The Grant Hammond Automatic Pistol

by
posted on September 1, 2024
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Grant Hammond pistol left-side view shown next to and above the m1911 army service pistol
The long-forgotten Grant Hammond pistol shown above the U.S. Army's chosen service pistol, Model of 1911.

This article appeared originally in the October, 25 1919 issue of Arms And The Man, predecessor to today's American Rifleman. To subscribe to the monthly magazine, visit NRA’s membership page.

While the U.S. Army's search for an effective semi-automatic pistol during the 1907 trials ended with selection of John Moses Browning's M1911 pistol, it did expose the world to other unique firearm designs, such as the Grant Hammond "automatic" pistol featured here.


My old friend Stephen Trask's interesting story of the new Remington .380 automatic pistol and mention therein of the Grant-Hammond .45-calibre automatic pistol calls to mind a personal experience with this latter-named weapon last summer at the Camp Perry Small Arms Firing School, where certain models of the arm were sent for test.

Space will not permit a full account of the tests made but in passing it may be stated that the final conclusions of the Board appointed to make the tests, were substantially the same as those emanating from the Navy tests mentioned by Mr. Trask, viz:—that the Grant Hammond pistol a submitted for test was not suitable for field service, chiefly because of mechanical faults.

It is only just to state also, that the Board believe these faults could be corrected without detriment to the good qualities of the weapon. While I have had no experience with the Remington .45 and am perfectly willing to believe that the Remington .380 is an exceptionally well balanced weapon, it is doubtful to my mind if either of these pistols, or any other automatic pistol for that matter, has anything on the Grant Hammond in this respect. Its handle is a bit longer and rounder than the usual flat affair of automatic pistols, with a rake which enables the hand to grasp it without an undue bend to the wrist in keeping the barrel level and is so placed that practically the entire weight of the pistol is directly over the grasping hand.

Arms And The Man periodical newsletter cover October 25, 1919

The barrel is screwed fast to a recessed frame, which in turn is rigidly attached to the handle and remaining part of the frame by reciprocating slots and a strong catch.

The bolt moves back and forth in this recessed frame with a comparatively short travel, tending to make the action very fast, while the immoveable frame and barrel affords a stationary foundation for the sights and gives a sighting radius of nine inches between them.

The front sight is one-tenth of an inch in width with sufficient height to permit cutting down if necessary and the rear sight notch is cut square with a sharply defined edge towards the rear, and while the width of the front sight is perhaps exaggerated, even for old eyes, it was an innovation of considerable importance and may be of influence in causing consideration of a wider front sight for the service pistol.

The relation of the sear and hammer notch is such that a three pound trigger pull does not cause accidental discharge from the jar of discharge or movement of the bolt, also permitting the smoothest kind of release of the hammer.

The shape and rake of the handle gives excellent control both of the pistol and the trigger pull, while the manner in which the handle fits the grasp brings the thrust of the recoil almost in a direct line with the extended arm, so that instead of a sudden upward fling of the barrel at the moment of discharge, the pistol hand and forearm move upward together, the weight of the pistol bringing it back into alignment with the eye with the least possible derangement of the aim.

Experts and near-experts who tried out these pistols at Perry showed the same results in their shooting, remarkably close groups, especially at fifty yards, the usual bete noir of would be aspirants for the expert decoration with the service pistol, proving, I think, that as a .45-calibre target pistol, at least, the Grant-Hammond is in a class by itself.

Being bench made, the samples tested failed to pass the sand and rust tests satisfactorily and as before stated there were mechanical faults discovered which served to penalize the weapon for service, but the target shooter who has discovered the fine large hole cut by a .45 calibre bullet, would have a fine weapon in the Grant Hammond pistol, except for the fact that none are on the market and perhaps never will be.

—Major S.J. Fort

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.