Make, model, cailber, enhancements, etc.
2007-03-19 20:02:14 · 12 answers · asked by rliwinsky 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
There really is no BEST semi-auto handgun. Personally I own all Glocks, they are extremely high quality and reliability. While a Glock is a top of the line handgun, I'd also trust anything made by H & K, Beretta, Sig Sauer, or Springfield Armory.
As far as the caliber, it depends on your needs. If you are strictly target shooting, a 9mm is a solid choice (low recoil, cheap ammo). I would not, however, get a 9mm for personal defense. For smaller persons or women a 9mm might be the only option because some people cannot handle the recoil of a larger caliber.
A 10mm or .45 ACP are ideal for personal defense. If it means your life, you want to stop the threat immediately, and either of these will do the job effectively. Between the two, .45 ACP would be the best for most people because 10mm's are very hard to come by and the ammo extremely hard to find.
Unless you have absolutely no other choice, do not get anything smaller than a 9mm for personal defense, and only a 9mm if you cannot handle the recoil of something larger. Calibers like the .22, .25, .32, .380, etc will most likely not stop a threat without several rounds, and even then might not stop it.
An option between the .45ACP and the 9mm would be the .40 caliber. Most law enforcement agencies carry the .40. It has a higher magazine capacity than a .45ACP, and much more stopping power than a 9mm. In my opinion the .40 is the best of both worlds. I personally own a Glock 27, 23, 22, and 35....all the .40 caliber models Glock makes. The smaller model 27 is ideal for concealed carry and as a backup weapon (I work in law enforcement). The 22 is the full size model and the 23 is sized between the 22 and 27. The model 35 I use for competition shooting (longer, compensated barrel, lighter trigger pull), but is not practical for every day use due to its length. If I had to choose only one handgun, it would be the Glock Model 23.
2007-03-19 21:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by Bryan _ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So far no one is steering you wrong. All auto-loaders mentioned are excellent handguns, from the 1911 to the Ruger to the Beretta 92. MY vote, however, goes to the Glock.
Why? Well, it is user-friendly, accurate, ultra durable, high capacity and available in numerous calibers from the .9mm to the magnum class .10mm AND it is available in three sizes. If the Glock has any thing going against it, it is that it is a little bit too thick around the grip for some people. Okay, some people say it is ugly, but 'ugly' in a way one can learn to love. I'll never forget arresting two crack-heads that had just robbed an old man in a wheelchair at gun point. Once secured in the backseat of my patrol car one had the audacity to say about my Glock Model 20 .10mm: "...that's the biggest, baddest, ugliest gun I have ever seen!!!" Gotta love it! LOL!
H
2007-03-20 10:56:17 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bound's hubby here:
BEST is a very subjective term. Part of that depends on the mission of the handgun. The best .22 semi-auto target pistol? Hands down, the Smith & Wesson Model 41. The best semi-auto for concealed carry personal defense is a Seecamp .32 auto. The best large bore, semi-auto for target, for self-defense or as a duty weapon? An M1911 in .45 auto. All of these pistols are generally outstanding out of the box, without enhancements. I would lean toward the older Colts and Springfield Armory .45s. Given high quality ammunition, they will function reliably as long as the shooter does not "limp-wrist" the pistol.
Good luck.
2007-03-20 07:37:36 · answer #3 · answered by gonefornow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best Combat Pistol overall is the Beretta 92F. The US Air Force tested some pistols to adopt a new one. The Beretta was best in their tests. The US Army stepped in and said that the Air Force must use the same pistol that the other services use. They tested many pistols, and they found that the Beretta was best too, so it was adopted as the new US service pistol called M9 in 1985. I also tested many pistols and wrote a book from my notes. I owned a Beretta 92SB and a Beretta 92F(SBF), and they proved to be best overall in my years of testing. Some pistols beat them in some areas. The CZ-75 is more accurate and better in quick draw, so I carry it often.
2007-03-20 10:22:57 · answer #4 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Colt M1911 is typically reguarded as the best semi. .45 acp. Personally, I like Baretta's 92 and Springfield Armory's XD9 4" 9mm.
2007-03-20 03:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by Benjamin B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am very fond of my Colt, series 70, .45 ACP. It was my duty gun for years. My Taurus 745, compact .45 ACP is my off duty/concealed carry gun.
Both are semi autos, both are .45 ACP, but they are still very different guns because they have very different roles. Can't really pick a BEST semi auto; too many variables. That's why I have several semi autos.
2007-03-20 03:56:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plain jane 1911 "GI" .45 can't be beat. Ask the Marine Force Recon and Special Forces soldiers who still use it.
Miketyson26
2007-03-20 15:15:57 · answer #7 · answered by miketyson26 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A glock is good but ugly as sin. a clunky peice of plastic...go to the gun store or show and handle some...put a Kimber or S&W in your hand...Nice...I have several Rugar 22s...love them.. also a ss Tauras 38 5 shot...Had a Glock 17,Hated it..
2007-03-20 11:18:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any 1911. The only enhancement you need is a Beaver tail and night sights.
2007-03-22 00:57:04 · answer #9 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ruger is my favorite, .22 for cheap target shooting they are accurate and easy. A 9mm for just about anything else, the ammo is relatively cheap, the gun itself can be much less expensive than the other brands mentioned, ive always found them easy to take care of and quite reliable.
2007-03-20 09:57:19 · answer #10 · answered by tomhale138 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋