To me handguns are tools, this discussion might as well be about which hammer drill is best.
With that said:
The DE is the sexiest, but certainly not the most practical nor the best. I 'may biased because of my small hands. The DE is huge. It kicks like a pissed off wet Tom cat. It is hardy the tool of choice for people who make a living carrying handguns and USING them.

It's all about putting rounds on target. People who need more than 15 rounds really aren't serious about the craft of combat marksmanship. 9mm maybe the world's most proliferated handgun round, but it is a terrible man stopper, then again you generally have 12 or more in the magazine so blaze away and most who use them do. There is no excuse for poor marksmanship.

Back to the people who are serious about their handguns. I would say that the US Navy seals use handguns the most for Close in combat, and toward that end they are deploying or have deployed (it's been a few years since I played with those folks) a new handgun the MK 23 a joint venture between HK and Colt which is chambered for .45 cal. If it has colt reliability and HK technical upgrades it has to be a serious contender for the "best Handgun".

remember that the .45 cal is one of the few calibers that was by design made to kill people.

hrxll

Ah, crap! Sorry about my previous response, I thought it was favorite handgun.

Best military sidearm? The 1911 .45 ACP. The dumbest thing thing the U.S. military ever did was go to the sissyfied 9mm. Well, that and lose the recipe for the original SOS breakfast.

I am a good pistol-shooter, so I'll go with something lightweight and easy to carry, the Beretta M-9/92FS 9mm Pistol.

But in terms of firepower and comfort, which is the main consideration factor in this discussion, I'll say the Colt M-1911 .45-Caliber MEU (SOC) Pistol (a classic), the Springfield Armory 1911 Government Model Sidearm (used by LAPD SWAT), the H&K Mk. 23 .45-Caliber SOCOM Pistol, and the Desert Eagle.

The thing to remember about pistols is that the more punch a certain pistol carries, the less ammo it can hold and vice versa. Also more punch means the weapon is heavier and thus more difficult to control. And accuracy can suffer too. But since I am a good shooter, I'd always rather have more ammo and a lighter weight.

Was made because:

US Army needed more stopping power for its pistols as US was fighting a war against DRUG USING Indians in the Philippines..

(Moro or whatever indians had this habbit of getting high for the battle..)

.38 revolvers didnt have enough power, (against the drug addicts..) so they made the .45 ACP..

Which still would be good choice for any US service that carries/uses weapons..

As you have so much DOPE HEADS around there..

Colt 1911 by a long shot. The Desert eagle is a sport pistol. It has a hell of a punch, but it's BIG, small ammo capacity, mad recoil, and is a little on the less hardy side. Stick with the tried and true 1911 government issue. It has man-stoppign power, accuracy and reliability. There's a reason it's been in service so long.

DE

Give me the Glock 17 which is curently being used by the dutch airforce.

I kinda like the Makorov myself because of its durability. You can litteraly beat the schnit out of it and still have a nice performing gun Although I am not fond of its cal. this would be my choice as far as durability goes.

Yes I know Glocks are durable as well but i'm just not fond of them.

Preferred cal. of choice would hands down be a 45 cal.
However I find the 1911 uncomfortable to me, I would prefer something more tactical myself.

Colt 1847 walker
The best hand gun in the world.


Or the Colt single action army

Thanks for the info on the Makarov.
I had one up until about 5 mths. ago. I just may look into geting one of the PMM models here soon. I do miss it because it was a very accurate and fun pistol to shoot.

[Edited on 3-12-2003 by DipSchnit]

thats James Bond's gun!!!! haha

Colt 1911 45 is most definently the best choice for a military hand gun... It hass decent accuracy and very good stoping power.

The SIG P220! Then the 1911a1 ....The Desert Eagle is a JOKE! TOOOOOO big too heavy and unless you are Andre the Giant you can't accuratly shoot it with one hand and FORGET rapid fire or follow up shots!

Whoa, that post got all jacked up