What is the greatest handgun ever designed? - Page 1

Site Notices

What is the greatest handgun ever designed? (Page 1 of 6)

DK-Prof PsychoPolitical Master and Father Boog Joined Feb 2001 Posts 158946 EE 100% (11) VA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:54:22 PM EDT Is it the 1911, or is it the Hi-Power?
	“A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.” -- Tsunetomo Yamamoto

wakeboarder Member Joined Jan 2010 Posts 29998 EE 100% (1) MI, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:55:51 PM EDT [#1] P210

DK-Prof PsychoPolitical Master and Father Boog Joined Feb 2001 Posts 158948 EE 100% (11) VA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:56:17 PM EDT [#2] Quote History Originally Posted By wakeboarder: P210 View Quote
	“A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.” -- Tsunetomo Yamamoto

47Under Joined Mar 2003 Posts 1779 EE 100% (4) TX, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:57:43 PM EDT [#3] Glock 17

GGF Joined Nov 2010 Posts 23712 EE 0% (0) IN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:57:58 PM EDT [#4] Attached File There's only one right answer.

sparkyfender2 Member Joined Mar 2014 Posts 19072 EE 100% (5) IN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:58:39 PM EDT [Last Edit: sparkyfender2] [#5] Colt 1873. Attached File

warkittens Bored, Certified, Phrenologist Joined May 2011 Posts 10826 EE 100% (21) GA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 1:59:40 PM EDT [#6] I could have been the Hi Power if it had the 1911 trigger. I like the feel of the BHP in hand but the 1911 trigger is the tits.
	A strange game; the only winning move is not to play.

SigSauerLover Joined May 2018 Posts 1391 EE 100% (32) AZ, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:00:03 PM EDT [#7] /thread

Citadel Joined Nov 2014 Posts 1773 EE 0% (0) IL, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:00:20 PM EDT [#8] Glock of course

BigErnst Man about town Joined May 2005 Posts 8504 EE 100% (21) MN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:01:21 PM EDT [#9] As much as I love 1911s, I’ll have to say the CZ75.
	"Let us speak courtiously,deal fairly and keep ourselves armed and ready." -Theodore Roosevelt

Liquid77 Joined Feb 2018 Posts 5717 EE 100% (2) OK, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:01:45 PM EDT [Last Edit: Liquid77] [#10] Mk 23.

stiglitz_actual Member Joined Jul 2017 Posts 1558 EE 100% (9) DEU	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:01:50 PM EDT [#11] https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Who-loves-the-1911--Let-s-see-those-pistols-1911-thread-/5-2747757/

gmtmaster Joined Feb 2003 Posts 16220 EE 100% (5) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:02:16 PM EDT [#12] Bren Ten

Hill_monkey Uncultured swine Joined Jan 2013 Posts 106501 EE 100% (25) PA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:03:28 PM EDT [#13] Quote History Originally Posted By 47Under: Glock 17 View Quote

Useafortyfive Member Joined Jul 2013 Posts 3559 EE 0% (0) OH, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:05:37 PM EDT [#14] II voted 1911 but It’s hard to argue with the simplicity of what Gaston Glock did.

Genin

Member

Joined May 2008
Posts 28326
EE 100% (14)

USA

Posted: 9/11/2024 2:06:06 PM EDT

[#15]

There could be all kinds of definitions for "greatest ever designed".

1. In use for the longest time.
2. Most units sold over time.
3. Most frequently copied basic design.
4. In use by the most military and police units.
5. Most durable.
6. Most accurate.
7. Most reliable as manufactured ie, without any modifications or "break in".
8. Combinations of #1-7.

Different definitions could have an immense affect on which handgun comes out on top. While I think the 1911 would certainly be a contender under some definitions, John Browning's second handgun (high power) design has been used in many more subsequent handguns that the 1911's barrel link design. The lugs on the High Power, and variations on those under chamber lugs has been used on many more handguns such as Sig, Glock, CZ, etc.

3uzzard RIP Hobbs5624 Joined Apr 2020 Posts 778 EE 0% (0) AZ, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:06:07 PM EDT [#16] Hi-Point C9
	"I drink your milkshake. I drink it up..!!"

whollyshite NorCalLEO Callsign: Digger Joined Jan 2012 Posts 38819 EE 100% (1) TN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:08:03 PM EDT [#17] lol

Scott-S6 Joined Dec 2002 Posts 13152 EE 0% (0) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:08:16 PM EDT [#18] Originally Posted By DK-Prof: Is it the 1911, or is it the Hi-Power? View Quote Both highly influential but both too flawed to be the greatest ever designed.

Ops Grouchy Old Fart Joined Apr 2001 Posts 8966 EE 100% (16) FL, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:09:26 PM EDT [#19] If they only made a HiPower in .45....
	Another old guy

Pointman91 Member Joined Jan 2004 Posts 8945 EE 100% (296) TX, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:09:35 PM EDT [#20] Attached File

phlat Joined May 2009 Posts 4447 EE 0% (0) KS, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:09:36 PM EDT [#21] Mateba.

Enzo300 Member Joined Jan 2017 Posts 12590 EE 100% (1) MI, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:10:03 PM EDT [#22] In b4 P7 FanBois! Wait... Attached File
	"You go to a supermarket and you see a faggot behind the fuckin’ cash register, you don’t want him to handle your potatoes.” – Neil Young re: AIDS

TheRealBluedog

Member

Joined May 2006
Posts 6336
EE 100% (35)

MI, USA

Posted: 9/11/2024 2:13:20 PM EDT

[#23]

Here we go again. Whenever you post a thread like this all you’re going to do is get a bunch of people nominating their favorite pistol.

Before we can even have this discussion, we have to agree on what “greatest” means. Greatest does not necessarily mean best. To me, greatest means the handgun design had the largest overall impact on subsequent handgun designs.

Both of the choices were great handguns. There’s no doubt about that. But when it comes to great-est, there can only be one. That is the Glock 17. No I do not own one anymore, no it is not my favorite, and no it is not the best. But it is the greatest. Here’s why.

When the Glock 17 appeared on the market, there was nothing else like it. You HK fanboys can shut the fuck up. There was nothing like the Glock 17 when it appeared.

Within a few years, every single MAJOR manufacturer had introduced or was working on a compact polymer framed high capacity 9 mm semi automatic that was striker fired, with no external safeties. In other words, literally every major manufacturer came out with their version of the Glock. You can’t say that about the 1911, you can’t say that about the high-power, you can’t say that about any other handgun of modern times. One handgun came along and completely changed the handgun market. That was the Glock 17.

Butternut Member Joined Jan 2006 Posts 43850 EE 0% (0) VA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:13:31 PM EDT [#24] Quote History Originally Posted By Ops: If they only made a HiPower in .45.... View Quote I'd buy and drive one of those if they'd only offer it with a manual tranny and hand crank windows.
	Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."

texashark Joined Feb 2002 Posts 6192 EE 100% (65) TX, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:14:48 PM EDT [#25] That first response thing....spot on.
	Ellen; Clark, I think it'd be best if everyone went home... before things get worse. Clark; WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell.

Deadtired Joined Apr 2014 Posts 13880 EE 0% (0) TX, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:14:56 PM EDT [#26] 1911, because it was the first to bring together all the elements of a modern pistol in an effective, ergonomic package.

tacocat Joined Jan 2016 Posts 13521 EE 100% (4) NC, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:16:36 PM EDT [#27] Glock 17

m1awolf Rope,Tree,Tyrant, some assembly required Joined Mar 2004 Posts 27589 EE 100% (19) MT, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:24:27 PM EDT [#28] Quote History Originally Posted By BigErnst: As much as I love 1911s, I’ll have to say the CZ75. View Quote
	VCDL Team Ranstad Camp Patriot Task Force Dagger Foundation Tennessee Squire A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Herewego Joined Oct 2022 Posts 1801 EE 0% (0) VA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:28:12 PM EDT [#29] Which one of those had a design so perfect it has not been changed in over 100 years.

mark5pt56 Joined Dec 2002 Posts 6712 EE 100% (251) FL, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:29:26 PM EDT [#30] You left out the Glock 19 loser

Seadra_tha_Guineapig

Browning Hi-Power, the side arm of the free world

Joined May 2003
Posts 23785
EE 100% (9)

AZ, USA

Posted: 9/11/2024 2:30:22 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Genin:
There could be all kinds of definitions for "greatest ever designed".

1. In use for the longest time.
2. Most units sold over time.
3. Most frequently copied basic design.
4. In use by the most military and police units.
5. Most durable.
6. Most accurate.
7. Most reliable as manufactured ie, without any modifications or "break in".
8. Combinations of #1-7.

Different definitions could have an immense affect on which handgun comes out on top. While I think the 1911 would certainly be a contender under some definitions, ~~John Browning's second~~ Deodonne Saive's handgun (high power) design has been used in many more subsequent handguns that the 1911's barrel link design. The lugs on the High Power, and variations on those under chamber lugs has been used on many more handguns such as Sig, Glock, CZ, etc.

View Quote

FIFY

1984 was supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual

Smallmouth Joined Jul 2007 Posts 19151 EE 100% (21) OH, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:31:38 PM EDT [#32] 1911 for my money.

Glocked Joined May 2018 Posts 17710 EE 100% (34) MS, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:32:44 PM EDT [#33] Quote History Originally Posted By 47Under: Glock 17 View Quote This. Gen 3 to be exact.

Sputnik556 The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid Joined Oct 2013 Posts 39649 EE 100% (110) KY, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:32:49 PM EDT [#34] 92 Fight me
	If you aren't representing Jesus in a way that makes people want to hang out with you, you're doing it wrong.

JimEb Joined Nov 2008 Posts 16766 EE 0% (0) WI, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:38:05 PM EDT [#35] I know it chaffs the traditionalist’s undies but this is really an easy question. The answer is Glock.

1Bigdog Member Joined Nov 2005 Posts 18824 EE 0% (0) OH, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:42:27 PM EDT [#36] P7M13

Reb52 Joined May 2001 Posts 1259 EE 100% (8) TN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:43:42 PM EDT [#37] Obviously, the GLOCK 17!

NN300BLK Joined Aug 2021 Posts 854 EE 0% (0) NV, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:45:42 PM EDT [Last Edit: NN300BLK] [#38] I really like the 1911, but... It's probably Glock (I'm neutral on Glock), the CZ-75 (once again fairly neutral on CZ), or maybe even the Colt Paterson. Maybe the 1911 deserves to be in that list too, but it could be easily argued that the others should be there.

weapons_free Member Joined Dec 2012 Posts 15716 EE 100% (15) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:46:09 PM EDT [#39] glock 18c
	Silent Brigade 1-20-20

arowneragain Director of Marketing and Ad Revenue Joined Nov 2003 Posts 87646 EE 100% (22) TN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:46:33 PM EDT [#40] S&W M&P 2.0

kpoesq369 Joined Sep 2008 Posts 5906 EE 0% (0) PA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:46:35 PM EDT [#41] The S&W double action revolver. Scale it down to use 22s and 32s, midsize for 38 and 357, full size for 44 mag and 45, supersize for 500 and 460.

USCG_CPO Member Joined Aug 2010 Posts 16018 EE 0% (0) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:46:55 PM EDT [#42] Quote History Originally Posted By BigErnst: As much as I love 1911s, I’ll have to say the CZ75. View Quote I have to agree with this, nothing beats the CZ75.
	Traveled the world, currently living in Indian Territory

Breechlock1 Member Joined Dec 2012 Posts 3423 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:46:56 PM EDT [#43] P22X series

NotIssued Member Joined Apr 2011 Posts 14807 EE 100% (245) USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:47:41 PM EDT [#44] IMHO, the Colt 1873, 1911 and Glock were all revolutions in the pistol world.

piperpa24 Member Joined Mar 2010 Posts 12191 EE 0% (0) SC, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:49:09 PM EDT [#45] Hi Power is really the better design (and more reliable). The 1911 is iconic tho and was the first .45 ACP cartridge semi-auto pistol which was groundbreaking back then.
	"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes

Mike_314 Member Joined Jan 2009 Posts 23527 EE 100% (9) MI, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:49:14 PM EDT [#46] It's an automatic AND a revolver! Ha! Beat that!
	Member Ranstad's Militia You ever notice that no one says "don't judge me" when they've done something positive? - gearjammer351 Do it. GD needs entertainment. Your misery will amuse us. - Cypselus

HK_FTW Public Nuisance Joined Dec 2013 Posts 2860 EE 100% (41) IN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:51:35 PM EDT [#47] End of thread
	I'm Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle.

Ameshawki Joined Apr 2001 Posts 31804 EE 0% (0) IA, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:56:43 PM EDT [#48] Quote History Originally Posted By Deadtired: 1911, because it was the first to bring together all the elements of a modern pistol in an effective, ergonomic package. View Quote Luger pre-dates it by several years. The Broomhandle by even more tho it comes up short on the ergonomic aspect.

Hesperus We will softly slip away. Joined Jan 2014 Posts 37301 EE 100% (6) ID, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:59:52 PM EDT [#49] Quote History Originally Posted By USCG_CPO: I have to agree with this, nothing beats the CZ75. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quote History Originally Posted By USCG_CPO: Originally Posted By BigErnst: As much as I love 1911s, I’ll have to say the CZ75. I have to agree with this, nothing beats the CZ75. Yep.
	It’s… probably not as bad as you think it is.

BolivarBill Joined Feb 2021 Posts 1125 EE 100% (3) TN, USA	Posted: 9/11/2024 2:59:53 PM EDT [#50] Quote History Originally Posted By 47Under: Glock 17 View Quote Perfection!

What is the greatest handgun ever designed? (Page 1 of 6)

General » General Discussion

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us