Your Top 10 Favorite Handguns

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Well, I only have six handguns, all bought with a lot of thought and research. I will rank these in order of what I like, what is most reliable, and what is most effective. I like them all:

G19

MK9

G17

SP101

Jetfire

P32
 
#1: My Colt Delta Elite :D

Everything else:

Bren Ten
SIG P210
Colt Python
Hk P7M8
S&W 610 Classic
Glock 20
CZ-75B
Kahr K9
S&W 29
 
There are the 10 handuns that would be in my ideal collection. Some of these, I have, and some, I don't yet, but plan to get them in the future:

1. 1911 Government model - I shoot these the best, and to me, they are the classiest. Reliable too, despite what many think. I like them customized to my taste as well.

2. 1911, compact model - officer frame with a commander length slide. Great for concealment, without giving up too much in bullet velocity. Customized as well.

3. Browning Hi-Power - the best 9mm in my opinion.

4. Glock 17 - great 9mm...reliable and durable.

5. S&W 686 6" - .357 magnum just for some fun range time. Great revolver.

6. S&W J-frame - small .38 spl revolver for use as a backup gun.

7. Kahr MK9 - reliable and well made 9mm for concealment when summer clothes are worn, and a compact 1911 can't.

8. HK P7 - very nice shooter. It's so unique and interesting that I just have to have one.

9. SIG P220 - Perhaps the best DA .45 auto.

10. Beretta 92FS - reliable, proven track record.
 
1. HK P7M8. Everything a handgun should be. I note that this one is one many lists despite it's oddity and cost.

2. HK P9S. In some ways less functional than the P7, but beautiful in design and use.

3. Glock 19. The right size and design for the nearly unbreakable, covered in muck, KISS hi-cap gun. It works far better than anything so simple should.

4. Ruger Mk II 5.5 bull barrel. .308 casings at 25 yards. Shotgun hulls at 50.

5. HK USP. The definitive "modern" style handgun. Bells, whistles, low recoil, adaptable, tough, modular. Got the look.

6. Ruger Blackhawk. What a bargain for a real big-bore. Modern, yet classic.

7. Browning BDM. As usual, Browning brings it's cards to the table too late (FNC). I should have bought one. Puts most other hi-cap to shame with a slim and light all steal frame.

8. Kahr MK9. Finally someone took advantage of the size of the 9mm cartridge. Simple and steel, made for +P.

I'll leave off at 8 because I'm reaching as it is. Some of the most inspiring guns I've had no oppurtunity to fire, but I'll list them so they'll not be forgotten:
Korth Auto, Steyr GB, Bernadelli, Luger, Benelli B76, Metaba Auto Revolver, Sig 210. Everyone of interesting design and super quality. All exceptionally accurate.
 
Lot of smart choices so far. I will treat this from the standpoint that some (stupid) law limits me to 10 handguns. That means they will all be shooters. Otherwise we could start talking about antiques worth hundreds of thousands, or gold-plated SAAs that never see the light of day.

Top Ten Shooters (no particular order)

HK p7m8 -- unique, accurate, slim. No finer niner.

Freedom Arms .454 Casull -- best "big bang" SA revolver ever

SW 617 10-shot -- The older, model 17 is prettier, but those extra 4 rounds add to the fun factor.

Glock 23 -- Same virtues of g17, but with multi-caliber capability with bbl swaps. Not perfect, but hard to imagine a more reliable carry gun

S&W 627 Perf. Center 8-shot 5" -- perfect bbl length. As the roll mark on the bbl says "357 Mag Times Eight"

Thompson Contender -- Like a dozen short-barrelled rifles. Amazing versatility. Fun for load development

1911 Custom -- Pick your details. I prefer hard chrome, bull barrel, target sites with comp.

FN FiveseveN -- Armor busting velocity. The future of military pistols (LEO only)

Colt New Frontier -- .45lc with adjustable sights. King of Cowboy shooting--you can leave your real Colt SAA in the safe.

Dan Wesson .44 mag Pistol pak -- Accurate, versatile 4" 6" 8" and 10" bbls.

The nice thing is I can own (and afford) each of the above except the FN... but one can keep hoping... yes?
 
tough to pick...

...but here goes. Just items I have used, not the wish list. Pistols only.

1. HK USP series
a. Tactical (favorite range piece)
b. Compact .45 (preferred carry)
c. Mk23 (sure it's big, but can you say tackdriver ?)
2. HK P7M8 (my favorite 9)
3. HK P7M13
4. Ed Brown custom 1911 (nice trigger)
5. Gunsite GSP 1911 (excellent 1911)
6. SIG P226
7. SIG P220
8. Ruger Mark II 5.5" bull bbl (fun fun fun)
9. Walther P5 (my first pistol, it was great at the time)
10.Walther PP series

With that said, you could have a whole 'nother list of "best looking" favorites.
 
1.P-35 Browning- self defense also
2.Kimber 1911
3.Navy ArmsSchofield
4.RugerMkII
5.Colt Diamondback .38
6.Colt SA Army .45
7.Colt goverment mod. .380
8.S&W Model 10
9.Glock17
10. Luger P-08
and because 10 just won't do it
11.Ruger Blackhawk/Vaquero
12.Beretta Mod,92/Taurus Mod.92
 
1. Ruger Super Single Six - .22LR/.22Magnum
2. Ruger Blackhawk - 9mm/.357
3. Ruger Super Blackhawk - 44 Magnum
4. S&W Model 60-10 - .357 Magnum
5. S&W 945 4" barrel - .45 ACP
6. S&W Model 66 Hi-Viz Sight - .357 Magnum
7. Sig 239 - 9mm
8. Sig 239 - .357 SIG
9. Kel-Tec P32 - .32 ACP
10. Every Freedom Arms Revolver Ever made
 
#1 Ruger Mk 2 5.5 inch bull barrel .22 lr (if you practice, you too can hit a bowling pin at 100 yards), close close second was the 7 3/8 inch target model with volquartsen style grips. Grew up shooting these pistols and there are my absolute faves. Ammo is $10 for 500. Vaporizes animal crackers and preforeates tin cans with alarming accuracy.

#2 Browning Hi-Power 9mm (only because I shoot it better than my 45's does it get higher billing) The best fighting nine ever? Maybe. Good balance between firepower, concealability and strength. (mine is an FEG) very similar in operation to the 1911. Super easy takedown.

#3 Colt Lightweight Commander 45acp. First big bore pistol I ever owned. Kicks hard, bites your hand. Built in 1951 or so and went to war in Korea. Beautiful deep shiny blue slide. Wish I shot it better. This pistol is the reason all guns should feel like a 1911. I will no doubt own more 1911's. (my seecamp triggered custom 1991a1 will never make a 'best" list, its just not reliable enough).

#4 Colt New Service 1917 Army Revolver 45 acp. I have one and you don't. Its BIG, its ugly its FUN. Sam Spade had one hidden in his car. It has "Elliot Ness" and "Indiana Jones" appeal. Sid Hatfield, famed Matewan Massacre shooter and lawman, carried TWO of them. Mine is a re-blue but its a sweet shooter. Now if only I could find a concealment holster....

#5 Colt 1851 navy. Signature series. Pretty, fun, loud, smoky. Hickock carried 2, so every kid should have one. 1860 army was a close runner up.

#6 Luger P-08. It had to make my list just because. Its so complicated. Its neat. It's hard to load. It feels like my Ruger mk 2. Points fast. Historic and mysterious. The choice sidearm of every Bond villan. Mine is a 1939 "42" code by Mauser. All numbers match and its Wermacht proofed.

#7 Ruger Vaquero. The affordable 44 magnum. Everyone needs a cowboy gun right? Can take STOUT loads. I wanted a big game legal handgun and Ruger has a great legacy of reliability and toughness. the glossy stainless finish gets a A+ as far as a factory 'pretty" finish.

#8 Dan Wesson 357 maximum WOW. ZING. BOOM. More fun than should be allowed with a revolver. Pricy to load. Bullet gets downrange before you can flinch. Its COOL. Maybe Dad will give me one of his.

#9 Sig 226 best pistol I never bought, too pricy. But wow what a well made good feeling sweet shooting pistol. Best feel of any non 1911 auto ever. Even the rental I shot was amazing. I'd like to have one still, I envy anyone who owns this neat fun to shoot pistol.

#10 For reasons only I understand. FEG Pa-63/apk .380 I don't shoot it much, but when I do, look out. Never had a jam in this cheap fun to shoot pistol. Like the ergos better than the heavier makarov. DA trigger is GRITTY, LONG and breaks clean at 16 pounds (or so) so why is it a fave?? Because I have one. And because its the one pistol I usually take on the road, backpacking, etc. For a long time it was my nightstand gun. I know there are heavier hitters on the market, and more expensive "mice" but i have a special zen like bond with the little hungarian .380.
 
Primary: Hk P7M13

1. Hk P7M13 9mm
2. Kimber Gold Combat Stainless .45
3. Glock 23 .40
4. CZ 85 Combat 9mm
5. Sig P220 .45
6. Browning Hi-Power 9mm
7. *&* 686+ 6" .357
8. *&* 19 2.5" .357
9. Beretta 92FS 9mm
10. Ruger MkII Suppressed .22
 
1) SIG P220 .45ACP
2) Kimber Custom Classic 1911 .45ACP (Primary)
3) Glock 21 .45ACP
4) SIG P229 .40S&W
5) SIG P226 9mm Para
4) Glock 23 .40 S&W
7) Glock 19 9mm Para
8) SIG P220 ST .45ACP
9) HK USP45
10) S&W M66 4"
 
1) Glock 36 ( Carry pistol!!! It replaces my G30. It fits better!!!)
2) Walther P99 ( When the G36 ain't there, this is!!!)
3) E. Deutsch Makarov (Mouse Gun backup.)
4) Walther P1 (Fun range gun.)
5) Ruger MK-II
6) Luger (Another fun range gun.)
7) Beretta 92FS (Having this may come in handy some day!!! ;) )
8) Walther P5
9) Taurus M605 (Hey, everyone needs to own a .357MAG)
10) Taurus PT-145 ( This was to be my carry pistol, but now I just don't know!!)
 
top 10

1. Russian Mil Sup MAk 9x18 My Carry
2 Taurus 944 1 1/2 " 8 shot 22mag Bakup
3 Bulgarian Makarov milsurp
4 E german Makarov milsurp
5 Russian BAikal Commerccial MAkarov
6 Chinese Norinco Makarov
7 S& W model 10 Bull Barrel 2"
8.Grendel 30 Shot 22 mag pistol
9 Polish radom 9mm (bring BAck)
10 Any Glock:
 
Here are my picks
1. Kahr P9
2. HK P2000
3. Sig P250C
4. HK P30
5. Glock 19
6. Glock 23
7. S&W 10
8. Beretta 92 Vertec
9. Tokarev
10.Ruger LCP
 
OK..I'll try...

1) SIG P226 9X19 mm
2) SIG P220 .45 ACP
3) SIG P245 .45 ACP
4) S&W CS45 .45 ACP
5) Kahr MK9 9X19 mm
6) Kahr PM9 9X19 mm
7) S&W 442 .38 spl
8) Ruger LCP .380 ACP
9) Browning Buckmark 22lr
10) American Derringer DA-38 .38 spl

I stuck with guns I own or have owned. The P226 is my absolute favorite of all time. The others vary in preferred order from one day to the next. I chose mostly function oriented handguns. If the topic had been what were the 10 most fun or most interesting the list would have been different.

edit: I posted then realized how old this thread is. Someone's been Googling. Well, I've done it myself and resurrected threads that I thought were valuable or interesting. I think this one is interesting :D
 
1. SigSauer P220 45acp - Older Style West Germany:
In my opinion, the BEST 45acp. Probably one of the best semi-autos overall. And one of the best companies. Accurate, dependable over any others, reliable, and WILL shoot anything you give it. Some 45acp; especially in the 1911A1 world, you pay high price for reputation and name. With the P220, you are paying high price totally for quality.

2. S&W Model 13-1: Same as the model 19 except fixed sites instead of adjustable. One of the smoothest and most accurate guns I've ever shot. It's served military and police officers admirably for years. Definitely one of the best.

3. Walther PPK 380. Not a mouse gun. They fit FULL in your hands; all the way to the bottom of the pad of your palm. They fit so perfectly. Yet they can be concealed in your front pocket if needed. There is no reason for a mouse gun when you can have the Walther PPK with a longer barrel, yet still able to conceal. Of course, they do cost a little bit. I will probably buy a 9x18 version, probably an FEG PA63 just to have another perfect feeling; never jam, and very accurate personal defense weapon.

4. Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil-Spec 45acp: Mind you, I emphasize SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. NOT all 1911A1 are equal. And I believe that this model; especially if you can find the older models from the mid 1980's; was the best of the best. Better than Colt and better than the newer ones even by my beloved SigSauer. This 1911A1 was accurate, reliable, feed almost anything. It was excellent. A little big for carrying; but for those who don't mind shoulder holsters, they worked fine.

5. Hungarian AP-MBP 7.65 (32 auto). Modeled after the Walther PPK. I carry this one as my concealed when the Sig P220 isn't practical. When shooting the correct ammo, it's indestructible and as reliable as they come. My theory is; European guns: Buy European ammo. American guns: Buy American Ammo. When I feed Fiocchi or Sellier and Bellot into the FEG, it always fires reliably and accurately. I will probably buy a 9x18 version, probably an FEG PA63 just to have another perfect feeling; never jam, and very accurate personal defense weapon.

6. Ruger Blackhawk 45LC: It's a traditional single action 6 shooters. it can handle HOT LOADS which make it great for hunting. Better than a 357 magnum and about as good as a 44 magnum. It simply feels like a "Real Gun" is suppose to feel. Definitely not a concealed weapon. But when it's on your side, it feels right. And Ruger's reliability is a bonus.

I really don't want to stretch the last 3 spots. Not that I can't think of any that I like; just that those above are just so good that the rest would just be fodder. I will say however that I have NOT YET found a polymer gun that I liked; felt right; or was comfortable. Not like a gun should be. That includes Glock as well as Springfield Armory XD. And I've also never found a 9mm, 40sw, or 10mm that I've liked and would buy.

Forgot to mention: Depending on what I'm wearing; I carry either the sig P220 45acp or the walther or FEG 32acp. And for home, the primary handgun is the S&W Mod 13 357 magnum; with the P220 strategically locally elsewhere if needed.
 
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My Top 10

1. H&K USP 40. Most enjoyable, reliable, accurate gun I've ever shot, regardless of whether or not I believe it is worth the price. I would buy more. I would shoot it for fun. I would carry it. I would... well, practically have its baby if I could. My all time favorite. Fits me like a glove, and I shoot it well.

2. Glock 22. My faithful workhorse.

3. Glock 23. My faithful work... pony?

4. Sig P228 .357 SIG. Not the most practical round, but it sure is a lot of fun to shoot.

5. .500 S&W MAG Revolver. Completely impractical. Ridiculously expensive. Useless is your not trying to shoot down a helicopter. But, man, hella fun to shoot.

6. S&W Model 620 .357 4". Utterly reliable. Crazy accurate at intermediate ranges. Great finger and wrist workout.

7. Taurus Tracker .357. Not as "solid" as the S&W, but a terrific, less expensive option that is just as fun and reliable.

8. Glock 20. If I just had a few hundred bucks to blow each month, I shoot a LOT of 10mm. Might not carry it, but I'd sure shoot the heck out of it.

9. EAA Witness Steel Full Size 10mm. Same story as the Glock only more comfortable to shoot at the sacrifice of a little reliability. Laugh if you want. This was a pretty fun range gun.

10. Ruger Vaquero .44 Mag. COWBOY SHOOTIN'! YEEHAW!!!


**Edit: I forgot to answer the carry gun question. Mine is my two newest guns, H&K USP40 and FNP40, most of the time and my good ole .357 snubbie other times. My snubbie is not one of my favorites, but it is a great, small option that is great for a carry gun. The FNP40 might be on my list soon. Just need some more range time with it. 400 rounds and counting.
 
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Colt 1911A1 45 acp
Rock Island Armory Govt in .45 acp
S&W Mod 19 6" 357 mag
S&W Model 19 snubbie 357 mag
KelTec P3AT .380
S&W 36 38 spl
S&W Mod 41 in 22LR
Ruger Mark 2 22LR 6" bull
Ruger Redhawk 44 mag
S&W Model 17 22LR

Forgot to answer the primary defense gun question: KelTec P3AT. Mine have over 50,000 miles on them.

Flash
 
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#1-H&K USP45
#2-H&K USP9
#3-Sig P226
#4-Sig P6
#5-Ruger GP100
#6-CZ 40B
#7-CZ 75B
#8-XD40
#9-Ruger Blackhawk
#10-Star PD
 
CZ SP-01
Walther P99
Jericho 941
S&W M&P
Glock 19
FN FNP-9
Sig P226
Springfiled XD
Ruger P85
Beretta 92
 
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