Best Combat Pistol . . .
Okay, Boats, I am going to take the “contrairian†viewpoint. For the sake of discussion, I nominate the S&W Custom Shop, N Frame, five-inch barrel, eight shot, .357 magnum, Model 627, REVOLVER (catalog #170210). My rationale follows.
Reliability, Durability, Quality, and so forth:
Few will doubt that a Smith Custom Shop revolver will be at least as reliable/durable as ANY other top-quality handgun. Further, manufacturing quality, fit and finish will also be superb. In combat conditions, the revolver’s mechanical systems can be protected from battlefield detritus with a good flap-holster and with reasonable care. Please note that several “elite†combat groups (USN Seals, French Special Forces) have used Smith stainless revolvers as their sidearms.
Accuracy:
With a longer sight-radius, with a micrometer-adjustable rear sight, with a full interchangeable front sight, and especially with the intrinsic advantages of a fixed/static-barrel, an outstanding revolver’s inherent accuracy will be superb. I am sure we have all seen the Jerry Miculek 200 yard “balloon shots†with his Smith 627, which demonstrate superior inherent accuracy.
Capacity:
Some will argue that this revolver’s eight shot capacity is a significant disadvantage, in comparison to equally high-quality autoloaders. I disagree. EVERY handgun is a LAST DEFENSE weapon in any combat situation. Eight rounds without reloading is precisely what the GI 1911A1 provided – using MilSpec magazines and in Condition One (and please remember, service doctrine normally mandated Condition Three, thus seven rounds). In addition, reloads – especially with full moonclips – have been demonstrated to be faster with revolvers than with semiautomatics employing magazine (although I readily admit this requires considerable expertise). However, the primary point is eight rounds should be adequate for terminal defense, IF THE OPERATOR DOES HIS JOB WELL.
Potency:
Top-rated .357 magnum JHPs (Speer Gold Dots, CorBon, Remington Golden Sabers, and several others) remain exceptionally lethal defensive rounds. While many of us believe the 10mm, the .45 ACP, and other rounds are comparatively effective, no one doubts that the best .357 magnum defensive loads are exceptionally effectual, fundamentally the "standard of comparison" for all other sidearms.
Carriage and Concealment:
If we are really discussing COMBAT – uniformed, military operations – concealment is not a crucial variable. However, if your “combat†includes concealed law enforcement/personal defense, I can attest to the five-inch N Frame’s ability to be easily hidden, with the right holster and belt.
Safety and Simplicity:
All excellent modern revolvers have a very simple, very safe design and “manual of armsâ€. Their long, heavy DA trigger pull combined with a non-hammer-mounted firing pin provides safety without complexity.
To summarize, I realize this proposal is certain to generate considerable dissension. That is fine and, in fact, it is my intension. I simply ask critics to explain FACTUALLY the eight shot, Smith 627’s relative deficiencies in the context of the foregoing, critical attributes.
Regards to all.
There are many types of "combat" maybe we should limit the discussion to guns with Combat in the name. Like the CZ 85 Combat and the Combat Master 
