Stiring the Pot ... With a gernade

[mcwoodduck]

So I was at the book store today and was looking in a book on handguns.
There was a picture of a certain handgun and lots of different ammo and the caption said that some makes will not handle this variety of ammo.
So now for the question.
What is the most reliable semi auto?
What gun will take all and any variety of ammo and keep running with out being tuned for it?

[jmayton]

Glock.

[Ranger99]

1911
for a hundred and two years-not a bad record.
most copied, unless the '73 gets that.

[mcwoodduck]

1911
for a hundred and two years-not a bad record.
most copied, unless the '73 gets that.

And now comes the stirring the pot part.
The 1911 needs to be tuned to different ammo.  And not all shoot Hollow points.
But I guess a Kimber would work. 

[williamlayton]

If it will shoot HP's it will shoot anything. Tuned? Maybe that is a good word.
I have had all mine worked on by a Smith---tuned?  Polished up is a word that makes it clear to me.
Blessings
 

[guzzijohn]

A quality Makarov. Need to reload however for a variety of ammo choices. As reliable as they get.
GuzziJohn

[mcwoodduck]

A quality Makarov. Need to reload however for a variety of ammo choices. As reliable as they get.
GuzziJohn

Is there a variety of loadings in the 9X18?

[guzzijohn]

There are a few HP bullets out there, no the choice is not big by any means. But if you need a defensive pistol that is extremely reliable but if you are on a beer budget there could be worse choices. Some are available in .380 also.
GuzziJohn

[SHOOTALL]

Glock , Bretta 92 or 96 , Sig 22? . I have had all three brands in several cal.  and only one defective Glock was a FTF . And it was fixed.
 The 1911 was made to fire hard ball ammo and did so well.

[jmayton]

I'll still say Glock first, but then my Springfield GI has been the most reliable 1911 I've ever shot.  But I'll still pick the Glock first.

[SHOOTALL]

I think all three I noted are worth while . The 92/96 seemed less likely to be affected by limp wrist . The Glock works very dirty . Both the Bretta and the Glock somewhat self clean when fired. One thing that should not be done but I did was fire 380 in a 9mm Glock and 357 sig in a 40 glock. They both functioned . That would sway me to the Glock.

[Oldshooter]

Glock.

yep! 

[jmayton]

I fired a 9mm in my .40 Glock.  Other than not exracting, it did just fine.  But wouldn't do it again.  I agree the 92/96 is a great gun and I can shoot them well, I just don't like the ergonomics so I don't have one and haven't had a ton of experience with them.

[SHOOTALL]

I shot the 380 in a match by mistake. The bullet hit the target but the report was weak. 

[Mikey]

I will go with the 1911 - right out of the box it will shoot the way it is supposed to, reliably, when shot with mil-spec or ball ammo.  Anyone who thinks they need a hp or soft nose for a 45 round has either never used one in combat, has listened to idiots who have never used one in combat or do not know what the hell they are doing with a handgun.  If you think you need more than the 7-8 rounds you will get from a 1911 in 45 acp then carry a extra magazine.  I have never, not ever seen anyone get  up from either 2 rounds from a 45, most often one is sufficient, or 3 rounds from a 9mm, all ball ammo.  For that matter, I have not seen anyone get up after two rounds to the chest from a snub-nose 38 with plain jane swc ammo or 2 rounds from a 380 with ball ammo. 
If you don't think ball ammo will take down a aggressive opponent then you need to practice bullet placement, and Gawd help ya if your hp slugs or soft nosed slugs fail to perform as expected.  What is this with you people?  You talk about having to shoot someone but you fail to undesatand the basics of combat pistol shooting.  You need to practice more, period.

[SHOOTALL]

Mikey some of us just don't wish to hit the guy behind the one making an azz out of himself.    But a almost 1/2 inch hole is a big hole .

[Flynmoose]

My Springfield 1911-A1 has been great. It feeds all without a hiccup, HPs SWCs and ball ammo.
FM

[jmayton]

What is this with you people?  You talk about having to shoot someone but you fail to undesatand the basics of combat pistol shooting.  You need to practice more, period.

Uh, Mikey, the OP concerned reliability, not terminal ballistics.  Nobody talked about shooting someone.  Nobody even talked about their personal ability to shoot said weapon.  If we were all out at the range together and were all talking crap about how good our particular brand of HP Zombie-killing ammo was, but our targets lacked a smattering of holes center mass, then you have an argument.  However, you're addressing something that we are not even talking about.  And yes, I do need to practice more. . .don't we all?

[Lloyd Smale]

I think teminal ballistics does play a part in the argument when it comes to reliability. After all why do we buy a gun like a glock or sig? Its to defend ourselves. At least thats my ultimate consern when I purchase one. Which one is more reliable functioning is a debate that never has a winner. Ive had good glocks, good 1911s, sigs, h&ks, berettas and a few more. What ive found is what ammo i choose for it has alot more to do with the big picture then the brand of the gun. Personaly i agree and disagree with mikey here. Yes a ball 45acp is probably as reliable of a stopper as a 9mm hp. but why would i load my 1911 with ball if theres better choises for the job and to answer the original question with my opinion ill say this. Ive got over 50 handguns in the safe but if shtf youd probably see me with a glock in my holster. theres no doubt some others just as good. Some more accurate no doubt but i havent seen any that keep on ticking like a glock.

[mcwoodduck]

I think all three I noted are worth while . The 92/96 seemed less likely to be affected by limp wrist . The Glock works very dirty . Both the Bretta and the Glock somewhat self clean when fired. One thing that should not be done but I did was fire 380 in a 9mm Glock and 357 sig in a 40 glock. They both functioned . That would sway me to the Glock.

Since I have 3 different 9mm's and a 380.  At one point I wanted to see if any of the 9's would feed 380, just in case I needed to shoot it.  380 is basically the equalivant of a 38 Special of the 9mm world.  So, my Sig P220 would not pick up a round from the mag and fire.  My S&W Sigma would grab one from the mag and the mauser like loading claw holds the rim and will fire it.  Will not reload but it does go bang.
I have had friends that have owned Berettas but I have not.  Seem to be good guns and if I find one at a good price I will pick one up.  They feel good in my hand.
I like the idea of the glock but I can not shoot them.  Wrong grip angle for me.
 

[mcwoodduck]

I will go with the 1911 - right out of the box it will shoot the way it is supposed to, reliably, when shot with mil-spec or ball ammo.  Anyone who thinks they need a hp or soft nose for a 45 round has either never used one in combat, has listened to idiots who have never used one in combat or do not know what the hell they are doing with a handgun.  If you think you need more than the 7-8 rounds you will get from a 1911 in 45 acp then carry a extra magazine.  I have never, not ever seen anyone get  up from either 2 rounds from a 45, most often one is sufficient, or 3 rounds from a 9mm, all ball ammo.  For that matter, I have not seen anyone get up after two rounds to the chest from a snub-nose 38 with plain jane swc ammo or 2 rounds from a 380 with ball ammo. 
If you don't think ball ammo will take down a aggressive opponent then you need to practice bullet placement, and Gawd help ya if your hp slugs or soft nosed slugs fail to perform as expected.  What is this with you people?  You talk about having to shoot someone but you fail to undesatand the basics of combat pistol shooting.  You need to practice more, period.

But the picture was of almost every loaded 45 commercially available.  The question is, what if that mix was your ammo supply?  What pistol would you pick?

[mcwoodduck]

Yes a ball 45acp is probably as reliable of a stopper as a 9mm hp. but why would i load my 1911 with ball if theres better choises for the job and to answer the original question with my opinion ill say this. Ive got over 50 handguns in the safe but if shtf youd probably see me with a glock in my holster. theres no doubt some others just as good. Some more accurate no doubt but i havent seen any that keep on ticking like a glock.

As far as I have read the 45 Ball is about 1% more effective than 9mm ball in one shot stops.
9mm HP is a lot more effective in the one shot stops and follows about the same as 45 HP in one shot stops by bullet design.
The advantage the 45 has is it is wider and as it goes through the body of an attacker it has a better chance to hit more.  I will not say it makes a bigger wound canal as that it terminal ballistics and different designs act differently.
But it seems the glock is leading the pack as to what people will grab. 
 

[45-70.gov]

nose profile  is not a issue  with  my ruger  LCR


it goes bang EVERY TIME

[SHOOTALL]

I think all three I noted are worth while . The 92/96 seemed less likely to be affected by limp wrist . The Glock works very dirty . Both the Bretta and the Glock somewhat self clean when fired. One thing that should not be done but I did was fire 380 in a 9mm Glock and 357 sig in a 40 glock. They both functioned . That would sway me to the Glock.

Since I have 3 different 9mm's and a 380.  At one point I wanted to see if any of the 9's would feed 380, just in case I needed to shoot it.  380 is basically the equalivant of a 38 Special of the 9mm world.  So, my Sig P220 would not pick up a round from the mag and fire.  My S&W Sigma would grab one from the mag and the mauser like loading claw holds the rim and will fire it.  Will not reload but it does go bang.
I have had friends that have owned Berettas but I have not.  Seem to be good guns and if I find one at a good price I will pick one up.  They feel good in my hand.
I like the idea of the glock but I can not shoot them.  Wrong grip angle for me.

 
I was the same way , I did not care for Glocks at all and even now view thewm as a tool, a good one. I spent alot of time shooting one to get used to it. What helped was a class where we shot for money . The instructor said in a crisis you shoot for your life so he made us shoot for money so we would pay attention. The drill was at seven yards shoot a 3X5 inch index card from a draw in 1.5 seconds . The double tap a 8X11 sheet of paper at 15 yards in same time. It helps get used to the gun.

[mcwoodduck]

I think all three I noted are worth while . The 92/96 seemed less likely to be affected by limp wrist . The Glock works very dirty . Both the Bretta and the Glock somewhat self clean when fired. One thing that should not be done but I did was fire 380 in a 9mm Glock and 357 sig in a 40 glock. They both functioned . That would sway me to the Glock.

Since I have 3 different 9mm's and a 380.  At one point I wanted to see if any of the 9's would feed 380, just in case I needed to shoot it.  380 is basically the equalivant of a 38 Special of the 9mm world.  So, my Sig P220 would not pick up a round from the mag and fire.  My S&W Sigma would grab one from the mag and the mauser like loading claw holds the rim and will fire it.  Will not reload but it does go bang.
I have had friends that have owned Berettas but I have not.  Seem to be good guns and if I find one at a good price I will pick one up.  They feel good in my hand.
I like the idea of the glock but I can not shoot them.  Wrong grip angle for me.

 
I was the same way , I did not care for Glocks at all and even now view thewm as a tool, a good one. I spent alot of time shooting one to get used to it. What helped was a class where we shot for money . The instructor said in a crisis you shoot for your life so he made us shoot for money so we would pay attention. The drill was at seven yards shoot a 3X5 inch index card from a draw in 1.5 seconds . The double tap a 8X11 sheet of paper at 15 yards in same time. It helps get used to the gun.

I think I could come home with a little $ in that class.
With me it is the angle of the grip with the Glock.  For that matter I can not shoot a Luger well either as it has the same angle.
I need a more L shaped gun.
and no matter how much I like the idea of the glock it is hard to justify one when I have so many other guns that will do the same thing and I can hit with them.
I like to go out and shoot the IDPA style shoots they keep me up on being able to think through a problem and still hit things.

[williamlayton]

Now--IF it is the grip---well, for me, the Glock is not the answer.
Reliability is falling out of bed and stopping a threat.
With one in the chamber--well one has one chance,at least.
Now, it being the case, the .45 was chosen because the .38 failed. Now, lots of folks have met their demise from the lowly .32--see Mr hickock.
The point being presented is one shot---no other. For one shot and no other, even being an imperfect placement---the bigger the better. Quick pass thru's are more likely to blled out---but who wants to follow the bllod trail of a wounded man?
The.45 will disable and stop agression quicker than a 9mm/.38. I don't know how this straw man got in here?
Reliable better be reliable---I don't care what you shoot---it better work. that is the responsibility that we all must deal with.
I really don't have a 1911 that I do not trust.
Blessings

[SHOOTALL]

It's truely a personal thing and those of us that realize that still enjoy the debate . To some it is big bore based on experince . to a guy named Secamp it was a 32 and the gun was his idea gained from personal experince in two encounters. Then there is a guy named Corillo (sp) from NY ,NY that was in many shootouts and he carried 2 38 spl revolvers , word was he retired to Fl. and carried a Glock. Some claim more people have been killed world wide with a 22 LR. Who knows ? From what I have seen as important as the gun is considered to be the attitude and will to survive of the victom is way more important . We all read and debate the one shot stop when reality is if a bad guy is worth shooting once in an attempt to stop his aggression then he is surely worth more rounds if nessary. Besides you most likely will lose the gun when the police show up. So you might as well use up the ammo and enjoy it while you can. Point is no matter the weapon use it to its fullest potental and your ablity . Try to always havre a gun in a gun fight . One that is 100% reliable. Which brings us back to the op.

[1911crazy]

My CZ pistols surpass my 1911's in being flawless in performance.  I never had to tweek my CZ's to get them up and running.  I've had brand new 1911's that failed right out of the box.  But once i learned to stop crying and fix them i can make them 100% reliabile too.  I also find once i got the 1911 cycling and functioning the way it should with FMJ ball ammo she is ready to rock at anytime and needs to further work. But i learned to stay away from hollow points in my auto pistols and shoot onlt FMJ ammo.  Afterall there manufactured and designed for FMJ ball ammo.
All I do to a brand new 1911 is to polish the feed ramp if it has any finish on it.  I remove the finish then the new 1911 is ready to test fire.
I had two bad colt 1911's that were do to the factory having quality problems in the 70's & 80's.  I should of sent them back.
Now what gun would you carry into a gun fight?   My CZ or 1911 as far as a pistol goes or my 41mag for my revolver choices.
I do not own any76 plastic guns yet.  Heck i just got into the plastic rifle stocks.

[irold]

All due respect to the Glock owners ... I have a Ruger P-345 that stove-piped one time ... the first mag ... assume it was a rough spot ?  I have put close to 2000 rounds through it since then... just that one stove-pipe.  While working up a load , I put many variations through it ... from 185 gr Noslers to 200 gr XTPs , 200 gr Oregon Trail SWCs  along with factory 230 gr FMJ , narry a hiccup. Different powders producing light to heavy loads.  I would and do trust it with my life.  Maybe I got a good one ??
regards , irold
 

[m-g Willy]

S&W 5906
It is the ONLY auto I really trust after using the 1911 and a few others.
Would like to get my hands on a 4506 though, just to see if it is as reliable.