Best is completely subjective. Best craftsmanship? Materials? Finish? Value? Price? Weight? Accuracy? Size? Caliber? Round count? Ease of operation? Dependability? Durability? Availability? Collectable? Nonstandard? Ubiquitous? Rare? For me a $3000 pistol is far less desirable than a $4-500 pistol that does exactly what I want it to. They are tools. For others the criteria is very different.
Best made American Auto
- Thread starter gsparesa
- Start date
I have been lurking and reading the responses. I asked for your opinion and I believe I got it. When I asked about the firearm being American made, I initiallly meant American designed American owned and American manufactured. However, since this is a global economy and I would be classified as "joe six-pack", a firearm manufactured in America would definitely be qualified as American made. When I asked about the best, I was looking for the best all around multi purpose pistol that was manufactured with the best quality. I was also looking for the best reliability and the best accuracy. I wanted to compare what was available here in California to what free American with more choices thought was the best. So far, I don't believe we Californians are missing much. I was puzzled about the Hi-point response and why that person thought it was the best? Maybe it is the best for a gang-banger?
HighValleyRanch
New member
Not missing much?????
Here in California we are missing a ton of newer models that have been coming out, but will never see the light of day in CA.
There have been no newly approved guns for over three years, and never will be due to the micro stamping requirement.
This means that anything on the list is out of date, and in many cases, unavailable. Yes, for example a Springfield 1911 might be on the list, but finding that particular model down to the product code will be impossible, as it is over six years old (approved and then renewed each year) and the industry has moved on to newer models with different product numbers that are not on the list.
Each new model has to be newly approved, so that is not going to happen.
I stopped reading and researching the new models just because it is so frustrating. And when you finally do find model you want that is not on the approved list, and can purchase it as second hand, face to face, it's either not in your area, or the seller has jacked the price up so high, it's unreasonable.
For example, a Beretta PX storm compact in the rest of the country goes for 550.00, but the only model I've seen for over six months is going for 900.00 because it is so rare in California!
Here in California we are missing a ton of newer models that have been coming out, but will never see the light of day in CA.
There have been no newly approved guns for over three years, and never will be due to the micro stamping requirement.
This means that anything on the list is out of date, and in many cases, unavailable. Yes, for example a Springfield 1911 might be on the list, but finding that particular model down to the product code will be impossible, as it is over six years old (approved and then renewed each year) and the industry has moved on to newer models with different product numbers that are not on the list.
Each new model has to be newly approved, so that is not going to happen.
I stopped reading and researching the new models just because it is so frustrating. And when you finally do find model you want that is not on the approved list, and can purchase it as second hand, face to face, it's either not in your area, or the seller has jacked the price up so high, it's unreasonable.
For example, a Beretta PX storm compact in the rest of the country goes for 550.00, but the only model I've seen for over six months is going for 900.00 because it is so rare in California!
Among the polymer guns, I believe S&W M&P is the best. Fit, feel in the hand, features, function, reliability, accuracy are all top notch. Sometimes the triggers can benefit from a change to an Apex sear, but then - awesome triggers as well. Quick and easy mod making for a great trigger pull.
Glock makes a solid, reliable gun and they were once the landmark polymer design. But these days, I'd say M&P, HK VP, SIG P320, and Walther PPQ have made the Glock design seem a little bit crude and out-of-date.
Glock makes a solid, reliable gun and they were once the landmark polymer design. But these days, I'd say M&P, HK VP, SIG P320, and Walther PPQ have made the Glock design seem a little bit crude and out-of-date.
This is a great example of how diverse "best" can be. A new $150 pistol with a lifetime, no question asked warranty may be the best for some. For someone with limited resources who shoots a few rounds and then puts it in a drawer for home defense this may be a great option. For others it's a complete waste of money.
You're in California... why not buy a California-made gun?
An Auto Mag in .44 or .357 AMP, an Automag III in .30 in .30 Carbine or 9mm Winchester Magnum, an Automag IV in .45 Winchester Magnum, or an Automag V in .50 Action Express.
The Automag III gets overlooked among the big boomers, but it's a sweetie.
An Auto Mag in .44 or .357 AMP, an Automag III in .30 in .30 Carbine or 9mm Winchester Magnum, an Automag IV in .45 Winchester Magnum, or an Automag V in .50 Action Express.
The Automag III gets overlooked among the big boomers, but it's a sweetie.
North East Redneck
New member
S&W M&P models are very nice. The sear/trigger upgrades make them great.
gsparesa: said:
IMHO, the DW Pointman 7 is the best value 1911 on the market, I wouldn't trade my own DW Valor for one but I'd certainly like to have one, these are fairly difficult to find since DW doesn't build a lot of these, so the dealers don't get many and the few they do get don't stay on the shelf for long. I remember the CZ Custom Shop had one on their website a while back which was sold by the time I could contact them about it. OP, you just made a great pistol choice here!
Pukindog12
New member
FNH.