The BEST of the BEST....

[wiscoaster]

Hum best at what? ...

First thought that sprang to my mind, too.
Invariable any gun that's the best at one thing seems to also come up short in some other department.
For example, you want a gun that's the best 9mm shooter?? No doubt in my mind and personal experience it's the Sig P210:

View attachment 1047384

But then ... it only loads eight rounds - so that's a big shortcoming in some other departments.

So ... narrow down what you want your gun to be the best at.

 

[nettlle]

My definition of the best of the best would be the best quality of finish, fit of parts, and best reliability.

And I have one of those.

 

[Mike J]

I haven't shot enough different handguns to believe I know what is the best of the best. I have shot a striker fired FN pistol. The guy it belonged to was very impressed with it. I have owned Ruger, Springfield XD & Smith M&P and some others they all had their plusses & minuses. I really like my M&P compact but I am annoyed with S&W over the 380EZ. The XD I had was accurate & reliable. It had capacity but I realized the ergonomics weren't the best for me (not criticizing them for everyone else). So I guess I'm trying to say I'd have to shoot a lot more guns before I could have a qualified opinion. Then my opinion wouldn't really matter to anyone but me because what is best for me might be horrible for you.

 

[jmr40]

When you say best, the parameters need to be defined. If you're more interested in fine workmanship and classic design then Glock isn't in the running. I'd have to give the nod to a well made 1911, a Classic Smith or Colt revolver for that.

If you're talking the handgun you'd reach for 1st in a life or death situation Glock has to be a top contender. At least for me. For a while I think Glock had an advantage over other manufacturers, but there are several similar pistols now that are right there with Glock. I've come to appreciate the Smith M&P's as well as the Sig 320 and 365. I especially like the military M17 and M18 versions.

Lately I find myself reaching for one of the Sigs more than the Glocks. But the availability of inexpensive mags, holsters and other aftermarket support still gives Glock an advantage.

 

[Atavar]

One addition: low capacity

I would agree on all your adjectives. I feel they would improve their sales with some magazine technology.

I would still have it but it melted in a house fire. I replaced it with a 1911.

 

[Rock185]

Is there a secret handshake


Since I've not owned at least one example of every pistol on the planet, I can't really say the HK P7 is the best of the best. I can say, that having purchased my current example back in the '80s, I've experienced precisely one malfunction. And that was 30 years or so ago while trying out a super swell hand load I'd created, that was perhaps not so swell.

 

[czhen]

GOAT? Don't know about that, but I do like my FNS-40
View attachment 1047362

The FN40 long slide with a 9mm slide is a very fine shooter was impressed for a moment I forgot about the Glock and the VP9. Sadly mags are pricey.

 

[starling]

Is there a secret handshake
View attachment 1047420

Since I've not owned at least one example of every pistol on the planet, I can't really say the HK P7 is the best of the best. I can say, that having purchased my current example back in the '80s, I've experienced precisely one malfunction. And that was 30 years or so ago while trying out a super swell hand load I'd created, that was perhaps not so swell.

No secret handshake but I hear there is a squeeze cocker festival every September in West Palm Beach at the Golden Monkey. There is a long slide p7m13 on GB right now if you feel like drooling. Do a search for Sterling. Its a looker for sure.

Personally I think they are highly overated in general. I just like odd stuff and the squeeze controls are neat to me. The majority of people dont like that stuff. HK used to make weird stuff in the 70s-90s and I was always looking them. These days they have gotten a little boring. P9s 9mm was my favorite HK. I actually think the VP70z is pretty brilliant as well for its intended purpose. The P7m8 worship these days is funny because nobody cared for them back in the 90s. Even when the 40s&w was released nobody cared. They discontinued that P7 line way too early. It takes time for guns that far outside the box to break through. P7 also suffered from bad timing in all the radical changes going on in the firearms industry when it was still being made. Had that gun come out in 2002-2004 it probably would have been a massive hit.

 

[Riomouse911]

Man, that’s a tough topic. So many options, so many people, so many situations, I don’t know how any one hand gun could be “the best.”

Now I will wholeheartedly agree that there are a lot of outstanding guns that cover a lot of bases; many brands of 1911’s, Glock, M&P, Xd, Ruger, Brownings Hi Power, Beretta, CZ, SIG Sauer… and of course FN. Some of today’s newer makes may even be 2035’s all stars like Savage, Mossberg, Canik, Sarsilmaz, etc.

For me, I own some 1911’s, some Rugers, Glocks, a SIG, a Beretta, a Smith. Each one has strengths and weaknesses that set them above, or underneath, the others depending on what is being compared. Because of all the variables I just can’t pick “the best,” but I doubt you’ll go wrong if you stick to any one of these great ones…especially if it fills the specific niche(s) your situation has.

Stay safe.

 

[5-SHOTS]

It is difficult in the field of pistols to define what the best of the best can be. There are too many parameters to consider and a pistols that excels in some features may be poor in others.
If we are talking about beauty, accuracy and rationality of the project, this is certainly quite high in the ranking...

 

[JEBruns]

Man, that’s a tough topic. So many options, so many people, so many situations, I don’t know how any one hand gun could be “the best.”

While I get that the OP is probably just stirring the pot, I agree with this quote. The definition of "best" changes depending on what you are using the gun for, and personal preferences. My best carry gun is not my best competition gun, for example.

 

[tarosean]

Completely objective.
Glock by far.
-Inexpensive
-Durable
-Reliable
-LONG and wide track record from cops to secret squirrel types
-Parts availability second to none
-Wide Product offering. CCW to optics to gamer etc.
-Wide caliber choice
-Probably the best magazines made today
-Easy to learn/teach
-Most consistent QC and CS I have seen over the years

Best = of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality.
None of which come to mind when I pick up a Glock. However, I would say you can indeed count the magazines.

I have no answer for the OP's question. Except
/End thread.

 

[P89DCSS]

It's got to be steel with a hammer. Plastic guns are efficient and cost effective but there's not a warm luggie's difference between the lot of them. Me-too just isn't going to make the cut.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Just say, 'No" to anything plastic.

 

[Spats McGee]

Hmmm. “Best of the best?” I’m a little surprised that fisticuffs haven’t broken out in here. Truth be told, it’s rather nice to have as many outstanding choices as we currently do.

To name a BEST, though, we have to define the parameters. The G17 and the PM7 are each outstanding in their own rights, but they’re clearly not direct competitors. I guess I’ll just have to wait until I have test-driven a lot more pistols before opining in which is the Best of the Best.

 

[tarosean]

The G17 and the PM7 are each outstanding in their own rights, but they’re clearly not direct competitors

The best doesn't have competition as it beat it all.. least I would think?? Plus only one of those has a long production run despite multiple iterations

 

[starling]

double. Sorry

 

[Spats McGee]

The best doesn't have competition as it beat it all.. least I would think??

The best may have beaten all the competition, but I would think it had competition at one time, at the very least. Otherwise, it might be The Best, but it’s also The Only.

Plus only one of those has a long production run despite multiple iterations

True. But is that one of the criteria for The Best? “Long Production Run?”

 

[Mark_Mark]

Oh stop... You P7 nuts are becoming a cult. You need to get a room with all the luger collectors.

Nice P7. Dont make me break out my Vp70

I have a that staple gun VP70! I like it

but I vote CZ-07 or CZ shadow 2 with SRO optic and light. And Yes, I carry both IWB

 

[starling]

The best doesn't have competition as it beat it all.. least I would think?? Plus only one of those has a long production run despite multiple iterations

But beats them out how?... its a never ending argument.

I will just say beretta 93r because if you had a table full of 9mm pistols, and the 93r was on it, I would immediately grab it and run out of the building. Sig210, P7m8, Mac 1950, Korth..... whatever I am grabbing that 93r.

My son has been bugging me about a MK23 by the way. Whats a good street price on one? I dont think I am willing to go $2,000 +. Curious what range yours was in when you picked it up.

 

[trackskippy]

I will just say beretta 93r because if you had a table full of 9mm pistols, and the 93r was on it, I would immediately grab it and run out of the building. Sig210, P7m8, Mac 1950, Korth..... whatever I am grabbing that 93r.

Im right there with you, and you might be chasing me.

Might not be the best of the best, but its certainly going to be the most fun of anything Ive seen listed here. "Raffica" baby!

 

[webrx]

Dont sell us short. We tend to push the envelope on raw power. Automags and Hard core hand cannons are our thing. Most innovation we see comes from the small guy with an idea. The larger companies are typically just trying to steal market share away from each other for profit. They dont care about progression unless it increase the profit margin. Thats why you have to help support the small guys even if they can be a little rough around the edges. I typically wont even buy a foreign made gun unless its used. I like to try and keep the money in our country. I dont agree that our guns are substandard either. Ruger P series will outlast a sig or Beretta. I like Sigmas more than Glocks.

I was told once the only thing big companies care about are $s and image, and the only reason they care about image is it affects $s.

That said, the glocks I have held, don't fit my hand, yes, I can make due with them when needed, but, not my pick. I will admit I did not have the luxury at the time to change out grips, and that may have made a difference. My Security 9, 1911, and revolvers all fit my hand and I shoot them well enough, not a competitor with anyone but myself so can't speak to pinpoint accuracy, but I can reliably put rounds on target and I can effectively run double tap and Mozambique drills and keep all rounds in a decent group.

I have shot glocks, rugers, Hi-points, berettas, remingtons, etc, and if I had to pick my best, most reliable, most durable, one I would never want not to have in my safe, it would be my GP100. If I had to go into a battle I would choose to take an AR.

Glock would probably not make a bad backup but, I think I would strap on my Ruger Security 9 since I don't currently own a Glock and it has never misfired or failed to feed/eject with anything I have put through it.

As for Hi-point, i have one, it is rugged, reliable, shoots straight, to me it is a novelty piece, bought cheap, played with, but as said above, low capacity, big, bulky, but, if I could not afford anything else, I would rather have it than a ball bat.

d

 

[tarosean]

True. But is that one of the criteria for The Best? “Long Production Run?”

No it is not.
I am grasping at straws too.

 

[tarosean]

My son has been bugging me about a MK23 by the way. Whats a good street price on one? I dont think I am willing to go $2,000 +. Curious what range yours was in when you picked it up.

Don't even get me to lying about pricing now-a-days. Everytime I go on GunBroker or walk into some LGSs. I say to myself people done lost their minds.

Current MSRP at 2499.00. I payed less then 2k pre-pandemic/insane run on guns. The big issue is that they are snatched up quickly when shipments arrive. So there are long dry spells of no availability.

(No I don't seriously think it's the "best")

 

[starling]

I was told once the only thing big companies care about are $s and image, and the only reason they care about image is it affects $s.

That said, the glocks I have held, don't fit my hand, yes, I can make due with them when needed, but, not my pick. I will admit I did not have the luxury at the time to change out grips, and that may have made a difference. My Security 9, 1911, and revolvers all fit my hand and I shoot them well enough, not a competitor with anyone but myself so can't speak to pinpoint accuracy, but I can reliably put rounds on target and I can effectively run double tap and Mozambique drills and keep all rounds in a decent group.

I have shot glocks, rugers, Hi-points, berettas, remingtons, etc, and if I had to pick my best, most reliable, most durable, one I would never want not to have in my safe, it would be my GP100. If I had to go into a battle I would choose to take an AR.

Glock would probably not make a bad backup but, I think I would strap on my Ruger Security 9 since I don't currently own a Glock and it has never misfired or failed to feed/eject with anything I have put through it.

As for Hi-point, i have one, it is rugged, reliable, shoots straight, to me it is a novelty piece, bought cheap, played with, but as said above, low capacity, big, bulky, but, if I could not afford anything else, I would rather have it than a ball bat.

d

To appreciate hi-points you have to look at them like an American Volkspistole.... or a beefed up raven.They are so overbuilt and simple they will outlast most budget gun made from better materials. A hot load that would kill many guns doesny bother something like a C9. That bulky slide is pretty much the heart of the whole system. Barrels are also very thick. In all its an extremely safe system. The actual physical manual safety is pretty weak but as far as detonation and containing pressure goes they rank near the top. Feeding and extraction can sometimes need tuning but thats pretty minor usually dealing with the magazine or the extractor. Once thats set they just run and run. Ergos are fine other than being slippery (stipple the grips). I use to use them to test ammo because they can run on such a wide range of loads from target softies to hot, hot, hot. Not bad for $150 or so. I really dont see how one can go wrong with one. Hipoint should just rename the line to something more in tune with volkspistole.

My love for the sigma over the glock was impressive steel magazines, ergonomically perfect (for me), and fully supported chambers. The trigger was a turn off for many but I started with heavy triggers so I prefer the. Plus I am a MAN with MAN hands. My trigger finger laughs at the vp70z, patriot 45, Colt all American, keltec p11 etc. That sissy little Sigma trigger is like a flicking a ladybug off my hand. I dont need a mag loader either. Even for Sten mags. I also own a punisher T-shirt. These are all traits of a REAL MAN!