Which Sidearms Have Been the Best for the US Military?

Blake Stilwell,

We Are The Mighty

A good sidearm is the ultimate plan B. You don’t want to have to use it, but if you do have to — it better work. They’re kind of the last line of defense for American freedom and they’ve come a long way in 240-plus years.

The sidearm has gone from a smoothbore, muzzle-loaded, single shot to SIG Sauer’s new, modular, 59-round monster which is also customizable for every user. No matter what your opinion of them might be, if they’ve ever kept you in the fight for even a minute longer, then they did their job.

These are most important sidearms the US military has adopted over the last couple hundred years.

1. Harper’s Ferry Model 1805

NRA Museum

This was the first pistol ever made by a US national armory. It was a flintlock pistol that lasted well into the Mexican War — but not for any particular reason besides apathy. They were heavy and tended to misfire. The Military Police Corps insignia still bears crossed 1805s to this day.

2. Colt M1847 Walker

The Colt Walker Older Firearms/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons