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My Personal Top 10 Most Iconic Firearms June 13, 2018 By Dave Young (YoungBuckDave) The other week some friends and I were talking about what we believe are the "Top 10 Most Iconic Firearms" ever made. Of course, each of our lists were based on personal preferences, but it made me think more in depth about the topic. What do I think are the characteristics that elevate a firearm to this top 10 list? That top 10 list easily turned into a top 20 and even 30. Then GTI's Vice President Brian Naillon brought up Star Wars and how Hans Solo and Chewie had the sweetest guns. Then we discussed how sweet Judge Dredd's gun was and how one pistol has about a dozen features. At this point I stopped myself before I dove head first down the rabbit's hole and decided that this list would consist of only guns that are in real life and not a galaxy far, far, away. So, I pulled a blank piece of paper out and wrote down the first ten firearms that popped in my head. Some of the reasons I chose these firearms, in my eyes, made me laugh and I'm sure it will make you laugh too. My list is not based on statistics or data but is based mostly around what guns I've seen in movies and what has really stuck with me during my time within the firearms industry. Number 10 on my list can be described in two statements. "This is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off. You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well do ya, punk?" If you guessed the 44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29 then you were right. Anyone who watched Clint Eastwood deliver some old school justice with his 44 Magnum has a hard time not wanting one for themselves for the sole reason that Dirty Harry was awesome and the man!
Number 9 on my list is the Thompson Sub Machinegun aka: The Chicago Typewriter. I don't know about everyone else, but any time I think about WWII, the Thompson always comes to mind. I just imagine the Greatest Generation running around bombed out buildings delivering justice to Nazis. I think of some of the most hardcore individuals this earth has ever produced to fight a war and help defend the freedom of the free world and stop the Nazi party in their tracks. I think of the Rangers scaling Pointe Du Hoc, D-Day, and the heroes who served during one of the most brutal wars on earth.
Number 8 and 7 on my list I combined together all because of one man. Detective John McClane and the movie Die Hard. Whenever I think about the Heckler & Koch MP5 and Beretta 92FS I imagine John McClane running bare foot around Nakatomi Plaza in L.A. delivering justice to Hans Gruber. With only his Beretta 92FS, he takes out the terrorists one by one and steals their firearms. After John kills the first terrorist, he is finally equipped with a MP5 submachinegun and makes sure to let Hans know with a simple message, "Now I have a machinegun. Ho-Ho-Ho!" The Christmas season is not complete until I see Hans Gruber fall out of the window of Nakatomi Plaza.
Number 6 on my list goes by a name that is well known throughout every branch of the military and has served soldiers in all wars from WWII to the modern-day War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is called The Ma Deuce or the M2 Browning Machinegun. Whenever I hear the word machinegun, I automatically think about the M2. This belt fed 50 caliber machinegun has seen action in every war zone since the 1930s. I am a big fan of firearms and that is why the Ma Deuce stands out to me as the king of all machineguns.
Number 5 on my list goes to the rifle that I always think about in reference to snipers. Whenever I hear the phrase "One shot, one kill" my mind automatically thinks of the amazing Barrett M82, or the M107, as known to soldiers in the military. This 50 caliber sniper rifle has been a tool in the sniper's arsenal that is capable of delivering at just over a mile. This rifle can stop a car or even a boat in its tracks by punching a hole right into the engine block. It also can be a deadly weapon when placed in the right hands that can reach out to insane distances, striking fear into the hearts of the terrorist. This rifle is just one mean looking rifle.
Number 4 on my list goes to one of the most well-known polymer handguns on the market, and that gun is the Glock. Almost everyone knows the Glock name whether they are avid fans of firearms or not. This handgun can function in the harshest of conditions. This gun is just EXTREMELY reliable! Glock has become the service firearm for countless law enforcement agencies because of this very factor. It can be dipped in the thickest nastiest mud, dropped, covered in sand, thrown in a pile of snow, and be picked up and fired.
Number 3 on my list goes to a rifle that was born in Mother Russia, the AK-47. I like to say the AK-47 is the Glock of rifles because of its reliability. This rifle can function under extremely harsh conditions, take lots of abuse, and can still operate just fine. Along with the AK-47's reliability, it is extremely easy to use; some people say a child could use it, which sadly happens in a lot of war torn countries. Gunny Highway, in the movie Heartbreak Ridge, once said, "This is the Ak-47, the preferred weapon of our enemies" and he couldn't be more right. The fact that it is extremely reliable and easy to use makes it ideal for our enemies. Despite all of that, I still have an appreciation for this rifle and that is why it's on my top 10 list.
Number 2 on my list is the AK-47s moral enemy, the Colt M4. Ever since I was little playing with G.I. Joes, and watching war movies growing up, I always loved the M4. I love everything about the M4 rifle. I love that you have endless ways that an M4 can be set up, depending on what the user's preferences are. This rifle is very accurate and, especially with modern day advancements, is a very reliable rifle.
Number 1 on my list will probably be rather controversial but I don't care, and that gun is the 1911. I love 1911s. I don't know exactly why, but there is something extremely satisfying when you hold that steel handgun. It just feels good. I couldn't disagree more with all the people who say they aren't reliable. A well-made 1911 is an amazing handgun and is extremely reliable. That, combined with the single action trigger and the 45ACP round it fires, made me fall in love with the 1911. It became the first firearm I ever bought myself when I turned 21. 1911s look very good and, in my opinion, perform just as good as they look. 1911s have been used in a lot of war zones and are still an option today for some SOF soldiers or private contractors. I feel the 1911 encompasses everything that is American, and I love America and that's why the 1911 is Number 1 on my top 10 list.
Now that I have told you my top 10 most iconic firearms, I want to tell you some that almost made the list. The first one is the Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun. For some of us, this was one of the first guns we ever shot or owned so we could go hunting with our family. This shotgun is iconic and can be used in many ways from hunting to tactical operations. For some of us, a 12ga shotgun is the firearm we chose because it is ideal for home defense. As I stated in the beginning, the reasons given for certain weapons making this list were not fact or data based but, rather, were personal opinions or preferences. Another gun that almost made the list was the Uzi submachinegun for the sole reason that it is an Uzi and I think they are awesome. Born out of Israel, they have created and manufactured a top-notch firearm, and that's one of the main reasons I like it so much. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed telling you about my top 10 list! Make sure to stop by our Facebook or email us at dave@gtitraining.org with your top 10 list! Stay safe everyone. |
