From 0.70-Caliber Saddle Pistols to 9mm Semi-Automatics: The Evolution of Pistol Calibers in the U.S. Army

"The British Light Dragoon saddle pistol, used in the American Revolution, looks quite a bit different from the semi-automatic Sig Sauer service pistol used by today's military. The saddle pistol, also called the horse pistol, was designed to be worn on the user's body or mounted on their saddle. These early pistols could only fire a single shot, while today's Sig Sauer M18 can be equipped with a 21-round magazine."

"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."

"Rifles played a key part in the Revolutionary War, alongside muskets, swords, and pistols. Military personnel needed weapons that were strong and durable, and that they could rely on even as the war ramped up. The U.S. Army adopted pistols as some of their main fighting and protectionary measures and have used pistols in some capacity ever since. As society continues to progress, we have seen a significant evolution in guns' capabilities, accuracy, and reliability. (Learn about the most decisive events of the American Revolution.)"

An Army report, Survey of U.S. Army: Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements, catalogs U.S. Army sidearms from the 18th century through today, listing eras for early weapons and exact years for modern handguns. Early sidearms included flintlock and saddle (horse) pistols that fired single shots and were carried on riders or mounted to saddles. Rifles, muskets, swords, and pistols were primary weapons during the Revolutionary War, requiring durability and reliability. Modern service pistols, such as the Sig Sauer M18, are semi-automatic, weather-resistant, more accurate, and can accept high-capacity magazines, reflecting significant advances in firearm technology.

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