Best gun from each maker?

[albanian]

What is the best semiauto from each of the major makers?

What is the best
SIG,
Beretta,
H&K,
S&W,
Ruger,
Colt,
Kimber,
Springfield,
Glock,
Walther,
CZ,
ect.

I know it is going to be a matter of opinion but enough opinions can tell sometimes get to a truth.

From what I have gleaned, here are some of the favs:
Glock, 19 and 23
SIG, 226, 220, 225.
H&K P7.
Walther?
Ruger?
S&W?
Colt?
Kimber?
Springfield?
CZ, CZ75.

 

[Rival]

That's just wrong. Some companies, for example S&W, Colt, or Ruger are making way too many guns for different purposes - everyone will have their own pick. I will take almost any model from S&W Performance Center, Springfield Custom Shop, or Kimber Custom Shop any time. There's no best gun for most makers, with some exceptions... Browning comes to mind. They make only one type of Hi Power (MkIII) with slight cosmetic differences. On the other hand Browning does not even make them, it's FN

 

[Cortland]

For Ruger: the Mark II
For S&W: I like my CS45

 

[NMGlocker]

For general purpose service pistols:
Glock 17 9mm
Sig P226 9mm
Beretta 92fs 9mm
H&K P7M8 9mm
S&W 3913LS 9mm
CZ-75 9mm
Walther P99 9mm
Anyone see a pattern here?

 

[Ala Dan]

I will pick just a few:

Smith & Wesson 19, 66, or 686 (and old model 39-2)

Colt Python, 80 Series Combat Elite, Gold Cup

SIG-SAUER P220, P226, P228, P230

Ruger Security-Six, KGP161

Springfield WW-II .45 caliber GI version MIL SPEC


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Boats]

PISTOLS

SIG P226 (The SIG in my book)
Beretta 92 FS Brigadier (The best of a loved and hated breed, especially in the G flavor)
H&K P7M8 (Just simply an unique icon)
S&W SW99 (I like it better than the P99 ergonomically, who knew that S&W could improve a Walther?)
Ruger P345 (The new one makes the others seem absolutely primitive)
Colt NRM Government Model (Colt is on the comeback trail, FINALLY)
Kimber TLE (My favorite in a line up I don't generally care for)
Springfield XD-9 (The HS2000 is the landmark pistol of the past decade IMO)
Glock 17 (the one the legend is based on.) The Glock 20 is just one wicked pistol too.
Walther P88 (An often overlooked gem)
CZ 75/85 (Quite possibly the finest "classic" wondernine ever designed)
FN BHP (Another classic, but one I don't personally care for. It is still elegant)
Para Ordnance P-14 (If you get one that works, it is one of the ultimate high cap pistols available.)

 

[valor1]

Too many choices. Define what is "BEST?" In terms of preference, I go for Colt 1911's , Glocks in 9mms, CZ-75s, Ruger revolvers, Walther P99 and the HK's.

 

[Black Snowman]

Way too many variables. I could sit here ALL DAY so I'll trim it down to my personal criteria for a "Best" category pistol.

Value: Has to be the best over-all for the dollar. Anyone can turn out a great gun for $5000.
Reliability: If it don't work it doesn't matter what happens when it does.
Accuracy: Doesn't matter how reliable it is if I can't hit anything with it
Ergonomics: This has more to do with not having to "work out a grip" or "adjust between shots" than anything to do with comfort. If I take one great shot and then have to stop to re-grip the gun that's not very useful either.
Firepower: I like the idea of having the most power I can for the size of the package while retaining ergonomics and controllability.

What wins all of these for me is every CZ auto-pistol I've tried except the 40B. The straight grip just didn't work for me. I haven't tried the 83 yet because I'm not a fan of .380 ACP but the 75, 85, and 97s are all the perfect pistol for whatever job I need a pistol for.

Other outstanding pistols in my book:
Glock 20. Boat load of firepower.
HK USP .45s. The cheapest .45 Super that really works.
IZH-35 imported by EAA. Olympic class performance at a peasant price.

 

[Penforhire]

Heh! See, opinions vary.

Partly because "best" is not an objective measure. For example, no other Glock compares to the Glock 17 because that is THE model that took a licking and kept on ticking. Special operational staff all around the world fell all over themselves to outfit that when it came out.

I agree with Ala Dan's S&W choices. It has to be a .357 Magnum for versatility but choosing between a 66 and 686 depends entirely on the intended task. Not even touching on barrel length.

 

[George Hill]

Best for what?
Concealed Carry?
Duty?
IDPA?
IPSC?

 

[albanian]

Best for general handgun uses. Not target work or games but what a handgun was meant to do. This is only semi-autos though so Ala Dan, even though I agree that the S&W 19 may be the best handgun that S&W made, it is not a semi-auto. What I consider a handgun's intended purpose is to be a defensive weapon when a longer more powerfull and accurate gun is not available. CCW, home defense, duty, car gun, and backup are the roles I expect a handgun to fill. What is the best gun to fill these needs in a semi-auto from various makers?