The most proven handgun...

I have owned a few that have never jammed and always performed flawlessly and hit with deadly accuracy. The first on a short list was my old Glock 26. Great gun, but too bulky. Next was my old CZ RAMI 2075. Same as the Glock, too bulky. That last is my S&W 638 .38 special +P. The only downside was the capacity. If only Glock made a single stack 9mm sub compact that held 7 rounds. I used to have a Kahr PM9, but didn't like it. I would have to say the two I like the most is either a Glock 26 or a S&W snubbie.
 
I'm not exactly sure what is meant by "proven." But a part of that must mean effective longevity. Personally, my top two choices would be the Colt 1911 .45 acp (and all of the clones) and the Colt single action army in .45lc (and the Ruger Blackhawk). Coming in a close third would be the Smith & Wesson DA revolver. I'm guessing that in 50 years, Glock may also be on this list.

chuck
 
Revolvers set aside I would have to say the Colt 1911 to be the most proven for its battlefield/combat durability.

The Sig P226, HK USP Line, Glock, and Beretta M9 still have a little proving to do in my opinion but are non the less very reliable accurate weapons.

I have to add,
The M9 has become a very unpopular firearm. I believe it is due to the decision to drop the 1911 .45ACP for the 9mm. Most it seems favor the
.45ACP over the 9mm. The 9mm is still a very accurate manstopper whether or not some want to admit this fact.
 
Lightningjoe
There are still some "Special units " in the military that use the 1911 but not many.

I vote 1911 or A1 .45 and the S&W Model 19. As a cop I couldn't buy one during the Vietnam War as servicemen had first priority to buy them and they did in droves.
 
The Colt SAA is about as fool proof as you're going to get. After that a quality double action revolver.

But really there are very few handguns that won't fire when you want them to if they are properly maintained.
 
jager78
The 9mm is a good manstopper but it isn't as effective as the .45 with G.I. Ball If our troops could carry modern bullets the troops would probably like them a little more.
 
Well, I made up my mind. I found this little baby by luck. It is proven and reliable. Now I just need some speed strips.

Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum

SANY0024.jpg
 
Well. Proven? Colt SAA and Colt M1911 have acquitted themselves remarkably. I have my Great Grandfather's Six Shooter, and the .45 that my Grandfather brought back from WWI. My dad was in the navy in WWII and couldn't bring back a ship. Shucks.

S&W Model 10,19, or 66 for years were the hands down sidearms of choice for generations of police officers. I will never forget when I bought my first Model 19 with Target Stocks. I have a 66-2 today.

But, today my ATF carry gun is a Colt .45 Officer's Model ACP and my HD pistol is a Sig P229. Both are proven sidearms, and I would guess that as long as I care for them properly they will never let me down in a pinch.

IMG_1121-1.jpg


I guess proven is a relative term, but in my opinion you can't go wrong with high quality American made handguns. . .
 
Last edited:
It has got to be a 38 Special revolver

They've been around since the 19th century, and have killed many people. Not only from the hands of cops, but also everyday people:

  • Old men, who have had the gun under their bed for 20 years
  • Ladies, while their husbands were not around to protect them
  • Husbands, when they WERE around

The Glock 17 has got to be right up there too.

As far as I know, there are stats on effective calibers but not specific guns.
 
+1 Smaug on the 38 caliber revolver.

And the 1911 Colt goes into the semi auto category.

The 1911 design must be doing something right.

It's the most copied gun in history.

Ironically the Glock design is coming in a close second in that copied design part as well.
 
Sure, there would be countdowns and lists and whatnot, but there is just no way you can answer a question like this. The best gun, the most proven gun, whatever, is the one you shoot the best and is most reliable for you.
Click to expand...
Any American made revolver in .357. Easy to shoot, goes boom every time, no FTF's, no FTE's, got a bad primer? Just pull the trigger for the next round. No mag springs to get weak. There are a dozen reasons why the .357 is the best choice for a SD handgun.
 
Most reliable?

Well, I carry a 1911. This one has proven VERY reliable. BUT---I remember that any autoloader is a single shot gun until it loads the next round. Revolvers can (one of mine did) malfunction. So, it can be a single shot gun too. The only place you have (almost) guaranteed reliability is that first shot, assuming that cartridge goes bang. Where do we go from there? Actually, I don't know! I just carry what I trust, and hope and pray! I don't think any firearm or ammo is perfect.
 
the most proven handgun

is the one you are most comfortable with , it fits you just right,:cool: handles right, you shoot it best, and it doesn't malfunction just goes bang when needed:)
 
I'm going to throw in the Russian TT-33. It is basically a simplified John Browning design that was military issue to Soviet troops, and most of the other Com-Bloc nations. I've never owned a more reliable pistol.
 
Model 19 and Model 66 are great guns. My 66 is awsome to shoot and super accurate.

Now for the question here. I keep seeing people post more of what they like and have shot.

The 38/357 S&W is probably the most proven as mentioned earlier. from 1899-present they have been used by Millions upon Millions of LEO's and Military alike. Proven? Without a doubt the s&w 38/357's.
 
I would like to take into account guns that have been used, what was the situation and how effective was the gun used in that particular situation. Also, is there any documentation to prove the effectiveness? I usually carry either a Kel-Tec P-3AT in my back pocket and a Taurus PT-745 on my belt if I can comfortably. I think I may go back to the .38 spl +P IWB for the comfort and power ratio. I am trying to feel secure with my handgun and caliber choice.
Click to expand...

The only real 'evidence' is S&M's discounted study. You might look at the FBI testing results, and go with either 45 ACP or 10MM.

Check www.brassfetcher.com as well for gello results,
and, you'll get a good idea of what your rounds can do.

Shootings, by nature, are ALL different, with different results, and, they are NOT a predictible event, or result.

You will have to evaluate what the nature of the threats are that you might encounter, and, how much penetration you will need from your weapons of choice, and how much energy.

If you are carrying a Keltec, I'd look at carrying ball ammo, both for reliability, and penetration, in .380.

With the .45 ACP you also need to determine what you are
willing to go with, and, if 14" of penetration is enough, since that's what most gello results give you with the industry standard 45 ACP ammo.

I know www.buffalobore.com makes a Plus P .38 load that gives you 1040 fps out of a snubby, with around 15" of penetration, and a 158 grain bullet. Kicks like a .357, a light .357.

Can't make you feel secure about a handgun choice, at least not with Taurus and Keltec. They both need to be kept in excellent condition, and tested regularly.

A S&@ revolver is usually very reliable, but, my 360 PD
'autolocked' after about 150 rounds, and a bunch of dry firing, so again, keep your guns in shape, and test them.

That said, carrying multiple weapons IS an excellent idea, considerably increasing the odds that when you have to pull the trigger, the firearms will function.
 
I'm only interested in my pistols with re: to reliability.

I have Sigs, a G19, a 1911 or two, etc. that humm away with monotonous regularity. That's what counts. Not whether someone elses pistol of the same make and model happens to be reliable. General reliability can be a factor when choosing a pistol. After that, it's the individual pistols' performance that matters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top