As a general rule, something can only be called “Human Nature” if it extends across all time and places. No matter how you cut it, weapons are a part of what it means to be human, be it a sword, axe, cannon, or what have you. But ever since firearms have been accessible to the masses, they’ve had an enormous impact on the world. Whether we like it or not, guns have shaped the world around us – the fact of the matter is that much of how the world has developed can be directly attributed to the influence of guns in hunting, sport, war, competition, self-defense, and crime.    

I was recently covering Wilson Combat and their remarkable 1911s, and it got me thinking about how influential the classic handgun has been. Even just considering wars alone, there are dozens of weapons which have turned the tides of history, such as the American Long Rifle, Spencer Repeating Rifle, and the M1903 Springfield. Nevertheless, there are those few select firearms that have not only cemented themselves into the history books, but have also visibly impacted modern society. In this week’s edition of Gunivore’s  Fast Five, we are going to evaluate a small sample of these celebrated guns, broken down into different categories.

I must admit, with centuries of time and thousands of firearms to consider, this was no easy task. That being said, I wanted to focus primarily on the innovative weapons that have withstood the test of time. For example, although the M1 Garand – designated as “the greatest battle implement ever devised” by General Patton – was unequivocally important and influential, it did not meet my criteria for making the list.   

PISTOL: COLT 1911

The Colt 1911 was, is, and may continue to be the most influential semi-automatic pistol ever created. In fact, Springfield Armory has even called the 1911 “the most revered and time-honored semi-auto handgun ever designed”. Naturally, this list was bound to contain at least one John Browning invention and this one may be his finest.

As one of the most iconic U.S. Military staples, the Colt 1911 was the standard issue sidearm for nearly 75 years, and is still employed by several elite Special Forces units. Likewise, these powerful single-action pistols are employed by militaries and law enforcement across the globe. Currently, 1911s are once again becoming some of the most popular handguns in the civilian market, with tons of companies getting in on the action. In addition to Colt’s modern revamp of their trademark pistol, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Sig, Wilson, and Taurus, all manufacture new and improved editions of the American classic.

All things considered, these durable .45 caliber workhorses aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.  

Runner up: Browning Hi-Power – As the famous weapons pioneer’s final invention, the HP has seen countless action since its inception in 1935, especially in global conflicts.  

REVOLVER: COLT PEACEMAKER

Once again, Colt makes the list, this time with their illustrious Single Action Army Revolver. This historic handgun has been an industry favorite since its debut in 1873. Christened The Peacemaker, the legendary wheel gun was not only a popular military sidearm, but was also all the rage in the American West. This product of Colt innovation forever changed the business with the introduction of assembly-line manufacturing. As the revolver that “won the West”, the Colt .45 was the first firearm to truly perfect the new self-contained metallic cartridge. Thanks to its frequent appearances in pop culture and historical significance, the Peacemaker is still one of the most sought after revolvers out there. In fact, Colt still markets these 6-shooters for upwards of $2,000.

Runner Up: Smith & Wesson J-Frame – For nearly 75 years, S&W’s J-Frame revolvers have been some of the most dependable and attractive in the industry. While it all started with the Model 36 in 1950, the .38 Special really took off with the Model 60- the first successful stainless steel revolver.

ASSAULT RIFLE: AK-47

Trying to classify history’s most important and influential firearms was getting pretty tough, until I arrived at the rifle category. I can’t think of a more fitting winner than the extraordinary AK-47. When Mikhail Kalashnikov –the Soviet weapons designer behind the AK – began building his rifle, accuracy was not his priority. In order to economically mass produce these firearms for the Red Army, he set his eyes on simplicity, reliability, and most importantly, firepower. With over 75 million AK-47s manufactured, plus an additional 25 million Kalashnikov-family variants, these 7.62 x 39mm rifles are by far the best-selling firearms of all time. In fact, you’d be hard bent to find a global conflict in the last 70 years where there weren’t AKs. Most impressively, despite its inexpensive construction these rifles can handle some of the harshest conditions in the world, such as the Afghani deserts and Siberian plains.

Runner Up: AR-15

As one of the world’s most influential assault rifles, the AR-15 and its derivatives are among the best-selling, most influential, and top-rated firearms in the world. In addition to serving as the rifle of choice by militaries around the globe, AR-15s are a favorite for home-defense, sport, hunting, and competition shooting. The Modern Sporting Rifle, initially crafted by ArmaLite, has seen some tremendous derivatives, including the M16, M4, HK416, and many more. While gaining notoriety, the AR-15 platform rifles have become arguably the most trusted platform in the industry.

SHOTGUN: REMINGTON 870

By name alone, Remington is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important and influential weapons producers. Although they have been manufacturing top-notch firearms for over 200 years, there is one that sticks out to me as the most significant. Around halfway through the 20th century, the American company unleashed their Model 870 shotgun and it is still a modern marvel to this day. Over the course of the last few decades, Remington has released several variations of barrels, stocks, and gauges, including their extremely popular affordable models. Ultimately, the 870 has established itself as the best-selling shotgun in history, with over 11 million units sold. What makes these scatterguns so special is their versatility; Remington 870s are popular world-wide among all kinds of shooters, including hunters, sporting shooters, home-defense shooters, military and law enforcement. Not surprisingly, they are one of the most commonly-used firearms in the U.S. Government, commissioned by the U.S. Border Patrol, Dept. of Education, IRS, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and FBI.

Runner Up: Winchester Model 1897

When Winchester released their Model 1897 shotgun, with the help of John Browning (once again) they forever changed the firearms market. The M97 was not only the first commercially successful pump action shotgun – ultimately setting the stage for all further shotguns – but it was also a staple weapon among military and police for almost a century. Although Winchester has stopped producing these iconic shotguns, their influence on the industry is immeasurable.

MACHINEGUN: BROWNING M2

To no surprise, John Browning is the source of another one of history’s most influential firearms, this time with the M2 Browning machine gun. Produced between WWI and WWII, these formidable beasts have been used by militaries in wars on nearly every continent since its inception. But this legendary gun is not just some piece of the past; the renowned Browning machine gun is still widely used today thanks to its timeless power, durability, and reliability. One of the M2’s most outstanding features is its frightening .50-caliber rounds, which are capable of piercing 1-inch steel armor and are lethal at up to 2,000 yards (over 1 mile!).

See more reviews on Stoeger’s M3000, M3500 and Condor Shotgun!

The post Fast Five: History’s Most Influential Firearms appeared first on Gunivore.

Best Affordable Shotguns

• StoegerP3000
• Mossberg 500
• Remington 870
• Weatherby PA-08
• Winchester SXP
• Savage Stevens 320 PUMP

The shotguns industry is getting more and more competitive every year; as sales keep rising, companies are constantly battling to produce the best new shotgun in the business. This has led some of the biggest names in the trade to diversify and target a broader customer base. As a result, the market has been flooded with better, more affordable products. In this week’s edition of Fast Five, we at Gunivore are going to examine the top five scatterguns which offer the best bang for your buck.

Shotguns are arguably the most versatile firearms around, considering they’re employed for sport, law enforcement, home defense, competition, and hunting. But with so many established brands out there, it can be hard finding the right one for you. Additionally, guns aren’t cheap, so getting a shotgun that you can trust – that won’t break the bank – only adds to the difficulty. All things considered, I set out to find the best affordable shotguns under $500 that have withstood the test of time and surpassed all expectations. Although I generally try to stick with American-made firearms, in this piece I won’t be as particular. Bearing in mind that I hate the feel of cheap guns, I was searching for that special kind of weapon whose price tag leaves you bewildered, sorta like Hi-Point and Charter Arms’ handguns.

I learned from a very young age that a good shotgun doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; in fact, the first shotgun I ever owned was a $199 H&R Pardner Pump that has yet to fail me after all these years. On the flip side, I’ve handled the best of the best, like a $25,000 Perazzi, and I can confidently say that there are plenty $500 scatterguns that won’t disappoint.

I liked a @YouTube video https://t.co/NgzbRijUpR Best Shotgun on A Budget (Mossberg Maverick 88)

— Tradd Slayton (@TraddSlayton) October 3, 2017

STOEGER P3000

Stoeger is one of the world’s most underrated firearm manufacturers, and yet they have a massive treasury of high-quality shotguns just waiting to be discovered. As a subsidiary of the extraordinary, industry-leading Beretta Holding Group, Stoeger has access to some of the best technology, components, and expertise available today. One of my favorite Stoegers is the winner of the 2016 Outdoor Life “Great Buy” Award, the P3000 Pump. Although they are better-known for their traditional side by sides and over/unders, their new pump actions are both remarkably reliable and affordable. Stoeger kept their quality up and price down by outsourcing production to Turkey and utilizing conventional alloy receivers. Nevertheless, these pump actions function beautifully as a substitute to the eerily similar Benelli Nova.

For someone in search of a starter/backup sporting or defense shotgun, the P3000 is a great buy.

• Model: P3000 Pump

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 4+1
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length: 47.5”
• Length of Pull: 14- 1/8”
• Finish: Black Synthetic
• Weight: 6.8 lbs.
• Sights: Red-Bar Front
• MSRP: $299

MOSSBERG 500

As Mossberg approaches its 100th anniversary, it has become a household name in the shotgun business, especially for their 500 model. Originally developed in the 1960’s, the Mossberg 500 has turned into one of America’s most popular and versatile scatterguns. As a matter of fact, I’d even go as far to say that it is the paradigm to which all other budget shotguns are compared. What I really like about these Mossberg is that potential buyers won’t feel like they have to settle just because they don’t want to pay a fortune. That is to say, there are approximately one hundred nuanced 500 variants to choose from, with endless combinations of finishes, sizes, calibers, and features. In my experience, most folks looking to buy a budget shotgun, are also looking for a bit of versatility. For that reason, I highly recommend the All-Purpose 500 FLEX. This model features Mossberg’s Tool-less Locking System which effectively enables the shooter to effortlessly switch butt pads, stocks, forends, and barrels, making it the ultimate versatile budget shotgun.

• Model: FLEX 500 All-Purpose

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length: 48.25”
• Length of Pull: 14.25”
• Finish: Black Synthetic
• Weight: 7.5 lbs.
• Sights: Twin Bead
• MSRP: $489 (Many retailers offer it for closer to $400)

Alternatively, I’ve grown to love Mossberg’s line of Maverick shotguns, what they call, “The working man’s shotgun”. The Maverick 88 is for all intents and purposes a model 500, sans the ambidextrous safety and higher-grade trigger group. For its significantly lower price tag, the Maverick really doesn’t feel like a downgrade. While still not as impressive as the 500, it still promises the inexpensive reliability and versatility that Mossberg is known for.

• Model: Maverick 88 All-Purpose

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 5+1
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length: 47.75”
• Length of Pull: 14.5”
• Finish: Black Synthetic
• Weight: 7.0 lbs.
• Sights: Front Bead
• MSRP: $296!

REMINGTON 870

There are few firearm manufacturers who can compete with the kind of history, experience, and reputation that is Remington Arms. This iconic scattergun has gone through tons of overhauls since its inception in 1951, culminating in one of the industry’s top overall budget shotguns. While it’s hard to pinpoint any one thing in particular that makes the 870 special, the top-selling firearm is known to be seriously strong and dependable. Because Remington designed their trademark gun to be as versatile as it is affordable, the 870 is more than competent in the field, in competition, and as a home-defense weapon.

Since both the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are highly-reputable and affordable shotguns, they have become their market’s Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird over time. One of the most noticeable differences between these two giants is their weight; although the 500 is lighter, the 870’s solid steel build is totally worth it. With over 11 million units sold over five decades, it’s easy to see why Remington’s 870 is so popular.

• Model: Model 870

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 4
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length: 46.5”
• Length of Pull: 14”
• Finish: Matte Blue
• Weight: 7.25 lbs.
• Sights: Front Bead
• MSRP: $489  

WEATHERBY PA-08

When people think of Weatherby, Inc. they think of true American innovation, high-powered magnum cartridges, and tremendous bolt-action rifles. That being said, the California arms producer has recently manufactured their own line of outstanding budget shotguns. The PA-08 is built just like any other Weatherby, with top-grade components, ensuring top-grade performance. That’s actually an understatement – Weatherby’s renowned CNC machined scattergun features an aircraft-grade aluminum receiver, glare-reducing matte black finish, chrome-plated bolt, plush recoil pad, and an ergonomic injection-molded synthetic stock. Plus, they offer them with three chokes in your choice of 26”/28” barrel and 12/20 gauge. Overall, these shotguns are anything but ordinary – they are premium guns made by a premium manufacturer.

• Model: PA-08 Synthetic  

  

• Caliber: 20 Gauge
• Capacity: 4+1
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length: 46.0”
• Length of Pull: 14”
• Finish: Composite
• Weight: 6.5 lbs.
• Sights: Brass Front
• MSRP: $399

WINCHESTER SXP

For over 150 years, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company has been pumping out innovation after innovation. Their most recent work of art is the new and improved SXP line of affordable shotguns. Although they saw a major recall in 2015 for unintentional firings, Winchester has emended their wrongs with the release of the SXP Defender. While I wouldn’t call the Defender the most impressive shotgun on this list, it does stand out for other reasons. In fact, the SXP might even be the fastest pump action the market has to offer, thanks to its Inertia assist action and smooth as silk rotary bolt. By self-ejecting the spent shell as the action moves rearward, requiring the shooter to merely return the forestock to its original position, the Defender can go through rounds in seconds. Even though Winchester initially designed their budget scattergun for home-defense, they’ve recently debuted nearly two dozen additional configurations. Overall, the SXP is just a really great gun – it’s easy to handle, fun to shoot, and is quite reliable.  

• Model: SXP Defender

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 4+1
• Barrel Length: 18”
• Overall Length: 38.5”
• Length of Pull: 13.75”
• Finish: Matte Black
• Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.
• Sights: Brass Bead Front
• MSRP: $349.99

Honorable Mention: SAVAGE STEVENS 320 PUMP

I couldn’t bear writing a shotgun review without at least mentioning Savage Stevens Arms! Although Savage is better known as the third largest manufacturer of rifles in America, they’ve quickly established themselves as one of the nation’s primary producers of affordable shotguns. In order to stay competitive, Savage employed their special engineering and designs for quality, and combined it with cheap Chinese labor for economics. Ultimately, they created the Model 320, an extremely versatile scattergun, similar to the Winchester SXP.

• Model: Stevens 320 Field Grade

  

• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 5+1
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length: 48.75”
• Length of Pull: 14.5”
• Finish: Matte Black
• Weight: 7.5 lbs.
• Sights: Bead
• MSRP: $238 (Some retailers offer for under $200)

Check out our Fast Five Articles on Gunivore!

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