What is the best combat handgun in use today?

[golden]

My choice

BERETTA 92 & 96
GLOCK 19
H&K P2000
SIG 226

In my use of the above pistols, they were all more reliable than the 1911, weighed less and in the case of the BERETTA and SIG, were more accurate.

Jim

 

[usnavydoc]

In my opinion,

in 9mm - beretta m9
in 40 - sig 226
in 45 - hk 45

 

[gglass]

Best non-polymer 1911A1

Best polymer - M&P 45 or M&P 9 (caliber knockdown vs caliber compatibility)

I'm sure that most Glock fanboys think the above image is a compliment.

 

[ericyp]

I think if a lot of gun guys had their way, our military would still be equipped with 1911's and garands.

 

[FoMoGo]

Nah... 1911s and M-14s.


Jim

 

[Zathras01]

Colt defender for me..Lightwieght, with the punch and knockdown necessary
when I need it.

 

[Mello]

The problem with the Glock is its trigger pull. It simply can not be made to function as cleanly as a 1911. The Glock's relatively long sloppy trigger pull keeps it from have the same consistency and accuracy that a 1911 can have.

A high capacity 1911 like para-ordinace can match the reliability and number of shots ready in the firearm as compared to a full size Glock.

I have been to Gunsite many times. I shot the 499 course with both the 10mm Glock and the Colt Delta Elite in 10mm. I did better with the Delta Elite. I actually earned the Expert ticket with the Delta Elite which was their highest level of award. I have consistently seen 1911 shooters outshoot Glock, HK, and Baretta shooters. Not always but mostly.

Police departments tend to chose the Glock over the 1911 because they shudder at officers carrying a 1911 cocked and locked. Some see that as too aggressive. Also, it takes a bit more training; and therefore money, to get officers up to the same minimum level of competency with a 1911 because of the thumb safety and grip safety. They have to be taught muscle memory (highly repetitious drills) to place their hand on their weapon so that the grip safety is always disengaged, and also have to be taught to always place their thumb on top of the thumb safety and when to disengage that before shooting. It seems like a small thing but it take lots of repetitions to get it to where it is second nature. Most departments see no upside to spending that money on what they see as extra training.

Admittedly the difference is small between what can be done with a Glock and a 1911 that shoot the same round. Probably most important is the self-confidence that the shooter has in their ability with their chosen firearm (assuming that they are realistic in their self-assessment).

 

[wickedsprint]

If the enemy is far enough away that the extra accuracy afforded by a 1911 would make a difference, you should have been using your rifle.

 

[Rinspeed]

If the enemy is far enough away that the extra accuracy afforded by a 1911 would make a difference, you should have been using your rifle.

If you have a rifle and it's not jammed there's not much reason you should have your pistol out.

 

[Robocop]

1) Glock 22
2) Beretta 96D
3) 1911A1 (tweeked out)

 

[mgregg85]

I'll take an XD45 or an XDm in 9mm.

 

[Pat S]

I'd pick a Glock in a compact or full size gun. I've seen too many 1911s choke(mine being one of them) to trust them for a self defense weapon.

 

[againstthagrane]

glock 17

 

[againstthagrane]

It is a bit disengenuous to say that a double-stack 9mm has more damage potential than a .45 single stack. Add up the actual weight of the bullets (115 gr vs 230 gr) and actual cm3 of tissue damage potential and see if the difference is really that lopsided?

why are you comparing the lightest for caliber rounds (115gr) to the heaviest for caliber rounds (230gr)?

1911 vs glock
glock 17=17x115=1,955gr 1911=8x180=1,440gr

glock 17=17x147=2,499gr 1911=8x230=1,840gr

either way the glock comes out on top as far as "stopping potential"

not that any of what i wrote means anything if you can't hit what you're aiming at.

 

[againstthagrane]

I also believe the 9mm to be 'good enough' in the man-stopping department when using premuim defensive hollow-points. BUT REMEMBER, we are still pretending to follow the Hague Accords (which we never actually signed) which means that when our soldiers carry a double-stack anything in 9mm, it will be loaded with 115 gr fmj. At least if it were a .45, 230 gr hardball is a well-proven manstopper. And yes, while I prefer 1911s, I would obviously take another good .45, such as a USP, a Glock 21, etc.

military 9mm is 124 +P+, it's a little different than 115 WWB.

 

[Meeteetse]

Glock 17 or 19
Glock 21sf or 30sf

 

[Clarence]

A good 1911 chambered in .45 ACP is the best combat handgun in use today.

IMO

 

[ERDOC]

Best ?

I think you would have to define your concept of best.They are too many fine
handguns out there today that would tie in being the best.

Best is in the eyes of the beholder/shooter.What works for one person,may not work for another.

If you had said popular,according to sales figures,I think the answer would be easy to look up!
Doc

 

[The Reverend]

The best handgun for me is the one that gets me to my Remington 870... period.

 

[Dogbite]

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.
-----------------------------
Excellent response. This gentleman knows what he is talking about.

 

[whited]

.

"combat" handguns to me =

"military and LE issue" =

"simple, reliable, and affordable" =

Glock 17 or 19

 

[Hk Dan]

<g> The BEST combat handgun? That's the one you have in your hand when the combat starts.


Dan

 

[inSight-NEO]

Id have to go with a Sig (mainly the P220 and P226 variants) or a 1911.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

out of all my guns my Wilson combat 1911.

 

[Black Dime]

What Hotfuzz said.

Or the one you can shoot reliabily and accurately.

Light carry: Colt Commander

Special purpose: Colt National Match (not a Gold Cup)

Elephants: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 4 5/8" barrel. Handloads.