Best Combat/Defense Pistol

[TFIT]

A few months ago I asked for opinions on the best combat/defense pistol. I got a lot of good replies, and a few idiots as well, and I have settled on my two. I tested numerous platforms to include Kel-Tec, Sig, S&W M&P, Steyr, Colt, Springfield, BHP, H&K, Beretta, and Glock in calibers .380, 9mm, .40 and .45. I also worked with distances of 5 to 15 yards.

For primary carry, I chose the Glock 17 Gen4. Believe it or not, it is rather easy to conceal with the Bianchi Model 100 IWB holster. I am right handed and I got the left hand holster so that I can wear it in the small of my back and draw the pistol with my right hand. It is a very nice quality holster for about $40. I also love the new trigger system and new double spring system for recoil. I actually shot my way out of the DA/SA models b/c I got so proficient with the Glock constant trigger pull that I was not giving the other DA pistol triggers enough time to reset before I was trying to pull the trigger again. I can pull the Glock trigger quickly and I am accurate!!!

I also purchased the new reproduction GI model 1911-A1 from Springfield Armory. It is a really neat pistol, and shoots like a dream! Both of these weapons have very quick trigger resets, and for me, the recoil is very managable. I have just gone completely away from the .40 all together, and from what I'm hearing so are a lot of police departments. Most important thing is hits...shots on target, and it seems most are coming to realize they get better shot placement with the 9mm with a longer barrel. But let's be honest...any gun enthusiast just loves the .45.

Well, I'm still open to getting opinions with valid reasons for personal choice, but I think most will agree that the absolute best combat/defense pistol is the one you are best with. One friend said get the biggest caliber you can handle and conceal, and get proficient with it. And, don't make it your only pistol!

 

[rcmodel]

But, some wise man once said:

Beware the man with one gun.
Because he probably knows how to use it!

Me? I should talk though!

rc

 

[TFIT]

But, some wise man once said:

Beware the man with one gun.
Because he probably knows how to use it!

Me? I should talk though!

rc

In fact, that is exactly what my friend said, and I tend to think he's right. ;-)

 

[TFIT]

Incidentally, I read an article today where the British Armed Services just purchased 25K Glock 17 Gen4 pistols to replace their current issue weapon. I found that very interesting, and will probably lead the way to the US doing the same upon their next replacement. Of course, that is just my opinion, but I tend to think it is a good one.

 

[rcmodel]

Not gonna happen in the U.S. Military unless they have a change of heart in real Safety safety's after 100 years, and a No Safety reprogramming training program.

If the rank & file British military who are issued pistols are ever issued ammunition, we will hear more about that later.

rc

 

[C0untZer0]

Why in the world would the the U.S. military switch to Glocks because the Brits did?

Where is the logic in that?

 

[David E]

Beware the man with one gun.
Because he probably knows how to use it!

Maybe was true once upon a time. Not so much anymore.

Nowadays, the guy that just owns one gun has fired 6-15 shots thru it, if at all.

 

[TFIT]

Not gonna happen in the U.S. Military unless they have a change of heart in real Safety safety's after 100 years, and a No Safety reprogramming training program.

If the rank & file British military who are issued pistols are ever issued ammunition, we will hear more about that later.

rc

Stranger things have happened.

 

[TFIT]

Why in the world would the the U.S. military switch to Glocks because the Brits did?

Where is the logic in that?

I don't know, perhaps if the US sees they do so successfully? Do you have any idea where the US Navy got the design for its current aircraft carrier fleet? The British. Who trained the US military in jungle warfare for Vietnam? The British. Who has one of the most elite special forces organizations in the entire world? The British SAS. Why would you think the British are not worthy of emulation? They are highly intelligent and extremely proficient operators.

Anyone who knows anything about handguns knows that Glocks are reliable, durable, and safe. With proper training, surely these weapons can be incorporated. By the way, I spent 12 years on active duty (worked with the BAF) and currently serve in the reserves, so I do have a little knowledge of such things and weapons training.

 

[TFIT]

Maybe was true once upon a time. Not so much anymore.

Nowadays, the guy that just owns one gun has fired 6-15 shots thru it, if at all.

You're right! Today, most gun owners "have a gun" just b/c someone told them to get one b/c the government is going to take them away!!! It really scares me to think of those people taking guns into the street, although it is their right to do so. If you're going to own one know how to use one is my motto.

 

[wlewisiii]

Well, not every one "loves" the 1911. Had one in the Army & find I much prefer .45 Colt in my 625 Mountain Gun instead. I'd rather rely on it than any 1911 I was ever issued.

But that's me, not you. If you enjoy that Springfield, then it's in the right hands.

 

[TFIT]

Well, not every one "loves" the 1911. Had one in the Army & find I much prefer .45 Colt in my 625 Mountain Gun instead. I'd rather rely on it than any 1911 I was ever issued.

But that's me, not you. If you enjoy that Springfield, then it's in the right hands.

To be fair, I said most gun enthusiasts love the .45...not necessarily the "1911". That said, the 1911 frame does fit my hand perfectly, and I do like it a lot. I also liked the M&P .45 quite a bit. I was actually looking for another one when I bought the 1911. I am a striker fired pistol fan mainly b/c I like the constant trigger pull without having to operate the manual safety on the 1911/BHP. Both of those weapons are awesome, but there is just something to be said for being able to draw and fire without any other action. Granted those who are trained and experienced on the 1911 and/or BHP do that as 2nd nature, but not everyone is trained/experienced on those platforms.

 

[wlewisiii]

The whole point of my comment was that I was trained on the 1911. The BHP is a better all around design but I'd still prefer an N frame revolver if I had to go in harm's way. Constant trigger pull, no safety to remember & far fewer malfunctions, though I'll admit that those malfunctions that do exist tend to take the weapon out of action for the duration of a combat despite Mr. Cunningham's excellent revolver drills.

 

[TFIT]

The whole point of my comment was that I was trained on the 1911. The BHP is a better all around design but I'd still prefer an N frame revolver if I had to go in harm's way. Constant trigger pull, no safety to remember & far fewer malfunctions, though I'll admit that those malfunctions that do exist tend to take the weapon out of action for the duration of a combat despite Mr. Cunningham's excellent revolver drills.

No offense intended, it was just that the 1911 wasn't the point of my statement. I was referring to the .45 caliber, not the 1911 platform. There are a number of platorms chambered for the .45, but again, I was referring to enthusiasts loving the round itself rather than any one platform. On the subject of a revolver being a good choice for combat...true they are simple and you have no safety to worry about, but you are severly limited in the scope of ammunition, and as you pointed out so well, when one malfunctions it's done. Perhaps as a back up weapon, but with the current day choices of torture tested platforms like the Glock, Sig, HK and the like it just doesn't make much sense to even consider a revolver for combat scenarios. Really not even for personal defense unless you're just old school. Not really even then. The DA constant trigger pull on most revolvers is at least twice as far as any striker fired pistol available, and if you want a simple weapon with no external safety to fool with, Glock is the way to go. In fact, most striker fired pistols have no external safety, and are fairly simple to operate. The S&W M&P comes to mind as does the FNS, although civilian models are fitted with an external safety in the attempt to capture those who insist one is necessary. It isn't if you know what you're doing, but still...some folks still think it's necessary for safety.

No, I have revolvers and would use them only if nothing esle was available. For me, nothing beats the Glock. I do like the BHP as much as the 1911, but find that is a personal preference as well. You really can't go wrong with either one, unless you just can't stand them. After working with the Glock Gen4 I am sold 100%! Nothing at all against the other models. Just the Glock works best for me. All the best!

 

[Chris-bob]

You're right! Today, most gun owners "have a gun" just b/c someone told them to get one b/c the government is going to take them away!!! It really scares me to think of those people taking guns into the street, although it is their right to do so. If you're going to own one know how to use one is my motto.

I'd rather have half the people on the street armed with their 'one' gun and have the criminals worried to death, than be the only one armed at all. But as you implied, it would be nice if everyone that carried was well trained.

 

[MrBorland]

On the subject of a revolver being a good choice for combat...

If you're interested in combat, step away from your keyboard and Xbox and join the military; in which case any discussion on a "choice" of combat pistol/caliber is largely moot. Beyond this, the revolver remains, among others, a viable option as a weapon for personal defense.

 

[David E]

I asked for opinions on the best combat/defense pistol. I tested numerous platforms.

I chose the Glock 17 Gen4. It is easy to conceal with the Bianchi IWB holster. I am right handed and I got the left hand holster so that I can wear it in the small of my back and draw the pistol with my right hand.

If I'm picturing this right, you're doing a "palm out, cavalry twist draw." If so, you're likely pointing the gun at your pelvis during the draw. Even if you're not, it's not a very fast draw.

I shot my way out of the DA/SA models b/c I was not giving the other DA pistol triggers enough time to reset before I was trying to pull the trigger again.

Again, if I read this right, you're saying that YOU are ready to shoot, but you're waiting on the gun to finish cycling from the previous shot? (either the slide or the trigger mechanism) If you're saying the slide, you're wrong. If you're saying the trigger won't reset fast enough, then there's something wrong with it. However my bet is, since you're used to the short reset of the Glock, you're short stroking the DA triggers.

I can pull the Glock trigger quickly and I am accurate!!!

Sounds like you found "your" gun! No small thing, that. How fast and how accurate are you talking?

 

[tcanthonyii]

The best gun is the one you like, shoot well and shoot often. That said you really can't beat the out of the box reliability of a Glock, M&P and XD.

T.C.

 

[buck460XVR]

The best gun is the one you like, shoot well and shoot often.

Yep and it's the reason one gets so many different answers when folks post a "which is best?" thread. Truth is, there is no best, not for everyone in every scenario. TFIT, if you're happy and satisfied with your choices, good for you.

 

[481]

Well, I'm still open to getting opinions with valid reasons for personal choice, but I think most will agree that the absolute best combat/defense pistol is the one you are best with.

"Best" is subjective.

Get what works for you.

Practice, invest in some quality training.

The real weapon is your brain; make sure you have good "software" on board, too.

 

[David E]

The best gun is the one you like, shoot well and shoot often.

T.C.

What if the gun you like, shoot well and shoot often is a Stevens Favorite single shot chambered in .22 Short?

 

[jimbo555]

My s&w airweight is the gun I like to carry the best,but my m&p9 fs is the one I shoot the best. So I carry them both!

 

[dicky r]

Best gun of all

THE best gun is always the one you have on you when you absolutely, positively, have to have a gun. Thus endeth the lesson.

 

[David E]

THE best gun is always the one you have on you when you absolutely, positively, have to have a gun. Thus endeth the lesson.

Not so fast.

Most of us can carry any gun we want to......but many choose a gun ONLY because it's easy to carry, not because it's particularly effective or because person is skilled with it. He may not be. The NAA mini-revolvers come to mind, as do sightless .380's.

Granted, any gun with you beats any gun not, but that doesn't mean all gun choices are smart ones or that all guns and calibers are equally effective.

I, for one, wouldn't be anxious to take on a nut case with an AK in a dark theater with my NAA in .22 Short.

 

[tcanthonyii]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tcanthonyii
The best gun is the one you like, shoot well and shoot often.

T.C.
What if the gun you like, shoot well and shoot often is a Stevens Favorite single shot chambered in .22 Short?

Then you're better off with that one than no gun. Probably not worst choice in firearms history though. But if you're a good shot you can TCB.

I'm laughing as I type this but I know there's people that do carry a .22.