In January 2017, the U.S. Army switched to a new standard-issue pistol – the Sig Sauer M17 and M18. The decision marked the end of over 30 years of service for the Beretta M9 pistol. Since their initial adoption of the Model 1775 (also known as the British Model 1760 flintlock pistol) the American military has issued a variety of sidearms. (Here is a look at 17 prototype guns rejected by the U.S. military.)
Sidearms of the U.S. Army are a direct reflection of the evolution of firearm technology. The flintlock pistols of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were eventually replaced by percussion cap firearms. Revolvers then became the standard issue military pistol from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. Since World War II, the U.S. Army has relied almost exclusively on semi-automatic pistols, which offer greater magazine capacity and faster reload times than revolvers. (Here is a look at America’s top pistol companies.)
To determine which sidearms were used by the U.S. Army since the 18th century, 24/7 Wall St. used data from the Army report Survey of U.S. Army: Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements. For earlier weapons, we listed the era in which they were primarily used, but for more modern handguns, the exact years of use are noted. This list includes flintlock pistols from the earliest days of American independence to modern-day semi-automatics.
Here is the evolution (over nearly 250 years) of the standard-issue US Army sidearm
19. British Light Dragoon Saddle Pistol
Source: Public Domain / National Museum Of American History and The Smithsonian Institute
The British light dragoon saddle pistol is a .70 caliber flintlock pistol. It was primarily used during the late 18th century and served in the American Revolution.
18. North Model 1819 Pistol
Source: Public Domain ./ Wikimedia Commons
The North Model 1819 pistol is a .54 caliber flintlock pistol. It was primarily used between 1786-1833 and served in the War of 1812.
17. Johnson Model 1836 Pistol
Source: Jeff Tinsley (Smithsonian Institution) via Public.Resource.Org / Flickr
The Johnson Model 1836 pistol is a .54 caliber flintlock pistol. Similarly to the North Model 1819 pistol, it was primarily used between 1786-1833 and served in the War of 1812.
16. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol
Source: Hélène Rival / Wikimedia Commons
The Model 1842 percussion pistol is a .54 caliber cap lock pistol. It was primarily used between 1786-1833 and served in the War of 1812.
15. Colt M1851 Navy Model
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt M1851 Navy Model is a .36 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1851-1872 and served in the Civil War.
14. Colt M1860 New Army Model
Source: Rama / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt M1860 New Army Model is a .44 caliber revolver. Similarly to the Colt M1851 Navy Model revolver, it was primarily used between 1851-1872 and served in the Civil War.
13. Remington Army Model
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Remington Army Model is a .44 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1851-1872 and served in the Civil War.
12. Colt New Army Model
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt New Army Model is a .44 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1872-1902 and served in the Spanish-American War.
11. Remington Army
Source: Rama / Wikimedia Commons
The Remington Army is a .44 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1872-1902 and served in the Spanish-American War.
10. Colt Single-Action Army
Source: Hmaag / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt Single-Action Army is a .45 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1872-1902 and served in the Spanish-American War.
9. Smith & Wesson No. 3
Source: Marcus Burns / Wikimedia Commons
The Smith & Wesson No. 3 is a .45 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1872-1902 and served in the Spanish-American War.
8. Double-Action Army
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Double-Action Army is a .38 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1872-1902 and served in the Spanish-American War.
7. Colt Model 1901
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt Model 1901 is a .38 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1902-1926 and served in World War I.
6. Colt Model 1909
The Colt Model 1909 is a .45 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1902-1926 and served in World War I.
5. Colt/Smith & Wesson Model 1917
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt/Smith & Wesson Model 1917 is a .45 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1902-1926 and served in World War I.
4. Smith & Wesson Victory Model
Source: Thornfield Hall / Wikimedia Commons
The Smith & Wesson Victory Model is a .38 caliber revolver. It was primarily used between 1926-1956 and served in World War II.
3. Colt Model 1911
Source: urban-integration / Flickr
The Colt Model 1911 is a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. It was primarily used between 1912-1985 and served in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
2. Beretta M9/92 FS
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
The Beretta M9/92 FS is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It was primarily used between 1985-2017 and served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
1. Sig Sauer M17 & M18
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Sig Sauer M17 (& M18) is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It was introduced in 2017 and is the current service pistol of the U.S. Army. It has been used in the war in Afghanistan.
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