The most produced, the most widely used, etc., firearms with such labels are always known by the public because of these names. Today we will have a brainstorm about the most iconic classic firearms; how many do you know?
The representative of the fifth semi-automatic pistol – Browning 1911
The Browning M1911 (Browning M1911) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by American gun designer John Browning and first, put into use in 1911. As a representative of semi-automatic pistols, it has a great status and influence in history.
The Browning M1911 was designed to use the .45 ACP bullet, a high-caliber, low-velocity bullet with high power and defense penetration. It is larger than today’s semi-automatic pistols, with a barrel length of approximately 127 mm (5 inches), an overall length of the gun of approximately 209.6 mm (8.25 inches), and an empty gun weight of approximately 1.13 kg. In addition to the classic .45 ACP, it also has a variety of derivatives or imitations in different calibers, including but not limited to 9 x 19 mm, .40 S&W caliber.
The Browning M1911 uses a single-action operating system with a 7-round or greater capacity magazine. It adopts a sliding delayed recoil operating system, and the muzzle velocity is about 251.46 m/s. It has a unique external trigger and hammer design and a double safety design, and the grip safety needs to be pressed to fire. The bolt-type safety on the left side of the gun body will also lock the hammer in a safe state, further improving the safety of the pistol.
The Browning M1911 has been in service with the U.S. military for over a century and is still used by some special forces today. Moreover, the M1911 pistol is also commonly seen in various film and television works with the theme of the US military during World War II or the Vietnam War and is deeply loved and sought after by the public.
symbol of violence – the Thompson submachine gun
It was designed and produced by John T. Thompson in the early 1920s. It was originally designed for use by the U.S. military. Still, during the Prohibition era in the United States, it was widely used by gangs of evil forces, so it is often used as a symbol of violence. After removing the gun stock and drum, it can be conveniently hidden in the violin case, and some people call it the “Chicago violin.”
The Thompson submachine gun is also known for its distinctive look and short barrel. It comes in several versions, with the M1928 usually having a stubby barrel of about 266.7 mm (10.5 in) with a large cylindrical wooden handguard in front of the barrel to protect and stabilize the barrel.
The early M1921 version had a more exotic handguard that doubled as a foregrip. Its grip and butt are also made of wood, which is simple, generous, and feels good in the hand. The Thompson submachine gun usually uses a .45 ACP caliber, its overall length is about 808 mm (31.8 inches), and it weighs about 4.76 kg without a magazine.
The Thompson submachine gun has become a cultural icon due to its distinctive appearance and widespread depiction in film and literature. It is also considered one of the most classic and influential submachine guns of the 20th century.
God of Rifle – AK-47
As the most produced rifle in the world, the “God of Rifle,” AK-47 is also well known by most people. According to incomplete statistics, the production quantity of AK-47s has exceeded 120 million! Its high demand also means that it is also the most widely used assault rifle in the world.
The AK-47 is an assault rifle designed by Soviet designers in 1947. The length of its 7.62 caliber barrel is about 415 mm, the overall length is about 880 mm, and the empty gun weighs about 4.3 kg. The gun chambered 7.62x39mm and came with 30-, 40-round magazines or larger drum magazines. It has high power and effective range, its effective range is about 300 meters, and the maximum range is about 800 meters.
The design of the AK-47 is based on simplicity, reliability and durability and consists of fewer parts, making it easy to manufacture and maintain. It adopts a long-stroke piston and a rotary bolt design to adapt to various harsh environmental conditions and operating methods. Its muzzle velocity is about 715 meters per second, and its theoretical rate of fire is about 600 rounds per minute.
AK-47 has played an important role in conflicts and wars worldwide and enjoys a high reputation and status worldwide as a symbolic weapon. It is considered a milestone in modern assault rifle design and has profoundly influenced subsequent rifle designs.
The second most widely used battle rifle in the 20th century – FN FAL
FN FAL has many versions and replicas. It usually uses a 7.62 caliber barrel, about 533mm long, and the gun’s overall length is about 1090mm. It is a light automatic rifle weighing about 4.3kg empty. Chambered in 7.62x51mm, this gun offers reliability, accuracy and durability. It usually comes with a 20-round or 30-round detachable magazine. This gun uses a short-stroke gas piston system, with a theoretical rate of fire of about 650 rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of about 823 m/s. It has an effective range of about 800 meters.
Although FN FAL is gradually eliminated because it does not meet the needs of modern use, it is still a classic battle rifle with extensive historical and cultural value.
The first representative of the U.S. military automatic rifle M16 rifle
Although many other models of rifles and carbines have been introduced to the U.S. military over the decades, the M16 family of rifles is still considered the signature automatic rifle of the U.S. military due to its widespread use by U.S. troops. At least 15 NATO countries also use it.
The M16 rifle has been improved and upgraded many times, and the latest version, the M16A4, incorporates a new design on the basis of inheriting all the excellent qualities of the M16. The M16A4 has a standard 50.8 cm (20 in) barrel length for an overall length of approximately 100.3 cm (39.5 in). It is chambered in 5.56mm and normally uses a standard magazine that holds 30 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. It features a full-size fixed stock that provides consistent shooting accuracy.
M16 series rifles usually have three firing modes: semi-automatic, three-shot, and fully automatic, but the latest version of the M16A4 only has the first two for the accuracy of long-range shooting. The muzzle velocity of the M16 series rifles is usually between 884 m/s and 975 m/s.
The M16 series of rifles has many variants and derivatives; even the now widely known M4 carbine is derived from this series. To this day, the status and influence of the M16 series rifles in the history of the US military cannot be ignored.
