In early October 1918, men from the 77th Division, a draftee division mostly from New York City, advanced into the Argonne Forest as part of a massive American attack. Although the men were from three different battalions and two machine gun companies, the fewer than 600 men, cut off and surrounded, were soon known as the “Lost Battalion.” In an epic fight, trapped behind enemy lines, the Doughboys used the .30-’06 Sprg. U.S. 1917 Enfield rifle, the .45 ACP U.S. M1911 pistol, the 1915 Chauchat light machine gun and 1914 Mitrailleuse, heavy machine gun, both in 8 mm Lebel to fight off the Germans. Instead of surrendering, they said, “Come and get us.” Seven Medals of Honor were awarded for this action, as well as 30 Distinguished Service Crosses.
Also this week, we test the latest duty gun from Beretta, the striker-fired APX in 9 mm Luger. 
For “I Have This Old Gun” we take a look back at the iconic Colt Detective Special.
Watch a preview of tonight's episode here, and be sure to tune in on Wednesdays to the Outdoor Channel for the full episode.
Tonight on American Rifleman TV: Americans in World War I—Part 4; Beretta APX
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
250 Years of the U.S. Army: Bolt-Actions & Semi-Automatics on the Battlefield
In just a few decades, the U.S. Army would see itself go from a single-shot, blackpowder design in the form of the Trapdoor Springfield to a modern, semi-automatic fighting rifle in the M1 Garand.
Modernized & Economical Muzzleloaders: The CVA Optima XP & XP-SB
CVA's longest-lasting muzzleloader design, the Optima, has been updated in 2026 with "modern ergonomics and modularity."
MidwayUSA Awards $7.5 Million in Cash Grants to Support Youth Shooting Teams
MidwayUSA Foundation recently announced that it concluded its most recent grant cycle, which resulted in a total payout of more than $7.5 million to youth shooting teams and organizations nationwide.
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is on the Move
The story of American freedom, now almost 250 years on since delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, leads irrevocably to the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.
Mixing & Matching Gun Parts: What’s The Catch?
How would one about verifying that parts from one gun would fit and function on another of the same make and model? What about aftermarket parts sold as replacement parts for hard-to-get original parts?
U.S. Army & Navy Award FN a $9.9 Million Contract for Machine Guns
FN America has been awarded a $9.9 million contract to supply the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy with FN M240B machine guns, continuing the supply of FN America’s longest-standing military weapons platform.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
