My 10 cents worth.
Speaking as someone kind of in the middle (that is, not American and not European), I think in regard to this particular point, that the US definitely had the lead when it comes to viewing the pistol as a combat weapon.
For example, it was only about half a century before World War 1 that handguns were used in gunfights in the US, Europe didn't really have that kind of situation (i.e. the US Wild West era).
Although the C96 Mauser had a decent magazine capacity of 10-rds and a decent round, the first (of what we would consider), high capacity magazine on a pistol was for the Browning Hi-Power where the Hi-Power was related to the magazine size rather than the power of the ammunition. The Browning HP was of course, designed by John Browning who was born in the USA in 1855 - just the right time to be told all those tales of gunfights in the streets of Wild West towns and also to see the change from revolvers to automatics.
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Originally Posted by 95th Rifleman
Depends on point of view I guess.
Up until recently the British army has used the FN Browning, a 9mm weapon that has a 13 round mag. Compare that to theold American 1911 which was a .45 and only carried 7 rounds.
Today the british use the SIG 226 which is another 9mm with a 15 round mag. American went with the M9 to replace the 1911 which is a 9mm Berretta 92 with a 15 round mag.
Seems to me that America is actualy coming around the the European point of view on handguns, not the other way around.
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Originally Posted by Panther Al
Hrm... 50-50 on that. Yes, we went with the 9mm. Not too happy about that, but I do like the mag cap that it allows. I really do think that if the .40 existed, it would have been a good compromise chambering for NATO use. Not a fan of the 9: Decent round, but not really a man stopper. I agree that the .45 is a bit much for a lot of shooters. And the size holds back the mag cap. I don't think it was the right call, we should have stuck with the 45, but... I agree that when you consider all the reasons, going to the 9 was a reasonable choice.
Now: If I had to pick a pistol that would be the only one I would ever have, can't trade, sell it, get another of any kind, nor have easy access to parts?
Browning HP all night long. Even over the 1911. The 45 is hard on parts, over the years it wouldn't hold up as well as the High Power would with its lighter 9mm loads.
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