Semi-Auto Pistol
Specifications
- Type
- Semi-Automatic Handgun
- Origin
- Europe
- Era
- Late 19th century – present
- Notable Users
- Military officers, police forces, civilians worldwide
- Epoch
- Modern Age
History
The semi-automatic pistol uses the energy of each fired cartridge to cycle the action, eject the spent case, and chamber a fresh round from a detachable magazine. Hugo Borchardt’s C-93 (1893) and Georg Luger’s Parabellum (1900) established the form. John Browning’s M1911, adopted by the US military in 1911 and chambered in the powerful .45 ACP, served through two World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. Modern polymer-framed designs like the Glock 17 (1982) dominate military and law enforcement use today, offering 15–18 rounds of 9mm ammunition in a lightweight, reliable package.
Significance
The semi-automatic pistol is the most widely used military and law enforcement sidearm in the world. Its magazine-fed design allows rapid reloading and higher ammunition capacity than the revolver, making it the standard personal weapon of the modern era.
More from the Modern Age
12 weapons
54 Weapons. Five Epochs. One Poster.
The Semi-Auto Pistol is one of 13 weapons from the Modern Age featured on the poster.
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