Pistols in the armies of many countries, along with other types of small arms, are the most popular means of destruction. They are intensively improved by weapons designers, taking into account the tactics inherent in various military units. Some states have a permit to sell and carry pistols for civilians. One such country is the United States of America. Weapon developers are intensively upgrading old models and creating new models. American pistols are compact analogues and civil service variants of combat pistols and are focused on consumer demands among the population.
What are the users interested in the products of American gunsmiths?
American pistols possess the necessary firepower, allowing them to be used both for defense and for conducting active hostilities. At the same time, shooting products have small overall dimensions and reasonable prices, which made the acquisition of such products affordable for a wide range of consumers. American pistols are used for practical shooting and protecting property from intruders.
What is a gun?
This type of small arms uses recoil energy for short barrel travel. Automation involves locking with the help of curly grooves located inside the shutter, and combat ledges in its upper part. American pistols, as well as similar weapons from other countries, are equipped with two fuses: non-automatic and automatic. One is designed to lock the shutter and the trigger in the lowered or cocked position, and the second in the form of a push button is located on the back of the handle and turns off automatically as a result of its tight grip around the arrow. The trigger mechanism contains an inertial hammer, which is held in the rear position by means of a spring. USM is designed for single action and refers to the trigger type. The combat power of the pistol comes from the store.
Individual armament of military personnel
Pistols in the American army are provided for officers and non-commissioned officers. In some cases, depending on the specifics of the tasks performed, pistols as an auxiliary weapon are also intended for soldiers. Mostly these are special forces soldiers, and the weapons they use are characterized by compact dimensions. This makes it possible to use weapons with one hand. The second is used as support and stabilization, which positively affects the accuracy of hits during shooting. Such pistols are often called military, or service. Nevertheless, all types of American pistols can be used both by civilians for self-defense and by law enforcement officials as offensive weapons during the destruction of terrorists or the release of hostages. The compact size and high maneuverability make it possible to use weapons during close combat in residential buildings. It uses armor-piercing and expansive bullets.
Classic army pistol pattern
A characteristic feature that distinguishes American-made pistols is the use of 45-caliber cartridges for them. According to experts, just such a caliber is most effective for shooting at short distances. The most common American 45-caliber pistol is the Colt. Created by J.M. Browning at the beginning of the twentieth century, this pistol has been in service with the American army since 1911. "Colt" until the eighties was used by officers and non-commissioned officers of the US armed forces as a time sheet. Today, this model is considered a classic among the rest of small arms.
Armed Forces Law Enforcement and US Intelligence
Such power structures as the police, special forces units, private and state security agencies and various security services are equipped with pistols. Mostly the US law enforcement agencies use weapons with a range of up to 70 meters. These are samples of 11.43 mm caliber. They are made for 0.45 ammunition.
Model M1911A1
This version of small arms created under the cartridge of the 45th caliber. This is a pistol of American police, Marines and the FBI. The weapon is represented by two versions of the models. In the first - “Defender” - the barrel is 76 mm, and six rounds are contained in a shortened handle in the store. The second option is called “Commander”. It has a standard grip and a barrel length of 108 mm. This model is used by officers in the US Army (weapons index - M15). Model M1911A1 is also used by the armies of the Middle East and Latin America.
Beretta M9
In 1987, the state of Maryland began mass production of the main pistol of the United States Army. M 9 is considered a new more advanced model. In 2012, it was ordered by the US Army. Today, this Beretta model is in service with many countries. Its popularity is due to qualities such as moderate returns and the presence of an additional cartridge in the store. The weapon is compact, well balanced and has high-quality ergonomics.
Specifications
The described model is characterized by:
- barrel length - 4.9 inches;
- total pistol length - 220 mm;
- weight - 944 grams;
- cartridge - 9 mm;
- the coating has a black matte color, which is achieved using Bruniton technology;
- The handle is made of plastic pads. They have an engraving that decorates these American pistols. The photo below presents the design features of the model.
Weapons for US MTR
The American units of the special operations forces use two variants of the MK23 pistol in their operations. “Assault” - this is the name of American pistols assigned to the first option. It contains a laser pointer module that facilitates aiming, and a flashlight. The second is called a “scout”. The design is equipped with a silencer.
Automation of both options uses the principle of recoil with a short course of the barrel. Locking in the system occurs due to a protrusion on the barrel and a window for removing spent cartridges. The spring-loaded hook performs the function of lowering the barrel. Thanks to this, the recoil is significantly softened and the operational life of the gun is extended. Such automation is not particularly sensitive to the difference in parameters when equipping weapons with cartridges of various manufacturers.
USM design
The trigger mechanism is of the trigger type and is represented by a single or double action. The system is equipped with a lever that allows for safe trigger release, and a non-automatic safety lock, thanks to which the MK 23 can be kept charged and with a half cocked trigger. The gun system contains two fuses:
- Mechanical. Belongs to the flag type.
- Auto. The fuse is designed to lock the firing pin until the trigger is fully pressed.
“The Devil's Death Machine”
This is the name of the American Thompson submachine gun - a weapon that distinguished itself during the Second World War, and after some time became widely used in gang wars. The Prohibition adopted in the United States of America has led to the development of alcohol smuggling. In this illegal business, fierce wars were fought between criminal groups, and a submachine gun became an effective tool for eliminating competitors.
These weapons were used by gangs both in relation to each other, and in wars with police officers. To adequately resist the criminals, law enforcement and the FBI also began to use this model of weapons. This lasted until 1976. The name of the American submachine guns came from the name of their creator - a military expert and supply, retired colonel John Oliver Thompson, who began to create this model in 1916.
The Destroyer of 1918
Two years after the start of development, the world saw the first American submachine gun, which received the name - “Annihilator” (“destroyer”). This model had a high rate of fire (one and a half thousand rounds per minute) and a reliable design. The Commission noted its shortcomings: a large weight (more than four kilograms) and a high price. A submachine gun cost $ 225, and a passenger car at that time could be purchased for four hundred. This price of the weapon was justified, since in its production integral discs were used, and the barrel underwent silver processing in order to prevent corrosion processes.
M1928
This model of the submachine gun was designed for the fleet and adopted by the name of the Navy model with the M1928A1 code. The weapon was intended for firing in two modes. The barrel of the submachine gun went through the finning technology and contained a muzzle compensator. The rate of fire of a product in one minute was 700 rounds.
American air gun Gletcher PM
This weapon is identical to Makarov’s pistol. This imitation is characteristic of many manufacturers of airguns. This is explained by the fact that the wind version of the PM is more accessible than the combat version, which requires a license to carry and store. The Gletcher PM is identical to the original in its design, weight and dimensions. The operation of the pneumatic sample is very realistic - the same sensations arise as when shooting from a real Makarov pistol.
Device
- The American pneumatic PM is powered by gas - carbon dioxide, which is contained in a conventional twelve-gram can.
- The gun store contains balls (18 pieces).
- The trigger is designed for automatic mode, for which reloading is not required after each shot. It is enough to pull the trigger, and the balls, provided the store is full, themselves fly out of the barrel. This has a positive effect on rate of fire.
For this weapon, one drawback is characteristic - the presence of a fixed bolt carrier.
American traumatic gun for hidden wear
For the weapons of the American manufacturer Kahr Arms, simplicity of design, excellent ergonomics and originality of design are considered characteristic. One of such beautiful and concise models, designed for self-defense, is the Kahr PM9. Weapons have their own strengths:
- The presence of a thin and very light frame, which is made of polymers.
- The stopping effect of a bullet. This is a very important criterion for weapons used as self-defense.
- The simplicity of the design allows you to quickly use the gun in any extreme conditions.
- This model does not have strongly protruding parts, so that the gun can be discreetly worn under clothing. In addition, the main parts are smaller than the extraordinarily compact Kahr PM9.
Design features
- The chamber chamfer has an offset to the left. Due to this, the trigger rod moves in space along the lower tide of the trunk.
- Stainless steel or carbon steel is used to manufacture the shutter housing.
- Matte black.
- Barrel length is 76mm.
- The trigger mechanism is designed for self-cocking.
- No additional fuses. This is necessary so that in case of danger the owner of the weapon can quickly get it and use it.
- If the barrel is not fully locked, the shot is not fired. This ensures the safety of the owner from the gun.
- Smooth trigger. The force is 3 kg, which ensures accurate and comfortable shooting.
- The sighting function is performed by the front sight and the rear sight, which are adapted for shooting at short distances. The front and rear sights do not have sharp edges.
- The bolt frame has a rounded shape, due to which it is very convenient to remove the gun from the holster or because of the waist belt.
Conclusion
The efforts of many small arms manufacturing companies are concentrated on improving production processes and skillful selection of materials. This has a positive effect on reducing the cost of products, optimizing their overall dimensions and improving operational parameters.