I also think in America, one of those most recognized (besides the 1911) would probably be the Beretta 92. Heck, U see them everywhere for those "no guns" signs :P

But how many folks would recognize it as a Berretta?

Not everyone recognized the gun as to what it actually was. Answers were such as "German Army pistol" or "American cowboy gun", "Colt .45", "Luger" etc.

Bob Wright

My first thought's were the same as Bob's...

The Peacemaker/Colt .45, the 1911, and the Luger...

I hate to say it but I am sure the most recognizable handgun in the USA is the Glock. More LEOs carry Glocks than any other brand and the TV shows also feature a lot of Glocks. Regards, Richard

Originally Posted by Richard

I hate to say it but I am sure the most recognizable handgun in the USA is the Glock. More LEOs carry Glocks than any other brand and the TV shows also feature a lot of Glocks. Regards, Richard

ya know, I agree w/ that too

What's a Glock?

:-D

Gotta say Luger.

AFS

I think it's generational. Baby Boomers can probably more readily identify SAAs and Lugers, because those were the dominant guns in movies when Boomers were growing up.

Gen Xers can probably ID Berettas more readily than SAAs and Lugers, because we grew up on "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon." In fact, in the latter movie, Mel Gibson's Beretta 92F is identified by name as a "Beretta 9mm."

Gen Y and younger can probably only readily ID Glocks, by far the dominant pistol in movies today, whether involving cops or "gangstas." And no one is shy about calling a Glock a Glock.

Few people have enough experience with handguns outside of pop entertainment to readily recognize different handguns. Lots of gun forums have threads about identifying the "guns of Pulp Fiction" or the "guns of Firefly." Even among enthusiasts, it can be difficult to recognize guns at a glance.

Mike, at present, what handgun does Galco make the most holsters for? This should be a good guage. Regards, Richard :-D

1. Glock.
2. 1911 and variants.
3. J-frame revolvers.

I disagree on the Glock - 2 reasons.

1. While police officers carry it, they carry it holstered. Few people see it out of the holster.

2. The Glock is an aesthetically neutral device - hardly anything about it for the casual observer to notice. To them, it's a gun, not a particular gun.

Clint

Originally Posted by kansas_plainsman

To them, it's a gun, not a particular gun.

Clint

I think that most people feel that way about just about ANY gun. Hell, most people can't tell a shotgun from a rifle.

Still, Glocks are identified by name in all sorts of movies and video games, so I think they are pretty identifiable for younger people.

You know, it might be that the Desert Eagle is also very recognizable for younger people (even if they call it a "Deagle" ).

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

You know, it might be that the Desert Eagle is also very recognizable for younger people (even if they call it a "Deagle" ).

New one on me. Hadn't heard that before :P :P

I'd go with 1911, Beretta 92/96 and Glock, for the old guys Colt SAA, Luger, 1911.

Is have to say the 1911.....

Originally Posted by 2400

I'd go with 1911, Beretta 92/96 and Glock, for the old guys Colt SAA, Luger, 1911.

Hey! I resemble that remark!

:-D

I think Glock is generally the most mis identified, to a llot of people, every expensive black gun is a Glock. I think most people can properly identify an M-16. But for handguns, I'd say what most people can identify is a 1911. The Beretta 92/96s also have a distinct, easy to identify look. . .

L J

old guys huh take that youngester out back of the woodpile

Either the Colt SAA or 1911.

Originally Posted by tony pasley

old guys huh take that youngester out back of the woodpile

Better cut a big switch....





















LMAO I'm a card carrying old guy too.

The colt 1911 45acp is very popular but it seems lately, everyone knows the ruger gp 100 revolver.

Gentlemen,

You all are missing my point - Worldwide Recognition. Millions of people have never seen a TV set nor inside of a theater, but they have seen the soldier or policeman on the street corner.

Many recognize the Webley revolver, maybe not by name. But in African nations where British influence is strong, the Webley is best known. And the Luger and M1911 have been the sidearms of gunrunners, pirates and n'er-do-wells the world over. As popular as the Ruger revolver is in India, many of these are seen only in the metropolitan areas. These are areas where Glocks, Barrettas and SIG are yet twenty-five to fifty years away. Places where guns are disposable due to prohibitions.

Bob Wright

Originally Posted by Bob Wright

You all are missing my point - Worldwide Recognition. Millions of people have never seen a TV set nor inside of a theater, but they have seen the soldier or policeman on the street corner.

I don't know, Bob. The top two guns (the Luger and the SAA) never saw extensive wordwide use. The Luger wasn't produced in huge numbers, and the SAA's use was mainly in North America. I think there is a substantial entertainment influence in these results. Hollywood has been far more prolific, in terms of people with actual first-hand exposure to its product, than Georg Luger or Sam Colt.

I didn't realize that people in nations where there are soldiers on the street corners were allowed to know about guns, never mind be polled on the ones they recognize. I'm not sure they'd necessarily recognize a gun carried in a military flap holster, either, though I am sure they could readily ID an AK. :-D

I am sure many European Jews would recognize P08s, P38s, and P35s -- if they could speak from the grave. :x

I have to agree with mike and add,that if you take the whole world into consideration where would you find a higher gun to people ratio per capita other then in the United States.