Gone are the days of the sword and spear. Today, bows and arrows are seen more as hobby items rather than legitimate tools of war. In their place, the last few centuries have seen the rise of pistols and rifles, and combat has never been the same since. Countless variations have come and gone over the past decades alone.
The USA has had a significant contribution to the firearms industry. A lot of commonly used guns are American-made, and many of modern America’s institutions are due in thanks to the old patriots’, the Union soldier’s, and the Wild West frontiersmen’s guns.
To honor America’s rich history of guns, here’s a look at some of the most important and memorable guns ever released.
American Long Rifle
History was literally made with the American Long Rifle.
It has been described as quite light in terms of weight and also incredibly graceful in line. Its consumption of powder and lead was known to be economical, and fans of this rifle have also been known to call it “fatally precise and distinctly American.”
The long rifle lead to American success against the British during the Revolutionary War. The love many have for this is certainly well earned.
Colt Single Action Army Revolver
This thing of beauty has been rendered iconic along with the image of cowboys.
For years, people have referred to certain guns as “six shooters,” and this is what they were talking about. Also known as “the peacemaker,” it defined the Wild West as an era in itself.
Few guns in history can hold a candle to the reputation that this one brings to the table.
Colt Model 1911 Semiautomatic Pistol
If you want to know just how good this gun is, you can go ask the US Military.
It was the standard issue sidearm for American forces from 1911 up until 1985. The US Navy and Marine Corps still use it to this very day because of the pistol’s durability and dependability.
Furthermore, M1911s owners—military or civilian—will never run out of bullets because of the abundance of 9mm ammo.
The Thompson Submachine Gun
When you think of gangsters from history and the movies, you think of this gun.
Popularly known as the “Tommy Gun,” this is an extremely versatile weapon that is easy to use, compact, and can shoot large .45 caliber bullets at the speed of 1,500 rounds per minute.
Those gangsters knew what they were packing with these bad boys.
AR-15 Rifle
Its start in the Vietnam War was a slow one. Among its biggest kinks was its failure to feed rounds into its chamber in the proper manner, which was crucially needed in combat.
But since then, that problem has been taken care of, and this rifle currently stands as the standard rifle for US Armed Forces. You can hear all about its full power in stories from the first Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Not bad for a late bloomer.
Salute to History
As we inch closer and closer into our future, there is little to no doubt that more iconic guns are on their way. Some are probably already crafting their own legacies now as we sit, write, and read about it.
While we wait for more legendary guns to make themselves known, let’s take some time to reflect on those that came before.
From the Revolutionary War, to the Wild West, the Great Depression, the Vietnam War, and to current conflicts, history is filled with amazing weaponry that any fan would be able to appreciate.
