Statistically speaking, what is the best handgun?

Statistically speaking, what is the best handgun?
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 =)


Man, this is so easy.

I have your statistical answer right here!

RGG (relative gun goodness)= (1/(Length + Width + Thickness in inches))x(1/loaded weight in ounces)x(muzzle energy in ft-lbs)x(caliber in milimeters)x(number of rounds in magazine)

For my Glock 20C you get:

RGG= (1/(7.59"+5.47"+1.27"))x(1/39 oz)x(649 ft-lbs)x(10mm)x(15 rnds)= 174

Now that that's settled, time to go cure world hunger... :D
 
Statistically, and I assume we are talking about self-denfense, I think it would have to be a Taurus M85UL revolver loaded with 110-grain, .38 special Federal Hydra-shoks (nasty boogers). It's small. It's lightweight, but not too lightweight like the S&W Airlite. It's fairly accurate. You know it's not going to jamb. The recoil is tame enough to reaquire your target quickly. It's pretty. And the penetration and collateral damage caused by a 110-grain, .38 special Federal Hydra-shok cartridge is plenty sufficient.

I know it only has 5 rounds, but "statistically" the kind of circumstances you might find yourself needing more than 5 rounds is very rare.
 
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So we have some conflicting responses.

A few of your claim that glock makes the "statistically best" handgun.

G19, G29, or G30?

Duke it out =)

Oh, and Castle Bravo, nice formula, you should refine it to add a few other options and do a bunch of guns :)
 
My vote is for the H&K .40 compact. It fits "MY" hand perfect and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. I have Colts, Para Ordnance, Sig,and others but I really like that H&H compact.:cool:
 
Assuming that they go bang every time you pull the trigger...

Well, there you go...that's a pretty ambitious assumption.

The PT-series of Taurus pistols are blatant knock-offs of Kel-Tec designs. That seems to be the operating mode of Taurus...clone something and charge a lesser price for it. Anydody remember the PT-92 and -99 series that followed Beretta's more effective effort in the good ol' US of A?

But the Tauri in the PT-series seem to be much more expensive than the much better Kel-Tec product. Eh! <shrug>
 
My Glock 31 is just as powerfull as your 686 given an equal barrel length.
355sigfan, given an equal barrel length between a Glock 31 and 686. Your Glock would be just as powerful as a 686 stoked with 158 grainers loaded max. Since when??? Maybe you are thinking about a Glock 20? I am not picking on you intentionally, but when you make statements like that you deserve it. The Glock 31 will never have the versatility of a 686 Combat Magnum in its current form. Sling Shot
 
Your Glock would be just as powerful as a 686 stoked with 158 grainers loaded max. Since when???

Who cares about the 158 grainers they are not the good stoppers. With factory 125 grian loads in each caliber my 31 will shoot them just as fast as your 686. ALso what versatility are you talking about. You can fire 38 special I can fire 9mm with a drop in barrel of 40 sw. I can kill medium sized game just as good as you can come on where is the versatility.
PAT
 
AndyP hit the nail on the head. This question can't be answered "statistically speaking". If there are no criteria there can't be a statistical answer. If all criteria are weighted equally you will get a wide variation in size, capacity, etc.

Shake
 
That seems to be the operating mode of Taurus...clone something and charge a lesser price for it. Anydody remember the PT-92 and -99 series that followed Beretta's more effective effort in the good ol' US of A?

In defense of Taurus, they where contracted by Beretta to build M9s in their plant in Brazil, part of the contract agreement is that they could continue to build them under their own name after the contract was completed.
 
Taurus' Millennium series is hardly a "blatant knock-off" of the Kel Tec design. If it is, it is a vast improvement! There may be SOME similarities between the outward appearance of the Millennium series and the Kel Tec design, but that is where the similarities end. Taurus has produced the Millennium pistol in .32 auto, .380, 9x19, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Next, you should expect a .357 Sig version of the pistol. By the way, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Kel Tec has stopped producing the P40.

Taurus’ PT92 is not a CLONE of the Beretta model 92. Taurus WAS indeed under contract to manufacture THE Model 92 at their plant in Brazil, and they have arguably improved on what is regarded to be the most proven semi-auto pistol design of all time. The reason the Taurus is less expensive is due to their more efficient production methods—not their quality, although I think the finish of the Beretta is finer.

Who did Taurus “clone” to produce their PT911, PT957, PT940 and PT945? And whom did Taurus clone when they patented the enviable Taurus Security System? Or the Raging Bull? The truth is, most firearms manufactures would give the world to have Taurus’ production and variety. Only Ruger can claim to produce a larger selection of firearms than Taurus, and with a price as competitive as Taurus, for the quality provided. The idea that Taurus simply produces cheap "knock-offs" of other pistols is outdated and has been proven false.
 
Awe geeze, here we go again...

... but I might as well give my imput. I'd say the Ruger Gp-100. All things being equal it will probably outlast more guns than not, even me! :)


Mike
 
You can fire 38 special I can fire 9mm with a drop in barrel of 40 sw.
355sigfan, extra barrels cost extra money. I do not need to buy an extra barrel. And you still never answered my first post with a reasonable answer. You just blew it off. You need to get it through your thick skull that the .357 Sig is not a .357 Magnum. It just emulates a specific loading of the .357 Mag. Now, with equal barrel lengths, how do you figure that your Glock 31 with 3 barrels is more powerful than my 686 with one barrel? Enquiring minds want to know.
Sling Shot
 
Comparing a 4 inch 686 with 125 grian jhps to a Glock 31 it was found in a recent article by Willey CLapp the fat man himself that the 357 sig had a higher average velocity. From personal expierence 125 grian federlals went 1400 in a Gp100 I used to own while federals 357 sig load goes 1440 in my Glock 31. Most speed same bullet means more POWER. Its a simple concept.
PAT
 
Statistically speaking? Well, I would say the good ol' 1911. H%*l, the U.S. military used it for 75 or so years. Now THAT is a good record!!!!!!:D
 
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