The company produced three distinct generations of metal-frame, hammer-fired, semi-auto pistols from 1954 until 2006 when they were removed from the standard catalog but remained available to law enforcement customers until 2010. In 2014, S&W stopped supporting the third generation of handguns. These guns were extremely popular with law enforcement and occupied the holsters of police forces like the NYPD, the LAPD, and the California Highway Patrol, among many more.

Talking About My Generation

Today, we will discuss the various Generations, their history, models, and ultimately, their fate. These generations are divided into the First, Second, and Third generations. This can be somewhat confusing since the first generation of pistols isn’t the first semi-autos produced by S&W.

S&W’s first semi-autos were produced in 1913. The S&W Model 1913 used a design created by Charles Clement and was available in .32 ACP and .35 S&W Auto. There were eight different variants of these pistols with small redesigns.

There are also S&W semi-autos produced during the ‘Generation’ pistol era that didn’t fall into a particular generation. These are rimfires like the very cool Model 61 Escort and the superbly accurate Model 41 Target pistol.

The First Generation of Smith & Wesson Automatics: 1954 – 1982

The first generation of Smith & Wesson automatics uses a two-digit numerical model number. Smith & Wesson has the distinct honor of producing the first double-action 9mm pistol, the Model 39. S&W produced the gun in 1954 as a competitor to replace the M1911. The Army kept the M1911 in service, but S&W released the Model 39 to the general public. The Model 39 laid the groundwork for what would become the future of the Generation series.

The guns were designed as double-action/single-action firearms with a short recoil system. They were hammer-fired with safeties that often doubled as decockers. There were some variations throughout the varied generations, but that was the basic overview of these guns.

The Model 39 saw ample military service and was preferred by Naval Special Warfare units like the SEALs. This includes the Mk. 22 Mod 0 suppressed pistol. Model 39s were modified to function with 14-round double-stack magazines, which became the basis for the Model 59.

In 1967, the Illinois State Police broke ground by adopting the Model 39 and becoming one of the first police forces to use a semi-auto instead of a revolver. The Rhode Island State Police adopted the S&W Model 39 for their detectives.

The Model 39 became a gunsmith’s favorite, and custom guns were produced like the ASP, the Devel, Trapper, and Behlert. These were high-end custom guns that sought to create a smaller, more concealable model of the S&W Model 39.

As mentioned, the Model 59 was a 39 with a 14-round magazine. There was also the Model 44, a scarce variant of the Model 39 that was single-action only. S&W also produced the Modle 52, a .38 Special semi-auto designed for marksmanship competitions. These guns could only fire wadcutter .38 Special. Another scarce first-generation pistol is the 147A. It’s a 14-shot all-steel gun similar to the Model 59.

The Second Generation: 1979 – 1988

The second generation of S&W pistols began in 1979 and used a three-digit numerical code to designate the model. These guns represented a series of improvements standardized over the first-generation guns. S&W also introduced its first .45 ACP variant and compact options in the second generation.

The original second-generation guns were the 439 and 459. They were improved versions of the Model 39 and Model 59, respectively. Over time, various frame materials and finishes were used, and steel models with blued finishes gained a 5 to the model number, i.e., 539. Stainless variants gained a six, i.e., 659. The 459 shrunk to more compact variants, which became the 469 and 669.

S&W entered the 459 into the XM9 trials, but the Beretta 92 ultimately won. The FBI later purchased 803 of these guns with a special brush finish.

In the mid-80s, S&W produced their first .45 ACP automatic, the 645. This was a full-sized, double-action gun with a single-stack eight-round magazine and a stainless steel finish. They later produced a compact variants known as the 745. Miami Vice character Sonny Crockett carried a 645 after retiring his Bren Ten.

Third Generation: 1988 – 2006 (Catalog); 2010 (Law Enforcement Sales)

The third generation of S&W pistols exploded into a couple dozen model numbers and a variety of calibers. Most third-generation pistols have four-digit model numbers, but not all of them. A value line of guns featured three-digit numbers, and Chief Special models used the CS initial with a numerical designation indicating the caliber.

The third generation expanded into .40 S&W and 10mm and continued with 9mm and .45 ACP. The four-digit numerics indicate the weapon’s caliber, size, action type, finish, and material. The first two digits were caliber, the middle digit was size and action type, and the final digit was finish and material.

Action types included DA/SA and DAO with slide-mounted safety/decockers. There were also models with frame-mounted decockers. S&W uses steel and alloy designs with black, stainless, and two-tone finishes.

The value line of firearms with three initials was separated into the 9mm, 908, 909, 910, and 915, the 457 in .45 ACP, and the 410 and 411 in .40 S&W. These guns aimed to compete with Glock pistols and featured various value-based changes like polymer sights and cheaper finishes.

Some of these numeric model numbers have a series of initials attached. These initials signify something a bit different about the gun. The TSW nomenclature meant the gun had a Picatinny rail for accessories. The LS stands for Ladysmith and represents firearms specifically advertised to women, and NL and NS notations meant the gun used Novak Sights. Further, M stood for military, and the gun featured a Melonite finish and lanyard stud.

The Last Generation

The third generation was the last of the generation series. Smith & Wesson moved into polymer-frame striker-fired pistols. They had the Sigma and SD series, as well as the Walther and S&W SW99, and now the M&P Series. Interestingly, the M&P series introduced metal-frame models.

Depending on the model, these varied-generation guns can fetch a pretty penny, but many still offer good value. Third-generation .45, 9mm, and .40 S&W guns can often be had for a great price and are competent weapons. I’m a fan, but what about you folks? Do you like the metal-frame S&W pistols? Do you own any? Let us know below.

The post The Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Generations: Decoding the Classics appeared first on The Mag Life.

Notable is the fact that the primary weapons employed by each side in the two conflicts were bolt-action rifles that had evolved only slightly. A case could also be made that it was German engineering and design going against Russian ruggedness and reliability.

The First Showdown: The Mauser Gew98 vs. the Mosin Nagant Model 1891

“Mauser” and “Mosin Nagant” are practically synonymous among collectors and firearms enthusiasts for Germany’s and Russia’s respective rifles of the two World Wars. But the devil is truly in the details.

Both stories can rightfully be described as “complicated.”

From the Gewehr 88 to the Gewehr 98

The Mauser-made Gewehr wasn’t actually the first German-made military bolt-action rifle, as that distinction goes to the Gewehr 88—also known as the Model 1888 commission rifle. Of course, a case could be made that the Dreyse needle gun was a German rifle, but it was designed in the Kingdom of Prussia before the unification of Germany.

By the early 1880s, the Dreyse was outdated, which led to the development of the Gewehr 88. This weapon was adopted in 1888 as the result of an arms race between Germany and France. It was not developed by Mauser; instead, it was the result of the German Rifle Commission. Notably, Mauser was also one of the few major German arms makers that didn’t produce any Gewehr 88s.

However, Paul Mauser continued to refine his design and patented a bolt-action design as the Mauser Model 1895. It was soon adopted by several nations in South America and later purchased by Spain, which used the rifle during the Spanish-American War. It helped influence the design of the American military’s Springfield Model 1903.

Berlin saw that it was quickly being outclassed by a German-made rifle employed by other nations, which led to the development of the Gewehr 98.

As stated by Robert W.D. Ball in his epic tome “Mauser: Military Rifles of the World,” the Gewehr 98 was adopted on April 5, 1898, and it was truly the finest in German engineering at the time. Ball noted that the first troops to receive the rifle were those of the East Asian Expeditionary Force, followed by the Imperial German Navy and three premier units of the Prussian Army Corp. The Gewehr 98 had its baptism of fire during the Boxer Rebellion (1898-1901) and then in the colonial conflict/genocide in German Southwest Africa against the native Hereros.

In 1904, contracts were placed with Waffenfabrik Mauser for 290,000 rifles and with Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) for 210,000 rifles. Total production of the Gewehr 98 by the end of the First World War exceeded five million.

Enter the Mosin Nagant Model 91

While not as common as even a decade ago, it is hard not to find a Mosin Nagant at the local gun show. As one of the most produced rifles of all time, vintage rifles from old Soviet stocks were commonly sold for little over $100, and oftentimes with Cold War-era ammo pouches or other accessories.

However, those were the later models, and the story of the Mosin-Nagant dates back almost half a century. While it was a firearm that was almost ideally suited to the Russian peasant, it wasn’t a wholly Russian design. It incorporated designs and features from two different designers: Sergei Ivanovich Mosin, a captain in the Imperial Russian Army, and Belgian gun designer Leon Nagant. Each submitted their rifles for testing, and while Mosin’s rifle was selected, the modified version featured key details of the Nagant design, including the fixed box magazine and the magazine spring.

The first fight involving the rifle wasn’t even on a battlefield but in the courts—both legal and in the Russian Imperial Court of the Tsar. To sum up a complicated situation, Nagant claimed patent protection despite borrowing the idea from Mosin, who couldn’t file a patent as he was an officer in the Russian Army. This made the design property of the government and a military secret. In the end, Nagant was paid off and continued to design weapons for the Russian military, notably the Nagant M1895 revolver.

Moreover, in addition to incorporating design aspects from the Belgian maker, the first 500,000 rifles were produced by the French arms factory, Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Châtellerault. It wasn’t the only time the most famous of Russian rifles was produced in a foreign land.

The Mosin-Nagant entered service officially as the Russian 3-line rifle M1891, and domestic production began in 1892. The gun fired the 7.62x54mmR cartridge, a round that remained in service for more than 130 years!

Russia’s new battle rifle first saw combat during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), and by that time, some 3.8 million rifles were already in service. Its combat results were mixed, but gun historians say a larger part of this is that the infantrymen were not properly trained with this new weapon.

Millions more were made during the First World War, and in another unique twist, the Russian demand far outpaced the supply, so much so that 1.5 million rifles were ordered by the Russian government and produced by Remington Arms in the United States. An additional 1.8 were further produced by New England Westinghouse. Many of these rifles didn’t make it to Russia before the Revolution and Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and thus were never delivered to the Russian government. Some were supplied to American and British expeditionary forces sent to Russia in 1918 and 1919, but many were later used by U.S. National Guard and ROTC units.

The Rifles Compared

As Terence W. Lapin described in his book “The Mosin-Nagant Rifle,” the Russian-made weapon “is not an attractive firearm. It has none of the elegance of, say, the 1903 Springfield, nor is it particularly arresting in appearance. The venerable rifle is, however, robust, dependable, and reasonably accurate.” That could also sum up the differences between Russia’s peasant army and the more refined German military.

Yet, from a cursory glance, the rifles are quite similar. Each weighs around nine pounds empty, holds five rounds, and is chambered for similar cartridges—the 7.62x54mmR for the Mosin-Nagant and the 7.92x57mm round for the Gewehr 98 (in post-1903 versions). With similar effective ranges of about 500 meters (550 years), it is hard to suggest one is better than the other.

Mauser fans will certainly disagree, and fair competition is challenging as many of the Russian rifles sold as surplus have been reworked and certainly used and abused. Those who favor the Mosin-Nagant will argue it can take a bit more punishment and keep working.

Round Two: The KAR98K vs. the Mosin Nagant Model 1891/31

The Second World War saw a de facto rematch between the Mauser and the Mosin-Nagant, but it was with new versions of each respective rifle. Following a trend that had begun with the British Army’s Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE), which proved better suited to the trench warfare of the First World War than the longer rifles of the era, and without compromising range or accuracy – the length of both the Soviet (Russian) and German rifles decreased.

The Mosin-Nagant Model 91/30

Production of the Mosin-Nagant continued in the Soviet Union, but in 1930, the rifle underwent some notable changes. The basic M1891/30 saw the barrel shortened by about 3.5 inches to the length of the “Dragoon variant” produced for the Imperial Russian Army’s cavalry before the First World War.

The M91/30 was the standard issue weapon of Soviet troops when the nation was invaded by the Germans in 1941, and it remained in production throughout the war. As the manufacture of the semi-automatic Tokarev SVT-40 was disrupted following Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union, emphasis was placed again on the Mosin-Nagant, which was easier to produce. It also proved to be more reliable and rugged, both necessities as the Motherland was fighting for her very survival.

Millions of Soviet rifles were made during the war, and they remained the main small arm of the largest mobilized army in history, with some 17.4 million being manufactured from 1941 to 1945. Numerous variations were produced, notably a sniper version and a carbine version introduced in 1944. Arguably one of the most widely produced firearms ever (with the possible exception of the AK-47 assault rifle), some 37,000,000 were made between 1891 and 1965.

The Karabiner 98 Kurz

Officially designated the Karabiner 98 Kurz or Kar98K, it wasn’t technically a “carbine” in the traditional sense, although there had been a carbine version of the Gewehr 98. Rather, it was a short rifle and became the standard service rifle of the German military when it was adopted in 1935.

Why it wasn’t the Kar35K comes down to restrictions placed on Germany under the Treaty of Versailles. The development of a new rifle was concealed, but it was a direct descendant of the Model 98 rifle. The new model resembled its preceding version in its basic shape, except for being almost six inches shorter while also incorporating a few design improvements.

The Kar98K used the same controlled-feed bolt-action system of its predecessor, while the most immediate difference is the straight bolt handle of the Gewehr 98 that was replaced by a turned-down bolt handle that made it easier to rapidly operate, and reduced the amount the handle projected beyond the receiver. That enabled the mounting of options directly above the receiver. The Langevisier – rollercoaster – rear sights were also replaced with a more conventional tangent leaf sight.

Though it was the standard infantry weapon of the Wehrmacht at the start of the Second World War and continued to serve in that role until Germany’s defeat in May 1945, it was gradually supplemented by the semi-automatic Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43 (G43/K43), which almost ironically incorporated an improved short-stroke pistol gas system employed in the aforementioned SVT-40. Yet, while more than nine million Kar98Ks were manufactured by the war’s end, only around 402,000 K43s were produced.

As the war was drawing to a close, Germany was in the beginning stages of slowly replacing its bolt action rifle with the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) assault rifle designed by Hugo Schmeisser – and that weapon would go on to influence the AK-47 and other post-war assault rifles.

The Rifles Compared (Again)

So, is one better than the other?

Now, with nearly 80 years of hindsight, it may come down to collectability. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Kar98Ks were so common that tens of thousands (perhaps more) were “sporterized” and converted into a poor man’s hunting or target rifle. Throughout much of the Cold War, Mosin-Nagants weren’t exactly rare, but certainly not as widely available as they are now.

Then, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Mosin Nagant flooded the market. As noted, those are still collectible, but not quite in the same way as the Mauser that the Doughboys brought home after the Great War or the Greatest Generation came back with following World War II. It should be noted that Mauser collectors can look to countless variations made for countries around the world, while Mosin-Nagants were made in far fewer flavors.

As the better rifle, it may be a matter of personal preference, but both will have a legacy that lasts for eons to come!

The post Mosin Nagant vs. Gew 98/Kar98K: Weapons of War appeared first on The Mag Life.

Colt wasn’t helping a whole lot. When someone wanted a submachine gun, they tended to refer to the 5.56-chambered Colt Commando. Luckily, Colt broke down and developed a submachine in the 1980s for the glory of American submachine guns. Since then, they’ve kept the Colt SMG in the catalog, upgrading it, making advancements, and keeping the weapon up to date.

Today, we’ll explore the history of the Colt SMG, from the first Department of Energy Compact to the most modern variant on the market.

The First Colt Submachine Gun

Alright, let’s take a quick detour to 1959. Colt developed an ultra-small CAR-15 variant known as the CAR-15 Model 607 and called it the Colt Submachine Gun. The definition of SMG seemed a little looser back then, and this gun still chambered the 5.56 cartridge.

It featured a two-position stock, a 10-inch barrel, and carry handle sights. They produced a variant until at least 1965 when it was seen in the SAWS program. I only mention this gun because they called it the Colt Submachine Gun. It’s not tied to the 9mm Colt SMG we’re discussing today.

The Real Colt Submachine Gun

Colt might have kept suggesting the Commando, but not everyone was buying it. They saw they were losing out on an important market and wanted a piece of the SMG market. Their brand was the AR-15 or, excuse me, CAR-15. Naturally, they wanted to stay on brand and keep the CAR-15 layout, but they revised the gun into a 9mm submachine gun.

Colt chose the 9mm round since it was the NATO pistol round in the 1980s. According to Christopher Bartocci of Small Arms Review, the project was given to Colt Senior Engineer Henry Tatro.

The straight blowback system was chosen, the gas system was ditched, and the bolt was modified. Early prototypes were open-bolt guns, but Colt wisely moved to a closed-bolt format for better accuracy, safety, and reliability. In 1985, the first Colt SMG hit the market.

They based the design on the Colt Commando. The gun wore a 10-inch barrel and used a standard upper and slightly modified lower. The lower used a magazine block to shrink the 5.56 magwell to accommodate the 9mm magazine. Colt modified Uzi mags for their SMG, incorporating a left-side cut for the AR mag release.

The Colt SMG used collapsing stock, an A2-style bird cage flash hider, a slab-side upper, a carry handle, and a fixed front sight. The initial rate of fire was excessive, so heavy buffers were used. Hydraulic buffers were offered to reduce the rate of fire even further.

Ultimately, this became the base-level Colt SMG on which all would be built. The model number is 635.

Early Success

The Colt SMG saw early success with various American police forces, including the DEA, the Marshals Service, the LAPD SWAT department, the DSS, and even the United States Marine Corps. This is a partial list but covers some of the largest adopters.

The 1980s and 1990s were the age of the police submachine gun. Short carbines wouldn’t replace submachine guns until the early days of the GWOT. The Colt submachine gun offered a domestically made, affordable, and ergonomic one.

The weapon was used in various roles, including embassy and ambassador protection, raid teams, and fugitive recovery. Let’s not forget drug raids that became popular during the War on Drugs. The weapon proved to be successful and capable. Enough so that numerous special models were requested for niche uses.

The Small One

The Colt 633 submachine gun only exists because the Department of Energy wanted an ultra-small weapon for the law enforcement officers who protect America’s nukes. These guys have a mix of weaponry, including rifles, shotguns, and light machine guns. They seem to try their hardest to fill every niche possible.

The DOE wanted an ultra-small, highly portable submachine gun, something smaller than the Colt Commando. DOE Security forces have many roles, including the Office of Secure Transportation. I imagine a gun this small would be perfect for use around and even inside vehicles.

Colt modified the 635 to have a 7-inch barrel, a folding front sight, and highly modified handguards. The 633 beat the HK MP5K for the contract. I imagine it was the cheaper option but also the lighter, more ergonomic option that matched the DOE Colt rifles to a T.

The Quiet One

The DEA liked the Colt SMG enough to want a specific model for its Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team. The CLET guys raided drug labs, and that often meant meth labs, but plenty of drugs need labs.

These guys didn’t just face off with bad guys but all sorts of hazardous chemicals. Imagine room clearing in a hazmat suit, and you guys know what they dealt with. They requested a special model of the Colt SMG that became known as the 635SD. The 635SD featured an integrally suppressed barrel. Submachine guns are super easy to suppress, so it was a natural pairing.

There is a theory that the CLET guys needed suppressors to avoid setting off hazardous fumes with muzzle flash, but I don’t buy it. I think these guys just raided small buildings, and guns are noisy, so a suppressed, short SMG makes a lot of sense.

Colt teamed up with Knight’s Armament to produce these weapons. The DEA Colt SMG was famous enough to be on the CLET patch.

The New(er) Colt SMGs

ARs evolved, and so did the Colt SMG. They don’t have as many customers these days, but they did evolve alongside most AR-type rifles. They ditched the plastic handguards for KAC RAS rails and lopped off the carry handles for flat-top optics-ready uppers.

These guns became model numbers 991/992, the difference between model numbers relating to burst and auto functions. They keep the same barrel length and collapsing stock, etc.

The M5

Colt invented the M4 for the military and liked that branding enough to develop a new rifle and call it the M5. The M5 became a family of rifles, and Colt expanded that to the Colt SMG platform. The Colt M5 submachine gun saw a few changes worth mentioning.

They moved to an M-LOK handguard system rather than a quad rail. They went with a Trilug muzzle device over an A2 flash hider. The barrel is shrunk to 9 inches, not counting the Trilug device. The gun uses a Magpul stock and flip-up sights. It’s as modern as the Colt SMG can get.

Why Colt Mags Are Better

Before we go, let’s talk about magazines. For a long time, they were the only option for 9mm AR magazines. Glock has gained ground on Colt, but I think the Colt mags are still better. They are double-stock, dual-feed designs that are a little shorter and easier to load. They are also made from metal and designed for long gun use.

Unlike Glock, which has a rearward rake, the magazines insert straight up and down. Reloads are more intuitive and more ergonomic. The heavy metal mags also drop free a lot easier than Glock mags. Oh, and did I mention they all have a last-round bolt-hold-open device?

Colt mags are better!

The Colt SMG – Decades later

SMGs are on the way out. It’s sad, but they just don’t function like a short carbine with a proper rifle round. As a PCC fan, I still love the little guys and the PCC/Subguns they inspire. If you’re looking for an AR-type PCC, it’s tough to go wrong with a Colt clone. Are you a Colt SMG fan? If so, let us know below!

The post A History Of The Colt Submachine Gun appeared first on The Mag Life.

In short, the .32 is efficient. .32s are a niche round making something of a comeback today, but if we rewind the lock, these rounds were the de facto defensive rounds of their time. Indeed, entire platforms would not have gotten off the ground without them. Case in point is the .32 ACP. The .32 ACP is encountered sparingly today, yet it is a round by many names and is denoted as a round that started one world war and ended a second. But more consequential is the fact that the .32 ACP legitimized the semi-automatic pistol as a defensive and military option. Further, it is an efficient round for personal protection.

.32 ACP: What came before?

These smaller caliber guns needed smaller barrels, smaller cylinders, and smaller firing mechanisms to work with. Let’s take Colt as an example. In the 19th century, Colt manufactured a number of legendary big-bore handguns like the 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, and 1873 Peacemaker. But the company’s bestselling gun for that century was the 1849 Pocket Model, which fired a .32 caliber bullet.

That popularity translated over to cartridges. .22 rimfire guns were around in pistols like the S&W No. 1, but .32 caliber rimfire and centerfire guns were even more popular. For every big bore .44 or .45, many more .32 caliber revolvers and derringers were sold. At the turn of the century, Colt, Smith & Wesson, Iver Johnson, and Hopkins & Allen dominated the concealed carry market with small revolvers chambered in .32.

The most popular cartridge was the .32 S&W. This rimmed revolver cartridge was fed by a few grains of black powder and hurled an 88-grain bullet at about 650 feet per second. .32 S&W is grossly underpowered today, but at the time, it was considered sufficient. The invention of the semi-auto pistol marked a transition from that round to the .32 ACP.

The .32 ACP and the Browning Model 1899

Often, a cartridge is born before the gun. But in this case, the .32 ACP was developed after the semi-auto pistol beyond a proof of concept. It would make the semi-auto explode onto the scene.

In 1893, the Borchardt automatic pistol hit the market. This toggle action monstrosity fed from a detachable box magazine and reloaded itself using the recoil force of the ammunition. It was ungainly and fired the 7.62 Borchardt cartridge, one too powerful for something that could go into a conventional handgun. Indeed, the Borchardt was probably best suited with its optional shoulder stock. But this model set the gears in motion to produce something more practical. Luger sought to simply the Borchardt directly, while Mauser had its own construction in the C96. John Browning had the idea of a slide-actuated pistol and created the .32 ACP cartridge to suit that design, which would become the Browning Model 1899.

The Design Takes Hold

The .32 ACP had a smaller rim than the .32 S&W but was a smokeless cartridge and used a full metal jacket bullet, all of which made it more practical for an auto pistol. It also happened to be more powerful, but not so powerful that it could not be used in Browning’s pistol. The M1899 had a fixed barrel and relied on slide weight and spring pressure to cycle. It was a simple blowback design, yet it worked well. After some internal improvements, the M1900 entered production with FN in Belgium. The new pistol’s decent power, eight-round capacity, and ability to get quick follow-up shots endeared it to ordinance officers throughout Europe.

Although Luger holds the distinction of having his semi-auto pistol adopted first by the Swiss in 1900, the Belgians had the M1900 in a matter of months. The M1900 would go on to be adopted by a number of other European nations, including Greece and Serbia.

Browning’s pistols also fell into the hands of militant groups fomenting unrest through protest, crime, and assassination. Serbia covertly procured several Browning pistols for use by the nationalist Black Hand. Tragically for the world, the Black Hand successfully targeted Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in the summer of 1914, sparking the First World War. The teenage assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was alleged to have used a Browning M1900 in .32 ACP, but the actual pistol was the newer M1910 in the then-new .380 ACP cartridge.

Growing Popularity

Nonetheless, the .32 ACP’s popularity grew with the war years as pistols became more instrumental in the trench fighting that characterized the war. It also happened to be the most popular round at the time, and demand for arms could be satisfied. Small Pieper, Browning, and Mauser .32 ACP satisfied German demand, while the French opted to import huge quantities of Ruby pistols from Spain.

The sheer number of .32 caliber revolvers on the market in the US kept demand for the new .32 ACP at a low ebb, but not enough for fabled handguns like the Colt Model 1903 to make their debut. Another interesting design is the Savage Model 1907. Savage ultimately failed to beat Colt in the 1911 pistol trials, but they found success with their smaller double-stack Model 1907 in .32 ACP. Despite the relative success of these models, the .32 ACP would not find much popularity.

World War II and the Decline of the .32 ACP

Although the 9mm Luger became more popular in military circles after the First World War, the .32 ACP continued to thrive as a concealable pistol option for staff officers and as a sidearm for policemen. World War II saw the .32 ACP on both sides of the conflict. The US Army’s general officer’s sidearm was the Model 1903 in place of the heavier Model 1911 in .45.

The British adapted the subsonic .32 ACP for its suppressed Welrod pistol. However, the .32 ACP was most commonly fielded by Europe’s combatants. The Walther PP and PPK feature prominently on the German side. Although not standard military issue, these pistols were the latest in police gear and a favorite of party officials and front-line officers alike.

Postwar Service

After the war, the .32 ACP cartridge continued in police service in a divided Europe. Western Europe turned away from it completely after the 1972 Munich Hostage Crisis forced a reevaluation of police gear and tactics. In the Communist bloc, PPK-like pistols in 9×18 Makarov were military issue, and handguns like the CZ-50 and PA-63 in .32 ACP were still common in police work until the Berlin Wall fell.

Veteran bringbacks of Sauer, Walther, and Mauser pistols led to some renewed interest in the US in the .32, but it remained a niche cartridge like .25 ACP and .380 ACP. As shall-issue carry laws began to be passed in the 1990s, the .380 remained the bigger bore round that could be chambered in simpler blowback-operated pistols and, later, small polymer-framed locked-breech pistols.

The Modern Era

In 1999, KelTec debuted the P32. This single-stack polymer framed pocket pistol is as small and light as any pistol and is the oldest in Keltec’s lineup. Yet the P3AT in .380 debuted a few years later and led to a spat of .380 designs that have dominated the market. Today, the .32 ACP is the bane of older handguns, save for a few holdouts. These include the P32 and Beretta Tomcat. Also among them is the Seecamp LWS 32 and its copy, the NAA Guardian. In 2024, Walther reintroduced the PPK/s in .32 ACP. All major manufacturers continue to make loadings for the .32 ACP, but both the ammunition and the available firearms live in the shadow of the bigger .380.

The .32 ACP Today: Pros and Cons

The cartridge never really caught on in the United States, and part of it was likely the sheer number of competing options on the market. But there are some good reasons to pick the round for carry, as well as some aspects of the round that might guide you to steer clear.

The .32 ACP is a low-pressure round capable of chambering in the most diminutive pistols. It is also centerfire, which is more reliable than smaller .22 rimfire rounds you might encounter in pocket guns. But that capability is seldom realized. The Seecamp remains one of the smallest handguns on the market, but it also has a dated all-steel design.

Viable Options

The ultimate .32 might be the KelTec P32, which boasts a polymer frame and weighs under 9 ounces. Otherwise, the .32 is going to be encountered in even older and larger frame designs like the Walther PPK. These designs are deceptively easy to shoot and shoot well, as their all-metal frames soak up what little recoil the .32 produces. In general, the .32 recoils considerably less than comparable pistols in .380.

While the .32 has the potential to make for a very small carry package or a very shootable one, the cartridge itself has its own limitations. .32 is considered somewhat small by today’s standards, and .32 ACP is slower compared to more recent .32 caliber rounds like the .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum revolver cartridges. Buffalo Bore, Underwood, and Corbon have come to the rescue with high-velocity loadings for the .32, but most .32 ACP loadings consist of either a 60-grain hollow point or a 71-grain full metal jacket bullet traveling no faster than 900 feet per second.

Conventional wisdom states that numbers this low are too low for hollow-point expansion, and shooters are best advised to use the old-school full metal jacket to ensure good penetration should a hollow-point expand and not penetrate enough.

Although it has the virtue of being centerfire, the .32 ACP sacrifices some potential reliability because it has a rimmed case. Most of the first-generation auto pistol cartridges come with a small rim that will work well with a magazine but be reliable in terms of extraction. Later rounds, like the 9mm Luger, have rimless or rebated rims that are flush with the case. Like .22 LR or .25 ACP, it is possible to load the magazine of a .32 ACP pistol with the rim of one round overlapping with the rim of the previous round, leading to a failure to chamber.

The Bottom Line

There is no getting around the fact that the .32 ACP has its issues. On paper, it doesn’t have much power, and the rimmed case can be an issue. It also does not help that it is mostly older designs that use it. With all that in mind, the .32 ACP can’t help but seem antiquated. But that might be a virtue of its merits rather than its detriments. The .32 is a joy to shoot and has more punch than some would give it credit. For a round that started the modern semi-automatic pistol, the fact that a case can still be made for it and that manufacturers still produce pistols for it speaks to its longevity and positive attributes.

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What’s a Derringer?

There has never been a firm definition of what a derringer is. It’s an amorphous term that’s grown and expanded over the years to include a fairly wide variety of guns. What they all have in common seems to be that they are all ultra-small. They aren’t just pocket guns, but guns you could nearly fit in a coin pocket. Derringers have always been small, and these days, they are most often guns with two barrels arranged in an over/under combination.

The Early Days of Derringers

The history of the derringer officially starts in the United States, specifically in Philadelphia. Much like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, they were born and raised in Philly but caught on quite quickly. While derringers started in the United States, some historical context of small firearms predates the Philadelphia derringer.

Ever since the advent of firearms, there have been two running themes. First, make them shoot faster, further, and with greater accuracy. Second, find a way to make them smaller. The latter guided pistols from the 18th century into a smaller platform.

The pre-derringers had several different names, including boot pistols, vest pocket pistols, muff pistols, and more. They were designed to be easily carried and concealed by the average civilian. These guns had several designs, but the Queen Anne pattern flintlocks were the most popular.

A Queen Anne is a pistol with a screw- or turn-off barrel. Shooters removed the barrel to load the chamber directly. This meant it wasn’t a muzzle-loading design. Queen Anne pistols were available in several sizes, including ultra-small designs that were made easily hidden in vest pockets and hand warmers. These single shots predate the derringer and were typically larger, but they had the same idea.

The Philadelphia Derringer

The first derringer came from Henry Deringer. That’s Deringer with one “R.” Mr. Deringer first produced the gun in 1825. The platform became very popular firearms, first, interestingly enough, amongst military officers. The popularity spread to the civilian market, and roughly 15,000 were produced.

The Philadelphia derringers were .41 caliber and featured rifled bores. Barrel lengths could be as short as 1.5 inches but also as long as six inches. They were most commonly sold in pairs. If you only have one shot with a muzzle-loading percussion pistol, maybe you’d want one extra pistol.

These pistols varied in design. Some had front sights, but rear sights were rare. Some guns had no sights and were designed as point-and-shoot guns. The most infamous use of a Philadelphia Derringer was by John Wilkes Boothe in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The news coverage of the assassination misspelled “Deringer” as “derringer,” and the latter spelling became the norm.

The Sharps Derringer

Christian Sharps designed and patented his first derringer in 1849 but didn’t produce one until 1859 when Sharps was able to patent an even smaller design. Unlike most derringers, the Sharps derringer was a four-shot pistol. It combined the firepower of a pepperbox with the small size of a derringer. The gun featured barrels that slid forward to unveil the chambers.

Once loaded, the user manually cocked the single action hammer to fire the gun. The firing pin rotated with each pull of the hammer. Sharps produced four derringer models in .22, .30, and .32 rimfire cartridges.

The Colt Derringer

As firearms evolved, so did derringers. In 1861, Daniel Moore patented a single-shot .38 Rimfire pistol. Metallic cartridges were the future, but Smith & Wesson and Rollin White kept the future to themselves with revolvers. Moore’s gun was super small and fit the derringer category.

Moore produced them until 1865, when he sold the design to the National Arms Company. They produced a .41 caliber rimfire version of the gun. In 1870, Colt purchased the National Arms Company and maintained production of the derringers. Colt produced three different derringer models, each with slight changes and improvements.

All of these guns used .41 caliber rimfire cartridges. During the cowboy craze of the 1950s, the fourth model derringer arrived. This time, it was a little .22 Short single shot. It was a replica that cashed in on the cowboy craze.

The Remington Model 95

When you hear the word “derringer,” you likely picture the Remington Model 95. This two-barreled pistol has become the stereotypical derringer with its over/under barrel combination, exposed hammer, and bird’ s-head grip. Remington began production in 1866 and produced the guns until 1935. The cartridge of choice is the .41 Short.

These guns were single-action, break-open designs. The user simply loaded both barrels and, when needed, could cock and fire the gun twice before going Winchester. Remington produced over 100,000 of the guns with only minor changes throughout the years.

They did make several finish and grip options. There were engraved models, blued models, nickel-plated models, grips of various wood types, and even ivory or pearl. Throughout the years, they’ve become popular in movies. They are seen in various Westerns, including “The Shootist,” “Wild Wild West,” and “A Few Dollars More.”

These guns were a massive success, and to this day, various companies produce replicas. Whether people know it was a Remington design or not, the two-barreled Remington derringer is the most famous of all derringers.

Into the Modern Era

Derringers have faded slightly from popularity. The advent of ultra-small guns like the Ruger LCP kind of killed the market for them as serious defensive firearms. That doesn’t mean that there haven’t been modern attempts. One of the last few genuine attempts to produce defensive derringers came in the 1980s and 1990s.

The COP 357 derringer was produced in 1983. This little four-barrel weapon looks like a semi-auto pistol. However, the gun’s four barrels give it away. The gun used a double-action trigger with a rotating firing pin. The intention was to provide a backup gun to the police. Later, a Mini Cop in .22 Magnum was produced. The gun was never successful. The gun was heavy, the triggers were excessively heavy, and the recoil was rough.

In the 1990s, High Standard produced the famed DS22 and DS38 derringers. These were more traditional micro-sized two-shot guns. However, the guns had a double-action design. They were moderately successful and still common these days.

Nowadays, companies like Bond Arms produce modern two-barrel, single-action derringers in a wide range of calibers, from .410 to 9mm Luger. Some are extremely powerful, and I wouldn’t want to shoot them. These guns aren’t typically chosen for self-defense but rather for their exquisite quality, engineering, and fun factor.

These days, the closest we have to a modern self-defense derringer is the NAA Micro Revolvers. You can argue they aren’t derringers, but they match the uber-small design and do offer a repeating five-shot option.

Derringers have long been a part of the American concealed carry market, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. These micro-sized guns are still produced well over a century after their advent. That’s a testimonial to their stay power and an inherent enjoyment of the design.

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The U.S. Army wanted a light rifle, smaller and lighter than the M1 Garand, aimed at arming rear-echelon troops. It was more than a pistol but less than a rifle, and it wasn’t taking an SMG from a soldier who needed it. The .30 Carbine cartridge and the M1 Carbine were popular at the front and quickly filled a role in combat.

Eventually, the .30 Carbine got lost in firearms development. It’s a real shame because the cartridge has a lot of potential as it’s a light recoiling, lightweight option within a couple of hundred yards. Plus, it’s fun to shoot and outperforms pistol rounds. It doesn’t make sense that it only saw such limited success.

However, this wasn’t due to a lack of trying. The M1, M2, and M3 Rifles weren’t the only weapons chambering the .30 Carbine, and plenty of attempts were made to keep the cartridge relevant.

The Other .30 Carbine Guns

When I say the other .30 Carbine guns, I don’t mean the other guns that competed against the Winchester Carbine. There were over half a dozen entries into the light rifle contest. I’m talking about guns that came post World War II. The United States exported the .30 Carbine cartridge en mass as they ditched the M1 Carbine. It popped up all around the world, from Vietnam to Israel and everywhere in between.

Even the United States attempted to keep the .30 Carbine kicking. It seems like most of these attempts have faded from relevance, but they’re notable, and we’re notating them! Let’s dig into the other 30 Carbine Guns.

T-29

America saw the STG-44 and decided that it was a neat idea. It wanted to create its own lightweight, select-fire rifle-like weapon. Engineers took the cheap and surprisingly robust M3 SMG and converted it to a .30-caliber rifle. The Army weapon development produced three prototypes. Two had 14-inch barrels, and one had an 8-inch barrel.

The T-29 used an M1 Carbine magazine and also developed a larger magazine. Lots of dimensional changes were made to the bolt, and the gun used two springs to drive the bolt and a shorter, stronger spring for the bugger. The T-29 didn’t make it far, and the Army decided that making the M2 Carbine select fire was easier.

CEAM 1950B

The STG-44 was also subject to competition, and one of the prototypes was the STG 45, which used a roller-delayed design. In 1950, the French dedicated themselves to expanding that idea, and German weapons designer Ludwig Vorgrimler worked with them to produce the CEAM Modele 1950B. At first glance, the 1950B looks like an HK roller-delayed design.

Ludwig would later develop the CETME series of Spanish rifles, which became the HK roller-delayed guns. The CEAM 1950 chambered a few cartridges throughout its prototyping, but they eventually settled on the .30 Carbine. I’d imagine a roller-delayed .30 carbine would be quite enjoyable to shoot and very controllable. These rifles would feature folding stocks and built-in handguard bipods.

The French abandoned the project, and Ludwig headed to Spain, where we got the famed CETME and HK roller-delayed rifles.

Cristobal Carbine

Hungarian expat Pál Király decided he didn’t like the cold and settled in the Dominican Republic. He had previously designed a submachine gun and brought that design with him. In the Dominican Republic, he modified the design to a .30 Carbine. The Cristobal Carbine used a fairly rare lever-delayed blowback system and was reportedly very reliable and easy to operate.

The rifle used a 30-round magazine and a plain wood stock that gave it a disarming appearance. The Dominican Republic produced nearly 200,000 Cristobal Carbines, and the gun remained in service as a training firearm into the 90s. Famed revolutionary Che Guevara even carried one.

Marlin 62 Levermatic

The Levermatic series are neat guns that famously used a cam and roller system for one of the smoothest lever actions ever. They were made in a variety of calibers. The Marlin 62 Levermatic came in .30 Carbine and used a four-round box magazine. This handy little rifle would be quite the brush gun and offered a light recoiling deer gun.

The Marlin 62 Levermatic was never super successful and was produced in smaller numbers, which makes it rare and highly desirable today. As far as I can tell, it was the only lever-action .30 Carbine ever produced.

Taurus/FAMAE CT-30

South America is one of those many countries where the .30 Carbine was prevalent. Brazilian firm Taurus teamed up with Chilean firm FAMAE to produce the CT-30. The CT-30 used the same long-stroke gas piston system with a rotating bolt as the Sig Sauer 540. This created a very interesting, almost submachine gun-sized light rifle.

The gun used a folding stock, a 30-round magazine, and diopter-style sights. The Sig Sauer 540 series was known for being quite robust and reliable. This gave police forces a platform roughly the size of an SMG with a more potent cartridge. Sadly, due to disagreements between FAMAE and Taurus, the weapon failed after being issued to law enforcement.

IMI Magal

Israel is another country that has an excess of .30 Carbine ammo and even M1 Carbine rifles. Police and security forces have used them for decades. With that in mind, IMI took a look at their Galil and decided we could make it smaller. They did just that and produced the IMI Magal. The Magal scaled down the Galil and created a short, semi-auto carbine.

The Israelis put them to use in a dispute with Palestine in 2000, but field reports were not good. There were reliability and overheating issues. After that, the military and police suspended additional manufacturing. The gun has faded away with only a brief 555 carbine order to Brazil.

Olympic Arms PCR .30

You might have seen all these guns and wondered why there was no AR. AR-15s chamber everything. Don’t worry; Olympic Arms made an AR chambered in .30 Carbine. This obscure gun was a carbine in the CAR-15 style configuration with a 16-inch barrel, carry handle sights, and six-position stock. The gun used a proprietary magazine for reliability reasons.

Admittedly, the tiny mag looks odd in the gun. There is some internet legend that I can’t confirm, but these guns were built for foreign export, and only roughly 400 were sold in the United States. They are very rare and command a premium price point. They would be a drastic improvement on the M1 Carbine and probably be one of the more successful .30 carbine rifles.

The .30 Carbine

The .30 Carbine doesn’t get much love these days. It’s faded away for calibers like .223 and .350 Legend. The price of ammo has steadily risen, and it’s certainly not a cheap caliber. I was pleasantly surprised by all the .30 Carbine rifles out there. In fact, I found so many that I didn’t even include the variety of handguns that chambered the round. Those handguns and the light rifle program as a whole are a different discussion for a different day.

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It has a storied history that began in the former Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. Designed by the Koucky brothers, it quickly gained a reputation for excellence, becoming a favorite among militaries, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooters alike. Let’s take a look at its origins, development, and lasting popularity since its creation. We will also discuss whether the CZ-75 will remain a favorite among owners or fade into the sunset as a classic legend.

Origins and Design

The CZ-75 was designed by Josef and František Koucky, who worked for the Czech arms company, Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZUB). Their goal was to create a pistol that combined the best features of contemporary handguns, resulting in a design that would stand the test of time. The first prototypes were completed in 1975, hence the name CZ-75.

One of the CZ-75’s most significant design features is its slide-in-frame design, where the slide rides inside the frame rails. This design lowers the bore axis, reducing muzzle flip and enhancing accuracy. The CZ-75’s robust construction and attention to detail set it apart from many of its competitors.

Adoption by Militaries

Despite its excellence, the CZ-75 faced initial challenges in gaining international recognition due to the political climate of the Cold War. Czechoslovakia was behind the Iron Curtain, limiting the pistol’s exposure to Western markets. However, word of its superior design spread, and it began to gain traction among military forces outside the Warsaw Pact.

One of the first significant adopters of the CZ-75 was the Turkish military. They appreciated its reliability and high ammunition capacity, which made it ideal for various combat scenarios. The Turkish Gendarmerie, a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for law enforcement, also adopted the CZ-75 for its personnel.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the Iron Curtain fell and Eastern European countries gained more access to Western markets, the CZ-75 saw wider adoption. The Israeli military and police forces were among the first to embrace the CZ-75, finding its design well-suited to their needs.

The pistol’s durability and ease of maintenance made it an excellent choice for the harsh conditions often encountered in the Middle East. Of course, this developed into Israel’s Jericho 941, which some say is an even better version of the CZ-75.

Use by Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies around the world also recognized the value of the CZ-75. Its accuracy, reliability, and ease of use made it a favorite among police officers and special units. The pistol’s double-action/single-action trigger mechanism provided an extra layer of safety, which was appreciated by law enforcement personnel.

European law enforcement agencies also adopted the CZ-75. The pistol was used by various special units and tactical teams, who valued its precision and reliability in high-stress situations. The Czech National Police, for example, employed the CZ-75 extensively, benefiting from the local manufacturing and support provided by CZUB.

Civilian Popularity

The civilian market tends to follow the military and law enforcement markets. Because of this, it didn’t take long for the newly adopted Wonder Nine to become a popular choice for civilian shooters around the world. Whether for self-defense, competitive shooting, or recreational use, the CZ-75 has found a loyal following.

One key factor contributing to the CZ-75’s civilian popularity is its versatility. The pistol is available in various calibers and configurations, allowing shooters to choose the model that best suits their needs. The standard CZ-75 is chambered in 9mm, but there are also variants in .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and others.

Competitive shooters particularly appreciate the CZ-75 for its accuracy and low recoil. As mentioned above, the pistol’s slide-in-frame design reduces muzzle flip, allowing for faster follow-up shots. Its ergonomics and excellent trigger make it a popular choice in competitions. The IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) and IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) competitions are common places to find the CZ-75.

Design Evolution

The CZ-75 has seen several design evolutions since its introduction in 1975. These changes have been made to improve performance, address user feedback, and adapt to modern manufacturing techniques. Despite these changes, the core features that made the CZ-75 a success, have remained intact.

Another significant evolution is the CZ-75 SP-01, which was designed for military and law enforcement use. The SP-01 features an extended beavertail, a rail for mounting accessories, and improved ergonomics. These enhancements make it an ideal choice for tactical operations and self-defense.

Global Impact

The CZ-75’s impact on the global firearms market cannot be overstated. Its design has influenced countless other pistols, and many manufacturers have produced clones or inspired designs. The CZ-75’s combination of reliability, accuracy, and ergonomic excellence set a new standard for semi-automatic pistols.

The CZ-75 has also had a significant cultural impact. It has appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and video games, becoming an icon in popular media. Its distinctive design and reputation for reliability have made it a favorite among filmmakers and game developers looking for an authentic and visually appealing firearm.

Will the legend continue?

For the foreseeable future, yes. Despite being nearly five decades old, the CZ-75 remains a popular firearm today. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to several factors, including its design, performance, and reputation. Along with the 1911 and Glock pistols, the CZ-75 is among the most copied handguns in the world.

The CZ-75’s reputation for reliability is another key factor in its continued popularity. It is known for functioning flawlessly in various conditions, from extreme cold to intense heat. There are not many guns that have the reputation of the CZ-75 when it comes to reliability.

The Wonder-9 legend

The CZ-75 pistol is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its designers, Josef and František Koucky. From its origins in Cold War Czechoslovakia to modern-day shooters, the CZ-75 has earned its place as one of the most respected firearms in history.

My CZ-75 D compact is one of my favorite handguns to shoot, and I’ve never had a single issue with it. Because of the pistol grip design, I can shoot more accurately with it than many other handguns. Even though it’s an old legend, I don’t see this wonder-9 icon going anywhere in the foreseeable future. Like the 1911, it has a dedicated following and will continue to be appreciated for years to come.

The post Firearm Legends: The History of the CZ-75 Pistol appeared first on The Mag Life.

As a self-proclaimed gun nerd, I find great joy in delving into the history of weapons, understanding their adoption, and exploring their utilization. The more unconventional the weapon, the more it piques my interest. The enormity of World War I propelled creativity and innovation to the forefront, shaping the future of warfare. In my extensive research, I’ve encountered some truly peculiar weapons, and I’m excited to share these weird weapons of World War I with you.

Revolvers With Bayonets

Let’s ease into the world of weird World War I weapons with a relatively normal gun adorned with an odd feature. During The Great War, the battles in the trenches were chock full of brutal hand-to-hand combat. Troops adopted a variety of melee weapons for trench raids, from purpose-built clubs to axe handles. The British realized the proximity of the fighting and began strapping bayonets onto their Webley revolvers.

What’s better than a gun that shoots? One that stabs and shoots! The Brits took the stout Webley Mk VI revolver and attached a Pritchard-Greener bayonet. If you fired your six .455 Webly cartridges, you could start poking; at least, that was the idea. The 8-inch blade extended your hand-to-hand range, providing a nasty little fighting implement for those close-quarter trench raids. These weren’t a common tool, but enough were produced and used to be notable.

The Villar Perosa

Those pesky Germans get credit for the first SMG, but the idea actually belongs to the Italians, who discovered it by accident. The Villar Perosa is no ordinary SMG. The Italians designed the gun to be used as a support weapon and a light machine gun. The best way to describe the weapon was that it was two guns connected by the grips: two barrels, two actions, two magazines, and one trigger system.

Machine guns of the era were big, heavy, and bulky. The Villar Perosa weighed 14 pounds, making it super light in comparison to those bigger weapons. The gun fired a 9x23mm Steyr pistol cartridge, so the recoil was light. A pair of twin 25-round box magazines stuck out of the top, keeping the weapon firing, though the gun lacked any form of stock and was typically used with a bipod.

Italian stormtroopers used a platform that positioned the guns before them and made them human technicals. Eventually, the Villar Perosa faded away as more conventional SMGs became available.

Modified Frommer Stop Pistols

One good turn deserves another, and the Austrians noted the effectiveness of the Villar Perosa. A full-auto, light-support weapon that was very portable seemed appealing, so they took the ugly but robust and reliable Frommer Stop and got to work.

The madmen took two pistols, converted them to full auto, flipped them upside down, fitted them with 25-round magazines, and then connected them side by side. The triggers were removed, and a set of rods with a spade grip operated the weapons. The barrels were lengthened, likely to help support machine gun fire.

A set of dual, full-auto, .32 ACP machine pistols sounds like a blast. They refined the mag catches to make reloading easier, and the gun was mounted to a tripod for easy use. I imagine the recoil would be light. The Germans tested the gun, but it wasn’t successful and was never produced in large numbers.

Lancaster Pistols

British forces didn’t issue Lancaster Pistols but were popular with experienced British Officers. These were private purchases, and officers from Africa and India had them on hand. The Lancaster pistols weren’t revolvers or semi-automatic pistols but multi-barreled pistols with two to four barrels. They came in various calibers, and the .455 Webley was among the most popular.

These massive pistols fired as fast as a semi-auto. They were double-action-only guns with a revolving striker device. These guns were prized for their reliability, as they were straightforward and not prone to breakage like a revolver or semi-auto pistol. Though the low capacity was a bummer, the weapon was known for always going “bang” when needed.

Mondragon Rifle

The Mondragon Rifle took the longest route to WWI. It was developed in Mexico and adopted by the Mexican military for a short period. Mexico contracted Sig Sauer to build the rifles, but the company only delivered 50, and the Mexican government found them unsatisfactory and canceled the contract. Sig Sauer had 4,000 sitting around, and the German Empire purchased them all. They later gave the rifle to the Flying Corps with varying magazine capacities, up to and including a drum mag.

The Mondragon was the first semi-auto rifle adopted by a major military force. It wasn’t just a semi-auto. The user could convert the weapon to a straight-pull bolt-action rifle. This allowed it to function even when gummed up and dirty—just pull, push, and fire! The Mondragon Rifle was tossed into planes but eventually replaced by machine guns. It’s an odd duck but a fascinating one.

Elefantengewehr

So, we have this problem. Those snipers are hiding behind steel plates, and our rifles can’t do a thing to punch through them. Oh, what will we do? A good start is getting a bigger rifle, which is exactly what German and British forces did. They grabbed elephant guns or “elefantengewehrs,” if you’re German. Antimaterial rifles didn’t exist yet, so when you needed to punch through armor, the elephant rifle was the tool for the job.

The Brits and Germans both had colonies in Africa and were familiar with big, beastly weapons. The Brits used them to take out snipers hiding behind steel plates, and the Germans used them to punch through any cover the trench offered. These beastly guns were designed for hunting and often had double-barreled guns. They later inspired the anti-tank rifles of the First and Second World Wars.

Stay Weird

Who doesn’t love a good, weird weapon? Especially ones used in warfare. These weird guns would often go on to help inspire and develop more appropriate and better-designed options. They serve as the bizarro template for something that makes sense. The battlegrounds of World War I provided a ripe opportunity to test, improve, and modernize armed forces. Sometimes, a weird gun evolves and becomes a staple of modern firearms, and they all have to start somewhere.

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The first true sidearm of the U.S. military was the Flintlock Model 1775, which was, in essence, a direct copy of the British Model 1760. A few thousand were produced at Rappahannock Forge in Virginia for the Continental Army. The accuracy of those early pistols of the era was not very good, and most had an effective range of less than 20 feet, while the loading time was still limited to just two or three rounds a minute. In a pinch, these could be, and often were, used as clubs.

In the early 19th century, what we now describe as handguns advanced slowly. A new version of the flintlock was introduced as the Model 1805, made at the famous Harper’s Ferry arsenal. The .62 caliber smoothbore firearm is now the symbol of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, while the pistol is also seen on the U.S. Navy SEAL trident.

Flintlock pistols were favored by officers but also issued to dragoons — the forerunners of the U.S. Cavalry — and carried in a saddle holster during the First Dragoon Expedition into the Great Plains. These included the S. North Model 1819 Flintlock Pistol, the Johnson Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol, both in .54 caliber, as well as the Model 1842 Percussion Pistol, which was introduced just prior to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848).

Enter the Revolver

The U.S. military hasn’t always been that open to embracing change, but some forward thinkers saw the advantages of the early revolvers, which offered the ability to fire multiple rounds without the need to reload. The Colt 1847 and the Colt Model 1848 Dragoon were among the earliest adopted by U.S. military personnel.

By the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, a variety of revolvers were used by cavalry and light artillery, as well as being carried by officers. The most common were the .44 Caliber Colt Army Model 1860, the .36 Caliber Colt Navy Model 1851, and the .44 Caliber Remington Army Model Revolver.

Though Smith & Wesson provided the U.S. Army with the .45 Schofield Model 3 — the first metallic cartridge firearm — Colt followed up with the .45-caliber Colt’s Single Action Army (aka “Peacemaker”). Known today as “the gun that won the West,” it has remained among the most iconic American firearms of the 19th century. General George S. Patton even carried a Colt SAA during the Second World War!

It is never easy to improve upon perfection, but Colt attempted to do so with its double-action Model 1892, which was chambered for the .38 Long Colt round. It featured a counter-clockwise rotating cylinder, and it could be opened for loading and ejection by simply pulling back on a catch mounted on the left side of the frame. Empty cases could be easily removed by simply pushing back on an ejector rod to activate a star extractor. The six-shooter revolver could be quickly reloaded and the cylinder clicked back into place.

On paper, it was a solid step forward, even if the reloading was a bit complex by today’s standards.

Though it was seen as up to the task during the Spanish-American War (1898), the revolver proved to be unreliable in stopping the Moro warriors in the Philippines in the decade that followed, and some officers resorted to carrying the aging SAA.

The .38 revolver’s lack of stopping power led to the development of a new firearm chambered for a heavier round. The result was the .45 ACP cartridge and the now iconic Colt Model 1911, designed by John Moses Browning.

The Iconic M1911

The M1911 beat out rival designs from the Savage Arms Company and the German Deutsche Waffen and Munitionsfabriken (DWM). Had DWM not bowed out of the competition, the U.S. military could have adopted the P08 Luger!

Though the competition with Savage was quite fierce at times, the Colt M1911 was unanimously approved by the U.S. Army Testing Board and adopted on March 28, 1911. By late April of that same year, contracts totaling more than 30,000 pistols began a relationship between the U.S. military and Colt that would last 75 years and produce a total of more than 6 million pistols.

Even as it has been replaced by more modern firearms, some U.S. special operations units continue to carry the M1911.

The Forgotten Colt Revolvers

Because of the success of the Model 1911, somewhat forgotten is the Colt New Service, a large frame, double-action revolver produced by the firearms maker from 1898 until 1941. It was first introduced in 1898 as an upsized and strengthened version of the Colt M1892 — and it would go on to be produced in a variety of calibers and with different barrel lengths.

In 1899, reports came that the .38 caliber wasn’t quite up to the task. Even as the U.S. Army was focused on developing the M1911, the military also called for the revolver to be chambered in the .45 caliber revolver ball cartridge, which was .03 inches wider than the original .45 Colt cartridge. The U.S. military adopted it as the Model 1909, and that might have been the end of the line for the New Service Revolver.

However, with the United States entry into the First World War in 1917, there were insufficient stocks of M1911 pistols for the troops going “Over There,” and as a result, the Colt Model 1917 was introduced with a cylinder bored to take the .45 ACP cartridge and the half-moon clips to hold the rimless cartridges in position. The New Service Revolver saw use again in the Second World War, where it found favor with some tankers and artillery personnel. It also saw limited use in Korea and Vietnam, where in the latter conflict, its reliability was noted by “tunnel rats.”

The M9 Beretta

Though the M1911 is still considered a timeless classic by many firearms enthusiasts today, in the late 1970s, the United States military sought to adopt a newer sidearm — one that could be chambered for the 9mm cartridge that had become standard across NATO. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) also recognized that the M1911s in service were a bit past their sell-by date.

In 1980, the Beretta 92S-1 design was chosen over entries from Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Walther, as well as the Star M28 and various Fabrique Nationale (FN) and Heckler & Koch models. However, some old-timers in the U.S. military weren’t impressed, and a series of new tests were conducted by the U.S. Army.

In 1984, the trials started again with updated entries from Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Sig Sauer, Heckler & Koch, Walther, Steyr, and FN. The Beretta offering won out and was officially adopted as the service pistol in 1985. It was based on the Beretta 92FS, a short recoil, semi-automatic, single-action/double-action pistol that employs a 15-round staggered box magazine with a reversible magazine release button that can be positioned for either right or left-handed shooters.

It was officially designated “Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9.”

Upgraded as the M9A1 in 2006, it added a one-slot Picatinny rail for mounting lights, lasers, and other accessories while also featuring a more aggressive front, backstrap checkering, and a beveled magazine well for easier reloading. The M9A1 was also offered with Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coated magazines, which were developed to address the sandy environments found in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The M9 was again further updated in M9A3, which included a 3-slot Picatinny rail, an Earth-tone finish, and a 17-round magazine. This version, introduced in 2016, also featured a removable wrap-around grip that can be swapped between the Vertec-style and the former M9 style.

The M17/M18

The DoD had great confidence in the M9 and bought more than 600,000 of the semi-automatic pistols, but it had some reliability problems and had gained a bad reputation by the 2010s. In 2015, the U.S. Army and Air Force began searching for its replacement.

Thus began the XM17 Modular Handgun Systems competition, which called for two variants: a full-sized M17 and the compact M18. A full dozen pistols were entered into the competition, which called for a non-caliber-specific weapon with modular features to allow for the adaption of different fire control devices, pistol grips, and alternate magazine options.

In January 2017, Sig Sauer’s P320 was announced as the winner of the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition. The P320 platform had numerous features that the U.S. Army found to be appealing, including the fact that it was designed to be ambidextrous in handling while sporting a catch lever on both sides of the slide. It also featured a user-reversible magazine, while other operating controls were designed to be easily operated from either side.

The pistol has two variants: the full-length M17 and the compact M18. The Pentagon has announced plans to buy 420,000 M17s and M18s for $580 million over 10 years.

American military sidearms have come a long way in the past 250 years!

The post The History of U.S. Military-Issue Sidearms: From Flintlocks to the M17 appeared first on The Mag Life.

That’s it, and I know he was a bandolier enthusiast. Lately, I’ve been reading, studying, and learning about the man, the myth, and the legend of Pancho Villa. It’s oddly fascinating what drew my interest in the man. It was a singular photo of him shooting a Bisley Colt. I like Bisley Colts, and the fact that Pancho consistently carried one made me feel a slight kinship to the man, even though I knew nothing more about him.

Colt Single Action Army Bisley Model

There are several photos of Pancho with his Bisley Colt. The distinct Bisley grip design makes the weapon easy to spot. Colt designed the Bisley grip to reduce the effects of recoil. Most Colt Single Action Army revolvers have plow grips, and they tended to roll rearward when fired. The rolling had the benefit of allowing the shooter to easily reach the hammer and cock the weapon for the next shot.

Pancho Villa utilized the .44-40 round in his Colt, which was popular and powerful. The popularity came from the famed Winchester lever-action rifles chambered the round. You could carry a rifle and revolver that used the same ammo. Pancho liked his Winchesters, but I couldn’t find where he used a .44-40 rifle.

If you ever want to see it in person, Pancho’s Colt Bisley occupies a display at the Autry National Center Collection.

Winchester 94

Most photos of Pancho Villa feature the famed crossed belts of ammo. These bandoliers are eye-catching and just plain cool. As a machine gunner, I also carried ammo belts across my chest (until a Staff Sergeant shouted at me.) If you look closely, you’ll likely notice one of his bandoliers tends to have regular Spitzer rifle bullets, and the other has rounded projectiles that look handgun-like but are clearly rifle-length. They appear to be .30-30 cartridges, which ties in nicely with Pancho’s love of Winchester rifles, specifically the Model 94.

A lever-action rifle made sense in the fast-moving conflicts, raids, and chases of the Mexican Revolution. It wasn’t always your typical infantry conflict with extended conflicts at long ranges. Even city-based sieges often devolved into close-range combat, and at the time, the fast-firing nature of the Winchester 1894 must have been an asset for Revolutionaries.

Based on an examination of their photographs, I noticed at least two different variants of the rifle in Pancho’s possession. At this time, the fact that the rifle fired a smokeless rifle round likely made it an excellent choice for a combat tool for the era and situation.

Winchester Model 1895

Another rifle common with Mexican Revolutionaries was the Winchester M1895. These rifles had an odd path to Mexico. They were initially purchased for the US Army and tested. Later, they were found lacking and sold to a private company, who then sold the rifles worldwide, including to Cuba and Mexico. They became popular during the revolution, and Pancho was photographed with one such rifle.

Pancho appears to be sporting a variant with a short stock. Military models often have longer handguards and bayonet lugs. It’s unlikely this was a military surplus model, but perhaps a private purchase? One side of Pancho’s bandolier held spitzer-type rounds, and maybe those rounds were for the M1895?

While Pancho wasn’t known to publish his opinion of firearms, the Army had trouble with the M1895 rifles. These guns were slow and clumsy to load. Soldiers reported they were easily gummed up with dirt and sand, something Mexico has in abundance. It’s unclear how well these rifles performed, but revolutionaries tend to be less picky about their armaments.

Mexican Mauser Model 1910 Carbine

One rifle that occupied the hands of both revolutionaries and Federales alike was the 1910 Mauser Carbine. At the turn of the century, the bolt-action repeating rifle was taking over worldwide armories. These rifles used the new smokeless powder cartridges and saw a shift from big 45 and 50-caliber projectiles to much smaller, faster cartridges.

The Mauser design ruled this era. It was the M16/M4 of its era. The rifle was everywhere, and when the US developed the M1903, it was found to be so similar to the Mauser in design that the US had to pay a royalty.

Pancho Villa was photographed carrying one in a sheath on horseback. He used the shorter Carbine model. The bolt-action rifle was a modern weapon for the era, allowing for long shots and accurate fire. It was simple but very rugged, and the ammo was common due to its use by the Army.

According to legend, Pancho Villa’s Mauser Carbine was stolen by lawman Elfego Baca. Pancho put a $30,000 price on the man’s head. Baca was known for tall tales, so who knows the truth?

The Man, the Myth, the Legend

It’s always tough to separate fact from fiction when you have larger-than-life characters. Men like Pancho Villa were certainly larger than life. He lived a life of a thief, a highwayman, and eventually a notable revolutionary. He even retired, but like all important revolutionaries, he died in a hail of gunfire. Part of that legend states he died reaching for his Colt Bisley, but who knows for sure?

The post Pancho Villa: The Guns of a Legend appeared first on The Mag Life.