Top 3 handguns and why?

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westgunn

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Just curious as to how folks choose their favorite handguns. If you don't mind sharing, I'd be very interested in reading about it. I'll go first, albeit, I don't have that much experience yet.

This can be your list or your "dream" list. Doesn't matter to me. Just throw out there what you like and why.

My top 3 handgun choices (in no particular order):

#1: Sig 1911 Tactical.

I like this one, because first off, I own it. So I'm a little biased simply by not having any experience with any other 1911. I like that it has an accessory rail with laser....perfect for quick target acquisition in the house. And it shoots great. Not sure I could have a better handgun home defense weapon at my bedside. It may be cliche, but the Punisher grips look pretty awesome on it, too! :D

#2: Browning Hi Power.

I don't own this one yet. I currently have a S&W 5906 that I've polished up and have gotten ready to sell in order to buy the Hi Power. I've heard nothing but the legendary reputation of Browning preceeding it. I'd like to keep a 9mm in my handbag simply for the pleasure of shooting at the range with a round that's accurate and won't break the bank (see .45.....ouch).

#3: S&W M&P Shield .40.

I don't own this one yet, either. I've been looking for the "perfect" concealed carry weapon, and this one has really caught my attention. First of all, I love the .40 cal. IMHO, it's the perfect combination of velocity and diameter. So I know I want at least one 40 cal in my possession, and I recently sold my Sigma (a great starter I feel, but I'm moving on). I've thought about the Taurus slim 40, but S&W (for some unknown reason) sits better with me. While I haven't settled for sure on a .40 ccw, this one is at the top of the list.

So guys, what do you think of my list? I know I'm not as refined on my choices as some of you, but that's why I signed up at the highroad. Please enlighten, discuss, debate...etc. What's your favorite, and why?
 
Welcome to the forum.

Honestly what I think of your list should not matter because obviously I am not you and your needs and how a pistol works for you could be totally different than what is best for me.

IMO one needs to research and actually try out firing what they are considering before making a decisions to purchase. Also one needs to have a basic compentancy in shooting a pistol before even doing such and if need be get some professional training. Without basic skills such as stance, grip, and trigger control it is near impossible to find out what works best or possibly just "good enough" for someone.

These are my favorites based on what I have tried, and I have tried a lot, and that I own, have been 100 percent reliable, and work best for me for my needs and that I can shoot the best.

SIG P226/P228 in 9MM.
SIG P220 in .45
Walther PPQ in 9MM.

P226g1.gif
 
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Top 3 "Dream list"

1.Colt Python stainless steel .357

2.Colt 1911 45ACP

3.Browning HP 9mm
 
These lists are always so hard with so few choices:D

My overall favorite 3 would be

1. Sig 226
2. Sig 220
3. Glock 17

However, if I needed versatility it would be:

1. Sig 226
2. 1911
3. Glock 19
 
Welcome. I'll bite but my answers aren't strictly PC over here... ;)

1) Glock 19. No auto I've owned. or used, is as accurate, reliable or ready to eat anything.

2) S&W K frame. The best combat pistol ever made. A 4" barrel, points like part of you & even without the magnums, the .38+P LSWCHP will put anyone in the grave.

3) Ruger Blackhwak. The SAA brought up to modern standards. The ultimate hunting handgun.

I have owned all three, still have two. Gotta get a nice S&W Model 19 to make my set complete ;)
 
My top three guns would probably be

Sig 226/228
HK P7
Walther P99/PPQ

I find that the Sigs just seem to work for me. Love the triggers and they fit well in my hand. The P7 has always been a dream gun of mine (and I really like the design of it in regards to being a gas delayed blowback). And finally the Walther is a nice compact gun that feels really good in the hand. As much as I like to collect different guns, I think I could be more than happy with just these.
 
1. CZ75b. It is extremely accurate in my hands compared with any other hand gun ive fired. Its also been extremely reliable and it fits my hand very well.

2. Ruger SP-101. Very accurate and reliable but also very concealable. I had 1 of these for a while and really liked carrying it.

3. S&W M&P .40s&w. This is my carry gun. Its the most comfortable hand gun ive ever put a hand on. By far. I sold my glock 22 for it the day after i held 1 for the 1st time. Its almost as accurate as the cz (i say almost because i feel i shoot 9mm slightly better than .40s&w. Otherwise its just as accurate as the cz75 in my hands.) And i like the way it looks. Ive put 600-700rnds through it with no issues and it carries well for a full size gun.

I was going to put a Springfield Armory 1911 loaded for my 3rd choice but i dont have 1 and i dont like 45acp due to lack of capacity and higher costs. Its probably the next gun i buy though. For a range toy only.
 
My list includes my top 4 handguns.

1. A quality 1911 - one of my Ed Brown Special Forces ... reliable, accurate and extremely well made
2. A quality non 1911 semi-auto - one of my SIGs such as my P220 Carry ... reliable, ergonomic, accurate enough and well made
3. A quality double action revolver - my stainless 4" Colt Python ... best revolver ever made, beautiful, iconic, accurate, superbly well made with the best trigger of any double action revolver I've ever shot
4. A quality single action revolver - one of my USFA Rodeos ... the best SAA revolver being made today
 
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My 3 choices are the ones I own. In no particular order.........

Buckmark
1911
CZ PCR/75 ( I have both)
 
of the pistols i've personally fired:

1) caracal f : felt right... shot well... bought 1 the same day i fired the F QS model...
2) taurus 24/7 g2 : shot well... my wife likes the ambi controls... fired over 1000 rounds in the thing with 0 issues/stoppages/problems...

-----

3) glock 17 : i don't really have a 3rd but my friends who own them swear by them... all their FTF/FTEs are due to faulty reloads, bad factory ammo and improper user technique... for someone to admit he/she is at fault rather than the pistol is a big deal (some say bordering on fanatical)... quoting from my friend, "this is the best pistol i've ever owned. all it needed was a 3.5lb connector, lwd barrel, zevtech slide, magwell, spring set, extended magazine release, extended slide release and trigger polishing. your caracal and taurus don't have aftermarket accessories."

-----

others i've tried include the sti gp6, glock 17/19, cz shadow, tanfoglio force/map/mapp, a few 1911s, bersa thunder pro, hs/xd...
 
My top three handguns that I have experience/own with would be:
1)glock 19. Its very versatile. I'm comfortable with using it with home defense 15+1, night sights and a good flash light.
2)My sig 1911. Great trigger and really accurate.
3)Glock 30. I have to throw the glock 30 in there because its a lot of fire powe(10+1 or 13+1)r in a small package and is super reliable. Its ate anything I've fed it, and never failed. Also it continues to amaze me with the groups it can produce.
I would have to give honorable mentions to the ruger sp 101 and xdm 45.
Not my dream list but what I'm most comfortable with in my safe.
 
My favorite three are:
Glock 21 .45 ACP
Sig P220 Elite Stainless .45 ACP
Glock 26 9mm.
 
1911 - I really like mine and I'd have a difficult time not owning one.
Sig 239 - That's my carry gun. Easy to conceal and large enough to practice with for extended periods. I love the way it shoots. Second choice would be a Glock 19.
SW 686 (or a Dan Wesson 15-2 if I could find one reasonable priced)- Revolvers are pretty versatile and can be loaded with everything from a powder puff loads for plinking all the way up to magnums. If I lived in a part of the country where the animals got bigger I'd opt for a 44 mag.
 
1. Cz 75 "Short-Rail" - Handled one once and fell in love with it. Ergos are what you'd expect from a Cz (as in, fits like a glove) and the balance was PERFECT. Damn fine-looking too.

2. Dan Wesson 15-2 - Great triggers (not the best, but very good), modularity at almost 1911 levels, tack-driving accuracy, and a little uncommon.

3. Some kind of 1911. All the reasons have already been said a million times before. I only own the Regent R100 (good pistol, but I'd like to upgrade). No one offers one in my ideal configuration (bacause many of the features I want aren't in high demand). I guess out of the box I'd want a Colt WWI replica just as a matter of style.
 
1. Glock 26.

2. Smith and Wesson 642.

3. The rest. Possibly a full size Glock such as my 21SF.


I put the Glock 26 #1 because:
*It's about as reliable and durable as you can get.
*Perfect size for daily concealed carry.
*Capacity (10+1) is enough that running out of rounds is quite unlikely...and legal even in restricted capacity states.
*Caliber is powerful enough to do the job, ammunition is absolutely everywhere, and follow up shots are quick.
*Extremely simple and effective 'point and shoot' controls/User Interface.
*Mine was the first gun I ever bought and the first gun I ever shot, and has been carried, by me, more than all of my other handguns combined.

I put the 642 #2 because if concealment is of critical importance it can easily fit more places (pocket, ankle, smartcarry, etc) and it still meets many of the above criteria. Very reliable, point and shoot interface and an adequately powerful readily available caliber. It loses some points vs the G26 for capacity (5) and ease of shooting (definitely more difficult than the G26), but hey, it's a pocketable gun. And makes a great backup gun, if you are so inclined. It also happens that I carried mine on my wedding day

If I put the G21SF third it would be for everything from the Glock 26 except a larger caliber, greater capacity, and the perfect size for OWB/open carry and nightstand duty
 
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Welcome to the forums Gunny. In no particular order: Freedom Arms 83 with 7.5"magna-ported barrel and electro-optcal sight, Caracal F, Ruger LCP.
 
Semi-autos only, per the forum

SIG P229
1911
Buckmark


I spent 3 minutes staring at the screen to whittle it down. That was a tough one.
 
Autoloaders only might be:
1911 - Baer or Colt; either would work for me; 45ACP, accurate.

5906 - a 5" version; I have one and it is one of my most accurate two handed and standing.

G35 with barrels in 357Sig and 9X19. Mine, in 357Sig, shoots about as well as my 5906 & is much easier to fix if something breaks, versatile in 3 calibers, and simply a practical pistol.
 
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