What is the best combat handgun in use today?
- Thread starter Richard
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Semi-Auto :
Bone Stock Gov't Model of 1911
BHP
Revolver :
3" RB K Frame
Bone Stock Gov't Model of 1911
BHP
Revolver :
3" RB K Frame
I would say that the best combat handgun is what ever you can reliably and confidently handle in all of the extreme possible weather conditions found on Earth.
I also would say that given all the choices that we have I would personally vote for a firearm that held more than 12 rounds in every magazine that I had to carry. I own just 2, 1911 style pistols and although I can cut the A zone from a piece of cardboard from a good distance away with them. I would still have to go with more rounds, that being anything from the Browning Hipower all the way over to Glocks.
This debate will likely go on forever. What really counts is what you can use to place all of your shots, where you want them, with ease.
What is the best one for me might not be the best one for you.
Just my two cents, and I don't mind if others have different opinions.
I also would say that given all the choices that we have I would personally vote for a firearm that held more than 12 rounds in every magazine that I had to carry. I own just 2, 1911 style pistols and although I can cut the A zone from a piece of cardboard from a good distance away with them. I would still have to go with more rounds, that being anything from the Browning Hipower all the way over to Glocks.
This debate will likely go on forever. What really counts is what you can use to place all of your shots, where you want them, with ease.
What is the best one for me might not be the best one for you.
Just my two cents, and I don't mind if others have different opinions.
KaceCoyote
Member
Cz-75b
Cz-75p01
Cz-75p01
Folks,
First this is NOT a 9mm v .45 flame war, although that is traditional whenever this type of question is raised.
The question is which is the best combat handgun out there. Not caliber, not US centric, not "it has to be a rifle/shotgun/grenade/" etc
So which pistol is currently most widely used, most reliable, in a "military" calibre and is or has been used in a combat style role?
I would vote for the CZ 75 range, particularily the P-01 which actually has an NSN serial number
First this is NOT a 9mm v .45 flame war, although that is traditional whenever this type of question is raised.
The question is which is the best combat handgun out there. Not caliber, not US centric, not "it has to be a rifle/shotgun/grenade/" etc
So which pistol is currently most widely used, most reliable, in a "military" calibre and is or has been used in a combat style role?
I would vote for the CZ 75 range, particularily the P-01 which actually has an NSN serial number
doc2rn
Member
Glock 32 or my Colt 45 I love and carry both take your pic
I like the 1911 and the .357 Magnum, but prefer the SIG P-226 in 9mm. Mine has NEVER had a malfunction. Ammo is cheap and, if used as designed, it's going to be needed in near hand-to-hand conditions. I can easily kill or maim an intruder or enemy with this type of gun as any other. It's a good back-up to the Remington 870.
ironvic
ironvic
Black Snowman
Member
The one held by the guy still standing at the end of the fight. 
Seriously though, if my ass were on the line and I had to trust an out-of-the-box gun my 1st choice would be an HK USP in 45 ACP. Now, if I had to conceal it, the HK is a little on the large side.
If I could test it for a while first, I'd get a Tanfoglio Witness Elite Stock in 10mm. Oh, wait. That's exactly what I did! Barely any larger and heavier than my CZ-75B and with 14+1 of hard hitting 10mm goodness that I can put quickly and accurately on target. What's not to love. Mine needed to have the slide stop spring tweaked so the slide would lock back and the last round in the mag would feed properly, but has been 100% since.
Seriously though, if my ass were on the line and I had to trust an out-of-the-box gun my 1st choice would be an HK USP in 45 ACP. Now, if I had to conceal it, the HK is a little on the large side.
If I could test it for a while first, I'd get a Tanfoglio Witness Elite Stock in 10mm. Oh, wait. That's exactly what I did!
Barely any larger and heavier than my CZ-75B and with 14+1 of hard hitting 10mm goodness that I can put quickly and accurately on target. What's not to love. Mine needed to have the slide stop spring tweaked so the slide would lock back and the last round in the mag would feed properly, but has been 100% since.Black Snowman
Member
The one held by the guy still standing at the end of the fight.
Seriously though, if my ass were on the line and I had to trust an out-of-the-box gun my 1st choice would be an HK USP in 45 ACP. Now, if I had to conceal it, the HK is a little on the large side.
If I could test it for a while first, I'd get a Tanfoglio Witness Elite Stock in 10mm. Oh, wait. That's exactly what I did! Barely any larger and heavier than my CZ-75B and with 14+1 of hard hitting 10mm goodness that I can put quickly and accurately on target. What's not to love. Mine needed to have the slide stop spring tweaked so the slide would lock back and the last round in the mag would feed properly, but has been 100% since.
Seriously though, if my ass were on the line and I had to trust an out-of-the-box gun my 1st choice would be an HK USP in 45 ACP. Now, if I had to conceal it, the HK is a little on the large side.
If I could test it for a while first, I'd get a Tanfoglio Witness Elite Stock in 10mm. Oh, wait. That's exactly what I did!
Barely any larger and heavier than my CZ-75B and with 14+1 of hard hitting 10mm goodness that I can put quickly and accurately on target. What's not to love. Mine needed to have the slide stop spring tweaked so the slide would lock back and the last round in the mag would feed properly, but has been 100% since.TokyoShapiro
Member
- Joined
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- Messages
- 35
a very relative question. its the one in your hand that your shooting and hitting your target. brands don't matter so long as it works in your hand.
We're discussing what to get now, so you can MAKE it the gun in your hand when the times comes.
Get a CZ-75.
It's amazingly accurate, cheap, and mag are everywhere. Also, it goes bang every time you pull the trigger.
Also, no offense, but I like my guns to be made out of steel, not plastic.
I even cringe to know that my airsoft guns are made of plastic.
Get a CZ-75.
It's amazingly accurate, cheap, and mag are everywhere. Also, it goes bang every time you pull the trigger.
Also, no offense, but I like my guns to be made out of steel, not plastic.
I even cringe to know that my airsoft guns are made of plastic.
Sir Aardvark
Member
There is something that I don't quite understand here....
Multiple people are posting that the 9mm is THE combat round to have, and yet, the U.S. military in Iraq has found that this is an inadequate round for combat purposes, and is considering reviving the venerable .45ACP as its main sidearm.
Not to turn this into the classic 9mm versus .45ACP contoversy, but why promote something that has been shown to be less effective in actual combat situations?. Real-life experience does need to be taken into consideration.
** I'll be the first to say "Combat", not "Service". My understanding is that the hollowpoint super-uber 9mm self-defense ammo that is popular for "Service" carry is not allowed on the battlefield, where the FMJ reigns supreme - it is here in the "Combat" role where the .45ACP FMJ is supposed to really shine in comparison to the over-penetrating less-lethal 9mm FMJ.**
Multiple people are posting that the 9mm is THE combat round to have, and yet, the U.S. military in Iraq has found that this is an inadequate round for combat purposes, and is considering reviving the venerable .45ACP as its main sidearm.
Not to turn this into the classic 9mm versus .45ACP contoversy, but why promote something that has been shown to be less effective in actual combat situations?. Real-life experience does need to be taken into consideration.
** I'll be the first to say "Combat", not "Service". My understanding is that the hollowpoint super-uber 9mm self-defense ammo that is popular for "Service" carry is not allowed on the battlefield, where the FMJ reigns supreme - it is here in the "Combat" role where the .45ACP FMJ is supposed to really shine in comparison to the over-penetrating less-lethal 9mm FMJ.**
Stretchman
member
Surprised virtually no one said .357 Magnum. For the longest time, it was the number one man stopper in the world.
Loads of revolvers and some semi autos chambered for it.
I think it works. So did quite a number of LEO agencies. But alas, it's time has passed.
Loads of revolvers and some semi autos chambered for it.
I think it works. So did quite a number of LEO agencies. But alas, it's time has passed.
bdjansen
Member
Yeah, I love this too.
SX1guy
Member
Glock 17 or 19 are todays best & most reliable tools for that kind of work...(Killing people in combat)
crankshop1000
Member
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You should have made this question a poll. The results would have been interesting. Chuck.
Stretchman, I actually did give a vote of confidence to the .357, in a GP100. I still carry one to work with me, on big-city night shift police patrol, though my duty holster pistol, by regulation, is a .40 DA autoloader. IMHO, the revolver is simpler for arming a large number of people with little firearms experience, but is also an excellent weapon for those who wish to develop a very high level of skill.
I still carry one to work with me, on big-city night shift police patrol, though my duty holster pistol, by regulation, is a .40 DA autoloader. IMHO, the revolver is simpler for arming a large number of people with little firearms experience, but is also an excellent weapon for those who wish to develop a very high level of skill.chaim
Member
When I think "combat" handgun, I think military. So, I wouldn't throw out the .40S&W (even for police or individual use I wouldn't). For a major institutional buyer the costs aren't much different between the calibers. For you and me buying quality JHPs the costs aren't much different either. As for the snappy part, I used to agree but in most modern platforms it isn't that snappy (shoot a K-frame or L-frame .357mag back to back with the .40S&W and see what you think of it then, the .40 will seem like a .22, and few people think a service sized revolver in .357mag is unmanagable).
Anyway, I'm going to steer clear of caliber now and just go for guns:
-SIG. SIGs are among the top combat guns today and will be for some time.
-Glock. I hate Glocks, but they are reliable and simple to use and maintain.
-S&W M&P. 'Nuff said. I really think the U.S. military should throw the next contract this way. They are well made, reliable, and made in the USA.
-FNP
-Beretta 92/96 and the Taurus version (PT92 and PT100)
-Browning HP
-Colt (or any major manufacturers) 1911
-CZ 75B may be up there.
I'm sure I'm leaving out a ton of great guns. That is the real point I guess. It is hard to say which is the best (and best for what- accuracy, ease of maintainance, reliability, the best overall combination, best combination for the price, etc.). There are a ton out there that are good solid combat handguns that will do the job and take the abuse of combat, that are relatively easy to maintain. The military will have a ton of tests to wean out some and pick one that works for what they want. Pick the one that works best for your particular criteria.
Anyway, I'm going to steer clear of caliber now and just go for guns:
-SIG. SIGs are among the top combat guns today and will be for some time.
-Glock. I hate Glocks, but they are reliable and simple to use and maintain.
-S&W M&P. 'Nuff said. I really think the U.S. military should throw the next contract this way. They are well made, reliable, and made in the USA.
-FNP
-Beretta 92/96 and the Taurus version (PT92 and PT100)
-Browning HP
-Colt (or any major manufacturers) 1911
-CZ 75B may be up there.
I'm sure I'm leaving out a ton of great guns. That is the real point I guess. It is hard to say which is the best (and best for what- accuracy, ease of maintainance, reliability, the best overall combination, best combination for the price, etc.). There are a ton out there that are good solid combat handguns that will do the job and take the abuse of combat, that are relatively easy to maintain. The military will have a ton of tests to wean out some and pick one that works for what they want. Pick the one that works best for your particular criteria.
AtticusThraxx
Member
Out of the box....Sig P220. But I'd probably grab my Springfield Gov.Model first. But then I've always been a .45 guy.
mgregg85
Member
This is a crazily broad question with way too many options to consider so I will offer you this...
A Springfield XD in any caliber you want. It beats the block in any category.
A Springfield XD in any caliber you want. It beats the block in any category.
amper
Member
This can be debated until the cows come home, but the fact of the matter is that there are several combat pistol designs that have stood the test of real world combat and come away shining. Foremost among these are the M1911, the Browning Hi-Power, the Glock, the CZ 75, the SIG P220-series, and the Beretta 92-series. Each of these models has proven itself time and again and there isn't much to decide among them other than personal preference.
There are also several other handguns out there that may join the ranks of the above in time, such as the HK USP and later derivatives, the Walther P-99, the Springfield XD/HS 2000, which have also proven themselves in service with various agencies around the world, just not to the same extent as the previously mentioned designs.
Bottom line, I'd be happy to carry any one of these weapons into combat. My personal preference is probably for the simplicity of the Glock design, though I would prefer it were made in an all-metal version. I'd also probably say that I'd prefer the .40 S&W caliber, given a choice, but I wouldn't worry too much if I had to go with 9mm Parabellum or .45 ACP.
There are also several other handguns out there that may join the ranks of the above in time, such as the HK USP and later derivatives, the Walther P-99, the Springfield XD/HS 2000, which have also proven themselves in service with various agencies around the world, just not to the same extent as the previously mentioned designs.
Bottom line, I'd be happy to carry any one of these weapons into combat. My personal preference is probably for the simplicity of the Glock design, though I would prefer it were made in an all-metal version. I'd also probably say that I'd prefer the .40 S&W caliber, given a choice, but I wouldn't worry too much if I had to go with 9mm Parabellum or .45 ACP.
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