Pistols Passed By

posted on August 25, 2015
museum-from-print.jpg
Michael Ives

The selection of John Browning’s semi-automatic pistol design to become the M1911 tends to overshadow other submissions. Two lesser-known .45 ACP pistol prototypes came from serving U.S. Army officers. The Peirce-Hawkins recoil-operated design (top) was the brainchild of a major and a lieutenant from Springfield Armory. While showing some promise, the original test reports were lost. Capt. W.A. Phillips of Frankfort Arsenal submitted a gas-operated gun (bottom) that was built for the (at the time) relatively princely sum of $450. Despite the price, the pistol experienced a locking block failure during early testing, with its bolt pin return screw hitting the operator near the eye. Both projects were discontinued. The Colt pistols built on Browning’s design triumphed over foreign challenges from Luger and Mauser, but the fiercest contest came down to a head-to-head shoot-out with another American company, Savage.

NRA’s National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va., is now showcasing “America’s Pistol,” an exceptional collection of trials pistols on loan from the National Park Service’s Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Massachusetts. This exhibit of national treasures allows serious arms enthusiasts and historians to view the actual handguns evaluated in our military’s process of choosing a semi-automatic service sidearm.

The NRA National Firearms Museum at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va.; the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo.; and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M.; each have fine selections of historic arms on display. Admission to each is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit nramuseums.com, phone (703) 267-1600 or email [email protected].

Latest

Mdflag
Mdflag

A Win for Freedom in Maryland

Maryland’s Draconian requirements for purchasing a handgun were recently deemed unconstitutional in yet another post-Bruen win for the Second Amendment.

We Can’t Believe These Agencies

Too often, the U.S. government skews statistics on gun use to push false narratives.

Data Shows Gun Ownership Growing in America

Gun ownership throughout America is continuing to grow, according to recent poll data.

Gun Review: Girsan MC P35

The Hi Power is a classic that didn’t get much updating in its heyday. Girsan has brought it up to 21st century standards.

Why It’s Hard To Be A Young Competitive Shooter These Days

Some of the top young adults in the shooting sports give their thoughts on the impact of programs for youth.

Ministry of Disarmament:

Joe Biden has created a special White House bureaucracy to put gun-control advocates on the federal payroll and to leverage the full power of the government to expand his prohibitory ambitions.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.