The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: General Handgun Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 22, 2015, 08:47 PM   #1
breakthrough
Junior member
 
Join Date: November 12, 2015
Posts: 95
best guns in pistol calibers

please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain.
breakthrough is offline  
Old November 22, 2015, 09:18 PM   #2
Cheapshooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 2, 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 8,306
Quote:
please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm.
While some will take the oportunity to turn this into a popularity contest, and others will make it much more complicated than it needs to be, the answer is quite simple.
The ones that YOU shoot the best, are reliable, you have confidence in, and can afford!
The most important thing is that you try several that you select from makes, and models you like. Don't befooled by price either. Mane top of the line, high end guns aren't anything sugnificantly better than less costly name brand guns.
__________________
Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!
Cheapshooter is offline  
Old November 22, 2015, 09:45 PM   #3
roashooter
Junior member
 
Join Date: December 24, 2010
Posts: 508
"please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain."

and lets not forget.....which one is the cheapest.......
roashooter is offline  
Old November 22, 2015, 09:55 PM   #4
silverbullet6oh
Registration in progress
 
Join Date: October 2, 2015
Posts: 137
Wow. This is such a loaded question. Not specific of a question. You could have hundreds of choices, depending on the need, want and usage. Good luck.
silverbullet6oh is offline  
Old November 22, 2015, 09:59 PM   #5
BigMikey76
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 3, 2011
Location: Bellevue, NE
Posts: 981
Quote:
The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain."
That describes pretty much most guns out there these days. Some are simpler than others, but very few of them are actually what I would call complicated. Accuracy is much more about the shooter than the gun, with slight advantages to be had based on how well the gun fits your hand.
With your criteria, the modern gun world is your oyster.
__________________
Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
BigMikey76 is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 07:10 AM   #6
Limnophile
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 2, 2015
Location: Issaquah, Washington
Posts: 1,032
For the .45 Auto, the 1911 is the clear winner. It's been around for over a century.

For the 9 Luger I'd go with one of the oldest extant Wonder Nines, the Beretta 92 or the CZ 75. Both came out in 1975.

Reharding .40 S&W and 10 Auto, who cares? The FBI walked away from both.
Limnophile is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 08:49 AM   #7
Skans
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2008
Posts: 11,132
9mm: Sig X-Five, X-Six

.40: Sig X-Five, X-Six

45: One of the high-end custom 1911's made by Ed Brown

10mm: Tanfoglio Limited

Those are the best of breed, in my opinion. Some may argue that the new Sig 10mm is better than the Tanfoglio, but I opted for the Tanfoglio because they are proven in competition with heavy round count, and they have significantly higher capacity.

Some may also argue that the P210 is better than the X-Five. I like the capacity of the X-Five and it feels more balanced to me. Accuracy....I couldn't tell you which is better b/t the X5 and the P210.

There's a hundred and one "custom" or semi-custom 1911 .45's. Many are fantastic. Ed Brown is consistently good. I'm sure there are others that might be just as good.

Last edited by Skans; November 23, 2015 at 08:55 AM.
Skans is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 08:53 AM   #8
45_auto
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 21, 2011
Location: Southern Louisiana
Posts: 1,399
Quote:
Originally Posted by limnophile
The FBI walked away from both.
Who cares about 1911's, Beretta 92's, and CZ 75's? The FBI walked away from all of them.

The FBI walked away from DA/SA designs like the CZ75 and Beretta 92 because the transition from DA to SA after the first shot has proven to be far less than optimal.

The FBI walked away from SA designs like the 1911 due to training issues. Under pressure and without dedicated training, it's very easy to leave the safety on when you want it off or leave the safety off when you want it on.

If you believe that the politically motivated FBI is the final answer in firearms, I pity you.
45_auto is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 08:57 AM   #9
Skans
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2008
Posts: 11,132
IMHO, the FBI "dumbs-down" their weapon choice so that weak and inferior shooters can manage the weapon. FBI - prime example of political correctness run amuck. Thank heaven we ignorant civilians aren't regulated by FBI geniuses when it comes to our gun choices.
Skans is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 02:39 PM   #10
fire4606
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 6, 2011
Posts: 216
Quote:
Skans IMHO, the FBI "dumbs-down" their weapon choice so that weak and inferior shooters can manage the weapon. FBI - prime example of political correctness run amuck. Thank heaven we ignorant civilians aren't regulated by FBI geniuses when it comes to our gun choices.
I would agree but i wouldnt say its due to political correctness. They can only work with what they have, when you look at their qualifications, how many gun enthusiasts actually fit those qualifications, they dont really have a choice of hiring gun enthusiasts, so they are left with non enthusiasts having to carry a weapon.

They could correct that, but Congress would never allocate the monies ncessary to train to a hi level, which to me would mean shooting at least weekly..
__________________
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
fire4606 is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 03:25 PM   #11
silverbullet6oh
Registration in progress
 
Join Date: October 2, 2015
Posts: 137
True statements here

45_auto said:
Quote:
Who cares about 1911's, Beretta 92's, and CZ 75's? The FBI walked away from all of them.

The FBI walked away from DA/SA designs like the CZ75 and Beretta 92 because the transition from DA to SA after the first shot has proven to be far less than optimal.

The FBI walked away from SA designs like the 1911 due to training issues. Under pressure and without dedicated training, it's very easy to leave the safety on when you want it off or leave the safety off when you want it on.

If you believe that the politically motivated FBI is the final answer in firearms, I pity you.
So true!

Cheapshooter said:
Quote:
While some will take the opportunity to turn this into a popularity contest, and others will make it much more complicated than it needs to be, the answer is quite simple.
The ones that YOU shoot the best, are reliable, you have confidence in, and can afford!
The most important thing is that you try several that you select from makes, and models you like. Don't be-fooled by price either. Mane top of the line, high end guns aren't anything significantly better than less costly name brand guns.
Best advice given, I second this statement!

Last edited by silverbullet6oh; November 23, 2015 at 03:39 PM.
silverbullet6oh is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 03:52 PM   #12
SIGSHR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 13, 2005
Posts: 4,700
Steel framed M1911s are what I would recommend.
SIGSHR is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 04:29 PM   #13
breakthrough
Junior member
 
Join Date: November 12, 2015
Posts: 95
FBI does not use .40 s&w? what does FBI uses then?
breakthrough is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 04:53 PM   #14
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
Quote:
FBI does not use .40 s&w? what does FBI uses then?
It's my understanding they have, or in process of switching to 9mm.
chris in va is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 04:53 PM   #15
RickB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,511
1911 for .45 and 10, Browning HP for 9 and .40.
__________________
Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.
RickB is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 07:47 PM   #16
jmr40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 15, 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,792
Glock is the only real option for a decent 10mm. Might as well keep them all in the Glock family.

I've owned pretty much all of them, I still own several examples of other brands, but if my life were on the line I'm reaching for a Glock regardless of caliber.
jmr40 is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 08:06 PM   #17
breakthrough
Junior member
 
Join Date: November 12, 2015
Posts: 95
I am reading that glocks in .40 s&w do not have sufficient chamber support - really don't know exactly what that means. can someone explain please.
breakthrough is offline  
Old November 23, 2015, 09:14 PM   #18
JohnnyM2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: November 23, 2015
Posts: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by breakthrough View Post
please recommend best guns in pistol calibers of 9 mm, .40 s&w, .45 acp and since we are at it 10mm. The pistols should be simple, easy to use, accurate, and easy to maintain.
Gun blogs debate this issue ad infinitum. Huge arguments ensue regarding Glock, Sig, HK, S&W, and any number of other brands. The one thing I can tell you absolutely for sure is that there is no answer that people will agree on. Law enforcement officers, military, and various "gun experts" will have different opinions.
JohnnyM2 is offline  
Old November 24, 2015, 09:21 AM   #19
Cheapshooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 2, 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 8,306
Quote:
I am reading that glocks in .40 s&w do not have sufficient chamber support - really don't know exactly what that means. can someone explain please.
A search of this forum, or a google search of the internet will provide much information.
Basically the feed ramp on earlier Glock barrels was cut into the chamber deep enough that it left a portion of the case exposed, or "unsupported". With a high pressure cartridge such as the 40 S&W the gap allows a buldge in the case. That works, or softens the brass in that area when run through a special reloading die to remove the buldge resulting in a weak spot in the brass. Coupled with guys trying to turn their perfectly capable 40 into a 10MM, the case can blow out at the weak point. Also, some of the boutique ammo companies that cater to those folks that don't understand what maximum pressure means load so called "+P" rounds that are above industry standards. Particularly for rounds that have no SAAMI +P rating.
Basically, use factory standard ammo from reputable manufacturers, don't reload buldged cases, and don't try to push a 40 S&W to +P, or "magnum" levels, and there is no problem.
__________________
Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!
Cheapshooter is offline  
Old November 24, 2015, 09:51 AM   #20
Glenn E. Meyer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 17, 2000
Posts: 20,064
Glock for all except the 40. Ditch the 40 from the list. It's time has come and gone (ducking for cover! ).

It's 9mm and 45 ACP for carry guns. 10 mm for outdoor guns and furries.
__________________
NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens
Glenn E. Meyer is offline  
Old November 24, 2015, 01:53 PM   #21
T. O'Heir
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 13, 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 12,453
The FBI is not, never has been and never will be the arbiter of what is and is not "best".
There is no "best" anything without specifying a budget and a purpose for the pistol. It's like asking what's the best vehicle.
__________________
Spelling and grammar count!
T. O'Heir is offline  
Old November 25, 2015, 08:59 AM   #22
ScaryWoody
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 4, 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 368
I would suggest you look for a Glock 22 or 23 used. About $350. They are .40S&W. You can add a conversion barrel to go to 9mm or up to (I guess it's kind of sideways) .357sig. Three guns for the price of one.
ScaryWoody is offline  
Old November 25, 2015, 06:36 PM   #23
jmstr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 24, 2001
Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA
Posts: 1,281
I shoot my Ruger P97DC significantly better than a USP .45C, a Sig P220Combat or a SA 1911a1 Target.

I sold the others.

They are NOT worse than the Ruger and the P97 is NOT better.

I shoot it better. I now have a few other .45acp guns I shoot as well, and 2 I shoot better, but it is what I shoot best- not the brand/quality/design.

Don't get wrapped up in a one-brand is best for each one approach. Engage in some experimenting to determine which one works best for you- and don't listen to the punks in the peanut gallery [like me].
jmstr is offline  
Old November 25, 2015, 07:49 PM   #24
Big Shrek
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: NorthWest Florida
Posts: 1,358
Glocks.

S&W 3rd Gen's

S&W Current M&P and Shield.

Calico Liberty III in 9mm & .40 (they haven't done a .45 yet, also unlikely at this point)
but 50 & 100 rounds per mag pretty much says "I see your gang and am still smiling"

Except him, he never smiles...(Total Recall)

Star Final Gen's (31M/P, Firestars, Ultrastars, Megastars) & the ASTAR MAX 8800

Sigs. Including the Sig/Mauser's.

1911's...and get one of the 22TCM/9mm versions as well
__________________
Marlin Specialist
Calico Specialist
A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

Last edited by Big Shrek; November 25, 2015 at 07:54 PM.
Big Shrek is offline  
Old November 27, 2015, 01:23 PM   #25
Ride Madone
Member
 
Join Date: May 20, 2015
Posts: 85
I hate Glock's; however, if someone was out to buy all those guns at once they are what I would recommend. Having the same battery of arms on all of your guns can come in handy in a dangerous situation. For the money, reliability, simplicity and availability, they are a great gun.
Ride Madone is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11925 seconds with 10 queries