Most Iconic Auto Pistol
- Thread starter Barry the Bear
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F-111 John
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This poll should be a race of the Hi-Power P35, 1911 and maybe P08.
Beretta and Glock....?.... maybe in another 50 yrs.
Perhaps you are confusing 'iconic' with 'historically significant.'
For better or worse, iconic means you ask the typical Joe to name a gun, and because of movies, TV, and newspaper headlines, he will come up with Glock much more often than Browning Hi-Power.
He also won't know it's a P08. He'll just call it a 'Luger.'
bannockburn
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stoky
I know what you mean...
I know what you mean...
atblis
Member
I love CZs, but there's little mass exposure in terms of movies and history and thus little iconic about them outside of gun culture.
GBExpat
Member
While folks upon seeing a P08 or something that looks somewhat like it to them might say/think, "Luger" and when they see either a Colt SAA or 1911 they may say/think, "Colt 45". 
Alot of these poll choices are iconic of specific events and groups. You forgot one choice, the Bryco-Jennings series of handguns. These guns are the most iconic representation of criminals all over the United States. I'm sure MANY evidence lockers are slam-full of these and other Saturday Night Special pieces.
WestKentucky
Member
1911 hands down, followed by a distant James Bond Walther PP, then the p08 Luger. There aren't many others I would even put into the mix, and none of those are on the ballot. I would suggest the Walther p38, Colt Pocket, Colt Vest Pocket, and then on the far edge of being iconic would be a Smith 1006, Ruger mk, series and Colt Woodsman. Each design holds its own place in history and depending upon a persons age and mentality would score differently in their head. I don't personally see it as iconic, but others would contend that the Magnum Research Desert Eagle would be iconic. I guess its about as much difference as rice krispies and corn flakes.
MIL-DOT
member
Iconic to WHO exactly? Current Military, or WWII vets ? Fans of military history? Old movie buffs? Gangster/thug types? People under age 21 ?
Serious,hardcore pistoleros ?
All of these groups will have widely varying views. Under 21 might say Glock, serious pistoleros willl probably say 1911, old war movie fans might stick with the Luger, and so on.
All that being said, I don't think any of those mentioned here outshine the venerable 1911. It was used in every US war since WWI, has been in innumerable movies and TV shows, has been associated with both fictional and real gangsters from the early 20th century, and is probably the most replicated/copied weapons design in history.
Numerous companies have built their reputation on it, and have numerous versions avaialble. You can find versions of the 1911 that function properly, from as low $400-ish, up to several thousand. You'll never get to the end of the list of after-market parts available for it.
After over a century of newer designs surfacing, it is still a big favorite among the military, and among competetive shooters. IMO, no other semi-auto even comes close to being as "iconic".
Serious,hardcore pistoleros ?
All of these groups will have widely varying views. Under 21 might say Glock, serious pistoleros willl probably say 1911, old war movie fans might stick with the Luger, and so on.
All that being said, I don't think any of those mentioned here outshine the venerable 1911. It was used in every US war since WWI, has been in innumerable movies and TV shows, has been associated with both fictional and real gangsters from the early 20th century, and is probably the most replicated/copied weapons design in history.
Numerous companies have built their reputation on it, and have numerous versions avaialble. You can find versions of the 1911 that function properly, from as low $400-ish, up to several thousand. You'll never get to the end of the list of after-market parts available for it.
After over a century of newer designs surfacing, it is still a big favorite among the military, and among competetive shooters. IMO, no other semi-auto even comes close to being as "iconic".
I voted 1911. A Combat Commander was my very first auto loader and I have a serious soft spot for them. I am old though, so very likely a younger generation might say Sig or Glock.
If I was to pick a order for the top three it would be these
1. 1911/1911-A1
2. Luger
3. Broomhandle
If I was to pick a order for the top three it would be these
1. 1911/1911-A1
2. Luger
3. Broomhandle
Gun Master
Member
Maybe a Jennings .22 ?
Nom de Forum
Member
Three pages of posts and not a single nomination of a Heckler and Koch product for the title of most iconic auto pistol has apparently unhinged you
. Deserving or not the Glock has become the iconic auto pistol of the late 20th and early 21st centuries due to its dominant position in popular culture if not the firearm aficionado culture. The Glock is far more a part of what influences the zeitgeist of our era than any other pistol. Until now I had not voted in the poll but your post convinced me I should vote for the Glock based on the intrigue it creates in the minds of the greater number of people in our society who are not into guns. Before the advent of the Glock the Luger was the pistol that intrigued people the most during the 20th century.
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danez71
Member
I don't want to steer the thread into a 'definition debate'.....
'Iconic gun', in the context I was thinking, is about the significance of contribution/impact in history it has had.
You're right. I am confusing 'iconic' with 'historically significant'.
Nom de Forum
Member
Classic the 1911 is a work of art a true man's gun while the Glock is more of a metrosexual firearm made for a time when it is difficult to tell the difference in
gender.
Only in the minds of those men who are insecure about their own masculinity.
Gun Master
Member
Most Iconic Auto Pistol ?
The people have spoken! Almost 3/4 of the voters have declared the 1911 as most iconic!
Many have voted for their "favorite",which is not the same as "iconic". Heck, I like 'em all!
None of the others have been around and in the public eye (forefront) for over a hundred years and still going strong!
The people have spoken! Almost 3/4 of the voters have declared the 1911 as most iconic!
Many have voted for their "favorite",which is not the same as "iconic". Heck, I like 'em all!
None of the others have been around and in the public eye (forefront) for over a hundred years and still going strong!
What in interesting poll. Too bad there aren't more poll options.
I certainly think the 1911 takes the cake here.
But mention "Ruger" to the non-gun crowd and they'll conjure up an association with "Luger." I see it on FB.
Mention 9mm and most people envision the Beretta 92 (don't you love movies?)
Glock.. yeah, recognizable name. But all those who recognize the name can hardly identify the pistol when they see it.
1911.
Yep.
I certainly think the 1911 takes the cake here.
But mention "Ruger" to the non-gun crowd and they'll conjure up an association with "Luger." I see it on FB.
Mention 9mm and most people envision the Beretta 92 (don't you love movies?)
Glock.. yeah, recognizable name. But all those who recognize the name can hardly identify the pistol when they see it.
1911.
Yep.
Delford
Member
As far as popular fiction goes James Patterson is still cocking the hammer on his Glock. In ALERT he muffs it several times. I still read his books but grind my teeth whenever I see his armory errors.
MachIVshooter
Member
Again, watch out for conflating iconic and ubiquitous. Everybody knows what a Ford Pinto is, too, but it's hardly "iconic".
Lj1941
Member
Most Iconic Pistol
1911A1 hands down. Modern will have to be S&W M&P with the Glock 17 a close second.
1911A1 hands down. Modern will have to be S&W M&P with the Glock 17 a close second.
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