POTD: Colt Model 1909 – Army Issue Before the 1911 Took Over

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a 1911-manufactured Colt Model 1909 double action revolver marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the barrel underside with RAC inspection marks on the barrel, frame, cylinder, and left grip. The 1909 was the Army’s standard side...

By Sam.S •

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver — The Big-Tailed Beast

In 1937, the Curtiss SBC Helldiver entered service, but even at that point, the carrier-based two-seat scout/dive bomber was on the verge of being obsolete. Interestingly, it was also the second aircraft produced by Curtiss-Wright to earn the designation “Helldiver” after the United States Ma...

By Peter Suciu •

Dale Dye: Why Marines Are Called “Devil Dogs”

It’s one of the most memorable monikers for a fighting force around, and its legend stems from a brutal battle fought more than a century ago. The term was reportedly adapted from the German Teufel Hunden, and applied to American Marines following the Battle of Belleau Wood during World Wa...

By Capt. Dale Dye, USMC (Ret) •

Ayoob: The 1911 at War

I recently heard someone say that handguns have no place in military combat. History shows us otherwise. For the tanker, artilleryman, radio operator or medic whose hands are too busy at designated tasks to hold a rifle, the pistol makes enormous sense. Behind the lines when unpleasant surprises ...

By Massad Ayoob •

Fudd Friday: The .250-3000 Walked So The .243 Could Fly

Before World War II, and especially before World War I, the rifles of the whitetail-hunting world looked a lot different from today. Lever-actions ruled supreme, and they were often chambered for rounds that have fallen from favor. These include .33 Winchester, .303 Savage and even .44-40. But to...

By Zac K •

First Look: COA-Equipped Prodigy and 1911 Pistols

Aimpoint’s COA, an enclosed-emitter red-dot pistol sight, has been the hottest and most exclusive pistol accessory of the past two years. Springfield Armory is in a great position when it comes to dedicated A-CUT integrations (more on that in a moment), first introducing COA-equipped Echel...

By Joe Kurtenbach •

Is the 1911 the “Stick Shift” of EDC?

The 1911 occupies a curious position in the modern concealed carry landscape. It is widely respected and often admired, yet only sometimes considered a practical choice for everyday carry. Many people speak of it the way they speak of a classic automobile: beautiful, capable, historically signifi...

By Mitch Eckler •
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