What is the best combat handgun in use today?

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Richard

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A poster on another board wrote:

"It's a Glock 22... the finest combat handgun currently on the face of the earth.... I wouldn't expect anything less..."

What is the best combat handgun in use today? By this, I mean what is the most accurate, reliable, and economical handgun to arm a large body of people with?

My answer is a Glock 17 and my reasons are it is totally reliable, the ammo is in use all around the world, and Glock gives large discounts on volume sales. Lastly, I throw out the 40 S&W because the ammo is expensive and snappy to fire.

My favorite handgun is a 1911 in 45acp; why didn't I respond with a 1911 pistol? I have never had a malfi with a G17 and the G17's manual of arms is simpler.

Regards,

Richard:D
 
Some of my favorite guns are steel guns -- 1911s, P7M8 and steel wheelguns but for daily carry, I've learned that lighter is better -- less is more! My favorite poly gun is the HK USP/ USPc and P2000/ P2000sk but since you say economical, I would go w/ Glocks in 9mm or 45 acp :D
 
I think the majority of police officers use or are issued Glocks...mostly model 22s and 17s. This does not make it a "combat pistol" but should be a noteworthy addition to the debate.

The law enforcement community has and is continuing to lean toward .45s for obvious reasons.

The future of "combat weapons" is in limbo as far as I am conserned...With many new "combat ready" models being preduced out of new and old companies. Durablity and dependablity of Glocks is not longer a far fetched thing for most major gunmaking companies to achieve. HK, SIG, and others have followed suit. The newer XDs, M&Ps, and the likes have stepped it up in innovation. All very exciting to see.


My vote is : SIG P series. 226 being my first choice
 
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There it is...lol Just any 1911 will do huh? Your first post and you've put it out there Bigger then life.

Beretta 92?
HK USP?
Browning HP?
Glock?
 
Not any 1911. But a good custom 1911 is simply the best. That is why they are chosen by the best of the best like LAPD SWAT, FBI HRT, Marines Force Recon, Delta and so on and so forth. They also dominate every pistol competition from Bullseye to USPSA.

But hey I like Glocks too and a lot of other guns. The indian is more important than the bow or the arrow.
 
When I think of "combat" I dont think of me toting a large, heavy 1911 around with 7 or 8 rounds of 45. Oh wait, and a "custom" 1911 at that.

I think of a light high capacity double stack that I can drag through the dirt, mud, ice, and fire and can still trust to function properly and accurately.

1911s HAVE proven themselves on many levels in war, but I would not go so far as saying its the hands down best "combat handgun" we have or would want to use. I have owned and loved a Kimber with custom work dont to it. The same Kimber 1911 that LAPD SWAT claims to carry. It was a great gun, just not the best when I think of being in combat. Just my humble opinion.
 
Two major wars, several police actions, Gunsite, Thunder Ranch and Front Site and the answer is...

The 1911.

I realize that perhaps it's a hot button topic and all pistol varieties will have their adherents - revolver, semi auto, hi-cap, big bore, small bore.

I trained with the 1911 and in my mind, it's #1 for the job. Drag it through the mud and hit the enemy.

The Germans were incredulous when they'd hit our boys with 9mm and we'd take the hits, turn around and drop them with a .45.

Placement is key of course and a well placed .25 will do the work, but for me, it's the .45acp in a 1911.
 
Questions like this cause so many funny replies....
The best hangun you ask.... There are many that tie for first place because there are many differemt kinds of shooters. I can perform very well with my HK USPc .40, but not as well with my Colt 1911. I shoot my XDs well, but they are not as coveted as a custom 1911.
In combat - I'd rather have my USPc - because it's the gun that works best for me.

You need to find the gun that you shoot the best. Just make sure you pick a model that is known to be reliable if you can.

Here's where I'll get flamed:
I think that the following guns are more reliable on average than many 1911s
HK
Sig
XD
Glock

If I was going to buy a new 1911 it would be Colt, Springfield, or S&W - and certainly NOT a custom 1911, unless I wanted a BBQ gun to impress my friends with.
 
1911A1 in the hands of an expert.Nothing is quicker into action than the 1911.The .45 also packs legendary power.
 
I don't know how you define "best"
but if its all around reliability, GENERAL accuracy , ammo availability, and cost, then a Glock 17 or 19 is the obvious choice.
If I am a cop, I would carry a Glock 22 , for obvious reasons.
If I am at a bullseye match , then I would want a nice 1911 for accuracy.
Application is key.
The right tool for the right job. A Glock for a cop, a 1911 for competition., a 12 ga for home defense.
 
Whatever's in your holster or on your person when you need a handgun.
Click to expand...



You hear that a lot, no offense but I always thought it was a goofy answer.
 
I think that if you take a look around the world you will find five basic designs that serve a great portion of the worlds handgun needs and they are:

1. The FN/Browning High Power, still in use just about everywhere there are roads.

2. The Walther P38/P1/P4/P5-Beretta 92/Taurus M92/Vektor Z-88/Giat Pamas G1. Beretta 92s and Walthers crop up in most places the Browning isn't in widespread use.
They all share basic design parameters that make them more similar than you might think.

3.Glock handguns: All calibers, but the nine still reigns supreme in overall numbers.

4. CZ-75/85 and all the clones.
Even the new Russian handgun the 'Grach' and the Romanian service handgun are based on this design.
This handgun is fast catching on as a viable replacement for the Browning High Powers. They are capable of lasting just as long with minimal maintenance.

5. The 1911/1911A1.
Not near as common as they were twenty five years ago, there are still oodles of them from several manufacturers floating around all over the world, from the Americas to coastal Asia and Africa.
The only place these don't seem popular is Europe.
Even the Com-Bloc countries like them and they do show up there from time to time.

The H&K USP may well make this list but it hasn't got there yet, Keep trying Hockler!

I know guys are going to complain that I haven't mentioned the Tokarev or the Makarov or the PP/PPKs or the,,,,whatever.

Those five basic designs listed are the most prevelant COMBAT handguns.

Twenty years ago I could have mentioned but one major combat handgun and it would, of course, be the FN High Power, but the times, they are a changing.
 
Wow this is a loaded question! The "Best" for me: my 1911 (Kimber). I shoot it better than anything else. If I was arming an army? I would look at a Glock, Sig, Springfield, S&W polymer type weapon in .45 ACP or 9mm. Simpler arm and more adaptable to smaller hands. I would look at the 9mm due to more shots in the gun and simply put, a handgun is a piss poor replacement for a rifle in combat. I'd get the best deal and the money saved would be spent on the best longgun for my troops.
 
Easy

Glock 19 - all round reliability/concealability/accuracy in a calibre easily obtainable/widely distributed.

Don't get me wrong - I like my 1911 pattern handguns. But in terms of going "BANG" everytime, my G19 tops them.

The proof is in the real world. When I had to evac from Galveston during Rita a couple of years ago, guess what two handguns I carried? My SP 101 and my Glock 19. When the chips were down and if I had to use them in a social situation, I knew I could rely on them.
 
When I think "combat", I don't think "pistol."

When I think "Last ditch effort to save my ass", then I'm thinking "pistol."
 
Alright Im kidding. Really, Im not sure which gun could be considered the very best. There are many fine choices. I like the 1911, but not many countries use it anymore, so , while it may be the best of all time, I dont know if it would qualify as TODAY's best.
 
When I think combat, I would have to say Glock, but I am still partial to my 1911's same as everyone else.

+1 on G17
 
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