Was a 1911 man for most of my life, then I screwed up and fondled a CZ 75 at a gun show. After purchasing one taking it to the range I sold most of my 1911's (kept the collectible and the 10mm). I carry the Compact PCR most of the time, and have both a P01 and SP01 which also carry well, it depends a lot on the weather and what I can wear (I live in the South). The ergonomics and reliability of these pistols is simply incredible.
Another fine pistol is the Beretta PX-4 Storm. It is comfy to shoot, holds a bunch of 9mm or .40 S&W, has an exposed hammer so, along with the loaded-chamber indicator, you can see/feel the pistol's state of readiness even in the dark. The pistol was designed for military use, and you can Google videos of it being picked up out of muddy creeks and fired. Plus, they are relatively cheap, and they come in several sizes. The rotary barrel lock allows the mechanism to last seemingly forever, as in 100,000 rounds plus! --Old Guy
I've always been a fan of the Walther P-1 since I qualified with one with the German Bundeswehr while I was stationed there. It is both a single action, double action pistol with a de-cocker and thumb safety. It is easy to maintain and fire because it is like pointing your finger. Very ergonomic and extremely accurate. I'm surprised though that the Sig-Sauer 365 didn't make the cut.
Same here, 8th ID, Mainz, Lee Barracks, 1988. Good times and serious training. Got real familiar with "The Rock." Did the Grafenwöhr - Hohenfels shuffle many a time as well. Love me some kristallweissbier mit zitrone.
@@__GALLANT__ No, I was in the U.S. Army. My unit often qualified with our German sister unit. We were able to qualify with the German weapons (Walther P-1, Heckler Koch G-3). You had to have the Schützenschnur documented on your DD Form 214 in order to be able to wear it on your uniform. It's all about documentation. Were you ever in the Army stationed in Germany?
CZ P-07 10,000 rounds no malfunctions, digests everything, accurate as hell, best grip on a semi auto I have handled, will function even after a dunking in mud, sand or water (just tip the barrel down to empty the water), of my 3 carry guns, it is my favorite winter carry.
I live in South Florida, where we wear scant clothing during warmer weather. My CZ Rami is my warm weather carry. It gives up a little muzzle energy because of a shorter barrel, but is much more concealable under a t-shirt. It is also reliable as all get out, has a 14 round mag option along with the 10 round mag and tritium sights. @@__GALLANT__
The last handgun I owned was a Sig P226. Should have just kept that. I also had a Beretta 92FS. In fact, that is the handgun that I mastered at the range. Those two just happen to be my two favorites of all time. Thank you for confirming my choices.
This is a solid list Sig 226 Beretta 92fs 1911 CZ 75 HK45 (I've never fired it, but I LOVED the USP 45) Glock17(not my taste, but its still a good gun) Any one of those can be trusted to take into war.
Any of these would work well - it really comes down to personal preference. My go to is any of the CZ 75 series. I have several and bet my life on them every day. Find what works for you, get proper training, and then practice, practice, practice.
He was indeed a genius, but John Browing died well before the Hi-Power design was even finished. FN designer Saive Diodonne, who was on the team from the beginning, refined the ergonomics and made the double stack mag function. He brought the gun into production. His contribution to the Hi-Power may be greater than Browning's. It is my all -time favorite 9mm, but, the new Springfield SA-35 is arguably a better pistol.
In 94’ I turned 21 and was at the gun store waiting on it to open to purchase my first handgun. I dreamed at that time of the Glock 17 because of reliability and capacity. I bought it and it still works as good today as it did in 1994. Now the 1911 in 45 acp will ALWAYS be my favorite owning many at age 50. I have the Beretta 92fs 9mm for many years too. The Sig 226 9mm is probably one of my favorite’s on this list as well. I Loved the Sig 226 hammer fired, night sights, reliable, a real nice handgun!#🔫❤️
I've had my Sig P229 since about 2004. I changed out the barrel to a .357 Sig. But when I take it to the range I usually switch back to 40 SW to save cost of the ammo. It's built like a tank. It's a little heavy, but with the .357 Sig, it's a powerhouse.
I was in your shoes exactly 10 yrs before, home on leave, for my 21st B-day..Funds limited, saw my gun,Ruger Super Black Hawk with LOTS of holster wear, so it put it in my price range😀 Started my luv affair with the 44 ,and Rugers ,I was float in outta there..A kid with his very own 44..
I'm not surprised, but also disappointed that the Springfield XD and/or XD-M was not mentioned: it is a very durable, reliable, accurate, and yet very safe handgun; it holds one round more than the lauded Glock, and with the grip safety, is probably the safest auto, short of the M1911 series.
I agree. I think the reason they leave the Springfields out so often is politics. They know the guns stack up, they're just too in love with the in crowd which is normally some form of Glock, Sig, or 1911. I know one Seal that always carries a Springfield Hellcat. 3 of 7 Chadd Wright.
The XD's are made by HS Produkt in Croatia. I bought a couple HS Produkt, they're less fancy looking, but come with polygonal rifling and as you said, high cap, and the offerings are awesome, both in barrel lengths and calibers. And their mags are made by Mec-Gar. Amazing and amazingly underapreciated firearms.
XDM series is dead reliable I have a 4.5 10 mm that has never had a malfunction and eats anything it’s fed it’s not my favorite pistol I own but definitely one I have no issues trusting my life with. I edc a P01 because it fits my hand better and is more accurate and concealable for me it has also been very reliable but I’ve given it more maintenance and have hade to change some minor parts due to wear
I'm not surprised the Beretta 92 is high on this list. I've often been disappointed with all the newer guns because I'm used to how reliable these are.
Hello i need ur advice I’m new to the game i chose the bretta 92 because how safe it is i need a gun for home and self defense bothing more did i made a good decision by choosing the bretta 92 or there’s btter than it Btw this is my first pistol
@@t.k.morris it’s a great copy of the Beretta 92 and exactly what I had before my Beretta 92 FS but it was stolen I bought it at a gun show and never had a problem with it but never had it very long but when I first saw it I thought it was a Beretta a great copy I have a big hand and like the weight of real steel too much plastic in all the new stuff
@@plightfoot8491 I originally wanted the Beretta 92 but my son talked me into the Taurus because he liked the frame mounted safety better than Beretta's slide mount safety design. I was just curious. Thank you.
John Browning's "1911" design is behind every one of these, and his mastery represented twice in this list. Just having the label in your safe instills confidence.
I own a G.I. Model A1 1911. Good pistol, though a brick compared to the others. Pain in the ass to clean too. You better disassemble that thing in a bucket to keep the spring from flying all over.
All of these are good choices. In the military, I carried the 1911 and the 92fs. Favorite was the 1911. With fmj ammo, anything beginning with a 4?is better than a 9. LE carry gun was the Glock 17, then the G22. Never had a malfunction with any of the above after thousands of rounds fired.
thomasking4136. I served on active duty in the USMC, 1974 to 1980. I later re-enlisted into the USMC Reserves in 1989 to 1996. I am retired from the California Highway Patrol, 1984 to 2008. The CHP had a program starting in 1989, testing 5 brands of 9mm sem-auto pistols. I was fortunate to be involved in it. I carried the Glock 17, which had 17 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. A big change from a .38 S&W wheel gun. I switched to the Beretta 92FS. My USMC Reserve unit was called for Desert Storm in 1991 and I brought my CHP Beretta with me. I had no malfunctions with either of those guns.
Had G22. Felt good in the hand while examining it at the gun shop; purchased it and found I didn't like the feel after putting first 50 rounds through it. Moved on to Sig and couldn't be happier. Only thing I miss about the Glock is the super simple take-down for cleaning.
A successful firefight depends on damage on impact. I was a field Radio Operator when I was active service. I was issued a Colt .45. My unit was there to give me cover. I fired expert two years in a row. After that I got Sharpshooter but my target was just as dead. I still think that its a great weapon.
I agree with several of these picks, I own a 1911, Beretta 9m and have fired the sigs. All great guns. The browning 9mm while reliable, is a gun I sold. The lack of a substantial beaver tail would cause the hammer to hit the web of my hand every time I fired it. It was not pleasant to practice with. Now when I select a semi auto, I do lots of research on reliability in firing ammo with no jams. Also is it comfortable in my hand, accurate and pleasant to shoot. Confidence in your gun goes a long way. What works best in your hand meens a lot. I have also fired guns (small) where the slide has cut the web of my hand. I can comfortably shoot 9mm and 45. Other people can't. Ultimately it comes down to other factors like age, sex and size. If a small caliber is what you can shoot comfortably, accurately, then maybe that's the best for you. Before purchase go to a gun range and rent their guns and see what works for you. The best gun is the one you can practice with. Don't forget revolvers as an option.
I have a 1911 45 ACP and a Beretta 92F 9mm but my bedroom gun is a vintage Colt Agent 38 Special snub nose revolver. An old school retired senior here.
I've owned my Beretta 92FS for over 10 years. I'm 69 now, and I've owned and used firearms since I was 9 years old. Colt 32 semi pistol, Remington .308 rifle, Remington 12guage, 22LR revolver, and a 30-30 mauser. I've put thousands of rounds through the Beretta at the range. I religiously clean it after every range session. I've never had a jam, ever. I use brass jacketed ammo only, and a speed loader. It just works, period. Feels great in my hands and is insanely accurate. Love it. Great firearm, great choice.
My favorite carry weapon is the Glock 19 gen 3. It's a touch big for concealed carry, but I wear loose oversized untucked t-shirts with an open Hawaiian shirt in summer & am comfortable carrying it in a number of locations around my waist depending on my clothing (I prefer up front appendix position - I just don't want to make a mistake drawing it with a chambered shell & shooting off necessary parts ;) ). I like the fact that the Glock is dependable even if you don't clean & lube it after every range session. Friends have let theirs go a month, but I'm not THAT lazy. Mine is modified with a longer accuratized threaded barrel for better range accuracy which I usually switch out for a custom regulation-sized barrel without the threading for easier concealed draws, Trijicon HD XR night sights (the XR has a narrower front blade making for easier draw & better sight between the rear blades), extended Vickers mag release button, extended Vickers slide lever for quick breakdown, a lighter-pull 3 lb custom hand-polished trigger (I usually don't recommend lightening trigger pull lest inexperienced shooters sometimes fire before they fully assess the situation & in a life-or-death situation, I don't think your adrenaline would let you notice a few extra pounds - but I've been shooting for 50 years & NEVER put my finger inside the trigger guard until I'm absolutely ready to fire), and, best of all, a Crimson Trace backstrap-mounted green laser. It is activated only when you grip the handle firmly, with the activation button on the backstrap, so you can activate the laser on for just seconds, fire & shut off the laser, not giving your position away. It fits my smaller hands. I know some people don't like the Glock's ergonomics, but it is a perfect fit for me & I have excellent control with almost no recoil because of the striker design & the low bore axis, with quick target reacquisition. I don't like double-action pistols because the first trigger pull is longer & heavier. Every pull of my trigger is exactly the same. I also like the fact that it resets with only a partial release of the trigger, upping my fire rate, and you can feel the trigger reset point easily. It is incredibly dependable & I have never had a glitch with tens of thousands of rounds fired. When wearing a coat, I usually opt for the Glock 17 mags since they hold 2 more cartridges & only extend the width of a single cartridge from the butt. For competition, I prefer my Staccato XC with the 2.5 pound trigger option since I set my Glocks to 3 lb. I also have an older CZ-Shadow stock 9mm, retired when I got my Staccato - the easiest gun to shoot accurately, even for noobs, that I've ever fired. My favorite ankle pistol is a Glock G43 (The 26 carries 4 more rounds, but at a weight disadvantage). Carrying 2 Glocks is good because all Glocks feel familiar and the same to me & it's easy to make the transition. The only mod I've made on this was to add Trijicon HD XR sights - I HATE factory sights on Glocks - it's their Achilles heel.
I agree with your take on the Beretta, not a fan of that safety. That is why I went with a Taurus, same look, but frame mounted thumb safety you can sweep like a 1911.
Yes I have a Taurus PT99 for the same reason. Beretta has finally brought back the frame mounted safety on its 92X Performance and 92X SAO. For a short time Beretta imported the 92 Steel which had a frame mounted safely. The Beretta 2000 year Beretta Billennium had a frame mounted safety. The Bellinnium is a beautiful pistol
Yes, reliability is a high priority, for sure. That's one reason I like combat-proven military surplus pistols, even if they're called "obsolete" nowadays. I'd say my Tokarevs are the most reliable handguns I own (and sometimes carry). -- BR
Hey Bill, you sound like me regarding "obsolescent" pistols. I like My Chinese Tok in 9mm, but I also trust Lugers, 1911s, and Berettas to protect me -- after careful testing, of course. My personal favorite is the Walther P-38. It is accurate enough, reliable, and the slide-mounted safety makes it easy to get a grip and rack the slide. That's a big deal for me as I am 68, and despite hours in the gym, my hands are growing weaker. Stay safe! --Old Guy
@@Ed-ig7fj I'm a bit older (74) than you w/ ZERO hours in the gym (yes, I'm embarrassed!)...but still can rack slides (although I've never really had a strong grip, and now I have some osteoarthritis issues). However, some of my semi-auto handguns are easier to rack than others. For example, the Sig P238 (.380ACP) is not difficult, which is one reason I suggest the P238 (or perhaps Kimber Micro or Springfield 911 or even the Colt Mustang?) as a carry gun for women or infirm -- the Beretta Tomcat slide is almost impossible for them (but at least it has the "tip-up" barrel feature they might use better). But my 1950s Tokarevs (2 Romanian, 1 Polish) slides are not hard to rack. Plus, the triggers on the Tokarevs are quite nice, not like today's heavy "lawyer triggers" -- for example, I've heard the currently made Tokarevs by Zastava have way heavier triggers than the "vintage" Tokarevs have. I used a Romanian Tokarev (a "magnum" of its time) for my Texas conceal-carry permit shooting qualification session some time back...the only drawback was its single-stack mag capacity. The fireball it made at dusk was a bonus. Still, (for several reasons) I'm looking into carrying a "crap" Kel Tec (yes!) P17 22LR for my EDC. It has mostly high ratings/reviews just about everywhere online & TH-cam, and as per Kel Tec pricing it's not too costly. Seems like a great value for what you get. Mine coming is in OD green (they come in several colors) and presently en-route to my local FFL. When I get it will (1) see how reliable it is and (2) how well I can shoot it. If it passes both of those tests, may very well start carrying it (EDC). With what's in the gun and in a spare magazine, I'd have a quick 30rds at the minimum (would be using 40-gr solids CCI Mini-Mags in it). Not bad -- especially if you can put them all in the same target-zone. And quickly. You stay safe also, -- BR (Older Guy) ;-)
Ruger lcr, Springfield xds, fn fns and 1911. Ruger makes some really nice point and shoot pistols. There is something about how they handle that feels comfortable to me. Even though it has a short barrel that lcr is very accurate. It is more accurate than it really needs to be. The lcr is the most comfortable carry pistol I own. The xds is a close second to carry. Everyone is different. Look, if you like a high point, I will not argue with you. High points are reliable.
I KNEW IT! The Number One was gonna be a Sig. I carried a P220 in .45 ACP, European Controls, with a P230 in .380 as a backup, again, European controls because that's all the 230 offers. Once I trained my reflexes I didn't want to confuse them when I switched pistols.
You have something against revolvers? Revolvers as a class of handgun are known the world over as the most reliable guns ever made! But I have to agree on your semi-auto choices for the most part. The CZ75B, Hi-Power and 1911 are my favorite 3 semi-autos.
Federal Ammunition fired a million rounds out of a HK USP and never had a failure , they just did normal cleaning and they can document every round fired as it was machine firing the rounds , so they contacted HK and said would you like to see the pistol and they said Hell yes , send it to us ASAP , HK wanted to have the Engineers give it the Electron microscope once over !
Not true at all. I am a major revolver guy have a large number of them from 500sw 22lr and everything in between. Only people that have never worked on 4evopvers think they are more reliable. Get some d8rt between the back and cylinder face . Forget it if you get any m7d 8nnthere 8ts done. There are a lot more parts and the timing far more critical on revolvers than striker fired guns. The true benefit of a revolver is you have no case left. This might sound like an issuefir criminals but there isva reason they are used by deep cover intelligence Ops. You can take as frame or short k frame rd frame grip and make a very deep concealment hols5eriut if a metal close hanger. If needing to ditch it especially working in SA AO you can dump the whole rig and are clean. The other benefit is for its simplicity in already loaded operation. Plenty of women can not load the high spring rate mags of compact or micro semi autos. They have issues racking slides ir understanding what to do. But a revolver is point and shoot. No issues with blocking the slide leading to short stroke etc. So there certainly are benefits but being more reliable is certainly not one of them. A SW M&P is probably the most reliable striker fired poly gun. But honestly well maintained many of the modernhandguns today are very good. CZ P series. Hk 45/c, Sig p226, even glock but it's no longer number one everyone caught up and some pasted them up leading them to copy others to try and keep up. P365 variant is probably the best concealed small framed handgun to date but for me personally just as with M&P they can be made even better with upgrades increasing their position even more past others. I split my carry between a icarus framed p365, Kimberly 3" 357, s&w M&P 2 with numerous upgrades 4" compact frame that has the full length picatinny rail with a 3.6" slide and threaded barrel with single port comp gives me a comp gun with the dimensions of a g19. All my carry guys have red dots closed emitter 6 moa or larger dot. These are concealed carry gun not USPSA IPSC or 3 gun setups. They are not my full size nightstand gun. Not worried about a dot covering a head @100 yd
Walther P38 and P1 series of pistols. Maybe not high speed, low drag, but the several I have used and carried over the last 40 years of shooting have been just fine.
I have a Glock 35. Purchased it when they made their first appearance on the market. I’ve been through a lot with that weapon and no matter what, it’s never let me down. I also have a Glock 22 and 23. I also have a S&W 9C and the Springfield Hellcat. I love them all for the variety that they give me and that I want but my Glock is my baby. Always have been and always will be.
I'm disappointed. The headline on this said #1 would blow my mind. The p226 in the #1 spot is not mind blowing. Agree or disagree with that pick, it's not really a controversial choice.
It’s the most reliable handgun you can find. It eats whatever you feed it. Don’t try it with a Glock. I got my first p226 in 1994 and carried it in duty for 24 years. No malfunctions. 6 years after retiring it still functions as designed.
No gun is mind blowing so why are you reading into that ? If the gun works as designed it’s reliable. That means with both FMJ and hollow point ammunition.
I do not disagree with being picked. Although at that level, hairs are being split so fine that microscopes are needed. My point was that it is totally unsurprising that it was picked. Everybody already knew.
XDM Elite Compact. Great trigger. Small enough for pocket carry in a holster I have the .45 and the 9mm. No failures on either one. Up to about 500 rounds on each one.
I've owned a Sig P226 Legion RX for about 4 years now. 5000 rounds in, and not a single malfunction, nor any signs of decreased performance. From Wolf steel to Hornady brass, it spits out any ammo you can feed it with no hiccups. Side note: no amount of carbon build up, cold, or clothing lint will stop this machine. Tried and tested.
Years ago I rented a CZ75 at my range. This gun was beat up one side and down the other. It was used, abused, and looked like it got ran over all day. It was accurate, on target, smooth, and didn't misfire once. Low recoil and felt awesome in my hand. If i was a buyer, this would have been it. But with my hand issues, i cannot deal with anything over .22
Great list, covers most of the iconic pistols. Would agree that the 92FS is about as reliable as it gets. I could pretty much put any ammo through it and it shoots about as straight as anything I own. Puts sort of another burden on the shooter in a defensive situation, given it will work reliably and straight, high expectation of a shot on target. Yes it’s a little big (I replaced the grips for a slightly smaller profile) but you just shoot it with confidence.
I opted for one of these myself recently. In your experience, based on "factory new" condition of one, is it safe to run +p or any higher-grain rounds in it (beyond the listed 9mm Luger, I mean) without worrying about it blowing up on me? I really like it and I'd rather not have a catastrophic failure due to my own ignorance if I can help it.
@@RighteousJ I have never run plus P though it though my understanding is that you can. But I did run a nasty Turkish load through it. I ran it through a SW Sigma and Taurus G3C which just wouldn’t feed it. I ran it with a P365, felt like someone was pulling the gun from my hand from the ceiling. I even ran it through a commander Girsan 1911 and two Girsan Hi-Powers to see if the ammo would run through “native” firearms. The aim was inconsistent. The only gun I had that ran it well was the 92FS. You can call it an experiment with bad training ammo. It was my own limited torture test. After that I had even more respect for the 92 than before. Now I just run Standard off the shelf stuff like Federal, Fiochi, Lawman, or Winchester. And it is by far the most consistent pistol I have with any load. Throw out the Turkish ammo and I have a few pistols in the realm of consistency but that Turkish stuff was a hot inconsistent load. I bought it post covid when supplies were low. Never bought it again regardless of the price.
Doesn’t surprise me. I have an old P225 MK that has a lot of rounds through it. It always fires. It’s never jammed. I also have a new 226 legion and a low-mileage but older 229. The all work flawlessly.
I’d just like to say I carried a Glock 17 before I got my 19 and I’ve bought probably 15 different holsters I finally found the perfect holster made by Mike at Last Line of Defense. I carry appendix with no issues whatsoever full movement and incredible draw
All things considered: reliability, simplicity, ease of maintenance, ease of modification, accuracy, safety, almost infinite choice of modification, and cost. GLOCK RULES!!!!!
10:09 The Beretta safety mechanism is fine. Don't try to LIFT the safety lever with the thumb ... simply push the thumb of the trigger hand forward. Try it and you'll see what I mean.
I have a bunch of SW, Springfield 1911 Trophy match pistols, and 1911 Rugers, None of them jammed so far in the 10 years of taking them to the range. I think there should be a video made for guns that jam the most, and that would be a good start.
@@emmanuelhurd866 Hammer. 30 years retired combat vet. Tens of thousands of dollars spent on my training on the 1911 and M9. Why retrain myself now on a different platform?
I have an old Taurus pt92 I bought it at Wal mart 1992ish. I have put more than 10,000 rounds through it. I hade one round hang up in it the second clip ever fired. Since then 0 trouble. For the price it has been good gun. Specially since I got it for being in the hills Hiking, Camping
Having spent over half of my adult life (I am now 71 and retired) working for such companies as Glock, Colt, and Sig (to name only a few) I would really like to know what list of priorities were used to come up with this group of guns. I either currently own or have at least shot everything in this presentation, and I just don’t get how you came up with the numerical order, and how a couple of these pistols even made the list. In any case, it was nothing if not interesting.
Your reply said is accurate. I’m an solid on the P series from Sig Sur production line I will try the Sig 365 an once the Ruger GP-100 saved my life during an street ambush an I lived through it downtown Los Angeles is not an comfort spot in my play book.
@@LosDosOkies Question the top 3 in my opinion An tie the guns selected Browning Sig Sur Colt series 1. Browning high power- Power, shooting durability. 2. The Sig Sur P-226 Dependability to shoot down range with 9.99 accuracy rating. 3. The reliable Colt 45 revolver Easy load an does not become warm during furring many consecutive rounds during street combat.
I carried a hangun for most of my adult life; after the Army I spent 24yrs working for an armored car company. The most accurate pistols I've owned are Sig P220 & P228; my favorite carry weapon is the XD45, groups almost as well as P220 and almost double the capacity
I have owned and carried several from this list and I also want to mention the S&W 59 and 69 series. Never had any problem with my 915 on duty. I avoided striker fired pistols at first but I now carry the S&W M& P 2.0 for it's concealability and capacity. It's accurate enough.
I have an hk ps9 in 45cal shoots ok nice and small 10 rd single stack accurate kinda spendy though could sell it and buy any two other guns I think. Polygonal rifling and a solid breech block shoots tight at 25 yds I’m keeping it
I liked the 1911. My 2nd pistol was a WW II Essex. I have had Colt, series 70, Remington… been in many classes with others bragging on their 1911 from big names. As RELIABILITY was the measure. I can say they taught a guy how to do a malfunction drill without thinking. Funny on S&W you showed many options for grip sized barrel length. Are you now aware Glock has similar shorter, more compact models? For out of box reliability. Glock has it. It took me years to get over the look. The only MF I recall is when I topped off a mag at a match. I failed to seat mag before start. “Beep” bang, *CLICK”. tap, rack, bang, bang, bang…. Thanks to 1911s I still had muscle memory, still had good time.
personally my Springfield XD-9 is not only great in grip and trigger safeties. Its a excellent choice in reliability and control. I’ve put rounds in the black at longer distances. Wouldn’t use anything else
All 3 Sig 228 I ever used/owned had zero jams. Super powerful and sand resistant. Only 2 issues are its tendency to suffer from rust and its slide "dancing" after the gun had been put theough over 25-30k bullets.
Interesting the HK P30 isn’t on the list. That had a rigorous military testing of 90,000+ shots fired without malfunction. They also went 12,000 rounds without cleaning it before there was an issue.
Funny story.... I served a guy that was TDY while at Fort Benning (Moore), and he was part of the group that tested the FS92 Beretta, Browning Hi-power 9mm, and I think other competitors as well?? He said that the FS92 was the clear winner...
I was given the opportunity,to go shooting with a fellow church member, a former sailor. We arrived at the shooting spot, an indoor range. He asked if I wanted to shoot his m&p, in .40 cal. " Why, yes", was my response. When I got my hands on that piece, it never occurred to me, that the first gen m&p, would be so smooth, as I'd bought a " Sigma", and from the bench, at twenty five yards, got a group that measured " 13/16" inch !!!!! The s&p was very comfortable in the hand, dispute it's mag capacity, and, once I quickly learned the trigger, I was shooting " snake eyes", on the target!!!!! When he said, " you can really shoot", I could only contribute the results to the pistol!!!!!! I told him, " I've gotta get me one of these!!!!!" But now, they have a second generation pistol..... Something to definitely investigate!!! You will not go wrong with!!!!!
I’ve been caring a 1911 in 45 ACP since 1972. I carried it with me six years in the military and 35+ years law enforcement also carried a full size every day as my everyday carry. It has never failed to perform when I needed it. Anything that mechanical and I mean anything can and will fail. You have to acknowledge that and then you have to train for what happens when it does. I have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of round fired. I have gone through hundreds of training classes, I have taught training classes And I still practice in front of a mirror how to draw and re-holster my 1911. I still go to the range every month. And I would not tell anybody what gun or caliber they should carry doing that just means you’re arrogant and think you know something more than somebody else else. I would never even with all the time in experience and training. I’ve had tell anybody that I’m an expert. Whatever you buy train with it there is no such thing as too much training. Like I said, I practice in front of the mirror, all the time, drawing and getting it safely back in the holster I go to the range every month the minute I can’t do or I stopped doing either one of those is a day that I will stop carrying because I’m not proficient and well-trained enough. Remember anybody including me that tells you what is right or wrong is just their opinion. The only advice I would give is train constantly forever. And affectedness and capability does not have to do with caliber. It has to do with shot placement and follow up. That’s been proven in actual day-to-day scenarios for decades 22 caliber is lethal.
I have a Bng HP, Sig P226, Colt 1911, and a Beretta 92FS, (Just recently acquired). The Hi-Power is the pistol I have the most experience with starting in 1973 and was my carry gun for many years. I shot the 1911 in the Army in 1969, and the Sig P226 replaced the Browning once I fired it. I have trouble with shooting the 92FS but it is currently being tuned by one of the best gun smiths in Az. All in All I prefer hammered firearms over the striker fired ones but that is just the preference that comes with over 60 years of shooting experience. Any of the handguns in this video would protect one from harm. Great explanations also in the reviews. My personal preference is the Sig P226, followed by the BHP, then the 1911. At the age of 72 I find the double action pistols work best for me in the street. Fine article.
Track record makes a gun reliable, not personal preference. The Sig P226 is arguably the most proven combat handgun in the world. It enjoyed a long tenure with the Navy SEALs where it proved itself in every combat environment. Other pistols have great track records, or are establishing their track records, but few currently have the track record of the 226.
More combat proven than the Colt 1911, or the Hi-Power, or the Tokarev? I doubt it. The 226 deserves the accolades it gets, and is among the afformentioned, but I dont think any guns come close to the widespread distribution, combat reliablity or hideous field maintenence conditions of the FirstThree. They were in the field decades before many of us were even born.
@@Lollygagger-k4p Doubt away. The Navy SEAL's don't doubt it. The fact that the 226 was used by the Navy SEAL's for three decades should tell you something. You don't see other SOF's using those guns you mentioned. Do other SOF's that engage in maritime operations use those guns you mentioned? No. None of those guns passed the IDF handgun trials, only the P226. The reason the use by the SEAL's is important, is that they fire thousands and thousands of rounds through their guns, training with them practically every day. These high round count pistols are taken to various environments for training. SEAL's don't pretend it's hot and sandy, they go to the desert. They don't pretend they are in salt water, they are. In other words, their training, based on the way it's structured, is essentially combat use of the weapons. At one time, the 226 was the most widely used handgun by police, military, and SOF's worldwide. Track record, by virtue of the number of agencies using it, the length of time those agencies used it, and by virtue of the way those agencies used it. BTW, you forgot the CZ75 Reply
I have a Sig 226, love it and in fact, loved it so much I picked up the 229 (compact version of the 226). Both came with red-dot sites. Great pistols and not surprised they came in at #1 on this list. I also have the Sig P238, great pocket carry gun with Sig quality and reliability. I don't have only Sig's, in fact, my favorite gun to shoot for fun is my Browning .22; I could shoot that gun all day and just have the time of my life. First gun I ever purchased was a Browning Hi-Power 9mm. Great pistol and I still have it today, though I rarely shoot it anymore. It stays in the case and only has about 500 rounds through it. It's going to be a keep-sake gun, not for sale, or trade.
In my 75 years, I have owned many hand guns ranging from the 1911, P226, Beretta 92FS and others. I'll never part with my home protector, 1911 or my carry weapon, P226. I still take them to the range from time to time so that they can get some exercise. I bought my 1911 back in the 1970's. She's just a sweet shooter for a weapon that size but my favorite is my Sig P226. She's my CCW and contrary to what many people have said, I have found the 226 as easy to conceal as any other smaller weapon.
The reliability of a handgun can vary depending on factors such as the manufacturer, model, maintenance, and usage. Some well-regarded handguns known for their reliability include models from Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson M&P series, and Heckler & Koch. It's essential to consider personal preferences, intended use, and individual factors when choosing a handgun. Additionally, regular maintenance and proper training contribute significantly to the reliability and performance of any firearm.
As a retired military armorer (USMC MOS 2111) and small arms instructor, I have seen and dealt with countless problems with the baretta up to and including catastrophic failure resulting in serious injuries to the user. The adoption of the baretta was politically based, not performance based.
How did you score this? title says most RELIABLE, so I don't think mag capacity, caliber, accuracy, size, weight, material it;s made of, or ergonomics should be considered. Reliable to me means: how many shots can it shoot in its lifetime? how often does it jam? how easy does it break? can it feed all available makes of ammo reliably? can it handle an overloaded cartridge? does it work when it is dirty? do the sights need batteries? will the sights damage when it gets dropped?
Was a 1911 man for most of my life, then I screwed up and fondled a CZ 75 at a gun show. After purchasing one taking it to the range I sold most of my 1911's (kept the collectible and the 10mm). I carry the Compact PCR most of the time, and have both a P01 and SP01 which also carry well, it depends a lot on the weather and what I can wear (I live in the South). The ergonomics and reliability of these pistols is simply incredible.
Me too!
Another fine pistol is the Beretta PX-4 Storm. It is comfy to shoot, holds a bunch of 9mm or .40 S&W, has an exposed hammer so, along with the loaded-chamber indicator, you can see/feel the pistol's state of readiness even in the dark. The pistol was designed for military use, and you can Google videos of it being picked up out of muddy creeks and fired. Plus, they are relatively cheap, and they come in several sizes. The rotary barrel lock allows the mechanism to last seemingly forever, as in 100,000 rounds plus! --Old Guy
I have a px 4 storm sub-compact. It's pretty nice
I've always been a fan of the Walther P-1 since I qualified with one with the German Bundeswehr while I was stationed there. It is both a single action, double action pistol with a de-cocker and thumb safety. It is easy to maintain and fire because it is like pointing your finger. Very ergonomic and extremely accurate. I'm surprised though that the Sig-Sauer 365 didn't make the cut.
@@badger519 Did you receive the Schützenschnur? I got the Gold Schützenschnur.
Same here, 8th ID, Mainz, Lee Barracks, 1988. Good times and serious training. Got real familiar with "The Rock." Did the Grafenwöhr - Hohenfels shuffle many a time as well. Love me some kristallweissbier mit zitrone.
@@frankackerman8408 You would need to first be in the German army to get the medal, right Frank? So you were in the German army?
@@__GALLANT__ No, I was in the U.S. Army. My unit often qualified with our German sister unit. We were able to qualify with the German weapons (Walther P-1, Heckler Koch G-3). You had to have the Schützenschnur documented on your DD Form 214 in order to be able to wear it on your uniform. It's all about documentation. Were you ever in the Army stationed in Germany?
Did the joke go over your head Frank? I don't think badger was trying to bust your balls. @@frankackerman8408
CZ P-07 10,000 rounds no malfunctions, digests everything, accurate as hell, best grip on a semi auto I have handled, will function even after a dunking in mud, sand or water (just tip the barrel down to empty the water), of my 3 carry guns, it is my favorite winter carry.
Why is it not your favorite in Spring, Summer, Autumn?
I live in South Florida, where we wear scant clothing during warmer weather. My CZ Rami is my warm weather carry. It gives up a little muzzle energy because of a shorter barrel, but is much more concealable under a t-shirt. It is also reliable as all get out, has a 14 round mag option along with the 10 round mag and tritium sights. @@__GALLANT__
@@__GALLANT__bulky and prints in light summer clothing
so it may be a seasonal gun, well that makes sense@@adnan9520
OK bunner
The last handgun I owned was a Sig P226. Should have just kept that. I also had a Beretta 92FS. In fact, that is the handgun that I mastered at the range. Those two just happen to be my two favorites of all time. Thank you for confirming my choices.
Super solid choice each are great.
I bought a SIG 320 and it's no where near as accurate as my Beretta 92f.
I love my Beretta 92!
This is a solid list
Sig 226
Beretta 92fs
1911
CZ 75
HK45 (I've never fired it, but I LOVED the USP 45)
Glock17(not my taste, but its still a good gun)
Any one of those can be trusted to take into war.
Don't feel bad, I still 2 this day regret selling my Security Six in .357 Mag just because I needed extra 😢📈💸💸
Beretta PX-4 is the most underrated handgun of all time.
I agree. She's a bit chunky (I have the carry model) but what an outstanding firearm.
Same goes for any Walther
I like the way it feels in my hand
Any of these would work well - it really comes down to personal preference. My go to is any of the CZ 75 series. I have several and bet my life on them every day. Find what works for you, get proper training, and then practice, practice, practice.
John Browning was the genius.
He was indeed a genius, but John Browing died well before the Hi-Power design was even finished. FN designer Saive Diodonne, who was on the team from the beginning, refined the ergonomics and made the double stack mag function. He brought the gun into production. His contribution to the Hi-Power may be greater than Browning's.
It is my all -time favorite 9mm, but, the new Springfield SA-35 is arguably a better pistol.
The Browning HP is still a great pistol. Some of the SAS guys preferred it to their SIGs. It won an IPSC world championship.
And some don't..
Much better then 7.
M11 A1 over 226.
In 94’ I turned 21 and was at the gun store waiting on it to open to purchase my first handgun. I dreamed at that time of the Glock 17 because of reliability and capacity. I bought it and it still works as good today as it did in 1994. Now the 1911 in 45 acp will ALWAYS be my favorite owning many at age 50. I have the Beretta 92fs 9mm for many years too. The Sig 226 9mm is probably one of my favorite’s on this list as well. I Loved the Sig 226 hammer fired, night sights, reliable, a real nice handgun!#🔫❤️
The P226 was my first purchase in 1995, still my favorite amongst all my others.
I've had my Sig P229 since about 2004. I changed out the barrel to a .357 Sig. But when I take it to the range I usually switch back to 40 SW to save cost of the ammo. It's built like a tank. It's a little heavy, but with the .357 Sig, it's a powerhouse.
I was in your shoes exactly 10 yrs before, home on leave, for my 21st B-day..Funds limited, saw my gun,Ruger Super Black Hawk with LOTS of holster wear, so it put it in my price range😀 Started my luv affair with the 44 ,and Rugers ,I was float in outta there..A kid with his very own 44..
It’s not reliable. Glock is more reliable with fmj rounds, but has a tendency too malfunction with defensive ammunition.
th-cam.com/video/xqR2rex2ZbQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Rma7aadqOJlKsC9M
I'm not surprised, but also disappointed that the Springfield XD and/or XD-M was not mentioned: it is a very durable, reliable, accurate, and yet very safe handgun; it holds one round more than the lauded Glock, and with the grip safety, is probably the safest auto, short of the M1911 series.
I agree. I think the reason they leave the Springfields out so often is politics. They know the guns stack up, they're just too in love with the in crowd which is normally some form of Glock, Sig, or 1911. I know one Seal that always carries a Springfield Hellcat. 3 of 7 Chadd Wright.
The XD's are made by HS Produkt in Croatia. I bought a couple HS Produkt, they're less fancy looking, but come with polygonal rifling and as you said, high cap, and the offerings are awesome, both in barrel lengths and calibers. And their mags are made by Mec-Gar. Amazing and amazingly underapreciated firearms.
XDM series is dead reliable I have a 4.5 10 mm that has never had a malfunction and eats anything it’s fed it’s not my favorite pistol I own but definitely one I have no issues trusting my life with. I edc a P01 because it fits my hand better and is more accurate and concealable for me it has also been very reliable but I’ve given it more maintenance and have hade to change some minor parts due to wear
The XDs are good handguns another one missed on the list... 2 XD-9 1st Gen in our family...
The whole XD series is trash.
My 1851 Navy Colt in .36 has served me well 😊 so far
I'm not surprised the Beretta 92 is high on this list. I've often been disappointed with all the newer guns because I'm used to how reliable these are.
Hello i need ur advice I’m new to the game i chose the bretta 92 because how safe it is i need a gun for home and self defense bothing more did i made a good decision by choosing the bretta 92 or there’s btter than it
Btw this is my first pistol
I had a Beretta 92F, lovely pistol!
Won’t give up my Beretta 92FS for no other and I’ve tried them all
I had nothing but stovepipes with my 92FS. I sold it and made the dealer promise he wouldn’t sell it to a LEO.
@chiguy750 You didn't make no dealer do anything lol. Shut up 😂
How about the Taurus PT92?
@@t.k.morris it’s a great copy of the Beretta 92 and exactly what I had before my Beretta 92 FS but it was stolen I bought it at a gun show and never had a problem with it but never had it very long but when I first saw it I thought it was a Beretta a great copy I have a big hand and like the weight of real steel too much plastic in all the new stuff
@@plightfoot8491 I originally wanted the Beretta 92 but my son talked me into the Taurus because he liked the frame mounted safety better than Beretta's slide mount safety design. I was just curious. Thank you.
I love the S&W Shield 2.0. My accuracy increased significantly since I bought that pistol. Good for concealing.
Cz 75 sp 01 went to 500 shots with no problems. One of the best in the world.
In top 4
John Browning's "1911" design is behind every one of these, and his mastery represented twice in this list.
Just having the label in your safe instills confidence.
I own a G.I. Model A1 1911. Good pistol, though a brick compared to the others. Pain in the ass to clean too. You better disassemble that thing in a bucket to keep the spring from flying all over.
@@frankackerman8408nice. Thinking about getting the MC Comander. Not sure if it’s a good pick for 1200
The CZ uses an internal slide design which is stronger and increases accuracy.
@@SmileyDave-h5z I bought the Operator MC
@@dabol4423 very nice. Old style CZ pistols have the exposed hammer but I like that they DON'T have a grip safety.
Carried the Browning for 13 years and never had a singe stoppage or malfunction, loved it and it would be my choice again.
I have to agree with you. My daily is a Sig P229 which is the same as a P226 except a little smaller.
It's much closed to the 228, possibly with a slide made from more rust resistance Steel.
All of these are good choices. In the military, I carried the 1911 and the 92fs. Favorite was the 1911. With fmj ammo, anything beginning with a 4?is better than a 9.
LE carry gun was the Glock 17, then the G22. Never had a malfunction with any of the above after thousands of rounds fired.
thomasking4136. I served on active duty in the USMC, 1974 to 1980. I later re-enlisted into the USMC Reserves in 1989 to 1996. I am retired from the California Highway Patrol, 1984 to 2008. The CHP had a program starting in 1989, testing 5 brands of 9mm sem-auto pistols. I was fortunate to be involved in it. I carried the Glock 17, which had 17 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. A big change from a .38 S&W wheel gun. I switched to the Beretta 92FS. My USMC Reserve unit was called for Desert Storm in 1991 and I brought my CHP Beretta with me. I had no malfunctions with either of those guns.
Carried 1911 for 2 years MP’s US Army, not pretty or in your pocket gun, but loved it, still hav e 2 of them
As the old joke goes...."Why do you shoot a .45?.....Because they don't make a .46"
Had G22. Felt good in the hand while examining it at the gun shop; purchased it and found I didn't like the feel after putting first 50 rounds through it. Moved on to Sig and couldn't be happier. Only thing I miss about the Glock is the super simple take-down for cleaning.
My top three, in order of preference: CZ 75B , Sig 226, Browning HiPower.
A successful firefight depends on damage on impact. I was a field Radio Operator when I was active service. I was issued a Colt .45. My unit was there to give me cover. I fired expert two years in a row. After that I got Sharpshooter but my target was just as dead. I still think that its a great weapon.
I agree, carried one in the MP’s , US Army 1964-66
I agree with several of these picks, I own a 1911, Beretta 9m and have fired the sigs. All great guns. The browning 9mm while reliable, is a gun I sold. The lack of a substantial beaver tail would cause the hammer to hit the web of my hand every time I fired it. It was not pleasant to practice with. Now when I select a semi auto, I do lots of research on reliability in firing ammo with no jams. Also is it comfortable in my hand, accurate and pleasant to shoot. Confidence in your gun goes a long way. What works best in your hand meens a lot. I have also fired guns (small) where the slide has cut the web of my hand. I can comfortably shoot 9mm and 45. Other people can't. Ultimately it comes down to other factors like age, sex and size. If a small caliber is what you can shoot comfortably, accurately, then maybe that's the best for you. Before purchase go to a gun range and rent their guns and see what works for you. The best gun is the one you can practice with. Don't forget revolvers as an option.
I have a 1911 45 ACP and a Beretta 92F 9mm but my bedroom gun is a vintage Colt Agent 38 Special snub nose revolver.
An old school retired senior here.
I've owned my Beretta 92FS for over 10 years. I'm 69 now, and I've owned and used firearms since I was 9 years old. Colt 32 semi pistol, Remington .308 rifle, Remington 12guage, 22LR revolver, and a 30-30 mauser. I've put thousands of rounds through the Beretta at the range. I religiously clean it after every range session. I've never had a jam, ever. I use brass jacketed ammo only, and a speed loader. It just works, period. Feels great in my hands and is insanely accurate. Love it. Great firearm, great choice.
My favorite is the Browning Hi Power. Because of it’s ergonomics. Next favorite is my Beretta 92F Centurion. The Ultra reliable pistol
FNS shoots great
My favorite carry weapon is the Glock 19 gen 3. It's a touch big for concealed carry, but I wear loose oversized untucked t-shirts with an open Hawaiian shirt in summer & am comfortable carrying it in a number of locations around my waist depending on my clothing (I prefer up front appendix position - I just don't want to make a mistake drawing it with a chambered shell & shooting off necessary parts ;) ). I like the fact that the Glock is dependable even if you don't clean & lube it after every range session. Friends have let theirs go a month, but I'm not THAT lazy. Mine is modified with a longer accuratized threaded barrel for better range accuracy which I usually switch out for a custom regulation-sized barrel without the threading for easier concealed draws, Trijicon HD XR night sights (the XR has a narrower front blade making for easier draw & better sight between the rear blades), extended Vickers mag release button, extended Vickers slide lever for quick breakdown, a lighter-pull 3 lb custom hand-polished trigger (I usually don't recommend lightening trigger pull lest inexperienced shooters sometimes fire before they fully assess the situation & in a life-or-death situation, I don't think your adrenaline would let you notice a few extra pounds - but I've been shooting for 50 years & NEVER put my finger inside the trigger guard until I'm absolutely ready to fire), and, best of all, a Crimson Trace backstrap-mounted green laser. It is activated only when you grip the handle firmly, with the activation button on the backstrap, so you can activate the laser on for just seconds, fire & shut off the laser, not giving your position away. It fits my smaller hands. I know some people don't like the Glock's ergonomics, but it is a perfect fit for me & I have excellent control with almost no recoil because of the striker design & the low bore axis, with quick target reacquisition. I don't like double-action pistols because the first trigger pull is longer & heavier. Every pull of my trigger is exactly the same. I also like the fact that it resets with only a partial release of the trigger, upping my fire rate, and you can feel the trigger reset point easily. It is incredibly dependable & I have never had a glitch with tens of thousands of rounds fired. When wearing a coat, I usually opt for the Glock 17 mags since they hold 2 more cartridges & only extend the width of a single cartridge from the butt. For competition, I prefer my Staccato XC with the 2.5 pound trigger option since I set my Glocks to 3 lb. I also have an older CZ-Shadow stock 9mm, retired when I got my Staccato - the easiest gun to shoot accurately, even for noobs, that I've ever fired. My favorite ankle pistol is a Glock G43 (The 26 carries 4 more rounds, but at a weight disadvantage). Carrying 2 Glocks is good because all Glocks feel familiar and the same to me & it's easy to make the transition. The only mod I've made on this was to add Trijicon HD XR sights - I HATE factory sights on Glocks - it's their Achilles heel.
I agree with your take on the Beretta, not a fan of that safety. That is why I went with a Taurus, same look, but frame mounted thumb safety you can sweep like a 1911.
Yes I have a Taurus PT99 for the same reason. Beretta has finally brought back the frame mounted safety on its 92X Performance and 92X SAO. For a short time Beretta imported the 92 Steel which had a frame mounted safely. The Beretta 2000 year Beretta Billennium had a frame mounted safety. The Bellinnium is a beautiful pistol
Yes, reliability is a high priority, for sure. That's one reason I like combat-proven military surplus pistols, even if they're called "obsolete" nowadays. I'd say my Tokarevs are the most reliable handguns I own (and sometimes carry).
-- BR
Hey Bill, you sound like me regarding "obsolescent" pistols. I like My Chinese Tok in 9mm, but I also trust Lugers, 1911s, and Berettas to protect me -- after careful testing, of course. My personal favorite is the Walther P-38. It is accurate enough, reliable, and the slide-mounted safety makes it easy to get a grip and rack the slide. That's a big deal for me as I am 68, and despite hours in the gym, my hands are growing weaker. Stay safe! --Old Guy
@@Ed-ig7fj I'm a bit older (74) than you w/ ZERO hours in the gym (yes, I'm embarrassed!)...but still can rack slides (although I've never really had a strong grip, and now I have some osteoarthritis issues).
However, some of my semi-auto handguns are easier to rack than others. For example, the Sig P238 (.380ACP) is not difficult, which is one reason I suggest the P238 (or perhaps Kimber Micro or Springfield 911 or even the Colt Mustang?) as a carry gun for women or infirm -- the Beretta Tomcat slide is almost impossible for them (but at least it has the "tip-up" barrel feature they might use better). But my 1950s Tokarevs (2 Romanian, 1 Polish) slides are not hard to rack. Plus, the triggers on the Tokarevs are quite nice, not like today's heavy "lawyer triggers" -- for example, I've heard the currently made Tokarevs by Zastava have way heavier triggers than the "vintage" Tokarevs have.
I used a Romanian Tokarev (a "magnum" of its time) for my Texas conceal-carry permit shooting qualification session some time back...the only drawback was its single-stack mag capacity. The fireball it made at dusk was a bonus.
Still, (for several reasons) I'm looking into carrying a "crap" Kel Tec (yes!) P17 22LR for my EDC. It has mostly high ratings/reviews just about everywhere online & TH-cam, and as per Kel Tec pricing it's not too costly. Seems like a great value for what you get. Mine coming is in OD green (they come in several colors) and presently en-route to my local FFL.
When I get it will (1) see how reliable it is and (2) how well I can shoot it. If it passes both of those tests, may very well start carrying it (EDC). With what's in the gun and in a spare magazine, I'd have a quick 30rds at the minimum (would be using 40-gr solids CCI Mini-Mags in it). Not bad -- especially if you can put them all in the same target-zone. And quickly.
You stay safe also,
-- BR (Older Guy) ;-)
While spending a lot of time on the S&W M&P 2.0 full-size, most of the video was about the subcompact Shield.
Truly impressed with my CZ 75
Ruger lcr, Springfield xds, fn fns and 1911. Ruger makes some really nice point and shoot pistols. There is something about how they handle that feels comfortable to me. Even though it has a short barrel that lcr is very accurate. It is more accurate than it really needs to be. The lcr is the most comfortable carry pistol I own. The xds is a close second to carry. Everyone is different. Look, if you like a high point, I will not argue with you. High points are reliable.
I KNEW IT! The Number One was gonna be a Sig.
I carried a P220 in .45 ACP, European Controls, with a P230 in .380 as a backup, again, European controls because that's all the 230 offers.
Once I trained my reflexes I didn't want to confuse them when I switched pistols.
You have something against revolvers? Revolvers as a class of handgun are known the world over as the most reliable guns ever made! But I have to agree on your semi-auto choices for the most part. The CZ75B, Hi-Power and 1911 are my favorite 3 semi-autos.
Should’ve said standard capacity mags. High capacity is a talking point for anti gun communist
HK hands down. There have been HKs that have shot over 900,000 rounds without a failure.
Federal Ammunition fired a million rounds out of a HK USP and never had a failure , they just did normal cleaning and they can document every round fired as it was machine firing the rounds , so they contacted HK and said would you like to see the pistol and they said Hell yes , send it to us ASAP , HK wanted to have the Engineers give it the Electron microscope once over !
The most reliable handguns ever made are revolvers.
True
Can't put a silencer on a revolver though......
😅
Not true at all. I am a major revolver guy have a large number of them from 500sw 22lr and everything in between. Only people that have never worked on 4evopvers think they are more reliable. Get some d8rt between the back and cylinder face . Forget it if you get any m7d 8nnthere 8ts done. There are a lot more parts and the timing far more critical on revolvers than striker fired guns.
The true benefit of a revolver is you have no case left. This might sound like an issuefir criminals but there isva reason they are used by deep cover intelligence Ops. You can take as frame or short k frame rd frame grip and make a very deep concealment hols5eriut if a metal close hanger. If needing to ditch it especially working in SA AO you can dump the whole rig and are clean.
The other benefit is for its simplicity in already loaded operation. Plenty of women can not load the high spring rate mags of compact or micro semi autos. They have issues racking slides ir understanding what to do. But a revolver is point and shoot. No issues with blocking the slide leading to short stroke etc.
So there certainly are benefits but being more reliable is certainly not one of them. A SW M&P is probably the most reliable striker fired poly gun. But honestly well maintained many of the modernhandguns today are very good. CZ P series. Hk 45/c, Sig p226, even glock but it's no longer number one everyone caught up and some pasted them up leading them to copy others to try and keep up. P365 variant is probably the best concealed small framed handgun to date but for me personally just as with M&P they can be made even better with upgrades increasing their position even more past others.
I split my carry between a icarus framed p365, Kimberly 3" 357, s&w M&P 2 with numerous upgrades 4" compact frame that has the full length picatinny rail with a 3.6" slide and threaded barrel with single port comp gives me a comp gun with the dimensions of a g19. All my carry guys have red dots closed emitter 6 moa or larger dot. These are concealed carry gun not USPSA IPSC or 3 gun setups. They are not my full size nightstand gun. Not worried about a dot covering a head @100 yd
I concur emphatically 😂
Walther P38 and P1 series of pistols. Maybe not high speed, low drag, but the several I have used and carried over the last 40 years of shooting have been just fine.
I have a Glock 35. Purchased it when they made their first appearance on the market. I’ve been through a lot with that weapon and no matter what, it’s never let me down. I also have a Glock 22 and 23. I also have a S&W 9C and the Springfield Hellcat. I love them all for the variety that they give me and that I want but my Glock is my baby. Always have been and always will be.
I own the CZ 75PRC which is actually a compact version and the P226 Legion SAO and both have been highly reliable.
I'm disappointed. The headline on this said #1 would blow my mind. The p226 in the #1 spot is not mind blowing. Agree or disagree with that pick, it's not really a controversial choice.
I agree it's #1.
It’s the most reliable handgun you can find. It eats whatever you feed it. Don’t try it with a Glock. I got my first p226 in 1994 and carried it in duty for 24 years. No malfunctions. 6 years after retiring it still functions as designed.
No gun is mind blowing so why are you reading into that ? If the gun works as designed it’s reliable. That means with both FMJ and hollow point ammunition.
@@tax905972 Reading INTO it?
No. I'm reading it. That is what it said.
I do not disagree with being picked. Although at that level, hairs are being split so fine that microscopes are needed.
My point was that it is totally unsurprising that it was picked. Everybody already knew.
XDM Elite Compact. Great trigger. Small enough for pocket carry in a holster I have the .45 and the 9mm. No failures on either one. Up to about 500 rounds on each one.
I've got to give it to the 1911 being my favorite. However i have not tried every pistol on this list either.
I've owned a Sig P226 Legion RX for about 4 years now. 5000 rounds in, and not a single malfunction, nor any signs of decreased performance. From Wolf steel to Hornady brass, it spits out any ammo you can feed it with no hiccups.
Side note: no amount of carbon build up, cold, or clothing lint will stop this machine. Tried and tested.
The Ruger American doesn't get enough recognition which is a really good pistol
Years ago I rented a CZ75 at my range. This gun was beat up one side and down the other. It was used, abused, and looked like it got ran over all day.
It was accurate, on target, smooth, and didn't misfire once. Low recoil and felt awesome in my hand.
If i was a buyer, this would have been it. But with my hand issues, i cannot deal with anything over .22
Guessed it was going to be a shoot out between the 92f and the sig. Glad to see the browning hp mentioned. Xx
Great list, covers most of the iconic pistols. Would agree that the 92FS is about as reliable as it gets. I could pretty much put any ammo through it and it shoots about as straight as anything I own. Puts sort of another burden on the shooter in a defensive situation, given it will work reliably and straight, high expectation of a shot on target. Yes it’s a little big (I replaced the grips for a slightly smaller profile) but you just shoot it with confidence.
I opted for one of these myself recently. In your experience, based on "factory new" condition of one, is it safe to run +p or any higher-grain rounds in it (beyond the listed 9mm Luger, I mean) without worrying about it blowing up on me?
I really like it and I'd rather not have a catastrophic failure due to my own ignorance if I can help it.
@@RighteousJ I have never run plus P though it though my understanding is that you can. But I did run a nasty Turkish load through it. I ran it through a SW Sigma and Taurus G3C which just wouldn’t feed it. I ran it with a P365, felt like someone was pulling the gun from my hand from the ceiling. I even ran it through a commander Girsan 1911 and two Girsan Hi-Powers to see if the ammo would run through “native” firearms. The aim was inconsistent. The only gun I had that ran it well was the 92FS. You can call it an experiment with bad training ammo. It was my own limited torture test. After that I had even more respect for the 92 than before. Now I just run Standard off the shelf stuff like Federal, Fiochi, Lawman, or Winchester. And it is by far the most consistent pistol I have with any load. Throw out the Turkish ammo and I have a few pistols in the realm of consistency but that Turkish stuff was a hot inconsistent load. I bought it post covid when supplies were low. Never bought it again regardless of the price.
@@FJJN1005 thank you.
Doesn’t surprise me.
I have an old P225 MK that has a lot of rounds through it. It always fires. It’s never jammed.
I also have a new 226 legion and a low-mileage but older 229. The all work flawlessly.
I’d just like to say I carried a Glock 17 before I got my 19 and I’ve bought probably 15 different holsters I finally found the perfect holster made by Mike at Last Line of Defense. I carry appendix with no issues whatsoever full movement and incredible draw
You have the 1911A1 no. 2 and it should be rated no. 1!
The CZ 75 shadow is my personal choice for accuracy.
I second that! don't even need a red dot.
H&K USP Compact 9mm best durable handgun, eats everything and timeless look!
All things considered: reliability, simplicity, ease of maintenance, ease of modification, accuracy, safety, almost infinite choice of modification, and cost. GLOCK RULES!!!!!
Glock Rules yeah but Beretta Rocks!!!
Wish we could have Handguns back here in the UK , Great Video 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
10:09 The Beretta safety mechanism is fine. Don't try to LIFT the safety lever with the thumb ... simply push the thumb of the trigger hand forward. Try it and you'll see what I mean.
The hk with a LEM trigger is hard to beat.
I have a bunch of SW, Springfield 1911 Trophy match pistols, and 1911 Rugers, None of them jammed so far in the 10 years of taking them to the range. I think there should be a video made for guns that jam the most, and that would be a good start.
What's your personal preference: striker-fired or hammer-fired handguns?
Hammer!!
@@emmanuelhurd866
Hammer.
30 years retired combat vet.
Tens of thousands of dollars spent on my training on the 1911 and M9.
Why retrain myself now on a different platform?
Hammer
HAMMER.
HAMMER!!!!!
I have an old Taurus pt92 I bought it at Wal mart 1992ish. I have put more than 10,000 rounds through it. I hade one round hang up in it the second clip ever fired. Since then 0 trouble. For the price it has been good gun. Specially since I got it for being in the hills Hiking, Camping
Having spent over half of my adult life (I am now 71 and retired) working for such companies as Glock, Colt, and Sig (to name only a few) I would really like to know what list of priorities were used to come up with this group of guns. I either currently own or have at least shot everything in this presentation, and I just don’t get how you came up with the numerical order, and how a couple of these pistols even made the list. In any case, it was nothing if not interesting.
What is your top 3 hand guns ?
Agree! sponsorship and personal preference has a hand in it...
Your reply said is accurate. I’m an solid on the P series from Sig Sur production line I will try the Sig 365 an once the Ruger GP-100 saved my life during an street ambush an I lived through it
downtown Los Angeles is not an comfort spot in my play book.
@@LosDosOkies
Question the top 3 in my opinion
An tie the guns selected
Browning
Sig Sur
Colt series
1. Browning high power- Power, shooting durability.
2. The Sig Sur P-226 Dependability to shoot down range with 9.99 accuracy rating.
3. The reliable Colt 45 revolver
Easy load an does not become warm during furring many consecutive rounds during street combat.
Please give us your list....
I carried a hangun for most of my adult life; after the Army I spent 24yrs working for an armored car company. The most accurate pistols I've owned are Sig P220 & P228; my favorite carry weapon is the XD45, groups almost as well as P220 and almost double the capacity
I have owned and carried several from this list and I also want to mention the S&W 59 and 69 series. Never had any problem with my 915 on duty. I avoided striker fired pistols at first but I now carry the S&W M& P 2.0 for it's concealability and capacity. It's accurate enough.
I carried a model 659 for twenty years never learned to like the trigger on those
I have an hk ps9 in 45cal shoots ok nice and small 10 rd single stack accurate kinda spendy though could sell it and buy any two other guns I think. Polygonal rifling and a solid breech block shoots tight at 25 yds I’m keeping it
I was partial to the Glock. But Now. The Smith snd Wesson.
I liked the 1911. My 2nd pistol was a WW II Essex. I have had Colt, series 70, Remington… been in many classes with others bragging on their 1911 from big names. As RELIABILITY was the measure. I can say they taught a guy how to do a malfunction drill without thinking. Funny on S&W you showed many options for grip sized barrel length. Are you now aware Glock has similar shorter, more compact models? For out of box reliability. Glock has it. It took me years to get over the look. The only MF I recall is when I topped off a mag at a match. I failed to seat mag before start. “Beep” bang, *CLICK”. tap, rack, bang, bang, bang…. Thanks to 1911s I still had muscle memory, still had good time.
If anybody buys or has a 92 FS just call up Beretta and it’s about a 10 minute switch you switch out the safety to a de Cocker only
Well, back in 79, you didn't have too many options. The 1911 was still King .
I mean, if we're honest it was either the 1911 or the Hi-Power, and both have JMB DNA.
Colt Python ? I know it’s a revolver but only one(or two) less rounds than the 1911
I know I have a 1981 python in a box never been shot 6 inch barrel
Yeah, but you can reload it just a little faster. And normally it is faster than the revolver, when you Pull the trigger unless you're jerry .m.
IT IS THE BEST AND MOST SERIOUS LIST I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. THANK YOU.
I think the most reliable handgun is the one that fires when you need it.
personally my Springfield XD-9 is not only great in grip and trigger safeties. Its a excellent choice in reliability and control. I’ve put rounds in the black at longer distances. Wouldn’t use anything else
hs2000
I watched expecting a reliability video, all I received was more opinion
agreed
I have a Sig 229 and have been great beautiful trigger never disappoints
All 3 Sig 228 I ever used/owned had zero jams. Super powerful and sand resistant. Only 2 issues are its tendency to suffer from rust and its slide "dancing" after the gun had been put theough over 25-30k bullets.
Interesting the HK P30 isn’t on the list. That had a rigorous military testing of 90,000+ shots fired without malfunction. They also went 12,000 rounds without cleaning it before there was an issue.
Funny story.... I served a guy that was TDY while at Fort Benning (Moore), and he was part of the group that tested the FS92 Beretta, Browning Hi-power 9mm, and I think other competitors as well??
He said that the FS92 was the clear winner...
I was given the opportunity,to go shooting with a fellow church member, a former sailor.
We arrived at the shooting spot, an indoor range.
He asked if I wanted to shoot his m&p, in .40 cal.
" Why, yes", was my response.
When I got my hands on that piece, it never occurred to me, that the first gen m&p, would be so smooth, as I'd bought a " Sigma", and from the bench, at twenty five yards, got a group that measured " 13/16" inch !!!!!
The s&p was very comfortable in the hand, dispute it's mag capacity, and, once I quickly learned the trigger, I was shooting " snake eyes", on the target!!!!!
When he said, " you can really shoot", I could only contribute the results to the pistol!!!!!!
I told him, " I've gotta get me one of these!!!!!"
But now, they have a second generation pistol.....
Something to definitely investigate!!!
You will not go wrong with!!!!!
The Glock 17/19 isn't even LISTED? How is this list even halfway believable?
Glock 17 is #6.
I’ve been caring a 1911 in 45 ACP since 1972. I carried it with me six years in the military and 35+ years law enforcement also carried a full size every day as my everyday carry. It has never failed to perform when I needed it. Anything that mechanical and I mean anything can and will fail. You have to acknowledge that and then you have to train for what happens when it does. I have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of round fired. I have gone through hundreds of training classes, I have taught training classes And I still practice in front of a mirror how to draw and re-holster my 1911. I still go to the range every month. And I would not tell anybody what gun or caliber they should carry doing that just means you’re arrogant and think you know something more than somebody else else. I would never even with all the time in experience and training. I’ve had tell anybody that I’m an expert. Whatever you buy train with it there is no such thing as too much training. Like I said, I practice in front of the mirror, all the time, drawing and getting it safely back in the holster I go to the range every month the minute I can’t do or I stopped doing either one of those is a day that I will stop carrying because I’m not proficient and well-trained enough. Remember anybody including me that tells you what is right or wrong is just their opinion. The only advice I would give is train constantly forever. And affectedness and capability does not have to do with caliber. It has to do with shot placement and follow up. That’s been proven in actual day-to-day scenarios for decades 22 caliber is lethal.
My ASTRA 100 .40S&W 20 YEARS!! Never let me down!
Basques know their guns for sure
I have the GEN.1 GLOCK 17 and after 1000s of rounds, mostly FMJ, it still functions perfectly.
Hope my RUGER 57 does as well.
I have a Bng HP, Sig P226, Colt 1911, and a Beretta 92FS, (Just recently acquired). The Hi-Power is the pistol I have the most experience with starting in 1973 and was my carry gun for many years. I shot the 1911 in the Army in 1969, and the Sig P226 replaced the Browning once I fired it. I have trouble with shooting the 92FS but it is currently being tuned by one of the best gun smiths in Az. All in All I prefer hammered firearms over the striker fired ones but that is just the preference that comes with over 60 years of shooting experience. Any of the handguns in this video would protect one from harm. Great explanations also in the reviews. My personal preference is the Sig P226, followed by the BHP, then the 1911. At the age of 72 I find the double action pistols work best for me in the street. Fine article.
Track record makes a gun reliable, not personal preference. The Sig P226 is arguably the most proven combat handgun in the world. It enjoyed a long tenure with the Navy SEALs where it proved itself in every combat environment. Other pistols have great track records, or are establishing their track records, but few currently have the track record of the 226.
More combat proven than the Colt 1911, or the Hi-Power, or the Tokarev? I doubt it. The 226 deserves the accolades it gets, and is among the afformentioned, but I dont think any guns come close to the widespread distribution, combat reliablity or hideous field maintenence conditions of the FirstThree. They were in the field decades before many of us were even born.
@@Lollygagger-k4p Doubt away. The Navy SEAL's don't doubt it. The fact that the 226 was used by the Navy SEAL's for three decades should tell you something. You don't see other SOF's using those guns you mentioned. Do other SOF's that engage in maritime operations use those guns you mentioned? No.
None of those guns passed the IDF handgun trials, only the P226.
The reason the use by the SEAL's is important, is that they fire thousands and thousands of rounds through their guns, training with them practically every day. These high round count pistols are taken to various environments for training. SEAL's don't pretend it's hot and sandy, they go to the desert. They don't pretend they are in salt water, they are. In other words, their training, based on the way it's structured, is essentially combat use of the weapons. At one time, the 226 was the most widely used handgun by police, military, and SOF's worldwide. Track record, by virtue of the number of agencies using it, the length of time those agencies used it, and by virtue of the way those agencies used it. BTW, you forgot the CZ75
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I have a Sig 226, love it and in fact, loved it so much I picked up the 229 (compact version of the 226). Both came with red-dot sites. Great pistols and not surprised they came in at #1 on this list. I also have the Sig P238, great pocket carry gun with Sig quality and reliability. I don't have only Sig's, in fact, my favorite gun to shoot for fun is my Browning .22; I could shoot that gun all day and just have the time of my life. First gun I ever purchased was a Browning Hi-Power 9mm. Great pistol and I still have it today, though I rarely shoot it anymore. It stays in the case and only has about 500 rounds through it. It's going to be a keep-sake gun, not for sale, or trade.
Having owned several of the firearms you selected, I agree with your list.
In my 75 years, I have owned many hand guns ranging from the 1911, P226, Beretta 92FS and others. I'll never part with my home protector, 1911 or my carry weapon, P226. I still take them to the range from time to time so that they can get some exercise. I bought my 1911 back in the 1970's. She's just a sweet shooter for a weapon that size but my favorite is my Sig P226. She's my CCW and contrary to what many people have said, I have found the 226 as easy to conceal as any other smaller weapon.
beretta 92f and sig p226 are my personal favorites
excellent video have a few of these excellent hand guns and will be getting a Sig 226 soon
CZ 75 😊
Number 1 really blew my mind ... now I'm writing you from heaven :)
I want to blow my mind after watching this video 😊
Nice 2 see 2 pistols 🔫 👌 built by Mr
Browning made the best 👌 list😊
No issues with your list, we’ll done. My only comment would be the PPQ/PDP could have made this list.
The reliability of a handgun can vary depending on factors such as the manufacturer, model, maintenance, and usage. Some well-regarded handguns known for their reliability include models from Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson M&P series, and Heckler & Koch. It's essential to consider personal preferences, intended use, and individual factors when choosing a handgun. Additionally, regular maintenance and proper training contribute significantly to the reliability and performance of any firearm.
The Hi-Power is my favorite firearm.
As a retired military armorer (USMC MOS 2111) and small arms instructor, I have seen and dealt with countless problems with the baretta up to and including catastrophic failure resulting in serious injuries to the user. The adoption of the baretta was politically based, not performance based.
My favourite 9mm auto pistol was the Star.
How did you score this? title says most RELIABLE, so I don't think mag capacity, caliber, accuracy, size, weight, material it;s made of, or ergonomics should be considered. Reliable to me means: how many shots can it shoot in its lifetime? how often does it jam? how easy does it break? can it feed all available makes of ammo reliably? can it handle an overloaded cartridge? does it work when it is dirty? do the sights need batteries? will the sights damage when it gets dropped?
Exactly, re: your 2nd sentence.
Beretta 92FS Proven reliable. Proven accurate.
Shocked at #1, which isn't on my personal list in any position. I appreciate the Beretta in second place, but the love of my life is my S&W 1911.
No mention of the Charter Arms revolver line.
Not one revolver on a list of "most reliable"?
You forgot one, the Springfield XD series. I've never had an issue with mine that wasn't self induced with hand loads.