Why the Navy Kept a Cowboy Cartridge for 80 Years After the Army Quit It

Comments · 168

• RI

  @richardlahan7068 · 3 weeks ago

  The .45 Colt was not a rimless cartridge as depicted in the thumbnail.

  29

• GR

  @greghardy9476 · 3 weeks ago

  LOL, I have a Smith and Wesson model 25 in .45 Colt and a Rock Island 1911. Love them both.

  14

• SC

  @scotthensley8083 · 3 weeks ago

  Nobody wants to shoot a hole in the bottom of the boat.

  6

• WI

  @willymccoy3427 · 3 weeks ago

  The Navy was too cheap to get rid of a serviceable hand gun.  We were still using 1911s shipboard in the 90s

  48

• AL

  @alancranford3398 · 3 weeks ago

  General Patton carried his Colt M1873 caliber .45 revolver to 1945--and then a traffic accident proved fatal.

  15

• JA

  @Jacob-x2v · 3 weeks ago

  I've known a lot of veterans from the navy and they all said the same thing they barely ever shot any guns and it was rare that they even got to touch a firearm. If they shot anything it was mounted artillery or 50 cal mounted to sink narco boats. I'm willing to bet navy surplus guns have lessbrounds through them than any privately owned gun

  4

• ST

  @stevem5383 · 3 weeks ago

  Small arms are not a priority for the Navy.  Hence, they are reluctant to spend any funds on new replacements.  I recall having M-1 Garands in the Navy long after the Army had first adopted the M-14 then the M-16.

  27

• BE

  @bernieeod57 · 3 weeks ago

  Probably the only time the Navy demanded its own small arms was when the Army went from the Muzzle loader to the single shot trap door. The Navy refused to adopt the trap door due to a "Service unique requirement". One of the Navy's missions at the time was to have landing parties rescuing missionaries from angry mobs. The single shot trap door was insufficient for a small landing party confronting a large mob. The Navy needed a fast firing repeater. So it went to the 6MM Lee Navy. A repeater with a straight pull action allowing for rapid fire. One might believe a double action revolver fit the bill better than a single action but the .45 Colt was the better option for dealing with the one or two mobsters  who got through the 6MM Lee Navy fire. I am quite certain the Navy acquired every New Service revolver, a double action .45 Colt it could get.

  3

• CA

  @carl112466 · 3 weeks ago

  I trained for the Navy Security Police in end 1989 at Lackland Air Force Base. The Airforce was using the new Beretta 92F in 9mm. The Navy instructor told us we wouldn't be using the Beretta 92F. We would train with the S&W 38 spl.  and M1911 in 45acp. My CO of the base and the Admiral said flat out we are not going waste money on upgrading weapons that might be used in a emergency one time if any.

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• SC

  @scottyr2075 · 3 weeks ago

  The 1911 just works, one heck of a manstopper.

  25

• KI

  @kittyeagle2764 · 3 weeks ago (edited)

  As a Construction Mechanic {SeaBee 1967--1970 ) deployed and stationed in Vietnam 1967 September thru December issued  a M14 and carried or was next to me at all times. {April 1968 thru May 1969 I was  Stationed at Naval Support Group 301 Saigon RVN. I was issued a M16 and 1911 45 ACP carried one or the other at all times  I traveled all over the Delta repairing all kinds of heavy Equipment and Generator sets.. When we were in the US our M14 Or our M16 were kept in the Armory and checked out  and returned ,When we went to the Rifle Range or to Military /Combat training..

  2

• FI

  @FishResearch · 3 weeks ago

  The 357 Magnum is the one I have kept from my Military years. At 82 years old I have owned a batch of 45 Long Colts, sold my 1911 ACP Lightweight Comander, and can shoot 38 Special or .357 Magnum depending on the need. I vastly prefer Revolvers!

  22