Top 10 Best Handguns

The Top Ten
1 Desert Eagle

Just bought one and cannot believe the accuracy. Best gun than I am as a shooter. A little heavy but it helps with the recoil and rapid fire capability. Highly recommend this gun.

The desert eagle is 50 caliber! This will blow a hole in your head. The army uses this handgun as a special side-arm when they run out of bullets for their primary weapon.

Really accurate for a big gun. Less recoil than you might think but demands a strong grip. Attractive and intimidating in appearance.

It's.50 caliber suckers, and so is the Barrett M82. Epic win The others suck and it's light also But it needs more ammo though.

2 FN Five-seveN

The trigger takes a bit of getting used to, the gun itself is expensive and hard to find in stock, but it's well worth the price. Quick acquisition of targets coupled with low recoil makes second and third shots easy and accurate. I'm not a competition shooter by any means, but this pistol makes shots at 50 yards that are amazing. My 11 year old son picked it up for the first time, and his first three shots scored on a 6" target at 15 yards. Ammo is much easier and cheaper to find then it has been, too bad it's too large for me to comfortably conceal.

Simply a stunning handgun from FN. Destroys arguably all competition. Chances are it can put more rounds on target faster than anything else you've fired. Only drawback is the unusual ammo which might be difficult to come by in a zombie apocalypse.

Extremely light, even for a full size frame. Fully loaded you get 3 shots more than Glock 17 and is about a 1/2 lb lighter. Shot to shot accuracy is crazy good thanks to the lack of recoil even though it zings rounds at around 2000ft/sec. The wife has emptied the mag in under 4 seconds at 7 yards and put every projectile in head shot mass... Thank God she loves me. LOL! Our favorite sidearm yet, HANDS DOWN!

An unusual gun that some view simply as a glorified.22 magnum shooter. However, the large capacity of the magazines, coupled with the gun's light weight, the absence of recoil, and the relative rarity of the caliber makes the handgun a prize for the collector, and a delight for the range shooter.

3 Colt M1911

Wow! Surprised this gem is not in the top ten. I won't even touch on the history of the firearm. The 1911 was one of the first handguns I fired regularly as a teenager. I spent time in the Army, enlisted and as an officer (1990-2005). I've fired a lot of different weapons. For me it comes down to comfort and an almost unexplainable connection with a weapon. In a handgun, I prefer a single stack grip in large caliber. In most situations you might only get a couple of shots off, comfort and accuracy are everything. The 1911 has always been a comfortable, extremely accurate weapon with a round that is fantastic on soft targets (not hard). In comparison I couldn't stand my M9 Beretta. I would take a 1911 with an extra magazine any day. To each his/her own.

Best combination of power, ergonomics and trigger of any pistol I've ever shot. The grip angle is perfection, it practically points itself. It's like John Browning took a 50 year look into the future back in 1911. Colt's QC has been back for over ten years and they still make the best combination of quality and price in the industry.

This is one of the most accurate handguns in the history of handguns. it is reliable,.45 ACP power named after the weapon itself, and it has been around for more than a century. despite it having a 7-8 round standard magazine, you can always buy 15+ round magazines for it, and for less than $500 being one of the best handguns in history, you can't beat that.

This is easily my favorite handgun. Mostly because it is a 45. It is still in use today, and although it only holds 7-8 rounds it just is an amazing gun. But hey it's in the top 20. Just think it deserves to be at least 9.

4 357 Magnum

I bought a 357 mag Dan Wesson with 4 interchangeable barrels in the late 80s and it's still in perfect condition. It's a great gun, powerful and (very) accurate, and every 357 mag looks very respectable.

The Taurus Tracker series are excellent revolvers. That they can dispense 7 instead of 6 rounds downrange means they go to 11.

I use a ruger gp100for home defense, nice gun although I never got to use it.

5 Smith & Wesson 500

This gun is the most powerful handgun on earth. With its gigantic bullet size and extremely fast hammer collision (and extremely large recoil), the force of the handgun is sufficient to push a man back by about a foot, also making it loud enough to hurt your eardrums. This makes this gun quite heavy (5.125 lbs/about 2.325 kg while loaded) and have only 5 rounds at a time (due to large bullet size). Despite this, a single bullet can go 1975 ft/s (602 m/s) and have a muzzle energy equal to 3,030 foot-pounds force (4.1 kJ). This is sufficient to successfully kill an elephant. It should be #1.

This gun is a 50 caliber cartridge handgun. This gun is the worlds most powerful production pistol to date. It will take down even elephants. So eat lead 9mm.

It is a good gun but not everyone will use it. More suited to kill big animals than for combat.

This "gun" is so overpowered that it is painful to shoot! You can hunt elephants with it.

6 Kahr CW9

Kahr P9 way more ammo better gun but CW9 also good gun.

7 SIG Sauer P226

"There is no comparison to this gun! From the Tac-ops threaded barrel to the engraved stainless X5 there is no other pistol that I would use to protect me or my family! I would rather save up and spend the money on a quality pistol rather than just settle for something average. Would you rather trust something that could possibly jam/misfire just to save a little money or would you rather carry a gun that has been won countless awards and has been carried by the navy seals for years? "

The Mustang to Porsche comparison is not very accurate, a mustang is common and relatively inexpensive but easy to maintain and fairly reliable, the Porsche is expensive and very fussy, very prone to mechanical failure after relatively few miles. I would liken it more to a Camry (glock) and an Acura (Sig), both are common enough, the Camry is a little less fussy but the Acura is just about as easy to maintain and live with, both will get you from point a to b but in varying levels of comfort, handling and style. That being said I do like the sig better just for style points and heft, the glock is just as reliable just not as cool.

The first time I held a P226 Tac Op in my hands, I fell in love with this gun! I am a average size man with average size hands, this gun fits perfectly in my hands. Love the feel of it and it is the most accurate gun that I have ever used. The first time I used it, I missed the target on the first round but hit the rest of the 19 rounds! LOVE THIS GUN!

This compact handheld projectile weapon systems, is one of the best weapon systems, for combat use. That being said our United States Elite Special Forces, Navy SEALs prefer this as their sidearm. If I were to find myself in a combat situation close quarters, this weapon would be the prefered weapon of choice aside from a Glock 22.40 cal. and/or a Glock 17.40 cal. This is all based off statistics and my own personal belief on what works the best. Everybody is entitled to an opinion and may perceive there to be a better handheld projectile weapon system out there. But in the end it is only their opinions rather then it being factual information. Hope that my rate helps people out. Take care and keep you boots wet and your powder dry! OooRaa 😎

8 9mm Beretta

This gun is a tack driver. Smooth as silk action and a malfunction is the last thing on my mind because it just doesn't happen and that means never. I own an M9A3 and an M96A1 that Wilson Combat did 1,400 dollars worth of work to. That's what I preferred though. Out of the box the Beretta will NOT fail you PERIOD. I can shoot the balls off a squirrel at 35 yards with either one of mine. If you're looking at one, get it. The grip feels like this pistol was made custom for you regardless your hand size, the action is like glass and the rounds are pionted directly to the chamber when they are in the mag so you won't get failure to feel when you're shooting hollow points. It's a total and complete work of art.

I assume this is referring to the Beretta 92 series...

This gun is OUTSTANDING. IT is amazingly accurate, has good ammo capacity (15 shots with a standard magazine), good power, and is unbelievably durable/reliable. The U.S. Armed Forces uses it. That alone proves the quality of this gun.

The only handguns that can compete with the Beretta 92 is the SIG Sauer P226, and maybe the Glock 18. The Colt 1911 is a truly amazing firearm, but it is outmatched by the far newer models. Still an AWESOME handgun.

This should be called the M9, but it is the most universal handgun. Full sized, yet concealable. Powerful enough, yet manageable recoil. Accurate, reliable, comfortable, and extremely modular--you can add lasers, extended magazines, a silencer, you name it.

I know that the Desert Eagle is a remarkable gun, but the thing is, its recoil is bad, and it's quite heavy. However, the Beretta is light, easy to carry, and concealable. What's more awesome than a very reliable gun?

9 Glock 17

Glock 17 gen5 was made at FBI requirement changing from SIG Sauer. They could have chosen any other.
Therfore Glock must be one of the best, top 3 easily.

The Glock 17... It's the Glock 19, but a little bit larger... It's a popular law enforcement weapon around the world, and for a good reason. It's a 9mm (yes it's a crap caliber, but you get less recoil, and if you are using hallow points, you can pack a punch. ) holding 17 rounds in a mag. (18 if a bullet is chambered. ) Its accurate, and reliable. What makes it better than the Dessert Eagle, you might ask. Well, with the Dessert Eagle (50 AE version) you need to aim BELOW your target because of recoil. And The Deagle, Doesn't have nearly as good ammo capacity. Well how is it better than the Colt M1911, you might ask. The M1911 is reliable, but, the ammo capacity is to low to ALWAYS do the job. The Glock 17 is accurate, reliable and can do damage (If using the cartridge). enough' said.

The fact that Glock is used by more Police, Military, and World Class Competition shooter's, than any other handgun in the world says it all. Bob Vogel is an 11 time World Champion. And uses Glock. Larry Vickers resume is second to none when it comes to real world combat shooting, and he uses Glock after originally being a 1911 fan. He was a Delta force operator who who now trains Delta force operators. He trained the team that found Saddam Hussein. He also helped develop the specific HK sidearm used by SEAL team 6 during the Bin Laden raid. His experience with firearms is second to none. He is also one of the top armorer's out there, a world class competition shooter, and a founding member of IDPA. The list is long of guy's like this who use Glocks. Anyone saying any other handgun is the best simply has not done their homework.

I was surprised to see a Glock take the 11th Place. It should be more in the 20th spot. Glocks are great guns for the money but not what I would call a great gun. There are so many manufacturer of hand guns that deliver a superior product. Now If This was best gun for your money, then Glock would be first, but it's not. Glocks are a good gun but by today's standards not even close to a Sig, H&K or because. Oh yeah and any one with half a brain can tell that a more popular product does not mean a superior product. but it does make it cheep and easy to get upgrades.

10 Heckler & Koch Mark 23

All H & K USP pistols are amazing. They go through more rounds without needing any service than any other handgun produced. They were also innovators of the polymer frame handguns that Glock gets mistakenly credited for, mainly due to affordability or lack thereof. The ergos are also superior to most handguns, aside from 1911's. Sig designers must hate slide-stops as is evident by the placement and size and the reversal of the decocker and slide-stop location are also difficult to adjust to. Polygonal rifling on the USP barrels provide enhanced accuracy and barrel life.

I hadn't shot for 4 months and yesterday I took my mk23 out of the box and put 4 in the same hole at 15 yards. I was all over the place with the m9 because the trigger is so bad. The glock shoots twice as good as the m9 but the mk23 is like a miracle. It has the o-ring barrel and it just locks up solid. It just goes where you put it. Hard to argue with.

Even more accurate than the m9 (hence used by the special forces) and has good stopping power... Should've been rank 1 or 2

Simply the best

The Contenders
11 CZ 75

I've had a 1911 in my family since I was a child and still do (Springfield SS) it has always been my go-to, but my because (1992 Pre-B) is better to shoot, at least as reliable, and MUCH more wear resistant. Sights and trigger jobs can be done to suit, but all those other top-heavy, awkward actions get spanked by the inside slide.

Without a doubt, the best the/SA double stacked 9mm on the market. I carry a 75 Compact every day. 2000+ rds. without a single failure or hiccup in one gun. Every Sig I've had needed replacement parts, especially recoil springs, at the 1500-2000 rd. mark, and every Glock I have owned has had a horrible trigger. Between my because 75B, because SP-01, and because 75 Compact, I've had nearly 5000 rds. without a hitch. Next on my list is the NATO testing approved because P-01!

This firearm is right up there with the 1911 and Browning Hi-Power. It doesn't have a 1911 trigger but it's a good trigger and the long double action first shot pull acts like a safety without using the safety.

I really hope y'all aren't basing reviews off Call of Duty video games.. This is one of the best 9mm pistols on this list and one of the most reliable as well as versatile. I own the first model to ever be made from the Czech Republic. Fantastic pistol, I highly recommend

12 Springfield 1911

Well it depends on how you rate a pistol. I was in the service and no I don't want to lug a round a heavy metal pistol with heavy rounds BUT I do want a pistol that can protect my wife which is a ok shot and child. I like tested guns damn a brochure about a gun I ask for a sure shot gun that's fun easy to clean and if it needed to be used there's a kick behind the bullet remember if just looking into guns bigger isn't always better its truly how it feels in your hands. Now if you like a bit of weight in your hands and like a little kick by all means got SHOOT it then decide if you like it

A 1911 is like a glock but for men!

If you buy a polymer gun read the spec's carefully to make sure the polymer is dishwasher safe!

I guess it depends on how you perceive best. Best for what? Historically the 1911 would win this contest. from a previous post, Colt did not introduce the 1911. The 1911 is a product of John Moses Browning, God rest his soul (a moment of silence please). Colt was just the first and most popular to capitalize on it. Yes, the USMC switched back to the 45 Colt in 2012. If the United States Marine Corps chose it then it must be some hard corpst. Semper Fi!

Springfield Armory TRP SS, I only have one.

The 1911 has been proven time and time again. IT has been and is still carried in battle, war, home protection and personal protection. The.45 round carries a one shot stop punch all with in itself, add a top quality manufactured gun for an affordable price, you got my vote!

I have carried a 1911 when I was a Marine in Vietnam and as a Military Police and as a side arm for officers.
I currently own a Springfield 1911 mil. spec. and find it very accurate. I go to the range about twice a month.
I find the springfield tactical and service in the 45, 40 and 9mm also accurate.

13 Ruger SP101

All of these guns are probably good guns, but there isn't "one" best gun. A gun that works for me and fits my hand, may not work for you. It's all about how the gun feels in your hand and how comfortable you are shooting it.

I don't know which is the best gun, but I do know, there is no such thing as a bad gun.

Great revolver it fit very well in my big hand. I tried hundres handguns in my life and for me this is the best revolver.

Utterly reliable and built like a tank.

A tank that does not stop.

14 Walther PPK

This is really accurate at short distance (obviously), and very discreet handgun (pretty small), but at the same time you are not using it to kill rhinos, it is for self defense which in the most reasonable cases you don't want to kill your agresor.I know there are comments that said it only holds 6-7 rounds what I would tell them, "Well kid how many rounds you need to hit your target?

I have one, and that's enough.

This gun if awesome

Now its one of the smallest pistols, for light killers this is good

15 Spec Ops 45. Calibre Pistol

1911. This gun set the standard for what a hand gun should Should be. Its. Simple, durable, reliable, dependable. It's iconic design remains one of the most copied of all time.

Best gun all day long

16 Heckler & Koch USP

You get what you pay for. It's tough and will not disappoint you I replaced rear sight with ghost ring personal preference no other modification made it works rite out the box

It is way more accurate than the 92 or any 1911. P-226 is also great but USP.45 has way more power.

Ultra reliable, tough, man sized. My home defense handgun of choice.

My Favorite 9mm How the Beretta won against it is beyond me.

17 Colt Single Action Army

#1 is the Desert Eagle? Is that a joke? This is a result of the "Call of Duty" generation... The Colt Single Action Army was revolutionary for its time being a cartridge revolver. It was popular and in widespread use long after its introduction.

The Single Action Army:The gun that made the west, it has that title for a reason. It has a powerful round and gets lots of bad votes from it being Single Action, but Single Action can be better then Semi auto in some ways.

The Colt Single Action Army when shooting A.357, 158 grain hallow point cartridge can stop any threat and is the best defensive handgun ever made.

"The Colt Single Action Army, the greatest hand gun ever made. Six shots. More than enough to kill anything that moves"!
-Revolver Ocelot, Metal Gear Solid

18 Taurus Raging Bull

All I have to say is " have you seen this gun? " it was a pistol before pistols were pistols! That's how awesome and totally BA this gun is!

Fantastic weapon right out of the box. Extremely accurate and the power of this pistol is amazing!

19 Springfield XDM

After 37 years in law enforcement I've worked hundreds of shootings and I would say it all depends on what you can accurately fire, easily carry and or conceal.
Just about all these pistols are good. But the 45 ACP has the best track record of all the pistol rounds and before you say it's too big just let me say my sisters, who are very small in size, and my wife have no problem with it and like to shoot it (oh, and they are very good with my XDM). Plus, while I was in Iraq and Afghanistan the soldiers there were actually begging the D.O.D. for 45s. The 1911 is a great pistol, I carried one during Vietnam; my father carried one in WWII and it saved his life in Europe several times. But it's design is out of date when compared to an out of the box sweet shooting, very accurate, the, large mag capacity pistol like the Springfield XDM.

Light weight, match grade barrel, comes with a nice case/kit. Great Ergonomics. 19 round mags, Adjustable Back Stap. AWESOME short trigger with a great feel. ACCURATE! Have the XDM 45, want the 9mm too.

After shooting several 1911 and Glocks, I find this pistol to be the most ergonomic and reliable of all. It incorporates the features of 1911 and Glocks and I must say, it's the sweetest shooting pistol I've ever own and shot.

I am a small woman and my Springfield tactical id's are my babies. I call them Bonnie and Clyde. I can shoot them accurately and with either hand. You got my vote

20 FNX-45

I'm a lefty and own the FNX9... But feel the FNX45 incorporates the awesome fully ambidextrous features of this line of firearms BUT carries the FNX40 and FNX9 in power and accuracy.

The lightweight and comfortable feel of the gun is outstanding. Its 45 acp round, pinpoint accuracy and 15 round magazine is sure to put down anyone

This gun is incredible.

I have one with a RMR and suppressor. Always wins the coolest gun challenge at the range. 15 rounds of 45 ACP and deadly accurate. Never had but one FTF when new. Runs flawlessly.

21 FNX-40

The FNX 40 are very nice great gun good price reliable but no way I would put it at number one.

Love it for the price, comfort, and accuracy.

Better than almost every gun on this list. Vert reliavle and accurate. Great gun for price.

Best gun ever. I love it.

22 Mini Uzi

Powerful machine pistol which fires a lot of bullets at once. Its small size makes it convenient to carry and the rate of fire makes it a dangerous weapon

This isn't technecly a pistol, more like a submachine gun. Only because this is automatic. Sort of like the G 18 ( Glock 18). But still, this weapon was used by the afgahn drug dealers.

Small automatic and awesome rate of fire. Light and accurate this should be 4rth

23 Browning Hi-Power

First high capacity magazine and feels great in the hand. Also slimmer than most "wonder nines" but rock solid and mild felt recoil. Built by the GOAT, John M. Browning with Saive putting the icing on the cake!

Best gun I've ever purchased!

Best gun ever.

24 SIG Sauer P220

Best pistol for home defense in my opinion!

Great Gun, to bad the US didn't come up with it.

25 Steyr M1912
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