It has been 75 years since the Battle of Okinawa, the most blood-soaked battle of the Pacific War. It took place from late March to June 1945. During this very important battle, more than 4,900 U.S. Sailors lost their lives either at sea or on foreign land, more than the total losses by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps on land. The Japanese garrison was virtually destroyed, having lost 77,000 men, and more tragically, roughly half of Okinawa’s civilian population was killed. That island represented a very critical staging area for the forthcoming invasion of Japan.
The military sidearm landscape has significantly changed over the years with various models coming to the fore due to their reliability, accuracy, and versatility. Maybe the most easily recognizable would be the Beretta 92FS, which was the official sidearm of the U.S. military for more than 25 years. This full-size all-metal frame pistol is known for its ease of use and is truly a modern classic in the semiautomatic handgun field.
Other strong models running through this highly influential series include the G22 and the G23 from Glock. With a working frame like the original G17, but in .40 S&W, the G22 has become an archetype among law enforcement agencies globally, due to its medium size, high capacity, and stopping power. The G23 has an overall frame size, similar to that of the very popular G19, but packs a little more punch with its .40 S&W cartridge, which very much appeals to those wanting a certain level of power but not so much as have difficulty in managing it.
The next weapon to leave its mark is the Sig Sauer P220, designed by the German company Sauer & Sohn. In 1975, the P220 was initially adopted by the Swiss Army under the designation A75. Subsequently, it was introduced into the U.S. where, through the years, it earned a reputation second to none for its accuracy and reliability. Some of the modern features included in its design were a passive firing-pin block safety, a tilting-block lock-up, and a de-cocking lever. Over the years, several caliber modifications were made to the P220, including the .45 ACP, which has proved effective for military and civilian uses.
Attention has also focused on Springfield Armory’s XD series, particularly the XD-40 and XD-45 models. These pistols do take the best features of the Glock and better them with powerful .40 caliber and .45 ACP versions that appeal to both law enforcement and civilian shooters. Exactly, it is this capability of using the big, powerful .45 ACP slug and still retaining some of the ergonomic advantages of a polymer-framed tactical pistol that lets the XD-45 shine.
Another very significant trend is the resurrection of the 10mm Auto cartridge. Originally brought to life in the 1980s by Whit Collins and Jeff Cooper, the 10mm was forecasted to be the new standard for police service pistols. Although it did not catch on with great pervasiveness within law enforcement, it found a niche with civilian shooters and outdoor sportsmen. This year sees manufacturers like SIG-Sauer and Glock coming out with new 10mm models: the P220 in 10mm, and the Glock G40, each packing a little more ballistic wallop and extra round count for excellent use in outdoors and hunting applications.
Through all of this, military sidearms have undergone an evolution that will never end in searching for reliability, power, and adaptability. From the Beretta 92FS to today’s 10mm models, they have served so well in so many ways; there is no doubt they will continue being staples for both the military and civilians.