what the model number or brand name. Almost everyone on the planet knows what a revolver is and what country they were invented in.
ZM
ZM
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Yeah, I went with the 1911 - - -
- - - After giving due thought to its lengthy tenure as THE US Government service pistol, famed both at home and abroad.
I very nearly voted for the Colt SAA, due to the world wide popularity of the western movie. There ARE some European handguns which have a silhouette similar to the 1911, but until the rise of the Italian SAA clones, the SAA was a purely American design. (And of course I realize that the clones are nearly ALL sold in North America. ) In fact, the only reason I DIDN'T vote the SAA was the specification on the poll that it be in calber 45 Colt. The most popular caliber, to be sure, but there sure have been a bunch built in other chamberings.
Ian11, I believe you really split the vote by being too specific in your choices of calibers on the DA revolvers. I believe something like "Double Action Revolver with Four-Inch Barrel" and, "Double Action Snubnose Revolver" would have brought many of those votes together.
It looks to me as if you were seeking something of the public perception of The Quintessential American Handgun, and not simply our own favorites. If I'm wrong, I apologize. It's your poll, and I think it is interesting.
Unlike my response in your Quintessential European Handgun poll, though, I DID vote for MY personal favorite, the 1911-type.
Best,
Johnny
- - - After giving due thought to its lengthy tenure as THE US Government service pistol, famed both at home and abroad.
I very nearly voted for the Colt SAA, due to the world wide popularity of the western movie. There ARE some European handguns which have a silhouette similar to the 1911, but until the rise of the Italian SAA clones, the SAA was a purely American design. (And of course I realize that the clones are nearly ALL sold in North America.
) In fact, the only reason I DIDN'T vote the SAA was the specification on the poll that it be in calber 45 Colt. The most popular caliber, to be sure, but there sure have been a bunch built in other chamberings.Ian11, I believe you really split the vote by being too specific in your choices of calibers on the DA revolvers. I believe something like "Double Action Revolver with Four-Inch Barrel" and, "Double Action Snubnose Revolver" would have brought many of those votes together.
It looks to me as if you were seeking something of the public perception of The Quintessential American Handgun, and not simply our own favorites. If I'm wrong, I apologize. It's your poll, and I think it is interesting.
Unlike my response in your Quintessential European Handgun poll, though, I DID vote for MY personal favorite, the 1911-type.
Best,
Johnny
Nick96
Member
Man, .45 Autos and "cowboy guns". Too much movie watching going on here. As for "on American shores" handgun popularity, who can reasonably argue the .38 Spl. - and the most prolific platform of the 20th century, the S&W M-10 (Military & Police .38)?
Spieler
Member
Had to go with the M1911 with the S&W Mod. 10 a close runner-up. Colt autos and Smith wheelguns...as American as it comes in my book!
Johnny Guest,
I guess I could have combined all the DA/SA revolvers together because when people vote Colt 1911 they also thought to their Kimbers, SA, Les Baers, Ed Brown's too. Besides I wanted people to vote for their favorite S&W wheelgun. But I don't think it would have made much of a difference compared to the juggernaut that is the
1911 !!!!
I guess I could have combined all the DA/SA revolvers together because when people vote Colt 1911 they also thought to their Kimbers, SA, Les Baers, Ed Brown's too. Besides I wanted people to vote for their favorite S&W wheelgun. But I don't think it would have made much of a difference compared to the juggernaut that is the
1911 !!!!
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longeyes
member
Colt, Argentine.
Because that's the one I have.
Because that's the one I have.
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