Which is the best handgun maker?
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They all have strengths and they all have weaknesses. Best depends on what you decide is best.
If I had to give my personal opinion for over all usefulness, trust me it pains me to say this as a rabid 1911 shooter, but Glock. Dependability, accuracy, simple design.
The Croatian made Springfield tagged XD or M&P I feel could be lumped in with time after they are around for a while and get the same reputation as Glock.
If I had to give my personal opinion for over all usefulness, trust me it pains me to say this as a rabid 1911 shooter, but Glock. Dependability, accuracy, simple design.
The Croatian made Springfield tagged XD or M&P I feel could be lumped in with time after they are around for a while and get the same reputation as Glock.
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I'd take a Glock over anything out there.
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Your question made me realize just how lucky we are these days. I remember when the only decent guns around were Smiths and Colts--and Smith went through a period back in the 60s or 70s when they were making junk.
Today, look what we've got: Smith and Colt, but also Glock, SIG, H&K, Ruger, Kahr, Para-Ordnance, Springfield Armory, Beretta, Browning, Kimber, Freedom Arms, Walther and so many more... Even the 2nd-tier makers like Taurus, CZ and EAA make first-class guns now. Plus, custom gunsmiths used to be few and far between, and you took your chances on the quality of their work (or waited for many months); now they're all over the place, and damned fine ones, too.
It's enough to bring tears to an old handgunner's eyes. Good time to be a shooter, people. You young guys don't know how good you've got it.
I'm an old guy. I vote Colt.
Today, look what we've got: Smith and Colt, but also Glock, SIG, H&K, Ruger, Kahr, Para-Ordnance, Springfield Armory, Beretta, Browning, Kimber, Freedom Arms, Walther and so many more... Even the 2nd-tier makers like Taurus, CZ and EAA make first-class guns now. Plus, custom gunsmiths used to be few and far between, and you took your chances on the quality of their work (or waited for many months); now they're all over the place, and damned fine ones, too.
It's enough to bring tears to an old handgunner's eyes. Good time to be a shooter, people. You young guys don't know how good you've got it.
I'm an old guy. I vote Colt.
HK Glock and Sig!
Well, Colt is great gun, butmy experience with all of them listed have made me partial to three which are HK, Glock and Sig. They make fine handguns, but no doubt rest are also good. I think my question is really subjective one since it really comes down to personal choice, and I always thought that no matter how many rifles you own (since different caliber for different purpose) in terms of handgun you should just own one. This to practice on it and make sure you can use it well rather then having collection of them. To think of it, I need to heed my own advice.
Well, Colt is great gun, butmy experience with all of them listed have made me partial to three which are HK, Glock and Sig. They make fine handguns, but no doubt rest are also good. I think my question is really subjective one since it really comes down to personal choice, and I always thought that no matter how many rifles you own (since different caliber for different purpose) in terms of handgun you should just own one. This to practice on it and make sure you can use it well rather then having collection of them. To think of it, I need to heed my own advice.
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Maybe two... or...
Speaking of which, I'd also like a SAA, just for the history.
And a Luger P-08, ditto.
And maybe an 1860 Army, for...
Oh, well. You get the drift.
Yeah, there was a saying in the old West: "Beware the man with one gun." I'd have to say at least two, though; a full-sized battle pistol, and a smaller, more concealable weapon (since it's no longer common to see men walking around with hoglegs on their hips).
Speaking of which, I'd also like a SAA, just for the history.
And a Luger P-08, ditto.
And maybe an 1860 Army, for...
Oh, well. You get the drift.
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Too bad I missed this one. 
I don't like mouse guns that much. Probably because I have large hands, and small guns tend to get lost in my hands. I also don't care for guns that don't have a manual safety. Then again, when I was last in the military, the 1911 was the standard issue pistol.
However, I've had such fantastic good luck with Taurus firearms, my vote would have been for them.
I don't like mouse guns that much. Probably because I have large hands, and small guns tend to get lost in my hands. I also don't care for guns that don't have a manual safety. Then again, when I was last in the military, the 1911 was the standard issue pistol.
However, I've had such fantastic good luck with Taurus firearms, my vote would have been for them.
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11,377 Posts
Best
Most are good to very good. Anyone can get lucky and build a good gun every so often. Even the best can good on occasion. Overall quality is, IMHO, at an all time high. Many very good makers. Colt, Smith, Ruger, Glock, Springfield, HK, Sig, Beretta, Walther etc. The list goes on and on.
I think you should 1st detemine the mission (concealed carry, hunting etc) and narrow down type/caliber (.22 Semi-auto, .380 pocket pistol or .44 mag revolver), Then find one that fits your hand and is easily operated within your limitations. Work within your budget but remember, You get what you pay for. On the flip side, a $3500 STI open class comp gun may not fit with your needs.
Most are good to very good. Anyone can get lucky and build a good gun every so often. Even the best can good on occasion. Overall quality is, IMHO, at an all time high. Many very good makers. Colt, Smith, Ruger, Glock, Springfield, HK, Sig, Beretta, Walther etc. The list goes on and on.
I think you should 1st detemine the mission (concealed carry, hunting etc) and narrow down type/caliber (.22 Semi-auto, .380 pocket pistol or .44 mag revolver), Then find one that fits your hand and is easily operated within your limitations. Work within your budget but remember, You get what you pay for. On the flip side, a $3500 STI open class comp gun may not fit with your needs.
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I don't like tupperware. So Glocks are right out. I've always had good luck with Taurus. Besides, I just don't like the idea of having to pull the trigger to take something apart.
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Service
I live close enough to the Glock plant here in Georgia that I can take my guns in for service when needed. You walk in the front door, a nice lady calls a service man up, you give him the gun and he goes and fixes it. You can wait, or go over to Wendys and eat while he fixs/inspects/updates your gun. Never had a charge for anything (I've had sights changed, used ones inspected and wore parts replaced).
I've retured a S&W for warranty work. S&W had Fed Ex pick it up and return it - no cost either way - turn around on the gun was less than a week.
On a Sig Pro I had the rear sight inserts fall out. Sig made me ship it back my expense UPS Next Day Air ($55). Three week turnaround, Sig paid for return.
I am waiting on warranty parts from Springfield Armory right now - 2 months waiting. There is a pin in the rear adustable sight that the sight pivots up and down on. On mine that pins works out sideways when firing. Springfield is sending me a new pin, they told me so, they even sent me a letter saying so, but no pin yet. I fixed the pin myself - but the point is I shouldn't have to and Springfield should get a new pin out to me.
All guns mentioned were bought new by me -except some used Glocks that I've had inspected.
Best service award goes to Glock - 60 miles down the road.
Best non hometown service - Smith & Wesson.
Best international service - Astra (bet you didn't see that one coming!
John Q.
I live close enough to the Glock plant here in Georgia that I can take my guns in for service when needed. You walk in the front door, a nice lady calls a service man up, you give him the gun and he goes and fixes it. You can wait, or go over to Wendys and eat while he fixs/inspects/updates your gun. Never had a charge for anything (I've had sights changed, used ones inspected and wore parts replaced).
I've retured a S&W for warranty work. S&W had Fed Ex pick it up and return it - no cost either way - turn around on the gun was less than a week.
On a Sig Pro I had the rear sight inserts fall out. Sig made me ship it back my expense UPS Next Day Air ($55). Three week turnaround, Sig paid for return.
I am waiting on warranty parts from Springfield Armory right now - 2 months waiting. There is a pin in the rear adustable sight that the sight pivots up and down on. On mine that pins works out sideways when firing. Springfield is sending me a new pin, they told me so, they even sent me a letter saying so, but no pin yet. I fixed the pin myself - but the point is I shouldn't have to and Springfield should get a new pin out to me.
All guns mentioned were bought new by me -except some used Glocks that I've had inspected.
Best service award goes to Glock - 60 miles down the road.
Best non hometown service - Smith & Wesson.
Best international service - Astra (bet you didn't see that one coming!
John Q.
a persons prefferances are very important to them it's what feels good and what you decide the gun is for ,that b eing said ,if each manufacturer were giving away 1 free handguns to 1000 people and anyone of us were 1 of the thousand you all know that 90% of recipients would pick a sig. the best all around hg for the range and for the nightstand is the p220. i have a p220 elite stainless that is the best all around/accurate ootb gun i ever bought. a p250 also takes my choice out of my 9's. the 220 has less mag cap but it makes up for it in controlability and accuracy. maybe i should'nt assume for the populas. i pick the p220 series. glock comes in a distant 2nd place to me. keep in mind that people are going to pick what they have / are used to / can afford.
see now.... this knocks glock out of the running....if it were the best it would not need to be took in for servicing
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S&W
I vote S&W. I have never been less than impressed with their service even after 40 years of gun wrangling.
I vote S&W. I have never been less than impressed with their service even after 40 years of gun wrangling.
IMHO, there are too many variables involved to establish which manufacturer is "best". Not to mention a lot of personal opinion.
I'm partial to production 1911's, so I'd have to go with Kimber.
It's virtually impossible to determine which is "best", without first establishing some basic criteria by which we plan to judge the different companies.
I'm partial to production 1911's, so I'd have to go with Kimber.
It's virtually impossible to determine which is "best", without first establishing some basic criteria by which we plan to judge the different companies.
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You are right OneShot h&k can't be beat they are at the top of the list anyone who said **** don't have a clue
Sigs are pretty damn good too
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i just got a sig p226 last month for my birthday. ive put about 1000 rounds through it since getting it, and i love it. havent had any feed problems, whenever i pull the trigger, it goes. accurate, low recoil. i have no experience with the px4, but i love the p226.
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Go to a store that has several different handguns on the shelf. Find one that feels good in your hand. The perfect gun for me is likely way wrong for you. Sig and HK make very high quality guns. They tend to be a bit expensive. Smith & Wesson and Ruger make very good quality guns for a bit less. Glock, Beretta, FN, Steyer, Colt, Walther, Mauser etc. are good quality.
Above all it must fit. Fit your hand, your desired mission, your size and concealability needs, your caliber requirements, etc.
All of the above are capable of shooting far better than you are. Get what feels right and buy a bunch of ammo (a case) and shoot it regularly to get proficient.
Above all it must fit. Fit your hand, your desired mission, your size and concealability needs, your caliber requirements, etc.
All of the above are capable of shooting far better than you are. Get what feels right and buy a bunch of ammo (a case) and shoot it regularly to get proficient.
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