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**Mike Irwin** · March 24, 2013, 03:57 PM

Yes, the 1911 was the primary chosen sidearm, but does that make it "America's Sidearm" in the context that you're using?

It makes it America's primary military sidearm, but when you get right down to it, the S&W hand ejector was FAR more popular commercially than the 1911 was until the 1980s.

So, really, it took the 1911 70 years, or pretty much when it was ending its term as America's standard military sidearm, to become really popular commercially.

I will admit, now it's making up for lost time.

Oh, and Colt even sold tons more revolvers commercially than it did 1911s...

Colt also sold more 1903s commercially than it did 1911s during the same period.

March 24, 2013, 03:57 PM	#38
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yes, the 1911 was the primary chosen sidearm, but does that make it "America's Sidearm" in the context that you're using? It makes it America's primary military sidearm, but when you get right down to it, the S&W hand ejector was FAR more popular commercially than the 1911 was until the 1980s. So, really, it took the 1911 70 years, or pretty much when it was ending its term as America's standard military sidearm, to become really popular commercially. I will admit, now it's making up for lost time. Oh, and Colt even sold tons more revolvers commercially than it did 1911s... Colt also sold more 1903s commercially than it did 1911s during the same period. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.