Fear & Loading: The Semi-Automatic Pistol’s Sweet 16

by
posted on March 15, 2016
automatic.jpg

If U.S. gun manufacturers squared off in NCAA basketball tournament fashion, BATFE’s Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report would, undoubtedly, be the selection committee’s bible. The 2014 edition was recently released, and here’s how the hypothetical semi-automatic pistol bracket shapes up for that year. Note the numbers are for total pistol production in 2014. The guns depicted below are for illustration only.  

No. 1 seed Smith & Wesson (914,700*) vs. No. 16 seed Diamondback (42,901*) 
Smith & Wesson’s coach has the luxury of a bench so deep that he rotates players faster than a ceiling fan. That’ll wear down the reptiles, but the Diamondbacks have a history of striking unexpectedly. 



No. 2 Ruger (722,263*) vs. No. 15 Kahr Arms (59,346*)
Kahr’s high-speed lineup will be hurt by Ruger’s flawless game in the paint. The underdog’s best chance is to push the pace and keep center Desert Eagle out of foul trouble. 

No. 3 SIG Sauer (433,905*) vs. No. 14 Browning  (64,131*)
Expect SIG to advance, although Browning (Arms Technology) has the kind of record and lineup that can leave a mark on any foe this season.

No. 4 Glock (232,324*) vs. No. 13 Springfield Armory (64,189*)
The Vegas line on this matchup is heavy toward Glock, but Springfield brings some solid frames to the key and its nimble bench should turn this into the tournament’s first real nail biter.

 

No. 5 Kimber (124,298*) vs. No. 12 Remington (65,762*) 
PARA USA (57,539) transferred too late to play for Remington this year, and without the extra starter big green is limited in height to run the baseline.  

No. 6 Colt’s Manufacturing  (91,595*) vs. No. 11 SCCY (69,049*)
There’s a lot going on in the Colt clubhouse and it could show on court. Expect this year’s reinvigorated SCCY to fly away with this one in overtime. 

No. 7 Hi-Point (90,100*) vs. No. 10 Kel-Tec (78,471*)
Hi-Point’s unusual lineup is its best offensive weapon, but if Kel-Tec runs its game plan, don’t be surprised if there’s another upset.   

No. 8 Beretta USA (88,980*) vs. No. 9 Taurus (84,249*)
The winner can be judged in the first five minutes of the game. If Beretta’s 3-point storm starts early, it’s lights out for Taurus. The ending’s different if the underdog is effective in that curved pick-and-roll route we saw in the conference championships.

*Semi-automatic pistols manufactured by the manufacturer, according to the 2014 BATFE Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report

 

Latest

Musket Privy Hole
Musket Privy Hole

The "Privy" Musket: Uncovering The Story Behind A Forgotten Model 1816 Flintlock

On the grounds of the present-day Alexandria, Va., courthouse, an interesting Model 1816 contract musket produced by Marine Wickham was found, muzzle-down, in an abandoned privy during archaeological studies prior to the city's expansion and renovations during the mid- to late-20th century.

Silencer Central Applauds Suppressor Endorsement From Medical Professionals

Silencer Central, the nation’s leader in suppressor promotion and sales, applauds the recently announced official position on suppressors from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS/F).

I Have This Old Gun: French Resistance No. 4 Lee-Enfields

Among all of the No. 4 rifles made throughout World War II, this relatively small batch of guns has a unique history that bears witness to some of the bravest fighters of the war: the French resistance.

New For 2025: Taurus 650

For 2025, Taurus re-introduced its "hammerless" revolver design with the 650, which provides double-action-only operation and a shrouded hammer for a seamless, snag-free profile.

I Have This Old Gun: Norinco Model 320

The Uzi submachine gun is one of the most iconic and recognizable firearms of the 20th century. As a highly successful design with more than 10 million produced to date, it has spawned numerous copies, licensed and otherwise, and has been manufactured everywhere from Belgium to southeast Asia.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates To First Responders Children’s Foundation

Henry Repeating Arms recently donated another $25,000 to the First Responders Children’s Foundation at a celebratory National First Responders Day event in New York City’s Times Square.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.