Top Battle Sidearm

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The Dutchman

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I just wanted to throw a question out there based on peoples opinions and real world experiences. Suppose you were going off to some distant land and you had a choice of which sidearm to bring, a beretta 92f (9mm),glock 17,1911 (.45),or HK USP Full size (.45)? I know I am leaving a lot of great guns out like the cz's and sig's but there is a method to my madness or madness to my method. I have stuck beside my choice of sidearm thick and thin and these are the guns that my friends throw in my face as more reliable. Note: All firearms are stock and out of the box, also my choice is within the list. Just in case the 1911 is a stock springfield GI Parkerized just as Browning originally designed no more no less.

P.S I would really like to hear the reasons why you would not choose the ones you didn't choose. Just curious
 
What, no P35?

Then 1911, all the way. I suppose my reasons are highly personal, but since I am a BHP aficionado, and the manual of arms is the same, that's a big plus. On top of that, the 1911 just has that certain *something.*

A close second choice would be the USP, but I prefer metal frames to polymer.

I wouldn't choose the 92FS because of the fatter grip and the slide-mounted safety -- otherwise I love the gun.

I wouldn't choose the G17 because of the absurd grip angle, and again, the polymer frame.

Of course, in an all-inclusive poll, I would choose a Browning Hi Power, no ifs ands or buts.

Wes
 
Dutchman, is this a pistol that we would bring solely for our own individual use, or one that we'd select for an entire army?
 
Probably the G17 because it's the "energizer bunny" of handguns--it just keeps going and going, and 9x19 is "no-brainer" because chances are a lot more likely you will find 9x19 readily available in that "distant land" than .45 ACP.
 
Before I made a choice I would ask at least two questions:

1. What ammunition is most easly found in this country? (Most likely 9mm x19 Para.).

2. Under what environmental conditions would I be carrying/useing this sidearm? A jungle is much different then a desert. But then I might be stationed in a city where none of this mattered.

A "first choice" may be better directed by the answers to those questions rather then picking a personal favorite.

And yes, the Browning/FN P-35 HiPower should be on the list. In many countries it is more common then any of the others, and parts, spare magazines, and ammunition is easily (more or less) available. In addition it has a long and proven track record.
 
Glock 17. Utterly reliable, light weight, easy to use and maintain, spares are widely available and DO NOT require fitting by an armorer and the 9mm round can perform any task asked of a combat cartridge. :D

My 2nd choice would be the Beretta for many of the same reasons. :eek:
 
None of the above... but If I had to choose one of those, probably the Beretta, mainly because If I'm going to be part of an armed force, the 9mm if going to be VERY abundant... the glock is out for 2 reasons, 1 is the grip angle, I can't point these things right, second is the magazines being mostly polymer, I wouldn't trust the durability of these in a war type situation... (especially if replacements aren't readily available...)

my first choice would be a CZ 75b or P01...
 
If I knew I was going into battle doubt I'd bother with a handgun at all, I'd much rather have a couple of extra grenades or mags for the rifle instead of the weight of the handgun.

If it were a support position, not expecting direct action, having a 1911 at my side in case we were overrun would be comforting, but probably not all that usefull if it came down to it.

--wally.
 
CZ SPO1 with two spare 18 round mags, and maybe another spare or two somewhere, but most of the battle harness will be rifle mags and accessories...
As it is, my rollout belt has three Mosin pouches and two spare CZ PO1 mags, all loaded....
 
Well, since the 1911 is a stock GI one, it would be the following:

HK USP45: gotta love that 12+1 capacity. Little worried about getting parts for it, though.
Beretta 92: hey, mine worked, you shoulda brought your own factory mags like I did. And the armorers can fix it if it breaks.
1911: Normally #1 because I can take it completely down and get parts, but I would rather have something a little more tricked out than a stock Springfield, you know, like a Kimber Warrior.
Glock 17: Can't stand Glocks. Grip angle is all wrong. All the other guns point naturally for me.
 
I think this is an interesting thread for a couple of reasons. Call me an extremist or paranoid, but in the back of my mind I have been sort of mentally preparing for a day when we will perhaps have to defend our homeland on a large scale. The war on terror (joke that it is) and the mounting crisis with China and N Korea is enough to give one pause.

With this in mind I have been thinking of adding a sort of service/combat pistol. I carry a G19 with 15 round mags and would like a weapon to compliment it. I am torn between the .45 and 9mm. 9mm would be more available overseas and maybe even here as well. Also, the 9mm platform offers more models such as the Beretta 92 and the BHP, both are contenders for me. I authored a thread about the HK USP 45 but I, like others, would like a steel frame and that would leave me to choose between a 1911 variant and a SIG 220. Decisions..decisions!!
 
My first choice would actually be the USP in 9mm..... but since you didn't give me that option :fire: , I'd have to say the G17. ( I believe the HK is probably a bit more accurate than the G17. At least the ones I've fired have been. )

I like the Beretta, but unfortunately, it's grip profile doesn't like me. There's something about it's cross-section that makes it set slightly rotated in my hand, pointing slightly off to either the left or right. I can shoot it, but it takes too much concentration to correct for the bad angle for me to trust it in a serious situation.

I also like a 1911.... However, if I'm reduced to using a pistol during war time, I'm in dire straits indeed, and want as many rounds as possible IN the gun.

This is also the reason I wouldn't want the HK in .45 cal. Much rather have 15 9mm's as opposed to 12 .45 auto's.

Sorry, the 9mm is quite capable as a back-up weapon. There's no need in sacrificing valuable space for those fat .45 cartridges. Especially since I'd probably be able to find 9mm quite readily.


Anyway, those are my choices, and why.


J.C.
 
Glock 17 9mm

Easy to find ammo in foreign lands, virtually 100% reliable, easy to manipulate and shoot.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
If we're gettin' to choose the weapon, surely we can bring enough ammo for whatever it is we're gonna' eradicate! Therefore.......the G20 with mag. ext. One on each leg!
 
If I knew I was going into battle doubt I'd bother with a handgun at all
Click to expand...

I see people say this from time to time, but what happens if your rifle is disabled?
Click to expand...

Be in deep doodoo, but not that much worse off if everyone else has rifles against your "backup" handgun.

A few options come to mind: Pick up the rifle of a fallen comrade and continue the fight, hunker down and wait for a chance to use those extra grenades I'm carrying instead of the handgun to maximum effect, be quiet and play dead.

--wally.
 
Man.....I couldn't make the "Laura Croft" look with multiple plastic surgeries! Battle rifles would, as others have said, be much better than these short barrelled thingys. Now if Glock would just make 30 rd. 10mm mags and a select fire G20!!!
 
I would take the Glock 17. They tend to be more reliable than the average 1911 in bad conditions and they require less maintainence.

The H&K is a fine gun but I would rather have a 9mm.
 
I'd go with the Glock. I really don't like them, but they are certainly reliable and easy to maintain, and 9mm is plentiful around the world, whereas .45 is not as much.

If you offered me a USP in 9mm I'd go with that over the Glock, but that was not an option.
 
of the choices posted, USP .45 fullsize...they do get 12 round mags right?
If the capacity is 10 or less in the USP, I'd go with the Glock. I don't like the way they fit my hands, but I have expierience with them. I don't know the Beretta at all, so I'm not likely to trust it.

If I got to pick my own weapon, it would be a CZ of some sort. Probably the SP01 with 18 round mags.
Possibly the FNP-40 or FNP-9 depending on ammo supply.
 
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