The History of US Army Sidearms From Past to Present

"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."

"Looking at the evolution of pistols from the 18th century to today provides a fascinating story of technological innovation and military needs. The shift from the hefty 0.70 caliber pistols of the late 18th century to the currently popular 9mm pistols reflects changes in how we view weaponry and strategy. By looking at this millennia-long advancement, 24/7 Wall St. hopes to provide you with a stronger understanding of pistol use in military settings, and why this shift has led to more efficient and reliable weaponry."

U.S. Army sidearms evolved from 18th-century flintlock pistols to modern 9mm semi-automatic service pistols. The catalog of standard sidearms includes early British Light Dragoon saddle pistols, North Model 1819, percussion and Colt revolvers of the 19th century, early 20th-century Colts and Smith & Wesson models, the Colt Model 1911, World War II-era revolvers, the Beretta M9/92 FS, and current Sig Sauer M17 and M18 handguns. Earlier weapons are identified by the eras in which they were primarily used, while more modern handguns carry exact years of service. The overall trend reflects technological innovation, increased reliability, and a move toward smaller, higher-capacity calibers.

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