Vern Humphrey
Member
I've carried two handguns in combat, a Colt M357 and an M1911A1. The .357 was highly effective, but required constant babying and had to be squeeky clean. So my nod goes to the M1911A1.
I do like the M&P. I had the 9mm and the .45, and really liked them both. But they just don't fit my hand quite as well as the Glock Gen 4s. As soon as I can get another G17, I'm going to. Now don't get me wrong, I'd go into combat with either the M&P or the Glock, but if I had a choice I'd go with the G17 everytime. Now I should also clarify that the 1911 I purchased was one of the reproduction GI 1911-A1 models by Springfield Amory. It is as close to one of the originals as you can buy today. It feels great in my hand, and I cannot wait to unleash it on the range. I also have to say I am really liking the Steyr C9-A1! What a great feeling gun, and it was as smooth as the Glock 19 Gen 4. No kidding! Try one just to see how they shoot if nothing else.I was a dyed in the wool Glock fan, but after using a M&P 9 and a M&P 40 both in the 4.25 inch barrel and in Pro Series, I switched over too the M&P.
The M&P are like updated or a more modern advanced Glock.
Try one and you will see.
Hey Chief! I'm a Navy guy myself. Did 12 yrs active duty, and in the reserves now. I agree with you, there is no "best". It depends on what you're facing as you said. For me, I think the 9MM is best for most situations today, especially given the advances made in ammunition technology. I really like the new Hornady Critical Duty. I also like Speer Gold Dot, which is what I'm told most police officers use today. My cousin is a cop, and that's what he uses. Also, my Chief is a LT Deputy Sheriff, and I believe he uses the same in his newly issued G21 .45. He really doesn't like the G21 b/c it is such a huge handful, but he deals with it. They previously used the .40 Glock either 22/23. He really liked the .40, but in my trials I have just come to get away from it. It is such a snappy round in my hands, and I'm more accurate with the 9MM and the .45. I carry the 9MM and keep the .45 for my general purpose home defense gun. Push comes to shove, I may switch it up a little, but I spend a lot of time at the range and dry fire exercies. Thanks for your input, Chief! What's the old saying...when all else fails, do what the Chief said first. ;-) Have a great day, Chief!As you've probably gathered by now, there is no "best".
What there is, however, is a large variety of options available for you to choose from based on many different factors, such as (but not limited to) caliber, capacity, velocity, bullet types, availablity, and personal taste.
My advice is to find something you like, make the purchase, get intimately familiar with it, and put in lots of range time with it.
And then remember that this one pistol you just bought need not be your ONLY pistol...just the first of many, if you so choose.
Actually, I was just told the British Armed Forces just purchased several thousand G17s to replace their current issue sidearm. I know the HKs are great guns loved by many, but they are just not for me. Too bulky for me. I like Sig, but have recently given place to the new Gen 4 Glocks. I really, really like the new trigger system on this model, and I have proven to be very proficient with one in my hands. I had the SOCOM MK23 but got rid of it b/c it was just too darn big for any good use. It was accurate and was fairly smooth, but just too dang big! LOLIf I were able to choose, I would go to war with an HK USP or Mod 0 V1 trigger in .40 or .45ACP. More towards the .40 for the higher capacity.
1911s are kinda picky for overseas grungy conditions. And don't even get me started on Glocks. There is a reason why they aren't the main service pistol for any premier military.
Five Seven is a joke of a round. SIG would make a good duty pistol depending on the user preference.
I have to say that as far as pure feel, nothing beats the 1911. At least for me. The ONLY thing I hold against the 1911 is capacity. Still, they are quite proven platforms for combat. I also like the BHP. Great guns! I guess I have gone through a number of guns over the last several months in the endeavor to decide on my "primary". I've worked with the M&P 9 and .45, Glock Gen4 17, 19, 22, 27, Sig P220, P226 (9MM & .40), P229, FNS 9, BHP, Colt 1911, as well as the SOCOM MK23 (actually this was more of a novalty purchase), and as I've said, the Glock Gen4 G17 is mine, followed closely by the G19. One of the major deciding factors, believe it or not, is the new trigger system. The Glock Gen4 has a new trigger system that allows for quicker reset, and I can put a lot of bullets down range in very short order. I've also become very proficient at this. I noticed after working with the new Gen4 17, I've gotten so used to that trigger pull that when shooting Sig P226 MK25, I pull the trigger too fast for the Sigs to have time to reset, and I start misfiring as a result. You know how you lunge when the gun doesn't fire when you pull the trigger? LOL! It took me a minute to figure out that I was so accustomed to the trigger reset of the Glock Gen4 that I wasn't allowing the Sigs enough time to reset before I was trying to pull the trigger again. It actually became a recurring problem for me, which really hurt my feelings b/c I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Sig P226. But as the result, I compared the two (P226 vs G17) at the range, and the only logical answer was to switch to the G17. I'm just very smooth with it, and now I'm too jerky with the P226. Of all the weapons I've worked with, the G17 just feels more like an extention of my hand than any other model, although I will say the Steyr has impressed me. I also love the capacity of the Glocks (recognizing several have similar capacity-just not quite as comforable as the G17/19 to me) and their proven reliability and durability is second to none. I know I can pull this tool and go to work. I don't have to fool with thumb safeties or DA/SA conversions. I don't have to worry about accidental discharges (just keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot) and I love its low profile signature. At the end of it all, Glock Gen4 G17 just works for me.I distinguish between "combat"-SE Asia in my case-and "defense"-in your own home. A "combat" pistol must be reliable and be able to hold up in less than optimum conditions-hence the dust tests that the M1911 had to go through. The M1911 is as close we come to the THE pistol to fill that role with the Brownhing HP a very close second. For "defense"-in my case it's my trusty Colt Trooper .357, my S&W M-27 4" and my Dan Wesson Model 15.
Hey Chief! I'm a Navy guy myself. Did 12 yrs active duty, and in the reserves now. I agree with you, there is no "best". It depends on what you're facing as you said. For me, I think the 9MM is best for most situations today, especially given the advances made in ammunition technology. I really like the new Hornady Critical Duty. I also like Speer Gold Dot, which is what I'm told most police officers use today. My cousin is a cop, and that's what he uses. Also, my Chief is a LT Deputy Sheriff, and I believe he uses the same in his newly issued G21 .45. He really doesn't like the G21 b/c it is such a huge handful, but he deals with it. They previously used the .40 Glock either 22/23. He really liked the .40, but in my trials I have just come to get away from it. It is such a snappy round in my hands, and I'm more accurate with the 9MM and the .45. I carry the 9MM and keep the .45 for my general purpose home defense gun. Push comes to shove, I may switch it up a little, but I spend a lot of time at the range and dry fire exercies. Thanks for your input, Chief! What's the old saying...when all else fails, do what the Chief said first. ;-) Have a great day, Chief!
Given that we're discussing a combat arm and likely to be restricted to FMJ due to the Hague Accords
It's seen a lot of action all over the world, and like the 1911 can be customized, unlike the sturdy but 'one size fits all' Glock.
We know. One can actually pay someone to ruin perfectly good firearm