Top 10 handguns

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 01/12/2010 | Source: MadOgre.com

[Responsibility2nd]

1. 1911 (in .45 ACP)

2. CZ P-06

3. Smith & Wesson (M&P series)

4. Springfield XD

5. SIG P200 series

6. Ruger Single Six .22LR/.22 Mag

7. FNH P series

8. Browning Buckmark

9. SIG P210

10. Browning Hi Power/FN Hi Power

[vox_freedom]

I agree.

[Jack Black]

Smith and Wesson is off the $#!+ list for its capitulation and collaboration with the clinton administration on anti-gun regulations now, I guess. Did the british company that had bought them divest?

Yes, they were bought out by the company that they licensed the "Hillary Lock" or "pimple lock" that is on every revolver they have made since then. I believe that company was called Safe-T-Hammer or Safe-T-Lock or something clever like that.

I believe they may have recently released a revolver without the lock, perhaps a antique recreation. But basically all S&W revolvers have been so disfigured since the Cuomo driven deal went down.

They also never formerly renounced it, as far as I know.

[Mr Inviso]

“What, the Single Six made it but the Service Six/Security Six didn’t?”

the Single-six is the gun that more-or-less restarted the cowboy/single action thing back in the 1950’s. Colt had ceased making SAA’s, so there weren’t any good “Western” guns on the market. Ruger brought out the Single-Six, which got things rolling for the Blackhawk series.

The Service/Security six series was pretty much just competition for the S&W and Colt guns of the time, and didn’t have near the effects on the industry.

[Mr Inviso]

My list:

1.Colt (and others) 1911/1911/A1. The weapon of the US military through multiple wars, conflicts, police actions, etc. Still the gold standard of handguns in terms of stopping power, dependability, etc. Soon to be celebrating its 100th year of production, and is made by just about every manufacturer out there.

2. S&W Model 10 (K-frame revolver). The “cop gun” for most of a century. They made millions upon millions. They still make them. When the 10 wasnt enough, they came up with the others in the family in the “more power” versions, the 13 and the 19, in .357 mag. How many PPC and bullseye matches were won with these??

3. Browning Hi-Power.Used by just about everyone in Great Fracas No. 2. Stayed in service long after. When special units needed a handgun, they went with this one for a LONG time. Pretty much introduced the double-stack magazine.

4. Colt SAA. As if it needed explanation. The first REALLY successful metallic cartridge handgun. The Peacemaker. People will still pay absurd prices to get an original, or pay absurd prices for a Custom Shop gun.

5. Glock 17. It changed the world with regard to handguns. There were other attempts at Plastic Fantastic before it, but this one made it happen. It took over the police market in less than a decade, because it stinkin’ works. It also put a LOT of firepower in a non-back-breaking package.

6. Beretta 92 FS. I’m mixed on this one. It’s too big for what it is, but it works. And it works well.

7. Sig 200-series. Swiss-watch reliability. Accurate. Good enough that Browning sold them for a while under their name. If you’re not a fan of polymer guns, this is the one you turn to.

8. Ruger Mk I,II,III series .22 auto. Started Ruger, for which the world should be forever grateful. “Everyman’s .22 pistol”. Accurate enough out of the box, yet can be modified like a small-block Chevy. Still a bargain, 60 years later.

9. S&W N-frames (27,29,57). Another one that needs no explanation. .357 .41 and .44 magnums. Yes, they are big and heavy, but they are SERIOUS, too. Until the mod 19 came along, the only upgrade available from the Mod 10 Military and Police was the big-frame Smith.

10.Colt Python. Set the standard for hand-fit, high-end hanguns. A true classic. Also the main competition for the Smith guns when the revolver was King.

There are others that could easily be on there, but those are my top choices.

Others:
Luger
Walther PP/PPK
S&W Chief’s Special
Colt Detective Special
Walther P38
S&W 39/59/Second and Third Gen
Colt 1860

[Lockbar]

Lugers are very complicated, but very accurate pistols. I have two, but don’t shoot them anymore cause I don’t want to put any extra wear on them.

[ArrogantBustard]

I like your list a whole lot better than I like the Original Post ...

but at the risk of committing blasphemy (in some people's eyes) ...

Colt 1873 is Number One. It paved the way for all the others.

[Mr Inviso]

I probably should have said they could be taken in any order desired.

[Jack Black]

What makes a gun “top”. There seem two possible criteria, best or most influential. Your list seems like a mix, and not really good for either.

The 1911, SAA, S&W revolver, and Glock all belong on there if it’s historic. The SAA doesn’t if it’s “best”. The Ruger Blackhawk is a better SAA for the 20th and 21st centuries. (Chambered in more powerful cartridges). Or even the Freedom Arms single actions.

So, define TOP so we can have a better discussion.

[Jack Black]

What makes a gun “top”. There seem two possible criteria, best or most influential. Your list seems like a mix, and not really good for either.

The 1911, SAA, S&W revolver, and Glock all belong on there if it’s historic. The SAA doesn’t if it’s “best”. The Ruger Blackhawk is a better SAA for the 20th and 21st centuries. (Chambered in more powerful cartridges). Or even the Freedom Arms single actions.

So, define TOP so we can have a better discussion.

[Yorlik803]

My Brother has a stainless steel Colt Python, only fired twice. He asked a dealer if he had any idea of the value of it and he said he sold a Blued python that was 95% for 2500.00.
He said that Pythons are all handmade and you have to order it. I dont knwo enough about them so I dont know if he was BSing me or not. All I know is that the Python is a sweet pistol. Not one for carrying, but you could, I guess.
The Trooper was a very good handgun as well, marketed to Law enforcement.

[vox_freedom]

An interesting survey on the "worst handgun manufacturer" for those interested in opinions:

Defensive Carry.com

[MileHi]

OK. 1911A1. Critera: If you could only have one pistol, what would it be?

[longhorn too]

What, no Model 10 S&W?

[Lockbar]

Smith and Wesson M&P (Military and Police) is the Model 10. Smith changed the designation in 1956.

[longhorn too]

I was under the conclusion that when they were talking about the M&P series they were talking about the new semi auto M&P line that has been out for a short time. They are
polymer framed short recoil pistols designed for concealed carry.

I have a Model 10, a pre M&P model 10 from 1947 and the Victory model from WWII.

[real saxophonist]

I've often posted this, it was in your list but here's a direct link.

Glock - 1000 rounds in 14 minutes:

Part 1

Part 2

[RC one]

1.) Colt 1911: the old standard, often replicated and frequently improved upon i.e. Kimber, Les Baer,Wilson, etc
2.) Glock 21: a combat masterpiece- 13 rds of .45 acp. 28 round mags available. Incompatible with cast bullets though.
3.) S&W N frame magnums: setting the bar on handgun performance
4.) S&W X frame magnums: shoots through BPVs. enough said.
5.) S&W Model 340PD: a 12 oz .357 magnum. 5 shot capacity. enough said.
6.) Beretta 92: If it must be a 9 mm and it must see combat duty, it should be a Beretta 92 (or a Glock 17, 18, or 19).
7.) Glock 17, 18, 19: Glock 18-full auto-niiiice
8.) SIG Sauer 226: Good enough for the Navy SEAL teams, good enough for anybody...except the US Army, Marine Corps, or Air force
9.)Ruger Mk 1, 2, 3: everyone should own at least one- seriously
10.)Bushmaster Carbon 15 series of pistols: Shoots 5.56 mm ammo (including your M855 or M193 ball) and it uses the same magazines as your AR15 (including the beta c mag)- a perfect sidearm to compliment your main battle rifle.

[Lockbar]

I am going to guess you are right about it being the newer automatic. Just noticed the other guns on the list are all semi-autos.

[real saxophonist]

1. Glock
2. Glock
3. Glock
4. Glock
5. Glock
6. Glock
7. Glock
8. Glock
9. J-Frame
10. 1911

[VRWCmember]

I have 16 round mags for my XD 9mm.