Re: What is the Ultimate Combat Pistol? Make your case
Okay, over the past few days I picked this apart as much as I could. I agree there is no perfect combat sidearm but the closest I can get to it is the Glock.
Last week I took out 4 potential guns for this thread plus a 1911
FN .45 Tactical
Smith and Wesson M&P
Sig P220 Elite Dark
Glock 21 Gen 4
and
Nighthawk GRP 1911
The FN was outstanding giving the user the option for cocked and locked carry thus giving it a consistent trigger pull.Great features, excellent sights, threaded barrel but the downfalls were size. The gun is way too bulky. Price, like everything else FN it was a lot of money for design only not so much for the materials in hand. Ergonomics, the gun feels very awkward and not natural to hold.
The Smith and Wesson was a great gun and really I only have one gripe and that was the trigger. Hated the reset and I wasn't fond of the trigger pull itself. Comfortable and well built though.
The P220 elite dark is outstanding, threaded barrel, night sights (good night sights), short reset, short trigger. awesome across the board except firepower, 8+1 ouch.
The Nighthawk GRP was the most expensive of the bunch at well over 2K. The build quality is second to none and accuracy is sublime. Sights are fantastic night sights and the trigger is simply one of the best I have ever used but again the downfall.. capacity. same as the P220 8+1.
Now, as I have said before for a duty gun or EDC 1911s are outstanding. If you are not in a training area, down range or in the field a 1911 is my number 1 choice because of the thumb safety and I will take precision over other perks any day around civilians.
But for a "combat" implying that the gun may be exposed to rough terrain , harsh conditions and all the elements. Also, implying that the goal is not public safety or self defense but more complete the mission or defend and area... I will take the Glock over anything else currently in production. I know how hard just sitting in a Pos can be on a sidearm let alone running around and getting thrashed. I want a durable gun, I want a gun that's easy to clean, I want a gun that has no safety switches because if I draw it I am probably tits deep in gun fire. I want consistent trigger pull and I want an ass load of really big bullets that can be fired quickly and accurately. Glocks last and and last and aside from a house fire or a great big dog with a chewing problem not much else tends to break them. Then there is the price, half of what you will spend on the FN almost a 1/4 of what you can spend on a Mk23 or Nighthawk GRP. Best bargain on the market if you ask me and more than a safe bet. The only problem with a Glock is they tend to be boring and old news for a lot of us, you think I am kidding, I am not. The fun factor on any purchase should be up there and Glocks aren't as fun as a lot of other stuff out there and that makes a difference to the buyer. It does for me. I currently own 2 Glocks and have had more than I can count. They don't blow my skirt up anymore but they work and work really well and as far as a "combat pistol" goes. I can't think of any other gun that would do as well in the field as a G21. They do always impress me, maybe not excite me but they do always impress me. I don't know why but I get it in my head that they aren't really accurate and they are especially the Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glocks.
I should also mention that I have never had a Glock really "fit" my hand but I still do extremely well with them.
Finally, I don't want to seem like I am picking on any other guns. I am not, everything I mentioned I own as well as a bunch of others I ruled out before hand like the FN Five seven or Beretta 92 (served with it, not my first pick to say the least) The Mk 23 is a close second but I still don't like it because of the double to single trigger and the size of the damned thing. Feels like a Desert Eagle. Realistically, if the proverbial shit hit the fan I would probably reach for my 1911s first but I am bringing the G21 and would eventually come to my senses and carry it instead.
Sorry I suck at pictures I'll get some better ones I swear.
