Best American pistols: specifications and photos

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:53

Pistols in the armies of many countries among other types of small arms are the most popular means of destruction. They are intensively improved by weapons designers, taking into account the tactics inherent in various military units. In some states, there is a permit for the sale and carrying of pistols by the civilian population. One such country is the United States of America. Weapons developers intensively modernize old models and create new designs. American pistols are compact analogues and service-civilian versions of combat pistols and are focused on the needs of consumers among the population.

What made users interested in the products of American gunsmiths?

American pistols have the necessary firepower, allowing them to be used both for defense purposes and for active combatactions. At the same time, shooting products have small weight and size characteristics and moderate prices, which made the purchase of such products affordable for a wide range of consumers. American pistols are used for practical shooting and property protection from intruders.

What is a gun?

This type of small arms uses recoil energy with a short barrel stroke. Automation provides for locking with the help of figured grooves located inside the shutter, and lugs in its upper part. American pistols, as well as similar weapons from other countries, are equipped with two fuses: non-automatic and automatic. One is designed to block the bolt and the trigger in the lowered or cocked position, and the second in the form of a push button is located on the back of the handle and turns off automatically as a result of its tight grip on the hand of the shooter. The trigger mechanism contains an inertial drummer, which is held in the rear position by means of a spring. USM is designed for single action and is of the trigger type. The combat power of the pistol comes from the store.

Individual armament of servicemen

Pistols in the American army are provided for officers and non-commissioned officers. In some cases, depending on the specifics of the tasks performed, pistols are also intended for soldiers as auxiliary weapons. Mostly these are special forces soldiers, and the weapons they use are characterized by compact dimensions. This makes it possibleuse weapons with one hand. The second is used as support and stabilization, which has a positive effect on the accuracy of hits when shooting. Such pistols are often called combat or service pistols. Nevertheless, all types of American pistols can be used both by civilians in self-defense and by representatives of law enforcement agencies as offensive weapons during the destruction of terrorists or the release of hostages. Compact dimensions and high maneuverability make it possible to use weapons during close combat in residential buildings. It uses armor-piercing and expansion bullets.

Classic army pistol design

A characteristic feature that distinguishes American-made pistols is the use of.45 caliber cartridges for them. According to experts, it is this caliber that is most effective for shooting at short distances. The most common American 45 caliber pistol is the Colt. Created by J. M. Browning at the beginning of the twentieth century, this pistol has been in service with the American army since 1911. "Colt" until the eighties was used by officers and non-commissioned officers of the US armed forces as a service. Today, this model is considered a classic among the rest of small arms.

Armament of US law enforcement and intelligence agencies

Pistols are equipped with such power structures as the police, special services units, private and state security agencies and various security services. Mainly powerUS agencies use weapons with a range of up to 70 meters. These are samples of caliber 11.43 mm. They are made for ammunition 0, 45.

Model M1911A1

This variant of small arms is chambered for.45 caliber. This is a pistol of the American police, marines and the FBI. The weapon is presented in two variants of models. In the first - "Defender" - the barrel is 76 mm, and six rounds are contained in a shortened handle in the magazine. The second option was called "Commander". It has a standard handle and a 108mm barrel. This model is used by officers in the US Army (weapon index - M15). The M1911A1 model is also used by the armies of the Middle East and Latin America.

Beretta M9

In 1987, Maryland began mass production of the main pistol of the United States Army. M 9 is considered a new, more advanced model. In 2012, she was commissioned by the US Army. Today, this Beretta model is in service with many countries. Its popularity is due to such qualities as moderate recoil and the presence of an additional cartridge in the magazine. The weapon is compact, well balanced and has good ergonomics.

Specifications

The described model is characterized by:

• barrel length - 4.9 inches;
• total gun length 220 mm;
• weight - 944 grams;
• cartridge - 9 mm;
• coating has black mattecolor achieved using Bruniton technology;
• the handle is made of plastic pads. They have an engraving with which these American pistols are decorated. The photo below shows the design features of the model.

Weapons for US MTR

US special operations forces use two versions of the MK23 pistol in their activities. “Assault” - this is the name of the American pistols assigned to the first option. It contains a laser pointer module to facilitate aiming and a flashlight. The second is called the "scout". The design is equipped with a silencer.

Automation of both options uses the principle of recoil with a short stroke of the barrel. Locking in the system occurs due to the protrusion on the barrel and the window for removing spent cartridges. The spring-loaded hook performs the function of lowering the barrel. Due to this, recoil is significantly softened and the operational life of the pistol is extended. Such automation is not particularly sensitive to the difference in parameters when equipping weapons with cartridges from different manufacturers.

Design USM

The trigger mechanism is of the trigger type and is available in single or double action. The system is equipped with a lever that allows you to safely release the trigger, and a non-automatic fuse, so that the MK 23 can be kept loaded and half-cocked. Systempistol contains two fuses:

• Mechanical. Refers to the flag type.
• Automatic. The safety is designed to block the firing pin until the trigger is fully pulled.

“Devil Death Machine”

This is the name of the American Thompson submachine gun - a weapon that distinguished itself during the Second World War, and after some time became widely used in gang wars. Prohibition adopted in the United States of America led to the development of smuggling of alcoholic beverages. In this illegal business, brutal wars were waged between criminal gangs, and the submachine gun became an effective tool for eliminating competitors.

This weapon was used by gangs both against each other and in wars with the police. In order to adequately confront criminals, law enforcement agencies and the FBI also began to use this weapon model. This lasted until 1976. The name of the American submachine guns came from the name of their creator, a military expert and supply officer, retired Colonel John Oliver Thompson, who began to create this model in 1916.

The 1918 Destroyer

Two years after the start of development, the world saw the first American submachine gun, which was called the “Annihilator” (“destroyer”). This model had a high rate of fire (one and a half thousand rounds per minute) andreliable design. The commission also noted its shortcomings: heavy weight (more than four kilograms) and high price. A submachine gun cost $225, and a car at that time could be purchased for four hundred. Such a price of the weapon was justified, since solid blanks were used in its production, and the barrel was silver-plated to prevent corrosive processes.

M1928

This submachine gun model was designed for the Navy and put into service under the name Navy model with the M1928A1 index. The weapon was intended for firing in two modes. The barrel of the submachine gun passed the ribbing technology and contained a muzzle compensator. The rate of fire of the product in one minute was 700 shots.

American air pistol Gletcher PM

This weapon is identical to the Makarov pistol. Such imitation is typical for many manufacturers of airguns. This is explained by the fact that the wind version of the PM is more accessible than the combat version, which requires a license to carry and store. In terms of its design, weight and dimensions, the Gletcher PM is identical to the original. The operation of the pneumatic model is very realistic - there are the same sensations as when shooting from a real Makarov pistol.

Device

• The American pneumatic PM is powered by gas - carbon dioxide, which is contained in an ordinary twelve-gram cartridge.
• The gun magazine contains balls (18pieces).
• USM is designed for automatic mode, which does not require reloading after each shot. It is enough to press the trigger, and the balls, provided the store is full, fly out of the barrel themselves. This has a positive effect on the rate of fire.

This weapon is characterized by one drawback - the presence of a fixed bolt carrier.

American traumatic pistol for concealed carry

For weapons of the American manufacturer Kahr Arms, simplicity of design, excellent ergonomics and originality of design are considered characteristic. One of such beautiful and concise self-defense models is Kahr PM9. Weapons have their strengths:

• The presence of a thin and very light frame, which is made of polymers.
• The stopping action of a bullet. This is a very important criterion for weapons used in self-defense.
• The simplicity of the design allows you to quickly use the gun in any extreme conditions.
• This model does not have much protruding parts, so the gun can be discreetly worn under clothing. In addition, the main parts are smaller, which is due to the extraordinary compactness of the Kahr PM9.

Design Features

• The guide bevel of the chamber is offset to the left. Due to this, the trigger rod moves in space along the lower tide of the barrel.
• Stainless orcarbon steel.
• Matte finish, black.
• The barrel length is 76mm.
• The trigger mechanism is designed for self-cocking.
• No additional fuses. This is necessary so that, in case of danger, the owner of the weapon can quickly get it and use it.
• When the barrel is not fully locked, the shot is not fired. This ensures the wearer's safety from crossbows.
• Smooth trigger movement. The force is 3 kg, which guarantees accurate and comfortable shooting.
• The function of sighting devices is performed by the front sight and the slot of the rear sight, which are adapted for shooting at short distances. The front sight and rear sight do not have sharp edges.
• The bolt carrier has a rounded shape, which makes it very convenient to remove the pistol from a holster or belt.

Conclusion

The efforts of many small arms manufacturing firms are focused on improving production processes and skillful selection of materials. This has a positive effect on reducing the cost of products, optimizing their weight and size characteristics and improving operational parameters.