best guns in pistol calibers

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breakthrough

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please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain.
 
please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm.
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While some will take the oportunity to turn this into a popularity contest, and others will make it much more complicated than it needs to be, the answer is quite simple.
The ones that YOU shoot the best, are reliable, you have confidence in, and can afford!
The most important thing is that you try several that you select from makes, and models you like. Don't befooled by price either. Mane top of the line, high end guns aren't anything sugnificantly better than less costly name brand guns.
 
"please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain."

and lets not forget.....which one is the cheapest.......
 
Wow. This is such a loaded question. Not specific of a question. You could have hundreds of choices, depending on the need, want and usage. Good luck.
 
The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain."
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That describes pretty much most guns out there these days. Some are simpler than others, but very few of them are actually what I would call complicated. Accuracy is much more about the shooter than the gun, with slight advantages to be had based on how well the gun fits your hand.
With your criteria, the modern gun world is your oyster.
 
For the .45 Auto, the 1911 is the clear winner. It's been around for over a century.

For the 9 Luger I'd go with one of the oldest extant Wonder Nines, the Beretta 92 or the CZ 75. Both came out in 1975.

Reharding .40 S&W and 10 Auto, who cares? The FBI walked away from both.
 
9mm: Sig X-Five, X-Six

.40: Sig X-Five, X-Six

45: One of the high-end custom 1911's made by Ed Brown

10mm: Tanfoglio Limited

Those are the best of breed, in my opinion. Some may argue that the new Sig 10mm is better than the Tanfoglio, but I opted for the Tanfoglio because they are proven in competition with heavy round count, and they have significantly higher capacity.

Some may also argue that the P210 is better than the X-Five. I like the capacity of the X-Five and it feels more balanced to me. Accuracy....I couldn't tell you which is better b/t the X5 and the P210.

There's a hundred and one "custom" or semi-custom 1911 .45's. Many are fantastic. Ed Brown is consistently good. I'm sure there are others that might be just as good.
 
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limnophile said:
The FBI walked away from both.
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Who cares about 1911's, Beretta 92's, and CZ 75's? The FBI walked away from all of them.

The FBI walked away from DA/SA designs like the CZ75 and Beretta 92 because the transition from DA to SA after the first shot has proven to be far less than optimal.

The FBI walked away from SA designs like the 1911 due to training issues. Under pressure and without dedicated training, it's very easy to leave the safety on when you want it off or leave the safety off when you want it on.

If you believe that the politically motivated FBI is the final answer in firearms, I pity you.
 
IMHO, the FBI "dumbs-down" their weapon choice so that weak and inferior shooters can manage the weapon. FBI - prime example of political correctness run amuck. Thank heaven we ignorant civilians aren't regulated by FBI geniuses when it comes to our gun choices.
 
Skans IMHO, the FBI "dumbs-down" their weapon choice so that weak and inferior shooters can manage the weapon. FBI - prime example of political correctness run amuck. Thank heaven we ignorant civilians aren't regulated by FBI geniuses when it comes to our gun choices.
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I would agree but i wouldnt say its due to political correctness. They can only work with what they have, when you look at their qualifications, how many gun enthusiasts actually fit those qualifications, they dont really have a choice of hiring gun enthusiasts, so they are left with non enthusiasts having to carry a weapon.

They could correct that, but Congress would never allocate the monies ncessary to train to a hi level, which to me would mean shooting at least weekly..
 
True statements here

45_auto said:
Who cares about 1911's, Beretta 92's, and CZ 75's? The FBI walked away from all of them.

The FBI walked away from DA/SA designs like the CZ75 and Beretta 92 because the transition from DA to SA after the first shot has proven to be far less than optimal.

The FBI walked away from SA designs like the 1911 due to training issues. Under pressure and without dedicated training, it's very easy to leave the safety on when you want it off or leave the safety off when you want it on.

If you believe that the politically motivated FBI is the final answer in firearms, I pity you.
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So true!

Cheapshooter said:
While some will take the opportunity to turn this into a popularity contest, and others will make it much more complicated than it needs to be, the answer is quite simple.
The ones that YOU shoot the best, are reliable, you have confidence in, and can afford!
The most important thing is that you try several that you select from makes, and models you like. Don't be-fooled by price either. Mane top of the line, high end guns aren't anything significantly better than less costly name brand guns.
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Best advice given, I second this statement!:)
 
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Glock is the only real option for a decent 10mm. Might as well keep them all in the Glock family.

I've owned pretty much all of them, I still own several examples of other brands, but if my life were on the line I'm reaching for a Glock regardless of caliber.
 
I am reading that glocks in .40 s&w do not have sufficient chamber support - really don't know exactly what that means. can someone explain please.
 
breakthrough said:
please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain.
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Gun blogs debate this issue ad infinitum. Huge arguments ensue regarding Glock, Sig, HK, S&W, and any number of other brands. The one thing I can tell you absolutely for sure is that there is no answer that people will agree on. Law enforcement officers, military, and various "gun experts" will have different opinions.
 
I am reading that glocks in .40 s&w do not have sufficient chamber support - really don't know exactly what that means. can someone explain please.
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A search of this forum, or a google search of the internet will provide much information.
Basically the feed ramp on earlier Glock barrels was cut into the chamber deep enough that it left a portion of the case exposed, or "unsupported". With a high pressure cartridge such as the 40 S&W the gap allows a buldge in the case. That works, or softens the brass in that area when run through a special reloading die to remove the buldge resulting in a weak spot in the brass. Coupled with guys trying to turn their perfectly capable 40 into a 10MM, the case can blow out at the weak point. Also, some of the boutique ammo companies that cater to those folks that don't understand what maximum pressure means load so called "+P" rounds that are above industry standards. Particularly for rounds that have no SAAMI +P rating.
Basically, use factory standard ammo from reputable manufacturers, don't reload buldged cases, and don't try to push a 40 S&W to +P, or "magnum" levels, and there is no problem.
 
Glock for all except the 40. Ditch the 40 from the list. It's time has come and gone (ducking for cover! :D).

It's 9mm and 45 ACP for carry guns. 10 mm for outdoor guns and furries.
 
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