Cosmoline
Member
I've noticed what appears to have been a trend in military and police handguns after the introduction of smokeless powder in the 1890's. They get *smaller* and *less* powerful. The US military apparently switched from .45 Colt to the .38 Long Colt. The Russians switched from the .44 Russian to the 7.62 Nagant. Police switched from .44-40's and .45 Colts to .32 ACP's and .38 S&W's. The 9x19, 45 ACP and .38 Special were slight improvements, but were still considered "high power" rounds of the day. It seems to be across the board, with no really dramatic upsurge in power until the .357 Magnum came out in the 1930's. In fact IIRC the .45 Colt was still the most potent handgun cartridge right up until the .357 Mag. was introduced.
So why did this happen? In rifle cartridges, the power went up--way up--after smokeless came into use. From 1890 to 1914 most of the modern high-power rifle cartridges had been created. Since then we've just been fiddling with them. Yet there are all these low-power handgun cartridges that dominated most military and law enforcement organizations until after WWII.
So why did this happen? In rifle cartridges, the power went up--way up--after smokeless came into use. From 1890 to 1914 most of the modern high-power rifle cartridges had been created. Since then we've just been fiddling with them. Yet there are all these low-power handgun cartridges that dominated most military and law enforcement organizations until after WWII.