When guns first became known, they changed the world forever. When muskets appeared, the knightly army as such did not exist due to its ineffectiveness against firearms. The armor used at that time protected only from blades, swords and daggers, but bullets pierced them.
Many years after the first prototypes appeared, firearms have changed significantly. Conventional pistols, which are universal in difficult operating conditions, are relevant in our time. To understand which pistol was the best in history, the top 10 have been compiled the best pistols in the world, which were relevant earlier or are used in our time.
10. Stechkin pistol (APS)
- Manufacturer country: THE USSR
- Designed by: 1951
- Weight: 1.22 kg with cartridges (without holster-stock)
- Length: 225 mm (without holster-stock) and 540 mm (with holster-stock)
- Barrel length: 140 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 340 m/s
- Store capacity: 20 rounds
This rating opens with a Soviet-made pistol. It has been used in the military for many years due to its simplicity. Today, weapons are extremely rare and are the property of collectors. The total number of copies released is small.
In the world, the Stechkin pistol was not as relevant as many other models of that time. It has been successfully used by soldiers and agents for several decades. It was no longer produced in 1958. Too high a cost was the main reason for the removal of weapons from production. The disadvantages are its large dimensions, which makes the pistol poorly suited for concealed carry, and its not very high combat power.
9.
- Manufacturer country: Germany
- Designed by: 1989-1993
- Weight: from 0.667 to 1.08 kg (depending on version)
- Length: from 173 to 240 (depending on modification)
- Barrel length: from 91 to 153 mm (depending on version)
- Initial bullet speed: from 270 to 350 m/s (depending on caliber)
- Store capacity: from 8 to 18 (depending on the modification of the pistol and caliber) cartridges
The weapon was developed by a German manufacturer in 1993. Relatively good reliability, well-known German quality and good shooting accuracy made this pistol a member of the top with the ninth position.
The manufacturer offered nine different modifications. The main disadvantages are the huge dimensions, as well as the inconvenient shutter. Despite this, this weapon has received its place in the list of the best pistols in the world.
8.
- Manufacturer country: Israel, USA
- Designed by: 1983
- Weight: from 1.7 (aluminum) to 2 (steel) kg
- Length: 273 mm (with a barrel length of 152 mm)
- Store capacity: from 7 to 9 (depending on caliber) cartridges
This pistol was specially created with a large barrel diameter. It is designed for maximum caliber. 50 (12.7 x 33 mm). The Desert Eagle with .50 Action Express cartridges has a muzzle energy of 2500 J. It is for this reason that it is one of most powerful pistols in the world. The creator and further manufacturer is an arms company from Israel. The pistol itself is positioned as a weapon for hunting, as well as for protection against animals and criminals.
Due to the fact that the Desert Eagle (Desert Eagle or Desert Eagle) has a beautiful design, name and acceptable dimensions, the pistol was actively used during the filming of films and in the development of computer games in the shooter genre./p>
7.Walther P99
- Manufacturer country: Germany
- Designed by: 1994-1997
- Weight: 0.7 kg
- Length: 180 mm
- Barrel length: 102 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 375 m/s
- Store capacity: 10 rounds
The manufacturer of this pistol has long been considered an innovator in the world of weapons and pistols in particular. This model was first released from the assembly line in 1994, after which it became widespread. Manufacturers tried to create weapons that would incorporate the latest technology and excellent quality.
After its release, the Walther P99 pistol became a real sensation, because the company had previously been involved in the production of classic weapons. All these advantages made it possible for the Walther P99 to enter the top 10 best pistols in the world and take seventh position.
Optimal weight, a pleasant and comfortable grip and balanced dimensions make the gun convenient to use. During production, the weapon received several modifications.
6.
- Manufacturer country: USA
- Designed by: 1911, modification M1911A1 – 1926
- Weight: 1.12 kg
- Length: 216 mm
- Barrel length: 127 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 252 m/s
- Store capacity: 7 rounds
Legendary and at the same time one of the oldest pistols of our time, one might say, a weapon with history, which is already a reason to include the weapon in the rating. It was actively used in the US Army for more than seventy years, but was replaced by a pistol from the Italians called Beretta 92.
During its entire existence, it is considered one of the most widespread, and experts note the presence of a large number of fakes. A small magazine and relatively heavy weight do not allow it to go beyond sixth place in this ranking.
5. TT pistol
- Manufacturer country: THE USSR
- Designed by: 1930
- Curb weight: 0.94 kg
- Length: 195 mm
- Barrel length: 116 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 420 m/s
- Store capacity: 8 rounds
This pistol is known for its good power and ability to penetrate various obstacles. Thanks to its small size, it can be hidden when worn. It was developed in 1930 and was actively used in the Soviet army for many years.
It is very easy to use, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. The main negative feature of the pistol is the unreliability of fixing the magazine with cartridges. Because of this, cases of self-inflicted gunfire were recorded.
4.
- Manufacturer country: Belgium
- Designed by: 1993-1998
- Curb weight: 0.744 kg
- Length: 208 mm
- Barrel length: 122 mm
- Initial bullet speed: from 520 to 650 m/s (depending on cartridges)
- Store capacity: 10 (limited), 20 (standard), 30 (high capacity) rounds
This pistol ranks fourth in the ranking of the best pistols in the world. Designed and manufactured in 1998. It has been successfully used by various units and groups of the NATO military alliance. Convenient for use in difficult situations, extremely lightweight and versatile. And, if you use special cartridges, you can increase your combat power. This will make it possible to penetrate body armor.
3.
- Manufacturer country: Austria
- Designed by: 1982
- Curb weight: 0.905 kg
- Length: 186 mm
- Barrel length: 114 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 350 – 360 m/s
- Store capacity: 17 (standard), 19 or 30 (high capacity) cartridges
The top three are opened by the Glock 17. It is successfully used by armed forces in several dozen countries. Various modifications allow it to be used for different purposes. Optimal weight and simple design (assembled from 30 parts) are some of the main advantages. Using a simple nail, experts can disassemble the gun in less than 60 seconds.
Among other top pistols in the world, the Glock 17 is one of the most reliable. It can fire up to half a million shots. There is no trigger as such. There is also no safety flag, which will allow you to quickly pull the weapon out of the holster and shoot.
The Glock 17 doesn't fit into the classic firearm mold. Structurally, many of its parts are made of strong polymer, which is not afraid of shocks and mechanical influences. Many police officers in the USA use it. About 40% of police surveyed consider the Glock 17 to be the most comfortable of all time.
2.
- Manufacturer country: Germany, Switzerland
- Designed by: 1981
- Curb weight: 0.802 or 0.867 (depending on cartridges used) kg
- Length: 196 mm
- Barrel length: 112 mm
- Store capacity: 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 rounds (depending on the cartridges used)
This weapon has a unique history. The high position in the ranking is deserved because the pistol has been approved by various armies and intelligence agencies around the world. As a result of cooperation between SIG and Sauer, the Sig-Sauer P226 pistol appeared on the market. Back in the middle of the last century, the P220 model was manufactured, and it was this model that was used as the basis for the production of the P226.
Gunsmiths note the thoughtfulness of the design and the excellent quality of execution of the smallest details. If you need to use a small pistol, this model will not work. If you look at the photo of the SIG-Sauer P226, you might get the impression that it is light, as if made of plastic. This is far from reality. In fact, the gun is quite large and heavy. In the hands of professionals, the relatively large dimensions and good combat power make the weapon indispensable.
The manufacturer of the SIG-Sauer P226 has been creating excellent, high-quality weapons for many years. The use of new developments is the main key to the company's success.
The pistol was created back in 1981 as a competition item for the American army. Perhaps the most important disadvantage of this pistol is its high cost, which did not allow it to take first place in the list of the best firearms.
1. Beretta 92
- Manufacturer country: Italy
- Designed by: 1975
- Curb weight: 0.95 kg
- Length: 217 mm
- Barrel length: 125 mm
- Initial bullet speed: 390 m/s
- Store capacity: 15 rounds
The Italian firearms manufacturer, considered the oldest in Europe, has created a pistol model that is unique in all respects - the Beretta 92. Today it is the best pistol in the world. In modern conditions, the Beretta 92 and a large number of modified models are successfully used by the armies and special forces of many countries.
But even the leader of the rating has disadvantages - the handle is too large, as well as significant weight compared to other pistols of this class.
+ Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express
This weapon, of course, cannot be considered one of the best pistols, but the specimen is quite interesting and deserves attention. The Austrian-made revolver is a giant among pistols. Its original name is “Remington Model 1859”. Perhaps it is the largest and longest pistol in the world. One shot from it costs about 40 dollars. For this “monster” of short-barreled weapons, a heavy-duty hunting cartridge is used. 600 Nitro Express (15.2 x 76 mm), which is designed for hunting the largest animals in Africa.
By the way, before the .700 Nitro Express caliber cartridge appeared in 1988, the “six hundredth” was the most powerful cartridge for civilian weapons in the world. At this point in time, the largest rifle cartridge is considered to be .950 caliber (20 x 102 mm), developed by the American arms company SSK Industries.
The pistol weighs 13 pounds (about 6 kg). Muzzle energy is about 10,000 J. Such power seems enormous, yet the Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express is not the most powerful pistol in the world. There are “short-barreled guns” with muzzle power up to 15,000 J - Thunder 50 BMG and Maadi-Griffin 50 BMG, of course, calling them pistols is a stretch. The use of these 3 models of “pistols” is difficult due to their high power and is associated with a significant risk of injury when shooting. However, many firearms connoisseurs purchase such specimens as exhibits for their collections.
The best pistol in the world | Video review
On this day, the second of September in 1834, American Colonel Samuel Colt patented a revolver - a multi-shot close-range firearm. Although a lot of time has passed since then, this legendary weapon is no less popular today than it was a hundred years ago.
Samuel Colt is often called the Great Leveler by historians. This is because while divine forces were creating man, and Lincoln was giving them freedom, Colt was figuring out how to make people equal. And the American colonel succeeded: he patented a weapon that is still used today, set world records and even played roulette.
The design of the revolver was repeatedly changed and improved. We will tell you about ten modifications of the pistol that have proven that this weapon is the best in its genre.
Pfeifer Zeliska
Pfeifer Zeliska is the largest mass-produced revolver. This pistol is a weapon for real heroes. 6 kilograms of weight and 55 centimeters of length are nothing compared to the recoil that you will have to experience if you decide to shoot from this monster.
Revolver Lefoshe
French designer Casimir Lefauchet was dissatisfied with the small number of cartridges with which the revolver could be loaded. Therefore, the engineer actively developed the firearms store. One of his most famous developments is a pistol with two muzzles, 7 rounds along the inner circumference of the drum, 14 rounds along the outer one. Every two shots from the upper barrel, one shot was repeated from the lower one.
Source: gunandgame.com
Le Ma
Jean Alexandre Le Mas was a cunning engineer. Therefore, his modification of the revolver is not without surprises: the pistol has a second barrel of a sixteenth caliber. It is the axis for the drum with cartridges. If enemies are advancing, recharge the secret and take advantage of your last chance to win.
Source: thefirearmblog.com
Brass knuckles
In Belgium, the military relied not only on the firepower of their weapons, but also on their own strength. If they ran out of cartridges, men had to use daggers or brass knuckles. Therefore, engineers combined all three weapons in one, coming up with a six-shot 7 mm pistol. The result was a revolver with weak combat abilities, but additional bonuses for hand-to-hand combat.
Source: giftmansion.com
Tread
The Protector is a non-automatic weapon that has more than just an extravagant appearance. That is why it is of interest exclusively to collectors. The pistol is a disc with a barrel and a lever, inside of which eight-gauge cartridges are hidden.
Source: klownsthoughts.com
Garcia Reynoso
Reloading weapons often took a lot of time for the military. Therefore, Argentine officer García Reynoso designed an additional magazine to hold five rounds. As a result, it was possible to reload the pistol and shoot back at the same time. The only problem was the unreliability of the mechanism for feeding additional cartridges.
The first pistols were created in the 15th century. At that time they were single-shot. But everything in the world is improving. Therefore, pistols of the present time are equipped with a capacious magazine, the number of cartridges in which can reach 30. Let’s take a look at the top ten of those that are valued all over the world for their high qualities in our top 10 best pistols in the world.
10 OSZ-92
This Chinese pistol was created in the mid-1990s for the People's Liberation Army of China. The pistol is produced in two versions: chambered for a reinforced 9x19 mm cartridge and chambered for a 5.8 mm cartridge with a bottle-shaped sleeve and a pointed bullet. Special grooves allow the installation of a laser laser, a silencer and a tactical flashlight.
9 SIG-Sauer P226
This pistol is the result of a collaboration between the Swiss company SIG and the German company Sauer. It was created in 1981. This pistol, with its impressive weight (867 g) and massive grip, is valued for its excellent combat characteristics and thoughtfulness of the entire design down to the smallest detail. Equipped with magazines for 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 rounds. It has one drawback - very high cost.
8 Heckler and Koch USP
This German pistol, created in 1993, has 9 modifications. It is valued for the highest shooting accuracy, reliability, quality and unpretentiousness (insensitive to heat, cold, dirt, falls). It has only two drawbacks - large size and inconvenient shutter.
7 CZ-75/85
This is a Czech pistol, created in the 80s of the 20th century using 9x19 mm cartridges. The bullet has excellent penetration ability and sufficient stopping power. This pistol has gained great popularity due to its reliability and simplicity of design.
6 SIGP250
This is a German pistol, mass production of which began only at the beginning of 2008. There are three modifications - Compact; Full Size; Subcompact. It is possible to change the dimensions of this pistol and the caliber using cartridges of the 40th, 45th, 9x12 mm Parabellum and .357 SIG calibers. The kit includes magazines from 6 to 17 rounds.
5 FN-FNP45
The FN-FNP45 pistol was created through the joint efforts of Belgian and American designers. It was first introduced in 2007, and sales began in 2008. On the body on both sides there are safety and slide stop flags and plus a magazine release button, which allows you to use the weapon with both hands. The cartridges used are 45 caliber (11.43x25 mm).
4 FN Five-seveN
This Belgian pistol was created as a complement to the P90 submachine gun. The use of unique 5.7x28 mm cartridges with a pointed bullet makes it possible to cope with most existing types of body armor. Such bullets develop an initial speed of 650 m/s and a flight range of 1.5 km. The pistol weighs 744 g and its length is 20.8 cm.
3 Walther P99
This is a German pistol that combines high combat qualities and the latest technological qualities. The pistol is equipped with a comfortable handle, the back of which, thanks to removable elements, adapts to any palm size. The peculiarity of the pistol is the absence of external fuses and trigger, as well as the presence of three automatic ones, which are triggered when the trigger is not pressed, when the bolt is not closed, and when dropped. The pistol body is equipped with mounts for a laser pointer or flashlight. Magazine capacity – 10 rounds of 9x19 mm. The pistol weighs 700 g and its length is 18 cm.
2 Glock 17
This is an Austrian pistol, the peculiarity of which is the absence of a trigger and a safety box, which makes it possible to instantly put the pistol into combat readiness. Its advantage is its simple design (the Glock 17 is assembled from 30 parts), allowing it to be disassembled in less than 60 seconds. The presence of a safety trigger protects the pistol from accidental discharge. The body of the gun is made of lightweight, impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic - polyamide, making the gun resistant to corrosion. The standard magazine capacity is 17 rounds of 9x19 mm Parabellum. The pistol weighs 905 g and its length is 18.6 cm.
1 Beretta 92
This Italian 9mm pistol features a double action trigger with an exposed hammer. The location of the safety and the enlarged trigger guard make it possible to shoot with both left and right hands, and even with gloves. The pistol receives “power” from a 15-round magazine. The bullet has sufficient penetration and stopping power. The pistol weighs 950 g and its length is 21.7 cm. The handle is too thick for people with large palms.
Pistols are a common type of firearm that is constantly improving its characteristics - becoming more powerful and practical, lighter and more convenient to use.
Pistols are the most common type of military and service firearms; they are used not only by military personnel and special services employees, but also by ordinary citizens for self-defense or sport shooting. A pistol is a short-barreled weapon with an effective firing range of 25-50 meters.
Most modern pistols are rifled, self-loading and non-automatic (usually) weapons. The capacity of a classic pistol magazine is 8-9 rounds, although recently models with a capacity of up to twenty rounds have become increasingly common.
Pistols in the form we are familiar with are the creation of the twentieth century, although the first examples of these weapons appeared in the 15th century. The first pistols were equipped with a matchlock, which was replaced by a wheel lock, and then by a flintlock. However, they were all single-shot, quite heavy and required a lot of time to reload. Therefore, in the second half of the 19th century, pistols were very quickly replaced by revolvers.
At the end of the same century, multi-shot pistols appeared that were superior to revolvers in both rate of fire and accuracy. After the end of the First World War, the era of repeating pistols began, which continues to this day.
Since the invention of the first repeating pistol, a huge number of models of this firearm have been produced. Military, sporting, hunting, self-defense pistols - they were (and are) being developed and produced in dozens of countries around the world; the most famous weapons designers had a hand in creating new models of pistols.
There is often debate on the Internet about which pistol is the best. This is a very debatable and controversial issue, because there are more than enough successful designs of these weapons in the world. We have made a small selection that includes the best pistols from different countries and periods. The selection criterion for this list was not only the technical characteristics of the pistol, but also the revolutionary nature of its design, as well as its popularity among professionals and weapon enthusiasts. In our rating we will not consider pneumatic and sports pistols; only military models or weapons for self-defense will participate in the review.
So, the top 10 best pistols in the world.
10. Stechkin pistol (APS)
Our top 10 opens with a pistol created in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. The APS uses a 9x18 mm PM cartridge; its automation operates on the blowback principle. This pistol is very popular in Russia and other former Soviet republics, but it is usually criticized abroad. A special feature of the Stechkin pistol is the ability to fire automatically 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, and pilots, but it was very quickly removed from service. The disadvantage of the pistol was its excess weight and bulkiness - it was not very suitable for concealed and constant carry, and as a combat weapon the APS was not powerful enough. Despite this, it was used in dozens of Cold War conflicts and hot spots in the former Soviet Union and beyond.
9. Desert Eagle
In ninth place is the Desert Eagle pistol, 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 and chambered for a large caliber cartridge (up to 12.7 mm). The developers positioned their brainchild as a hunting weapon and a pistol for self-defense.
The Desert Eagle is not in service with any army in the world, nor is it used by special services, but Hollywood directors love it very much. This is one of the most recognizable pistols in the world. The military and security forces do not use the Desert Eagle due to its excess weight and bulkiness; in addition, the pistol has monstrous recoil and a deafening shot sound (it is prohibited from being used in indoor shooting ranges). It should also be noted that this weapon is not very reliable, uses very expensive ammunition and is sensitive to contamination.
In Russia, this pistol is practically never found.
8. Walther PP/PPK
One of the most famous and successful pistols, as evidenced by the large number of copies and clones of this weapon. Walther RR became one of the first mass-produced devices to use a double-action trigger. It was developed in 1929 as a police pistol, but later the Walther PP was widely used as a personal weapon for tank crews, pilots and sailors.
In the 60s of the last century, mass production of this pistol was resumed and continues to this day. In addition, the pistol is produced under license in the USA. In total, more than a million copies of this weapon were produced. The Soviet PM is essentially a replica of this German pistol.
7. FN Five-seveN (Belgium)
In seventh place on 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 it uses the same unique 5.7×28mm pointed bullet cartridge that is capable of defeating most body armor available today. The specific ammunition somewhat limits the popularity of this model as a means of self-defense or sport shooting.
The FN Five-seveN pistol is very popular among special forces soldiers; it is in great demand in the USA. It has been used in several wars and conflicts.
6. TT (Tula Tokarev)
This is a legendary weapon, the first Soviet pistol, developed by weapons designer Tokarev in the early 30s. The TT pistol served with the Red Army throughout the Great Patriotic War, was used in all conflicts of the post-war period, and is still 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 can withstand it.
The TT is relatively small in size and is suitable for concealed carry, although there are complaints about the ergonomics of the pistol.
5. CZ-75/85
One of the most successful creations of Czech gunsmiths, which deservedly takes fifth place in our ranking. The pistol was created back in the 80s of the last century and chambered for the 9x19 mm cartridge. Convenience, reliability and simplicity of design ensured this weapon great popularity in the West.
The CZ-75/85 has an excellent firing range; the pistol bullet has good penetration and sufficient stopping power. In terms of the number of units 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 pistol was manufactured by the famous German company Heckler & Koch in the early 90s. In 1993, it was adopted by the Bundeswehr. Has a large number of modifications.
The Heckler&Koch USP pistol is considered one of the most successful developments for special forces and police forces. 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, and is insensitive to dirt and falls. Heckler&Koch USP is used by special units in Germany, USA, Italy, France, Ukraine, Poland and Japan.
Among the design features, noteworthy are the polymer frame and proprietary buffer system to reduce friction. Quick caliber changes are possible.
3. Beretta 92
One of the best pistols in the world, created by the oldest European arms company. The pistol was put into service in 1980 and uses the popular 9x19 mm cartridge. The quality of this weapon is evidenced by the fact that in 1985, a modification of the Beretta 92F pistol was adopted as a standard weapon (instead of the Colt M1911) in the US armed forces. The Beretta 92 is also in service with the IDF. About 100 thousand of these pistols are produced every year in various modifications.
There are a large number of modifications of this pistol; it is very recognizable and popular in the civilian market.
The advantages of the Beretta 92 pistol include its excellent ergonomics, good balance, ensuring high accuracy and accuracy of fire. The location of the safety allows you to shoot with both right and left hands. The bullet has sufficient penetration and stopping effect.
In second place in our top 10 is the legendary pistol, created by the brilliant gunsmith John Browning before the outbreak of World War I and which remains in service with the US Army today. This pistol experienced only one noticeable modernization in 1926; a large number of models and modifications were created based on the Colt M1911.
This model was supplied to Russia during the First World War, and then under Lend-Lease during the Great Patriotic War. With the American Army, he went through both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts of the Cold War.
The Colt M1911 uses the .45 ACP cartridge (11.43x23 mm), its automatic operation is driven by recoil with a short barrel stroke. The pistol has a single-action trigger, which is often called one of its main disadvantages. Sometimes they also include the large weight and dimensions of the Colt M1911.
However, despite some shortcomings, the Colt M1911 is the most famous and celebrated pistol of the last century. For this alone, he deserves a high place in our ranking.
The history of the creation of the pistol is very interesting. In 1980, a competition was announced to create a self-loading pistol for the needs of the Austrian army and police. Among others, the little-known company Glock GmbH took part in it, which previously supplied the army with bayonet knives, sapper blades and other ammunition, but did not produce firearms. However, according to the results of the tests, it was the Glock 17 pistol that was recognized as the best and adopted for service. Since then, four generations of the pistol have been created and put into mass production.
In addition to the Austrian army, the Glock 17 is in service with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of more than thirty countries around the world.
Impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic (polyamide) is actively used in the design of the pistol, which makes the Glock 17 very durable and lightweight. Also, thanks to this, the gun is very resistant to corrosion, however, with prolonged and intensive use, the plastic inevitably develops microcracks.
The pistol has excellent accuracy and shooting accuracy, it is very convenient and easy to disassemble. A characteristic feature of this pistol is that it does not have a safety lock at all. Therefore, the time to bring it into combat position is minimal.
You can even shoot the Glock 17 underwater without the barrel bursting or ballooning. True, for this you need to use a special drummer.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them
The Internet often argues about which of the famous pistols is the best. This is a very difficult question, because they all have different design elements. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the ranking of the Top 10 best pistols in the world.
So, the top 10 best pistols in the world.
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10. Stechkin pistol (APS) Our top 10 opens with a pistol created in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. The APS uses a 9x18 mm PM cartridge; its automation operates on the blowback principle. This pistol is very popular in Russia and other former Soviet republics, but it is usually criticized abroad. A special feature of the Stechkin pistol is the ability to fire automatically 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 special services personnel, but it was very quickly removed from service. The disadvantage of the pistol was its excess weight and bulkiness - it was not very suitable for concealed and constant carry, and as a combat weapon the APS was not powerful enough. However, despite this, it was used in dozens of Cold War conflicts and hot spots in the former Soviet Union.
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9. Desert Eagle In ninth place is the Desert Eagle pistol, 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 and chambered for a large caliber cartridge (up to 12.7 mm). The developers positioned their brainchild as a hunting weapon and a pistol for self-defense. The Desert Eagle is not in service with any army in the world, nor is it used by special services, but Hollywood directors love it very much. This is one of the most recognizable pistols in the world. Professionals do not use the Desert Eagle because of its excess weight and bulkiness; in addition, the pistol has monstrous recoil and a deafening shot sound (it is prohibited from being used in indoor shooting ranges). It should also be noted that this weapon is not very reliable, uses very expensive ammunition and is sensitive to contamination.
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8. Walther PP/PPK One of the most famous and successful pistols, as evidenced by the large number of copies and clones of this weapon. Walther RR became one of the first mass-produced pistols to use a double-action trigger. It was developed in 1929 as a police pistol, but later the Walther PP was widely used as a personal weapon for tank crews, pilots and sailors. In the 60s of the last century, mass production of this pistol was resumed and continues to this day. In addition, the pistol is produced under license in the USA. In total, more than a million copies of this weapon were produced. The Soviet PM is essentially a replica of this German pistol.
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7. FN Five-seveN (Belgium) In seventh place on 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 it uses the same unique 5.7×28mm cartridge with a pointed bullet that can cope with most body armor available today. The FN Five-seveN pistol is very popular among special forces soldiers, it is in great demand in the United States, and in recent years this weapon has been in increasing demand in the civilian market. This pistol has been used in several wars and conflicts.
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6. TT (Tula, Tokarev) This is a legendary weapon, the first Soviet pistol, developed by weapons designer Tokarev in the early 30s. The TT pistol served with the Red Army throughout the Great Patriotic War, was used in all conflicts of the post-war period, and is still 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 can withstand it. The TT is relatively small in size and is convenient for concealed carry, although there are complaints about the ergonomics of the pistol.
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5. CZ-75/85 One of the most successful creations of Czech gunsmiths, which deservedly takes fifth place in our ranking. The pistol was created back in the 80s of the last century and chambered for the 9x19 mm cartridge. Convenience, reliability and simplicity of design brought this weapon great popularity in the West. The CZ-75/85 has an excellent firing range; the pistol bullet has good penetration and sufficient stopping power. In terms of the number of copies sold, the CZ-75/85 is not too inferior to the Colts. This weapon is not very common in Russia.
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4. Heckler&Koch USP This pistol was manufactured by the famous German company Heckler & Koch in the early 90s. In 1993, it was adopted by the Bundeswehr. Has a large number of modifications. The Heckler&Koch USP pistol 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, and is insensitive to dirt and falls. Heckler&Koch USP is used by special units in Germany, USA, Italy, France, Ukraine, Poland and Japan. Among the design features, noteworthy are the polymer frame and proprietary buffer system to reduce friction. Quick caliber changes are possible.
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3. Beretta 92 One of the best pistols in the world, created by the oldest European weapons company. The pistol was put into service in 1980 and uses a 9x19 mm cartridge. The quality of this weapon is evidenced by the fact that in 1985, a modification of this pistol, the Beretta 92F, was adopted as a standard weapon (instead of the Colt M1911) in the US armed forces. The Beretta 92 is also in service with the IDF. About 100 thousand of these pistols of various modifications are produced every year. There are a large number of modifications of this pistol; it is very recognizable and popular in the civilian market. The advantages of the Beretta 92 pistol include its excellent ergonomics, good balance, which ensures high accuracy and accuracy of fire. The location of the safety allows you to shoot with both right and left hands. The bullet has sufficient penetration and stopping effect. The disadvantages include the rather heavy weight of the pistol and its sensitivity to contamination. And a handle that is too thick is not very comfortable for people with short fingers.
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2. Colt M1911 In second place in our top 10 is the legendary pistol, created by the brilliant gunsmith John Browning before the outbreak of the First World War and is in service with the US Army today. This pistol experienced only one noticeable modernization in 1926; a large number of models and modifications were created based on the Colt M1911. This pistol was supplied to Russia during the First World War, and then under Lend-Lease during the Great Patriotic War. With the American Army, he went through both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts of the Cold War. The Colt M1911 uses the .45 ACP cartridge (11.43x23 mm), its automatic operation is driven by recoil with a short barrel stroke. The pistol has a single-action trigger, which is often called one of its main disadvantages. Sometimes they also include the large weight and dimensions of the Colt M1911. However, despite some shortcomings, the Colt M1911 is the most famous and honored pistol of the last century. For this alone, he deserves the highest place in our ranking.
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1. Glock 17 The pistol, which is in first place in our top 10, has become a real milestone in the development of short-barreled firearms. The Glock 17 uses 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridges, and its automatic operation operates on the principle of recoil with a short-stroke barrel. The history of the creation of the pistol is very interesting. In 1980, a competition was announced to create a self-loading pistol for the needs of the Austrian army and police. Among others, the unknown company Glock GmbH took part in it, which had previously been supplying the army with bayonet knives, sapper blades and other ammunition, but had never been associated with weapons. Nevertheless, according to the results of the tests, it was the Glock 17 pistol that was recognized as the best and adopted for service. Since then, four generations of the pistol have been created and put into mass production. In addition to the Austrian army, the Glock 17 is in service with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of more than thirty countries around the world. Impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic (polyamide) is actively used in the design of the pistol, which makes the Glock 17 very durable and lightweight. Also, thanks to this, the gun is very resistant to corrosion, however, with prolonged and intensive use, the plastic inevitably develops microcracks. The pistol has excellent accuracy and shooting accuracy, it is very convenient and easy to disassemble. A characteristic feature of this pistol is that it does not have a safety lock at all. Therefore, the time to bring it into combat position is minimal. You can even shoot the Glock 17 underwater without the barrel bursting or ballooning. True, for this you need to use a special drummer.
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