Top Ten (10) Pistols of All Time

Pistols have been an omnipresent piece of military, law enforcement, home defense and target shooting since their inception due to their portability, accuracy and durability. Competition is high within the top pistol manufacturers as improvements continue to increase their many varied uses. We have compiled the top ten pistols based on their overall sales numbers, popularity, functionality, and use. Please leave a comment with your thoughts.

By: marvin Posted: December 8, 2010 Filed under: Pistols

10. Heckler and Koch USP

The Heckler & Koch USP is manufactured in Germany and is known as a Universal Self Loading pistol. The firearm is s a semi automatic pistol with a mechanically locked breech and utilizes the short recoil mode of operation. It fires the popular 9X19mm Parabellum cartridge. The pistol has been in operation since 1992.

9. SIG P250

The SIG P250 pistol is of mixed German and American origin. It was originally made by JP Sauer and Son and Sig Sauer Exeter. The pistol is a semi automatic pistol. The action of the pistol is based on recoil operation. It comes equipped with a 17 round magazine abd has iron sights with a 147 mm base.

8. Beretta 92

The Beretta 92 is of Italian origin and was an extremely popular gun in the military and law enforcement communities. It also fires the popular 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. The pistol has been in production since 1975 and continues its service in the Italian, French and US military.

7. S&W Model 41

The S&W Model 41 .22LR pistol became legendary among competitive target shooters, . Extremely reliable, precisely accurate, and possessing a unique trigger, the S&W Model 41 dominated NRA Outdoor Pistol competition consistently until the manufacturing costs of the required hand-fitting severely reduced production. Those that own the pistol today cherish them.

6. Sringfield XD

With its extremely lightweight, polymer frame, the XD pistol is highly useful as both a civilian defense and reliable law enforcement handgun. The Springfield XD features an ambidextrous magazine release buttons, designed in order to magazine springs free of the pistol, making a much speedier reload that is remarkably easier. Unlike other polymer pistols, the Springfield XD can only be fired when both the trigger safety and grip safety are firmly depressed, making it a premier choice for personal use and home defense.

5. Glock G17

The light weight polymer-framed Glock 17 was controversial upon its introduction. But history validates it and the similarities with other manufacturers became apparent. As the first successful polymer-framed handgun, the Glock 17 initiated a sea change within the gun industry, and today every top major handgun maker has a polymer-frame model. And, they are exceedingly popular.

4. CZ 75

The CZ 75 was introduced in 1975 and was the most innovative handgun design within the previous 40 years. The pistol was the first successful pistol offering user option of cocked & locked SA, or DA/SA carry. The CZ 75 is in widespread use throughout the world, and is also a favorite of many current competitive shooters.

3. Browning Hi-Power

The P-35 High Power was John Browning's last handgun design. The handgun was wildly successful and some experts consider it his best. Still in production, and in use with LE and Military agencies in many countries, the Browning Hi-Power was the first staggered magazine high capacity handgun – a revolutionary design breakthrough that spawned many other successful designs.

2. Walther P-38

First adopted by the German military, the durable Walther P-38 was an acceptable performer. It's most useful feature,however, is that it was the first successful and fully operational DA/SA operating action. The pistol was a pioneering design breakthrough that became a permanent feature of many other successful handguns, including our current military issue M-9.

1. Colt 911A1 .45 ACP

The first fully successful military semi-auto handgun, the Colt 1911 served the as the standard United States sidearm through four major wars and countless police actions in numerous countries. As popular today as ever, the Colt 1911 is still carried by many law enforcement personnel and countless civilians worldwide. The most customized handgun ever, it's a mainstay for competition shooters and collectors.