5 most important handguns

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by k9870

Im thinking:

Colt Patterson: The first revovler, started the trend to better wheelguns. Got us from break opens to repeaters.

Volcanic Repeater: Desighn was one of first repeating guns, legitamized cartridged ammo back when it was all about black powder, Smith and Weson met on this project and formed their partnership, invented the .22lr, the worlds most popular cartridge.

Mauser c96-
First successful semiautomatic, legitamized its role as a military weapon

Walther p38:
First successful da/sa military weapon, Led to more guns using this back in the day of SAO.

1911:
One of the most popular guns of all time, many features have been incorporated into other desighns, and it is popular in military, LE, and competition/ civilain use also. They are THE american gun.

Waht do you think?

Good list, but like all lists there is always something that somebody doesn't agree. Or perhaps feels that something else can be added.

I would add the P08 Luger. First 9mm pistol made for the military. Though it would be John Browning who would have the final say in the mechanical engineering of semi-autos the 9mm Parabellum was designed for the P08. Admitedly the pistol itself was basically a dead-end in terms if gun design, but the caliber it was chambered for has proven to have some real staying power.

[k9870]

The gun desighn did almost nothing though, and originally it wasnt even in 9mm, but 30 luger. So i wouldn't count the Luger.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by k9870

The gun desighn did almost nothing though, and originally it wasnt even in 9mm, but 30 luger. So i wouldn't count the Luger.

Well that's the fun of these things. You can debate the various guns for - well forever I guess.

[S&Wshooter]

S&W Model 39: The first US designed DA automatic handgun

S&W Model 1: first widely available revolver to use rimfire ammo