Essential Fire Arms

Recently I have gotten into guns. I have hunted in the past, though I don’t currently, but within the last year guns have become a hobby. In this article I will talk about some fun guns and some that you may want to get for whatever specific purpose you desire. I will reference things that may be familiar, but you may not have known they (guns) were present.

This "HUB" will be part of a series of writings in the "Essential Fire Arms." There will be part 2, or Smith & Wesson article, or shotgun ..and so on...

Starting with an American icon, legend and staple. The 1911. This semi-automatic, .45 caliber pistol (seen above) has been with US since WW1. It was designed by John Browning, and manufactured by Colt, a Legend was born in the year 1911. This pistol was meant for service. The 6 shooter revolvers up to that point were not hacking it anymore and this “self loading” firearm held seven rounds.

In 1924 the M1911A1 was introduced. This being a new and improved version that worked out some kinks that soldiers found when using it in the battlefields in WW1. Even though to a true gun enthusiast, the original 1911 is just fine the way it is. The U.S. military used the M1911 from 1911-present, even though a Beretta 9mm is standard issue today to most soldiers, the 1911 is still used by some like the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. It has help make America what it is today. It is woven into the history of the U.S.A. like Mom, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet.

There are many pistols on the market, many of them are flawless pistols that are a gem to own. The 1911 (.45 cal) in my opinion, if you had to have one pistol, and only one pistol, it would be a no brainer. It has great looks, fires an amazing cartridge, and because of the steel, that gives it more weight than a polymer pistol, it doesn’t have a terrible amount of recoil. it’s a 10/10.

The 30-06 Springfield rifle. Where to start? The thirty aught six is one of the most used rifle cartridges in the world. Hunters use it for many different game. The U.S. Military used it for many years, it is considered one of the top most produced rifles ever. This round was put out in 1906. It was used for years until it was replaced by a .308. Which I will discuss further down. The 30-06 was used in the M1 Garand, a famous, and rightfully so, also legendary rifle through the World Wars. It was the standard issue rifle. The “06” was meant for the long kill shot, average distance desired : 1000 yards. Some of the U.S. military’s Gatling guns were found to be chambered in 30-06. The M1917 and M1919 machine guns were chambered in 30-06.

I own a 30-06, a M1917 Enfield. When shooting a 165grain ballistic tip bullet the muzzle velocity is 3015 feet per second. It is an essential if you want one rifle that can do it all in the 50 states. There are better guns out there for big game, but for a Pennsylvania native the 30-06 is a utility gun, I can do it all. In fact if the aught six is loaded with a hot round, it can rival most big game guns. I love it, it was the first rifle I shot at a young age. It is a 9/10.

Thompson submachine gun. The “Tommy Gun”, so much to say about it, will keep it short. It is chambered in .45 caliber, and was used in the U.S. military from 1938-1971. John Thompson developed this beaut for automatic fire, gangsters loved it with a drum clip inserted, soldiers loved it with a box magazine. It was originally referred to as the M1921. This gun made the twenties what it was. The fact of the matter is that it was a hell of a weapon for fighting. It was easy to handle, it fired a .45 ACP round - so it had punch, and it held a large capacity of those .45 auto rounds. What is not to love?

The Tommy fired up to 700 rounds per minute, and that with a soldier being able to run at full speed with it presents a deadly combination. Auto-Ordnance produces it still. They can be pricey but for what your getting for that cash it is worth it. Paratroopers and Ranger outfits used the submachine gun in Europe in WW2. This gun, if you save your lunch money, can be a thrill each time you shoot it. Your holding a piece of American military history, and a piece of depression era gangster history as well. I give it a 11/10.