What is the best combat handgun in use today?

[brasskeeper]

S&W X-frame 460 magnum

now really

economy wise = Glock 17

But my pick will always be 1911 45acp


by the way I'm keeping score the following four replies are the best so far:

#1

1895 Nagant. You hand it to your enemy, then laugh as he ruptures himself trying to fire DA.

#2

I'd like even one citation from a German source on that

#3

there mountain of corpses due to
Pointy sticks
unfenced swiming pools
industrial lathe accidents
unfortunate care bear related decapitations
squirells
Time.

#4

Davis .25

 

[Choclabman]

Double.. Sorry

 

[Choclabman]

Fishman,

1911's are fine pistols. The problem is that people want bulls-eye accuracy from a combat handgun. When you start tightening up the tolerances, you jeopardize reliability.
I have seen sloppy fitting SA 5" Mil-Spec run 100% with no cleaning with all types ball and HP, while a TRS started choking hard around 800 rounds.
I do not need, bulls-eye accuracy in a SD pistol. Ever wonder why a Glock just keeps going and going. The tolerance's are very loose.
For SD, give me a 1911 that is what some would call sloppy, and I'm happy.

 

[IndridCold]

USP .45 Tactical...

 

[Fishman777]

Thanks Choclabman...

Thanks for clearing the 1911 "issue" up for me. I'm really more of a revolver guy, but I've always really liked 1911s.

I assumed that the reliability problems were due to either design or manufacturing defects. It is good to hear that the 1911s can be reliable without having to send them out to a smith. Maybe I'll still get a 1911 down the road.

 

[GLOOB]

Any reliable .45

45 cal has 61% more cross sectional surface area than 9mm, which means quicker incapacitation with FMJ.

Let's put this into perspective. If you took ten shots of FMJ at a BG in a combat scenario where he is fighting back - thus, you are not able to walk up behind him and place a shot in his CNS or heart - (and pretend that you could shoot both guns with equal accuracy and speed) a .45 cal would have a greater chance of damaging a major artery and would do 61% more damage to lung, liver, and small arteries on non-vital hits.

There is a reason bow hunters use broadheads when hunting.

Ok, so throw hollowpoints into the mix. This closes the gap, but 9mm hollowpoints still don't expand as large as the middleweight .45 cal bullets. (But the .40's are pretty much identical!) And performance through bone may not be as good.

 

[jleatherneck]

Wake up! The 45 is King and Glock is the most reliable handgun ever made. Glocks are accurate enough for combat use. The Glock 21 has a 13 + 1 capacity. Nothing more needs to be said. Remember we are not talking about a CCW weapon but a Combat weapon.

 

[Rinspeed]

Wake up! The 45 is King and Glock is the most reliable handgun ever made.

Been drinking some of that kool aid I see.

 

[Craft714]

The one you have in your hand when the Sh*# hits the fan.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

whatever gun i can grab. it doesn't matter if tis a glock or a hi-point if your in the heat of battle you dont care about what ever gun you have as long as it works.

 

[Anonymous Coward]

The Ithaca Auto and Burglar.

In 12 gauge.

 

[Ala Dan]

1911's, SIG's, H&K's, Glocks for sure~! Springfield XD's are on the rise.

Revolver wise- Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Ruger are names that lead the way.

 

[abrink]

I'd have to say the browning hi-power. It's a proven design and available in both 9mm and .40S&W. Superb reliability and good COMBAT accuracy. Not the best target gun though.

 

[MarcusWendt]

Hmm, the title says the best combat handgun in use today, but then you talk about economy.

If you want a good budget gun, I think the M&P, XD, or Glock are all decent economy guns.

I really don't think there is a "best". I think there are many that are very good. What might be best for you might not be best for me. For me, right now, the best would be a Sig P226 or an M&P

 

[NGIB]

Jeez, another 1911 vs Glock thread.

The best combat handgun is the one you have nearby when you need it.

At the end of the day all a handgun is to a soldier is a stopgap until they can find a rifle. I have my personal favorites as well but I do try to stay objective and not exhibit a nearly religious fervor for any particular type...

 

[JShirley]

what is the most accurate, reliable, and economical handgun

You can't have all that. The most accurate will not be the most reliable, and the most economical will not be either of the first two (in all probability).

Glocks are good compromise weapons, with the advantage of simplicity. Remember a sidearm is never the "go to" weapon if you're planning on a fight. Even a submachine gun is better.

John

 

[JShirley]

Wake up! The 45 is King and Glock is the most reliable handgun ever made. Glocks are accurate enough for combat use.

King of what? Any rifle cartridge will be more effective.

The Glock 21 has a 13 + 1 capacity. Nothing more needs to be said. Remember we are not talking about a CCW weapon but a Combat weapon.

Hm. I can think of some things that could be said...like the grip size of the 21, which is too large for many people. If we are talking about a "combat weapon" we should be talking about a longarm. "Wake up".

John

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Based on my personal experience.

Hard to go wrong with Glock--Sig---Beretta 92---Ruger--yes Ruger or S&W.

1911's are too tempermental and HK's have weak magazine springs---which rules either of these two out----and YES --I've owned both.

 

[Ske1etor]

1911A1 Government model .45ACP. No bells and whistles. Only upgrades should be flared and lowered ejection port, memory bump on grip safety, skeletonized hammer and 8 round magazines.

The hammer upgrade just makes it look better so I guess that would be called a "Bell and/or whistle..."

They helped defeat Hitler and his box-o-monkey's so I would assume they can handle whatever joe blow you may come into contact with. Ill take my chances with the tried and true...

 

[Blue02Formula]

XD's are as reliable as a Glock with better ergonomics and a better safety. That is why I spent my money on an XD40 service model.

 

[Tamren]

If I were to carry a handgun in a situation I knew for certain I'd need to start shooting, I'd 2nd the Kel Tec PLR-16. Just with a stock, a red dot sight, and a drum mag. Of course, at that point it would be closer to a SMG then a pistol....


OT, my first pick for a weapon to carry into a gun fight would be a Mossberg 590. Out of the various weapons I've handled I shoot a pump 12 gauge faster and more accurately then anything else I've gotten my hands on.

 

[the_fallguy]

I agree with the reasoning of the OP. The Glock 17 would be my choice for the same reasons.

 

[sprice]

it has to be a .45

a colt 1911, or a custom 1911 would be in my top ten- but i think the number one gun would be a heckler and koch hk45 or hk45c (c for compact) it holds 10 rnds and the combat for concealed carry holds 8. the others on my list of pistols to get are a glock 19 9mm, sig p226 in 9mm, and a glock 29 in 10mm. for concealed carry when the shot is going to be just 6 meters away id want a smith and wesson j-frame, its light and concealable and a 357 mag will do its job in that range anyday. a springfield xd or xdm isnt a bad choice either.

 

[Doc_Jude]

SEAL Team Six ran S&W 66's and apparently 686's. I would say that puts the 686 somewhere in the running against the 1911 & the G17...

Hey, I'll take all three! That's a SHTF armory right there, you got all your bases covered if you actually want to drop someone, and then you can load your G17 with "anemic" 9mm, right?

 

[North of 49th]

Best COMBAT handgun- A full sized Glock (caliber could vary but I would lean toward 9x19mm). I think all of the reasons have been already stated here more than once. I must also say that a good 1911 would be my second choice followed by a Ruger GP-100. The revolver i would choose simply for it's indestructibility and the increased possibility for it to "bang".