What is the best combat handgun in use today?
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strangelittleman
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Hmm......I think there is no "one size fits all" type of answer to this question. I personally have my favorites in revolver and autopistol, however i take great pains to keep up on the manual of arms of most service type sidearms, so that if I had to press one into service i could be reasonably effective....
I guess what I'm trying to articulate(poorly) is; so long as the sidearm is reliable, durable, reasonably accurate and propels a projectile that will penetrate deep enough into the major organs and/or crush the major structural features( skull, hip assembly,femur, etc) of the oppo in order to put him down, I'll be satisfied...... Happy hunting!
I guess what I'm trying to articulate(poorly) is; so long as the sidearm is reliable, durable, reasonably accurate and propels a projectile that will penetrate deep enough into the major organs and/or crush the major structural features( skull, hip assembly,femur, etc) of the oppo in order to put him down, I'll be satisfied...... Happy hunting!
Linear Thinker
Member
The question is loaded (pun intended), but I will try to give an answer based on 30 years of shooting experience, some of it in the military, but none from actual combat. I am also a range officer at a public shooting range, and get to shoot pretty much all the guns on the market.
No revolvers in this crowd - sorry. While there's a J-frame on my ankle as I am typing this, it's no combat gun.
1911 is an excellent gun for well trained professionals, but cannot hold it's own against the modern designs. It is too expensive when made properly.
Glock is an excellent all-around gun, and my choice for carry. There is a good reason why Glock owns the police sales in this country and others.
HK USP series are beautifully engineered and extremely well made guns. They have been as reliable as Glocks.
SIGs are well engineered and well made guns, but their "different" decocking operation requires re-training, and getting used to. SIG decocker is in the same spot as the slide release on my Glock. If you are a SIG fan, don't buy any other make of guns.
S&W M&P has out-Glocked the Glock, I plan to buy one.
Which one is the best? It depends.
LT
No revolvers in this crowd - sorry. While there's a J-frame on my ankle as I am typing this, it's no combat gun.
1911 is an excellent gun for well trained professionals, but cannot hold it's own against the modern designs. It is too expensive when made properly.
Glock is an excellent all-around gun, and my choice for carry. There is a good reason why Glock owns the police sales in this country and others.
HK USP series are beautifully engineered and extremely well made guns. They have been as reliable as Glocks.
SIGs are well engineered and well made guns, but their "different" decocking operation requires re-training, and getting used to. SIG decocker is in the same spot as the slide release on my Glock. If you are a SIG fan, don't buy any other make of guns.
S&W M&P has out-Glocked the Glock, I plan to buy one.
Which one is the best? It depends.
LT
MIL-DOT
member
i think the below post was the most intelligent,informed, and unbiased one of them all, and i wouldn't even try to improve on it........m.
amper
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Join Date: 09-13-07
Posts: 25
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.
amper
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Join Date: 09-13-07
Posts: 25
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.
Gunfighter.45
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The 1911 is a (wall hanger) it is very very very old and out dated innovasion there is nothing else you can do to this pistol to make it better or worse than already is.I don't care who makes it.The 1911 is one the most unreliable and most cumbersome and excusable pistols ever made. I pitty the soldier that would want to carry such a (P O S).
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Vern Humphrey
Member
I have a very good friend who won the DSC by crawling into a VC basecamp, and shooting the so-and-sos in their holes with his M1911A1.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I have a very good friend who won the DSC by crawling into a VC basecamp, and shooting the so-and-sos in their holes with his M1911A1.
possum
Member
:banghead:
wow what a heck of a way to start your stay on thr. i will for warn you buddy you are gonna get flamed hardcore!
you must be a miss guided youth?:banghead:
possum
Member
wow what a heck of a way to start your stay on thr. i will for warn you buddy you are gonna get flamed hardcore!
you must be a miss guided youth?
Gunfighter.45
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To the old timer possom, Iam 100% sure that Iam not the only one in thr who thinks the 1911 is old and out dated platform.So bring on the fire.Truth is whether you like it or not, there is better innovasion and technology out there.Sorry old timers to bust your 1911 bubble but the truth hurts!
No disrespect to our world war veterns...much respect to you,GOD bless you all.
No disrespect to our world war veterns...much respect to you,GOD bless you all.
KINGMAX
Member
my choice
When I chose my personal protection pistol, I selected a GLOCK 21 in 45 acp.
When I chose my personal protection pistol, I selected a GLOCK 21 in 45 acp.
mljdeckard
Member
Yes, Todd Jarrett and Rob Leatham, for example, can't find 1911s to be reliable or accurate for what they do at all.
The 1911 has saved more soldiers' lives than any other combat handgun. I am going downrange again, and if I could get away with it, I would take mine with me, even if it meant having to leave it there rather than get busted for trying to take it home.
The 1911 is what you graduate to when you really have started learning pistolcraft.
The 1911 has saved more soldiers' lives than any other combat handgun. I am going downrange again, and if I could get away with it, I would take mine with me, even if it meant having to leave it there rather than get busted for trying to take it home.
The 1911 is what you graduate to when you really have started learning pistolcraft.
It is not burst. Not to worry. You are just terribly wrong.
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" and the 1911 is a rose in full bloom. Call it what you will, it is still a rose.
Is it outdated, or are you just a babe in the woods thirsting for knowledge?
Say you don't care for it, say you prefer something else, and I have no problem, but to say what you have is ludicrous.
One, not so old, "Old Timer", over and out.
Oh yea. Welcome to THR.
Bigshooter45
Member
I believe that the best combat handgun is the one you own....that being said most combat shooting are brief and violent. That is why I want the biggest piece of lead going into my target. The .45 acp is the gun for me...perfer the kimber 1911. I believe 9mm is a light weight in the shooting world. I have carried one in warm weather when a weapon is easily seen. The old slab side in the best for me...easy to carry all day with its flat sides and heavy hitting power.
John Moses Browning's 1911 is not outdated just because it is old. I consider it a quite good battle pistol. It does not fit me as well as my SIG P229 or Ruger sixguns, and I now prefer a DA handgun for a "go to" weapon that I will grab in a hurry, but I would have no hesitation to use my 100% reliable Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special in a gunfight. No weapon is perfect for all people and all tasks; I wear a P229 duty pistol on police patrol due to agency regs, and probably would not return to using a 1911 for that purpose if the policy change was rolled back to the good old days. Both weapons are good for me, for different tasks. If my patrol area were to degenerate into a 21st-Century version of 1980's Beirut, the task would probably change a bit.
ken B
Member
Quote:
The 1911 is a (wall hanger) it is very very very old and out dated innovasion there is nothing else you can do to this pistol to make it better or worse than already is.I don't care who makes it.The 1911 is one the most unreliable and most cumbersome and excusable pistols ever made. I pitty the solider that would want to carry such a (P O S). >>>>>
Pity is without the extra 'T'...and you do realize not that long ago the USMC Force Recon went BACK to the 1911 platform...i mean being outdated and all, but they aren't soldiers, they're Marines..so maybe that doesn't count...
Cumbersome? I thought the Tec-9 was cumbersome!
I think Glock, XD, S&W 3rd generations, Browning Hi Power, AND the 1911 are viable defense pieces, not to mention revolvers, etc...isn't the best defensive pistol the one you shoot the best, and can place the shot where it needs to be WHEN it needs to be there?
I only own 1 1911...and it's been nothing but reliable and good to go, and it's not a high dollar custom...
just my opinion, everyone is entitled the them..and welcome to the forum!
The 1911 is a (wall hanger) it is very very very old and out dated innovasion there is nothing else you can do to this pistol to make it better or worse than already is.I don't care who makes it.The 1911 is one the most unreliable and most cumbersome and excusable pistols ever made. I pitty the solider that would want to carry such a (P O S). >>>>>
Pity is without the extra 'T'...and you do realize not that long ago the USMC Force Recon went BACK to the 1911 platform...i mean being outdated and all, but they aren't soldiers, they're Marines..so maybe that doesn't count...
Cumbersome? I thought the Tec-9 was cumbersome!
I think Glock, XD, S&W 3rd generations, Browning Hi Power, AND the 1911 are viable defense pieces, not to mention revolvers, etc...isn't the best defensive pistol the one you shoot the best, and can place the shot where it needs to be WHEN it needs to be there?
I only own 1 1911...and it's been nothing but reliable and good to go, and it's not a high dollar custom...
just my opinion, everyone is entitled the them..and welcome to the forum!
Homer! Good to see you! What pistol do you like?! Which?! Homer...Homer...where you going Homer?!
Oh well, so much for the Homers. Now, who has some facts? Give me some rock-hard facts. Just the facts. I know, everyone likes their pistols. Give me the facts.
Oh well, so much for the Homers. Now, who has some facts? Give me some rock-hard facts. Just the facts. I know, everyone likes their pistols. Give me the facts.
engineer151515
Member
I'll take the Glock 17.
Power to weight ratio - just hard to beat.
Power to weight ratio - just hard to beat.
Gunfighter.45
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My first AR-15 build with his new buddy, and thanks for the warm welcome 
Autolycus
Member
In my opinion it is the HK USP. I like the fact that it is ambidextrous in a sense it can be for both righty and lefty as well as can have an ambidextrous lever. I also like the fact it can be a DA/SA, a SAO, a DAO, or a Combination of a DA/SA with a SAO capable trigger system.
It has good capacity in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. It is very reliable and is a lightweight innovative design that has an excellent reduction system. My only problem with it is that the light rail is not the standard. However HK was the first to put an integral light and sight rail on a pistol. Unfortunately the industry did not adopt their rail.
I would suggest that following the USP design is the Sig P series. The 226 and 228 are excellent guns. I like their weight and they balance so naturally. My only complaint is that they are not as lefty friendly as the USP. As a lefty I get annoyed with the decock lever at times and the slidestop lever. But overall this is a training issue and not a real issue.
Either way there are many good designs out there but I feel that the P2000 is the design for me. If it would have all of the trigger systems as the USP I think it would be the ultimate pistol.
It has good capacity in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. It is very reliable and is a lightweight innovative design that has an excellent reduction system. My only problem with it is that the light rail is not the standard. However HK was the first to put an integral light and sight rail on a pistol. Unfortunately the industry did not adopt their rail.
I would suggest that following the USP design is the Sig P series. The 226 and 228 are excellent guns. I like their weight and they balance so naturally. My only complaint is that they are not as lefty friendly as the USP. As a lefty I get annoyed with the decock lever at times and the slidestop lever. But overall this is a training issue and not a real issue.
Either way there are many good designs out there but I feel that the P2000 is the design for me. If it would have all of the trigger systems as the USP I think it would be the ultimate pistol.
nitestocker
Member
glock 19 cz.po1 or my beretta 92 fs i think those would all be good choices. the reason i go 9mm instead of 45 for a milatary weapon you said there is more ammo in a double stacker and with+p hollow points its hitten real close to a 45 now i started s##t
rugerfreak
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Having owned pretty much every pistol out there at one time or another---I'm down to one gun---a night sighted Sig P226-----its what works best for ME----17+1 rounds of soft shootin --easy to control 9mm.
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