This^ and the 4506. I have not submitted mine through torturous tests but I can't imagine it failing. I know everything breaks eventually but I just cant picture it. I've seen glocks cracked and broken, XDMs blown up, I've even seen Redhawks blown to shreds(there were extenuating circumstances to this one but the point stands), but I've never heard of or seen pictures of the 3rd gen smith and wesson autos failing in any catastrophic way.
What's the most rugged handgun in the world?
- Thread starter JerryHN
- Start date
This^ and the 4506. I have not submitted mine through torturous tests but I can't imagine it failing. I know everything breaks eventually but I just cant picture it. I've seen glocks cracked and broken, XDMs blown up, I've even seen Redhawks blown to shreds(there were extenuating circumstances to this one but the point stands), but I've never heard of or seen pictures of the 3rd gen smith and wesson autos failing in any catastrophic way.
The OP didn't say what it was for, so I'd have to say a .22 revolver. Not only won't the elements hurt it, but neither will the bullets. 
But seriously, you'd be hard pressed to beat a Ruger revolver. I only own S&W's myself, but even I would have hand the trophy over to Ruger for durability.
But seriously, you'd be hard pressed to beat a Ruger revolver. I only own S&W's myself, but even I would have hand the trophy over to Ruger for durability.
If I am not mistaken the three finalist in the DOD test for the 1911 replacement were the M-9, Ruger and Sig 226. All three meet the DOD requirements however believe that the Sig 226 finished overall 1st, in DOD test. The M-9 2nd and the Ruger(forget Model#) 3rd. Recall 226 had 3 or less jams per 10,000 rounds fired. My understanding why the DOD went with M-9 was simple financials. M-9 was believed priced $15 per/unit less than the 226. The DOD first contract was for an initial 500,000 units. Do the math. That was 7.5 million dollar savings on just the first allotment. As stated earlier the P-226 is in use today by the Seals around the world and the P-228 was an Air Force option for small handed enlisted, mainly women who's smaller hand fit the 228 better. This should say something about the Sig as a true workhorse. 
m&p45acp10+1
New member
For rugged I am going with a stout single action revolver. More power from less size and weight. Now true they are not XFrame Smiths. They are a heck of a lot more practical for packin on the hip though. I would gtab my .41 Mag due to the fact that I am the most familiar with it. It is like an old friend in my hand.
The Beretta 92SB and Sig P226 were the only two finalists. Ruger was not even involved. Sig was initially ahead with a lower overall price than Beretta, but Beretta ultimately submitted an at-cost bid and edged Sig. Beretta's lead in the military's scoring system was not much smaller than Sig's initial lead, despite Beretta's cost advantage being one-third that of Sig's initial cost advantage. Accordingly, it's not accurate to say that money was the sole factor. For instance, two of the five Sigs tested cracked their frames with a low round count, while none of the Beretta test models broke during the Army trials.
Anyway, continual small improvements mean both guns are considerably more reliable and durable today than during the Army trials. The most recent government testing of the Beretta showed a MRBF figure of 21,500.
Both the Beretta and Sig are very fine guns (though I'm not fond of Sig's QC and components sourcing practices under Cohen), but they're still not going to win round-count contests against top-tier steel- and polymer-framed guns, and aluminum-framed guns will always require more attention to regular maintenance.
Not to pick nits, but SEALs carry whatever the hell they want. Glocks and 1911s are the most common choices, from everything I've heard.
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rickmelear
New member
Any quality 9mm with max loads, Glock, Sig, M&P,XD, CZ, will outlast any quality 357 revolver with max loads. Flame on
Catchabullet
New member
i like how none of you Beretta fans addressed the videos i posted
Sharpsdressed Man
Moderator
Watched the videos. Based on this test, I think, had I dropped my Beretta in the muck, and had to pick it up and fight with it, I STILL might have won the fight. Although this shooter struggled a bit to get the shots off, he still managed to fire enough rounds to possibly save himself. Considering the Beretta has some close tolerances, I thought it did o.k. Flawless, no, but then neither was the 1911.....................
Prof Young
New member
The real answer to this question
Shooters:
The most powerful handgun in the world is the one that's in your face, business end first.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
Shooters:
The most powerful handgun in the world is the one that's in your face, business end first.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
Glock 17 or TT-33, and I would bet on any pistols that have seen extensive service to allow the manufacturer to improve on the design, GRANTED they didn't go cheap with the materials.
my worn beretta 92 still runs like a champ and its been ummm...35years. Time to change out the springs before the slide flies in my face
my worn beretta 92 still runs like a champ and its been ummm...35years. Time to change out the springs before the slide flies in my face
peacefulgary
New member
I'm surprised at how many folks here think revolvers are rugged.
Most revolvers are much more fragile than most autoloaders.
You can take just about any autoloader and drop if from the roof-top, or throw it against a brick wall, and it will still work just fine.
But even a single drop to a revolver can screw up the timing of the cylinder.
The main reason that every military around the world switched to autoloaders is because autoloaders are more rugged and can take much more abuse than a revolver can.
Most revolvers are much more fragile than most autoloaders.
You can take just about any autoloader and drop if from the roof-top, or throw it against a brick wall, and it will still work just fine.
But even a single drop to a revolver can screw up the timing of the cylinder.
The main reason that every military around the world switched to autoloaders is because autoloaders are more rugged and can take much more abuse than a revolver can.
Sharpsdressed Man
Moderator
How can you say there is no debate here?