Is there one handgun that you consider to be best?

[sm]

What a question !

For ME and the tasks I'm most likely to use - I have stayed with 2 platforms all my life. Actually there is a 3rd " because factor" .

1) Gov't Model 1911
2 ) S&W K frame
3) BHP ( 9mm)

 

[Johnny Guest]

Rembrandt's tool analogy is a good one - - -

I particularly like it because I like LOTS of different firearms, especially handguns. I have my personal preferences for hunting, for general field and outdoors uses other than hunting, for on-duty use, for deep concealment, and so forth. Using the sspecific-tool analogy, the little K-T P3AT is NOT a target pistol, and a .44 Super Blackhawk isn't much of a choice for a police detective.

BUT - - if we extend Rembrandt's tool idea just a little bit: Think of the Swiss Army Knife and the Leatherman-type combination tools. Some may recall the old fencing pliers tool - - A decent light hammer, staple puller, pliers, wire stretcher, wire cutter, and possibly a screwdriver blade. Fits in a saddlebag or truck glove box, and is overall a very useful item. Surely, a better tool for everyday use than, say, a digital micrometer that reads out to .0000005".

My PERSONAL best handgun is the Colt Commander .45. Small and light enough for concealed carry (if not in a pocket , ) accurate enough for close-up small game shooting, and certainly reliable and powerful enough for personal defense. It can't compete with a .454 Casul for hunting, nor an Olympic Free Pistol for accuracy, but it COULD serve for my only handgun, at least for a while.

Of course, there are other multi-role handguns available. I was tempted to use the three- or four-inch .357 revolver as an illustration, and I surely wouldn't argue with anyone who chose one. I took the Commander as MY example. Your mileage, obviously, may vary.

Johnny

 

[wheelgunner100]

For ME a Ruger GP-100 with a 3" barrel because it fits me and I shoot it best. For YOU whatever fits you.

 

[Paco]

My vote is the 4" stainless GP100.

-This is coming from a guy that's shot and owns alot of different handguns. The gp100 I have has a super smooth DA pull on par with an older S&W, and glass-rod SA and way more accuracy than I'd ever expect for the price I paid. If I was to be dropped off anywhere in the world not knowing if I had to clear a tunnel system, fight off rabid grizzlies, hunt squirrels, hunt deer, kill giant ants, navigate through Jurrasic park, go to war, pistol whip someone, survive in the wild for a year, etc. : my hand gun of choice would be the GP100.

-PS: I happen to shoot the heck outta this particular gun both in slow aimed fire and speed drills.

Close 2nd: my Kimber Series II 1911 .45ACP or my G17

-paco

 

[middy]

After a Bersa Thunder .380, a Glock 19, and a Springfield GM WWII, I finally found a handgun that fits my smallish hands and I can shoot accurately, a Sig P239.

 

[Island Beretta]

beretta 92fs- by FAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

 

[Archie]

My first thought was.....

"Best" for what?

Okay, the one that fits best and is most usable in a multitude of scenarios is...

1. 1911 (preferably Series 70 or older Colt commercial) to include the Commander.
2. "K" frame S&W revolvers, of pinned barrel vintage.
3. "N" frame S&W revolvers, of pinned barrel vintage.

And the three are a toss up, depending.

 

[LASur5r]

Nope

Albanian,
Haven't found a gun that I didn't really like. For me, because I have small hands, I am always checking out the latest and greatest...I'm always searching and I started collecting in the mid 80's....one of these days.
Good luck with your search...could turn out to be a lifelong pursuit if you do it right.

 

[Black Snowman]

CZs just seem to work for me. Everything comes together. Ergos, reliability, accuracy, affordability. I like em, I have several, I want more.

 

[Cosmoline]

Colt's Police Positive Special comes close to being a perfect fit for my oddly shaped hands (big palms, short fingers)

I also find that the Sig-Sauer P-225, in addition to being a tack driver with flawless feeding, fits my hands perfectly.

 

[Kamicosmos]

No. Too many different roles, kinda like when you said a target gun may feel better than a pocket gun, but if you need the pocket gun...

I own...cripes...I dunno. 12 handguns currently...I think. A few are a very good fit for me. They fit me well, and I hit what I'm aiming at. Some are target guns, some are carry guns, some are big bore revolvers...


If you want to narrow it down to what's the best gun for XX purpose, I may be able to offer a better answer...

 

[nero45acp]

Over the years I've bought, sold, and traded many handguns looking for that perfect (for me) handgun. The closest I've come (so far) is the SIG P225.


nero

 

[Chris Pinkleton]

It's boring, and I don't even own one at the moment, but I'll have to say the 1911. They simply are the easiest pistol for me to put 'em where I want 'em.

Excuse me while I go apologize to my S&W M625....

 

[Cosmoline]

My only problem with the P225 is that it holds its value too much. I had to sell mine off because I got an offer I couldn't refuse on it during a financial crunch. Sweet, sweet shooters. And I usually don't like alloy frames.

 

[BJPARKER]

I can't think of just one, but my 3 favorite for comfortable fit, accuracy and reliability are the Colt series 80 Gov , the Colt LW Commander, and the CZ-75 Compact- I wouldn't give them up for anything.

 

[mdatlanta]

My Ruger KP-97D along with my Glock 23 and Glock 37 are my favorites.

 

[Stillie]

Any high quality 1911. No other handgun is capable of putting that size round downrange for a long period time with such flawless accuracy. They aren't the best CCW weapon due to the safety mechanism but if you have to use it, it's going to work and it's going to hit what you point it towards.

 

[jc2]

Gee, Stillie, that's nice to know. My 18-year old niece (all five feet of her and a hundred points soaking wet) who has never even held any gun before wants me to teach her how to shoot. Now, all I have to do is hand her my 1911! No messing around with the front sight, rear sight, sight picture, grip, trigger control, and the myriad of other thing it requires to hit the target any other handgun. I'd planned to start out with a .22 and work her up to the .38 Special while concentrating on the basics

 

[Stillie]

I was speaking of the accuracy of the weapon itself (without human influence) and it's ability to remain accurate over time. The crucial element of marksmanship will always remain in the hands of the shooter (literally).

Obviously a .45 is not a exactly a starter weapon, but we weren't discussing that now were we?

Not sure why my post elicited such a response but the question was

So is there a gun that feels like it was custom made for you? I don't just mean that it fits your hand well but it also fits your lifestyle well.

So to that end, my answer remains the same.

 

[jc2]

Here's what elicited the response, Stillie:

but if you have to use it, it's going to work and it's going to hit what you point it towards.

THAT sounds pretty magical to me.

1. "If you have to use it, it's going to work." In terms of reliability, 1911s can have occassional failures (not many). In terms of effectiveness, the 1911 does have failures as well. So, no, "but if you have to use it, it's going to work" is a long way from the absolute you stated.

2. "It's going to hit what you point it towards." I'm sorry, but I don't care what you're shooting, if you want to hit your target, you're going to have to aim and do your part otherwise.

Let's just say you were a little guilty of a couple of gross overstatements, and I'm guility of poking some fun at them!

 

[GlocksRock]

Glock 19

 

[Stillie]

THAT sounds pretty magical to me.

1. "If you have to use it, it's going to work." In terms of reliability, 1911s can have occassional failures (not many). In terms of effectiveness, the 1911 does have failures as well. So, no, "but if you have to use it, it's going to work" is a long way from the absolute you stated.

2. "It's going to hit what you point it towards." I'm sorry, but I don't care what you're shooting, if you want to hit your target, you're going to have to aim and do your part otherwise.

Let's just say you were a little guilty of a couple of gross overstatements, and I'm guility of poking some fun at them!

1. I have yet to experience a FTF situation with clean, high end .45 when using high quality magazines and ammuntion. All weapons are going to have the occasional failure when they are built with cheap parts or are not properly maintained.

2. I guess I was guilty of making the assumption that common sense dictates aiming a weapon and following the laws of marksmanship...except with hand grenades and CQB shotguns.

I continue to stand by the first statement based on my own dealings with Kimber and Wilson Combat .45's. I know that some people experience unexplainable malfunctions with their weapons, but I have been fortunate enough to avoid these. Guess I'm just really lucky. That probably means I'm gonna get stuck with a real lemon one day.

 

[jc2]

Unfortunately, you didn't say the 1911 is an accurate handgun--no argument there. What you did say was, "it's going to hit what you point it towards"--which is a gross overstatement (that's not even true of shotgun). I'm glad you like the 1911--I do as well. I was just having some fun with your gross overstatement.

 

[atek3]

If all handguns were outlawed except for one particular model, I would prefer that model to either be the glock 19 or 1911.

atek3

 

[FNFiveSeven]

Combat: Browning Hi-power

Concealed: HK P7M8

Target: Sig 210 (even you 1911's can't touch this)

Hunting: Freedom Arms (.454, Premier grade of course)

Just plain nice to look at: Colt Python (Royal Blue)