Pistols are the most common type of combat and service firearms, it is used not only by military personnel and officers of special services, but also ordinary citizens for self-defense or shooting sports. A pistol is a short-barreled weapon, whose effective firing range is 25-50 meters.
Most modern pistols are rifled, self-loading and non-automatic (usually) weapons. The capacity of the classic pistol magazine is 8-9 rounds, although in recent times there are more and more models with a capacity of up to twenty ammunition.
Pistols in their usual form - this is the brainchild of the twentieth century, although the first samples of these weapons appeared in the XV century. The first pistols were equipped with a wick lock, which was replaced by a wheel lock, and then a flintlock. However, they were all single-charge, quite heavy and demanded a lot of time to recharge. Therefore, in the second half of the XIX century pistols were very quickly replaced by revolvers.
At the end of the same century, multi-charge pistols appeared, which surpassed revolvers both in the rate of fire and in accuracy. After the end of World War I begins the era of multiply charged pistols, which lasts to this day.
Since the invention of the first multiply-charged pistol, a huge number of models of this firearm have been produced. Military, sporting, hunting, pistols for self-defense — they were engaged in (and engaged in) dozens of countries around the world in developing and producing them; the most famous weapon designers had a hand in creating new pistol models.
On the Internet, people often argue about which of the pistols is the best. This is a very controversial and controversial issue, because there are more than enough successful designs of these weapons in the world. We made a small selection, which included the best pistols from different countries and periods. The selection criterion in this list was not only the technical characteristics of the pistol, but also the revolutionary nature of its design, as well as popularity among professionals and weapon lovers. In our rating we will not consider air and sports pistols, only military samples or weapons for self-defense will be involved in the review.
So, the top 10 best guns in the world.
10. Stechkin pistol (APS)
Our top 10 opens a gun created in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. APS uses a cartridge 9 × 18 mm PM, its automation works on the principle of a free shutter. This gun is very popular in Russia and other former Soviet republics, but abroad it is usually criticized. A feature of the Stechkin pistol is the ability to fire automatic fire from it, which is somewhat unusual for this type of weapon. The pistol holster can be used as a stock. The capacity of a standard pistol magazine is 20 rounds.
APS was developed for officers, driver mechanics, pilots, but it was very quickly removed from service. The disadvantage of the pistol was its excessive weight and bulkiness - it was not very suitable for covert and permanent wear, and as a military weapon, the APS was not powerful enough. Despite this, it was used in dozens of conflicts of the Cold War period and in hot spots on the territory of the former Soviet Union and beyond.
9. Desert Eagle
In ninth place is the gun Desert Eagle ("Desert Eagle"), which is considered one of the most powerful pistols in the world. It was developed in the early 80s by a joint Israeli-American team chambered for large-caliber (up to 12.7 mm). Developers positioned their offspring as a hunting weapon and a pistol for self-defense.
Desert Eagle is not in service with any army in the world, do not use it in special services, but it is very fond of Hollywood directors. This is one of the most recognizable handguns in the world. The military and security forces do not use the Desert Eagle due to its excessive weight and bulkiness, in addition, the gun has a monstrous recoil and deafening shot sound (it is forbidden to use it in closed shooting galleries). It should also be noted that this weapon is not very reliable, it uses very expensive cartridges and is sensitive to dirt.
In Russia, this gun almost never occurs.
8. Walther RR / PPK
One of the most famous and successful pistols, as evidenced by a large number of copies and clones of these weapons. Walther RR became one of the first mass devices on which dual-action trigger was used. It was developed in 1929 as a police pistol, but later Walther RR was widely used as personal weapons by tank crews, pilots, and sailors.
In the 60s of the last century, the mass production of this pistol was resumed and continues to this day. In addition, the gun is manufactured under license in the United States. All were released more than a million copies of these weapons. Soviet PM, in fact, is a replica of this German pistol.
7. FN Five-seveN (Belgium)
In the seventh place of our list is a pistol created by the Belgian gunsmiths of the Fabrique Nationale company in the late 90s as an addition to the P90 submachine gun. This largely determines the characteristics of this weapon. The main thing is that he uses the same unique 5.7 × 28 mm cartridge with a pointed bullet that can cope with the majority of body armor that exists today. Specific ammunition somewhat limits the popularity of this model as a means of self-defense or sports shooting.
FN Five-seveN pistol is very popular among the fighters of special units, it is very popular in the United States. It has been used in several wars and conflicts.
6. TT (Tula Tokarev)
This is a legendary weapon, the first Soviet pistol, designed by gun designer Tokarev in the early 30s. The TT pistol went through the entire Great Patriotic War with the Red Army, was used in all conflicts of the postwar period, and is popular in Russia today. This is a simple and reliable weapon that uses a powerful 7.62 × 25 mm TT cartridge. Not every body armor is able to resist it.
TT has a relatively small size, suitable for secretive wearing, although there are complaints about the ergonomics of the gun.
5. CZ-75/85
One of the most successful creations of Czech gunsmiths, which deservedly ranks fifth in our ranking. The gun was created back in the 80s of the last century, chambered for 9x19 mm. Convenience, reliability and simplicity of design have provided this weapon great popularity in the west.
The CZ-75/85 has an excellent aiming range, a pistol bullet has a good penetrating ability and sufficient stopping power. By the number of copies sold, the CZ-75/85 is not too inferior to the Colts. This weapon is not very common in Russia.
4. Heckler & Koch USP
This gun was made by the famous German company Heckler & Koch in the early 90s. In 1993 he was adopted by the Bundeswehr. It has a large number of modifications.
Pistol Heckler & Koch USP is considered one of the most successful developments for special forces and police units. It is very reliable, unpretentious, and has good shooting accuracy. The gun can be used in any conditions - it is not afraid of either heat or cold, is insensitive to dirt and falls. Heckler & Koch USP use special units of Germany, USA, Italy, France, Ukraine, Poland and Japan.
Of the design features it should be noted polymer frame and proprietary buffer system to reduce friction. Possible quick change of gauge.
3. Beretta 92
One of the best pistols in the world, created by the oldest European weapons company. The gun was put into service in 1980, uses the popular cartridge 9 × 19 mm. The quality of these weapons is indicated by the fact that in 1985 the modification of the Beretta 92F pistol was adopted as a standard weapon (instead of the Colt M1911) in the US military. Also Beretta 92 is in service with the IDF. Each year, about 100 thousand of these pistols are produced in different versions.
There are a large number of modifications of this gun, it is very recognizable and popular in the civilian market.
The advantages of the gun Beretta 92 include its excellent ergonomics, good balance, ensuring high accuracy and accuracy of fire. The location of the fuse allows you to shoot both right and left hand. The bullet has a sufficient stopping and stopping effect.
Among the shortcomings can be noted a rather large weight of the pistol and its sensitivity to pollution. A too thick handle is not very convenient for people with short fingers.
2. Colt M1911
In the second place of our top-10 is the legendary pistol, created by the brilliant gunsmith John Browning before the beginning of the First World War and remaining in service with the US Army today. This gun survived only one noticeable upgrade in 1926, based on the Colt M1911 created a large number of models and modifications.
This model was supplied to Russia during the First World War, and then under the Lend-Lease during the Great Patriotic War. With the American army, he went through both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, and all the other conflicts of the Cold War period.
The Colt M1911 uses the .45 ACP cartridge (11.43 × 23 mm), its automation works by recoil in the short course of the barrel. The gun has a single action USM, which is often called one of its main drawbacks. Sometimes they are also attributed to the large weight and dimensions of the Colt M1911.
However, despite some drawbacks, the Colt M1911 is the most famous and renowned pistol of the last century. Only for this he deserves a high place in our rating.
1. Glock 17
The most powerful gun in the world, who took the first place in our top-10, was a real milestone in the development of short-barreled firearms. Glock 17 uses 9 × 19 mm Parabellum cartridges, its automation works on the principle of recoil of the barrel with a short stroke.
The history of the gun is very interesting. In 1980, a competition was announced for the creation of a self-loading pistol for the needs of the Austrian army and police. Among others, the well-known firm Glock GmbH, which had previously engaged in supplying army with bayonet knives, demining shovels and other ammunition, but did not produce firearms, took part in it. However, according to the results of the tests it was the Glock 17 pistol that was recognized as the best and put into service. Since then, four generations of the pistol have been created and put into mass production.
In addition to the Austrian army, Glock 17 is in service with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in more than thirty countries of the world.
In the design of the gun is actively used impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic (polyamide), which makes Glock 17 very durable and lightweight. Also thanks to this, the gun is very resistant to corrosion, but with prolonged and intensive use plastic inevitably gives microcracks.
The gun has excellent accuracy and accuracy of fire, it is very convenient, easy to disassemble. A characteristic feature of this gun is that it does not have a fuse at all. Therefore, the time to bring it into the firing position is minimal.
From Glock 17, you can even shoot under water, and its trunk will not break or inflate. True, for this you need to use a special drummer.
