Today, it is common for people to gravitate to the latest and greatest designs in pistol technology. I personally understand the desire to do this, but I find myself still attached to designs that have proven themselves through combat and rigorous use.
In my mind, people unnecessarily dismiss alot of good pistols because it is simply "too old" of a design in their opinion. Of course it is fine to have an opinion and preference, but usually these preferences are established without any experience. Personally it is dangerous to make claims that can not be supported with experience. Just sticking with one platform and never giving anything else an honest try will only limit what you can accomplish. You may like striker fired pistols but if you never try it, you may never know if you are faster and more accurate with a double action pistol. With all that said, let me just go over a few of the best pistols you could use and trust to work in the worst case scenario.
Beretta 92
I know this pistol has a long track record in the military that has given it a sour taste in some peoples' mouths. But notice that I am just saying the "92" instead of specifying which model. This is simply because the general design, I feel, is one of the most durable designs in history. Personally, I hate the safeties on the pistol, and would rather use the "G" model, where the safety levers act only as decocking levers. Now let me be clear that I would not say this is a universal design, but rather is an exemplary design in terms of reliability through neglect, and long range accuracy. As long as the springs are replaced at appropriate times and the magazines are kept in tip top shape, the gun will run and run for hundreds of thousands of rounds.
I know this pistol has a long track record in the military that has given it a sour taste in some peoples' mouths. But notice that I am just saying the "92" instead of specifying which model. This is simply because the general design, I feel, is one of the most durable designs in history. Personally, I hate the safeties on the pistol, and would rather use the "G" model, where the safety levers act only as decocking levers. Now let me be clear that I would not say this is a universal design, but rather is an exemplary design in terms of reliability through neglect, and long range accuracy. As long as the springs are replaced at appropriate times and the magazines are kept in tip top shape, the gun will run and run for hundreds of thousands of rounds.
Walther P99AS
Although it is not a new design, it has still taken a back seat to the evolution of handgun design. Despite its' record for reliability and long term service with European police agencies, the American market seems to have dismissed the design as a "classic" design that is now a thing of the past. This could not be further from the truth. In reality, the PPQ that everyone favors is just another variant of the P99, and is still recognized as a P99 in Europe. It was just renamed in order to draw interest from American shooters who may not know what it means when Walther says that it is a "different variant" of the P99.
Although it is not a new design, it has still taken a back seat to the evolution of handgun design. Despite its' record for reliability and long term service with European police agencies, the American market seems to have dismissed the design as a "classic" design that is now a thing of the past. This could not be further from the truth. In reality, the PPQ that everyone favors is just another variant of the P99, and is still recognized as a P99 in Europe. It was just renamed in order to draw interest from American shooters who may not know what it means when Walther says that it is a "different variant" of the P99.
CZ75
Recognized back a few decades ago as being one of the first reliable 9mm pistols, the CZ75 has done a superb job adapting to the will of the markets all over the world. Whether it is from adding a firing pin safety, or making it convertible from a decocker to a manual safety, CZ has kept this pistol very relevant as a combat pistol you can trust to run reliably.
Recognized back a few decades ago as being one of the first reliable 9mm pistols, the CZ75 has done a superb job adapting to the will of the markets all over the world. Whether it is from adding a firing pin safety, or making it convertible from a decocker to a manual safety, CZ has kept this pistol very relevant as a combat pistol you can trust to run reliably.
DP-51
As one of the most unrecognized and close to forgotten platforms, the DP-51/K-5 pistol is probably my favorite. With a frame, slide, and barrel that are all forged from high quality chromoly steels, this pistol has established an amazingly long record with the South Korean military and police for unflinching reliability. From what I have been able to gather, the pistol has endured very poor maintenance schedules just like our own M9 pistols, but has lasted longer than our M9's with regard to spring life and cracking slides and frames. Pretty amazing if you ask me.
Now I am sure you are aware that Lionheart Industries is importing these beauties into the US as the LH9N. These pistols are the same as what the military gets, but with a couple of cosmetic changes and options. My recommendation is to spend the cash and swoop them up while you can.
As one of the most unrecognized and close to forgotten platforms, the DP-51/K-5 pistol is probably my favorite. With a frame, slide, and barrel that are all forged from high quality chromoly steels, this pistol has established an amazingly long record with the South Korean military and police for unflinching reliability. From what I have been able to gather, the pistol has endured very poor maintenance schedules just like our own M9 pistols, but has lasted longer than our M9's with regard to spring life and cracking slides and frames. Pretty amazing if you ask me.
Now I am sure you are aware that Lionheart Industries is importing these beauties into the US as the LH9N. These pistols are the same as what the military gets, but with a couple of cosmetic changes and options. My recommendation is to spend the cash and swoop them up while you can.
A CLASSIC NEVER DIES
Though these designs are not new, I feel that they deserve more attention and respect. I have made it a point to work with underdog designs and find out what they can do. I have found myself liking these unloved designs alot more. And I find that these older designs to still be very good and still better than the newer designs. I challenge you to try out one of these "older" designs before you fall in love with a more popular design like a Sig or a Glock.
Though these designs are not new, I feel that they deserve more attention and respect. I have made it a point to work with underdog designs and find out what they can do. I have found myself liking these unloved designs alot more. And I find that these older designs to still be very good and still better than the newer designs. I challenge you to try out one of these "older" designs before you fall in love with a more popular design like a Sig or a Glock.
Author
David Donchess
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