Reliability

[Ruger745]

Ruger 745,

Out of the list you provided, I honestly feel you'd be well served with any of them. There isn't a bad one in the bunch imho. I know you said you didn't care much for the Glock, but have you considered the SW MP, Springfield XD, Sig, or one of the CZ pistols?

Not saying these are any better, just throwing them out there.

I have looked at the MP before, a very nice pistol and very comfortable in the hand. I love the crimson trace laser grips that are available for it

 

[JustinJ]

HK is the best, no doubt. That's not to say other guns aren't extremely reliable.

 

[Robert101]

I have two 1911's (SA & DW) both experience an occasional FTF with my reloads. That is what I shoot. Glock 27 - perfect with my reloads. Take from that what you will.

 

[chandne]

I only carry HKs first, Glocks second, and I'd carry a revolver anytime as well. All else fall to the bottom rung.

 

[Dogguy]

For reliability brand new straight out of the box, there's nothing more reliable than a 3rd Generation or older 9mm Glock. But most modern designs are reliable.

 

[csa77]

if your looking for reliability to rest your life on, buy a revolver. any semi auto can jam. even if the design is flawless faulty ammo can cause jams.

iv never had a FTF,or FTE from any of my revolvers.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Modern auto loaders are more reliable than revolvers in austere conditions. Out of spec ammo (loose bullet/blown primer/Etc.) will take a revolver out of the fight permanently, were as in an auto a simple tap-rack will get you back in.

Total revolver reliability is a myth.

 

[RedAlert]

To the OP, I would suggest that the weapon isn't the issue that needs the most focus.

Training is the primary issue. Both Formal at a training school and the continued training at your local range through practice. Each of these would include techniques and practice drills aimed at combating the occasional malfunction of even the most reliable weapon/ammo combo.

So select the weapon you like, load it with the most reliable and effective ammo you can find. Then practice, train, practice and even more training.

I'm willing to bet the training will provide a greater contribution to your survival than the choice of weapon.

 

[FAS1]

Nearly 4k rounds through my Glock; hundreds of those were in a fast paced setting where the gun was being used heavily in a short amount of time, and it hasn't even thought about malfunctioning

^^^This.
My Gen2 G17 is still my choice for HD handgun since it has proven itself to me. I have no experience with the others mentioned but most are very reliable. I would think ammo is a bigger factor than the gun. My Glock cycles everything I have fed it including very light reloads for little recoil on follow up shots when shooting steel plates.

 

[Rexster]

Any of the above will probably be 100% reliable from the first round, assuming the ammo is not so far out of spec that anything would choke on it.

All else being equal, the slightly tapered 9mm cartridge will be more reliable than a cartridge with straight, parallel walls, but with the pistols in question, this should not be a factor.

Buy the one that best fits your hands, and don't worry about reliability.