[mrerick]

Firearms manufacturers, constantly seeking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, regularly make any number of modifications, "enhancements" and changes to older designs to make them "unique" and patent worthy.

This protection of designs and differentiation is different today from it's origins back in the earlier days of the industrial revolution. Studying Paul Mauser's world and working on the book taught me a number of things about that period, and with a few notable exceptions today there isn't much true and significant innovation going on.

In those early days, entire careers were invested by innovative gunsmith designers like Mauser, Federle, Nickl, Seidel, and Petter with decades required to perfect basic designs. The same thing for modern semi-automatic rifles from Garand and Stoner.

Today, minor changes like milling forward grip patterns substitute for innovation.

This has resulted in a very confusing marketplace for consumers, and especially new gun buyers. Many are simply at the mercy of the gun salesman in the store that is motivated by commissions, or the well meaning "expert" friend without much practical experience beyond one or two chosen favorite guns. This is one reason I like to bring a variety of firearms to basic classes I teach. Students can get some hands on experience with different designs.

A most damaging issue is something I call "Brand Pollution" that happens when a well known respected brand releases cost reduced products under the same branding. Smith and Wesson has been particularly guilty of that, as have a number of brands like Walther, Colt, and others releasing pot metal constructed .22LR pistols manufactured by GSG and it's partner companies (along with their pellet guns). There is a vast difference between a historic German Walther PP / PPK trainer from the 1930's and 1940's as compared to the modern one that looks the same to a consumer.

I've had multiple students turn up in class with brand new Smith and Wesson pistols (like the Sigma and the new .380 Bodyguard) that either are wildly inaccurate to shoot or jam in the first few firings. All carry the same "Smith and Wesson" name that they put on quality M&P pistols and the consumer can't tell the difference.

What designs are the best? There are certainly plenty of options. In many cases, they have been the tried and true, consistently manufactured quality handguns invented well in the past. The M1911a1, CZ-75, Luger, Mauser,HSc and original Walther PP / PPK all represent innovation and many still set the standard. Modern manufacturing has produced refined versions of these firearms from CZ (Dan Wesson), SIG, HK and others that approach full custom products at production prices. Any number of mil-spec AR-15 rifle "manufacturers" source parts from centralized specialists (making barrels or receivers) and offer lower cost precision products.