Top 10 Handguns That Defined an Era

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

From battlefields and police stations to Hollywood films and pop culture—some handguns have been more than just effective tools; they’ve become symbols of their time. Some revolutionized design, others changed the course of combat, and a few became iconic simply through their presence.

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

The Walther P38 was the standard sidearm of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It introduced a double-action system that later became an industry standard and was renowned for its reliability and ergonomics. Its widespread use and innovation marked a key milestone in pistol design.

#9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

Developed in Belgium in the 1990s, this pistol broke conventions by using small, high-velocity 5.7x28mm rounds. Its low recoil, high accuracy, and armor-piercing capability made it a favorite among special forces and set a new bar for modern tactical handguns.

#8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

This revolver became world-famous through Clint Eastwood’s iconic “Dirty Harry” role. With its powerful .44 Magnum caliber and rugged design, it quickly became a symbol of raw power and American bravado—both on-screen and off.

#7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

The Luger P08, often simply called the “Luger,” became synonymous with German officers during World War I. Technically advanced with its unique toggle-lock system, it was one of the first mass-produced semi-automatic handguns. A true style icon and collector’s item today.

#6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

This Italian-made pistol rose to fame as the U.S. military’s standard sidearm (designated M9) from the 1980s onward. Known for its high capacity, reliability, and sleek design, it became one of the most widely adopted service pistols worldwide, shaping an era of modern military handguns.

#5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

No handgun screams “oversized” like the Desert Eagle. Known for its massive .50 AE caliber and bold construction, it became a pop culture and video game icon. While impractical for everyday use, it captured the 1990s obsession with brute power and masculine aesthetics.

#4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

Designed by John Browning and further developed by FN in Belgium, the Hi-Power was one of the first high-capacity 9mm pistols. Adopted by over 50 countries, it set the standard for 20th-century service pistols with its ideal balance of power, capacity, and reliability.

#3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

Also known as “The Peacemaker,” this revolver was unavoidable in 19th-century America. It became the U.S. military’s standard sidearm and today symbolizes the entire Western genre. A handgun that quite literally helped conquer an era.

#2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

The Glock 17 revolutionized handguns with its polymer frame and simplicity. Introduced in the 1980s, it quickly gained global popularity among police and military forces for its light weight, durability, and reliability. Glock set the standard for what a modern pistol should be.

#1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

#10: Walther P38 – World War II Precision, #9: FN Five-seveN – The Military Pistol of the Future, #8: Smith & Wesson Model 29 – Hollywood’s Revolver, #7: Luger P08 – Pride of Imperial Germany, #6: Beretta 92 – Law Enforcement and Military Favorite, #5: Desert Eagle – King of the Oversized, #4: Browning Hi-Power – The Global Standard, #3: Colt Single Action Army – The Wild West Icon, #2: Glock 17 – The Modern Benchmark, #1: Colt 1911 – A Legend Across Generations

Without question, the Colt 1911 is the most iconic handgun in modern history. Designed by John Browning and used by the U.S. military from 1911 to 1985—and still in use today—it’s known for its powerful .45 caliber, accuracy, and timeless design. Its enduring relevance for over 100 years makes it the ultimate handgun that didn’t just define an era—but transcended it.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.

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