Statistically speaking, what is the best handgun?

M

Makoe

New member
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is the overall best gun based on these specifications? Smallest size, most power, highest capacity, and best reliability and endurance?

It doesn't have to be your favorite gun, but "on paper" what is the best handgun out there?
I know this will probably end up getting a lot of "get the right tool for the job" answers, but thats ok =)
 
I would have to say the Glock 19 is the best on paper and a fine firearm in the real world. It's not my personal favorite though...
 
Best on paper

Since you didn't say past or present. I would conclude on a historical basis, the Luger, the 1911A1 and the Browning Hi Power.

The Luger gets it, the first "modern" self-loading pistol. What I mean by modern is that it has a detachable magazine and its relatively easy to maintain, albeit not as fault tolerant as its successors and it was the first to use the most popular pistol cartridge the world has ever known: the 9mm Parabellum.


The 1911A1 is next because it set the standards by which all other pistols are judged. The U.S. Military used it for 80+ years and in some units still do. The 1911A1 and its variants are still in use by militaries the world over.


The Browning Hi Power, a pistol I know well, since I owned one. Its lineage from the 1911A1 is obvious, with some subtle improvements, such as dispensing with the swinging barrel link in favor of a locking lug; This concept is used in most self-loaders today. Like the 1911A1, it too was and is still in use all over the world. Most in the free world has or still uses this as its sidearm.
 
If you think the G30 is that good, why wouldn't you want one?
No need, or do you not like how it feels, or what?
 
Regarding the comments about the Glock 30 - I must say I feel the same way about the Glock 29 (which is virtually identical except it is in 10mm). It is compact, lightweight, durable, reliable, powerful, high-capacity (for it's size) etc. It sounds nearly perfect. But every time I hold one, I just don't like the feel. I keep talking myself into one based on the specifications and reputation...then I handle one and just can't make myself like it. I've now done this three or four times over the past couple of years. It sounds great on paper, but (to me at least) looks and feels like it was rough-sawn from a 2x4.

Doug
 
Well if small size is wanted the Glock 33 is nearly unbeatable. WIth Leo mags it holds 11 +1 with standard mags its 9+1. Its accurate, powerfull and very small and hits like a 357 mag revolver.
PAT
 
Sorry auto owners.

The most versital handgun and powerful for its size is the .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson 686.

seven shots, most effective round, reliable, simple, not ammo sensitive, large variety of different loads available. Barrel legnths 2 1/2, four, and six cataloged.

Try spraying your Glock with Gun scrubber. Steel still rules.

BTW I do not own a 686. I have to make do with a couple of 27s and 65s. I don't feel under gunned with six rounds.

Must be something about being able to hit my intended target;)

Cheers,

ts
 
Assuming that they go bang every time you pull the trigger, it would be the Taurus Millennium chambered in .45 ACP. Ten rounds in a very small 23 oz package is very hard to beat.

pt145newammo.jpg


Robert
 
"Try spraying your Glock with Gun scrubber. Steel still rules."
Ironically enough, I have, several times =)
Its only a certain plastic that reacts badly.
Such as the grip pieces on my llama 380, turns them to goo
 
The best handgun is the one that fits your hand well, that you can shoot with accuracy, and one that you can handle the recoil. On paper is just that...on paper. On paper bumblebees can't fly, but they do. I would rather have my Ruger 22/45 in a crisis situation than almost any other handgun. Why? Because I know it well, I know where the safety is and I can pop the eyeball out of a rabbit at 25 steps with it. Get a gun you can shoot and don't worry whether or not it's the best on paper, worry whether or not it's the best for you.
 
Makoe
No mystery. I just don't care for it. The little buggers sure are accurate though. If Ohio ever gets a CCW law passed I might change my mind.
 
BMWGS80

I am spraying gun scrubber on my glock as we speak and its having no ill effect. By the way the 686 is not as verstile as the 629. The 686 will not stop a bear and its only good for medium game. The 44 with the right loads is much more versatile. But who cares about that stuff. My Glock 31 is just as powerfull as your 686 given an equal barrel length. With a 4.5 inch barrel it pushes a 125 grain bullet at 1450. My glock will do anything I can imagine doing with your wheel gun.
PAT
 
Greeting's Again All,

I don't think any one gun would fit all your categories. For instance, what may be right
for me; may not suit your requirement's? With that
said, I'm going to vote for my much beloved Sig-
Sauer P220A in .45ACP; for one main reason: RELIABILITY, as all the other criteria
really doesn't matter!!!:D:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.


MOLON LABE!!!
 
I am a Statistician, so all my posts are "statistically speaking." :D

Your question can't be answered because the solution (best gun) will be different depending on how you weigh the importance of the various criteria you set out--the criteria have to be traded off against one another, e.g., size and number of rounds. Also, you've left off an important--if not the most important--criterion, Fit to the Hand (fancy term: ergonomics).

Lastly, your post suggests that your primary interest is carry for self-defense, not competition, but you didn't state that explicitly.

Having said all this, now the answer: Glock 19!
 
"Statistically speaking..."

Statistically speaking, of course, I do not believe there has been more of any currently produced handgun manufactured than the 1911A1 and it's many variants and clones.

Statistically speaking, I guess that would be the one that counts.

"There's lies, there's damn lies, and there's statistics."--Will Rogers
 
Given all the disclaimers about you can't do this properly and the statistics won't bear out and all that, I have to say, I think you're talking about the Glock M29! 11 rounds of 10mm (on paper, balistically superior to the .45...take that you old farts! ;)) in a tight, simple-to-operate, well-designed and proven package that you can hammer nails with in a pinch. The bang-per-pound is very very high.

Now if you want recommendations on a personal CCW gun, that's far more complicated. I carry the 29, myself...but if I can get the money together someday here, I'll be carrying a Dane Burns 1911 (see, I'm not all modern and heartless!).

- Gabe
 
Robert the41MagFan is the first person I've seen who'd said anything nice about the Taurus PT145 (I was thinking about getting one myself until I read all the posts on it and the other millenium guns in these forums) :)


To say though that one handgun is the "best" is kind of a stretch...it's kind of like saying what pizza is the best.

There's just too many variables to say one is the best. You just have to wrap your fingers around as many as you can and figure out for yourself what makes a particular handgun the best for you.
 
Arguably the 3 most made pistols in the world are the SW Model 10, the Colt 1911 and all its clones, and the Browning hi-power.

Those are 3 weapons by which all others are judged. Statisicly there are higher capacity weapons, some smaller, some cheaper etc. There are few things more reliable than a model 10. Capacity matters less to a new shooter since we are resticted to 10 shots on new MFG weapons. Sure a glock 21 holds 13, but its hard to find a 13 shot mag.

On paper the best looking new gun I've seen is the CZ 97. 10 shots of 45, da/sa trigger, 1911 style controls, slim profile etc. I'd prefer it with an sa trigger only.
 
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