As I noted last week, I would rather take a pistol to the range over a rifle. It is
what I have more experience with and frankly I am much more proficient with a
pistol. Now I am sure that this will prompt much debate, but, as of this
moment, here are a few of my favorite handguns and the ones that find their way into my range back most often.
Smith & Wesson M&P Pro CORE /
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Full Size
In
the end, this is the handgun that I shoot the best with at the range. While the
trigger is far from the best on the market (the Pro CORE model is far superior
to the standard package) the ergonomics and reliability are on par with the
best. Additionally, there is a little bit of simple unexplainable preference. I
also prefer the consistent pull of striker fire pistols which leads me to my
second choice…
Glock 17 Gen 4 / Glock 34 Gen 4
Probably
the most natural to get on target than any other pistol in my hand. The slight
change in the grip angle is superb and the trigger is just above average.
However, the fit and finish leaves something to be desired. Overall, this is
probably the firearm which I am second best with at the range. Again, striker
fired but not all the handguns on my list have that in common…
Para Ordinance 1911 Expert 14.45 / Para
Ordinance 1911 Expert Stainless
Until relatively recently, I wasn’t a big fan of the 1911. While they have great
triggers (for the most part) and are highly accurate), I wrongly viewed them as
overpriced with limited capacity. They were also predominantly in a caliber
which I was much less familiar compared to the 9mm. However, I came across
these models at a price point far below those firearms previously mentioned and
one of them settled the capacity argument pretty handily. Once those two
dubious arguments were settled, caliber wasn’t really a question anymore. This
leads to the next firearm on my list…
Kimber 1911 Poly Pro Carry 4
A
high capacity 1911 with a polymer frame. Any questions? This is a great
combination between old and new with a reliable design upgraded with additional
capacity and a lighter frame. As a bonus the frame was actually made by BUL in Israel much like another one of my favorites…
Really
this is the Magnum Research Baby Eagle as the Jericho (the name it has before
Magnum research and the one it bears again today) has a frame mounted safety
rather than a slide mounted safety of which I am familiar. This is another
highly accurate firearm which takes much of its functional design from the CZ
75 (another favorite) and adds a rugged Israeli edge to it. This is a great
range companion but not something I would use in competition like the Smith
& Wesson Pro CORE, Glock 34 Gen 4, or the following firearm…
Springfield Armory xDM Competition / Springfield
Armory xDM
While
further down the list than some of its direct competitors, Springfield does
produce a fine striker fired firearm with the xDM. The feel is a little
different and the grip safety is something you have to get used to (similar but
different from the 1911) but it is accurate, reliable, and just plain fun to
shoot at the range. You also don’t have to reload as much with a magazine
capacity, in 9mm, of 19+1. A few more rounds than something that you could
easily conceal…
Sig Sauer P938 (Limited Edition)
This
particular model had a beautifully engraved a blued slide. It is the perfect
balance of concealability with the function and accuracy that you would find in
a full size 1911. So much so that it performs surprisingly well as 25 yards on
the range. The only minor issue that I have heard from people is having to
carry a pocket gun cocked and locked… not an issue with a good holster but that
is another topic altogether. It does take some getting used to but then again
so does every firearm…
H&K P30S
Some
people love the H&K trigger while others hate it. For me it just takes some
getting used to as I have improved at the range each and every time that I have
taken it out. On top of that, there might not be a firearm on the market with
better ergonomics (the Walther PPQ is close) or fit and finish. One company
that is pretty close when considering the latter also has a pretty impressive Special
Forces pedigree…
Sig Sauer P226 MK25 / Mitchell Arms TZ99
The
MK25 is built to take a beating but that doesn’t meant that Sig cut any corners…
on the other side of this equation are copies like the TZ99 which offer the
same form and function but with limited attention paid to the fit and finish of
the pistol. The MK25 isn’t the most accurate or the best overall firearm on the
market but it does the job in any conditions. While the double action trigger
is lacking, it is one of the best when it comes to single action with regard to
both feel and accuracy when compared to others with the same action.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Light,
concealable, reliable, and accurate. One of the best in class for concealed
carry and a great compliment to the M&P. In addition to being a practical
firearm that doesn’t break the budget it is an easy to use striker fired pocket
pistol with a reasonable amount of accuracy and capacity for its size. Not my
favorite but certainly nowhere near the bottom of the list (that spot is
reserved for the Remington R51). However, I will say that the Khar CM9 (CW9 and
PM9 should also be considered) is really close and I would have no reservations
recommend those firearms as well.
So
those are my top 10 (and a few extras) which I really enjoy taking to the
range. There are a lot of others that I have enjoyed shooting but there is
limited space on the list. But, since I know there are a lot of you that didn’t
see your favorite mentioned above, here are the next 20 on my list:
- Beretta PX4 Storm / Stoeger Cougar
- CZ 75 B / EAA
(Tanfoglio) Witness
- Sig Sauer
P320F
- FNH FNS 9
- H&K USP9
- Glock 21 Gen
4
- Beretta M9A1 / Taurus PT99AF
- Smith &
Wesson 39-2
- Ruger SR9
Stainless
- Sig Sauer
SP2022
- CZ P-07 Duty
- Kimber Pro
Carry II
- BUL Cherokee
/ EAA (Tanfoglio) Witness (Polymer)
- Walther PPX
- Canik TP9
- Taurus PT24/7
- ATI Fatboy
Lightweight
- Beretta
9000-S
- Ruger LC9 CTC
- Beretta Nano
Still
not seeing your favorite? Well, either I haven’t shot it or I don’t much care for
it. But, in the end, this is simply my opinion. Doesn’t mean that I am right or
wrong (mostly the latter on a daily basis). That is my list, what is yours?
Share your top 10 below just please don’t mention Hi Point.
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