Choosing the top five pistols of all time, or even just last week, is not the simple task it appears to be. How do you whittle down a list when the selection pool starts with thousands of diverse and competent styles? Some designs below are over 100 years old, while others have only seen a few decades of existence. The following Innovative pistol designs and their impact on history are secure. John Browning died in 1926; his enduring firearm designs are as important today as they were then. The prolific inventor counted 123 firearm patents to his name. Beretta is the oldest manufacturing concern in the world, with over 500 years of continuous operation. They document Pietro Beretta turning rifle barrels in the 1500s. The first thing is to define a few parameters. The ATF describes a pistol as "any handgun that does not store its ammunition in a revolving cylinder." Or, Merriam-Webster defines a pistol as "a small firearm designed to be fired in one hand." (OK, those are no help at all) There is no way I would fire a couple of the beasts below with one hand. I went with the scientific reasoning; gut instinct and a few decades of firearm enthusiasm.

My top five pistols of all time, (in no particular order)

Colt 1911.45 and Any Clone

Colt 1911.45
is at the top of everyone's list; if not it should be. The 1911 has served for over 120 years, which is no minor feat. Copies and clones have been abundant with the 1911. Colt built the pistol to be durable and easily disassembled. Colt's 1911 had less fatiguing and was a highly accurate handgun. (oops, pistol) Colt's venerable semi-automatic went into service as the standard-issue military service weapon on March 29, 1911. The 1911 was the U.S. military's first semi-automatic handgun, the adoption of which marked a permanent turn from military revolvers as a service weapon. John Browning, the inventor of Colt's 1911, made his first firearm at the ripe old age of 13. Browning's 1911 became the basis for many of the centerfire design principles that exist today. The inventor's short recoil operation helped fuel the popularity of the 1911. In 1985, the 9mm Beretta replaced Colt's 1911 M9.

Colt M1911 Government .45 ACP Pistol

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Luger Parabellum

Luger Parabellum represents some of the finest "Ever" design principles in the firearm industry. Several countries produced the pistol from 1898 to 1948. Early on, Luger's were built to exacting standards by hand-picked German and Swiss engineers. They allowed only the best materials of the day to be used in construction. Many historians (firearm and non-firearm alike) consider the Luger as the most accurate pistol ever built. Luger's fit and feel is unlike any other. Classic Firearms features the Swiss Luger Model 1906 - 1924 - 1929 Pistol, chambered in its original cartridge of 7.65 parabellum. The 7.65x21mm became the standard-issue cartridge through two world wars. Introduced in 1898, the 7.65x21mm Parabellum (20th century German/Latin PARA means "PREPARE," BELLUM means "WAR") is also known as the.30 Luger or 7.65mm Luger. The 1906/24
 pistol is an excellent example of an authentic Swiss Luger, built at the Bern factory for the Swiss Armed Forces.

Swiss Luger Model 1906-24-29 Pistol

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Glock 17/19

Glock 19
changed the face of law enforcement. In the 1970s, leading into the 80s, crime in America was brutal. Armed crooks were using newer semi-automatic and submachine guns against police. Agencies were using outdated.38 revolvers as service weapons, so law enforcement across the United States was fighting uphill battles. Leaders now consider Glock pistols the weapons of choice in nearly two-thirds of all law enforcement agencies. How did an Austrian pistol, built by a curtain-rod manufacturer, become so popular so quickly? The original Glock 17 contained only 36 parts and featured a magazine capacity of 17 cartridges in 9mm. Pistols featured an advanced synthetic polymer frame, short recoil action, and no external safety. Glock's original model had no decocking mechanism. Glock's claim to fame was its accuracy under extreme conditions. Model 17 could fire underwater, buried in sand, and subjected to extreme hot or cold. Classic Firearms Glock 19 Gen 3, 9mm is the best of all worlds. The package includes two 15 round magazines, which is perfect as an off-duty service weapon. Glock executives framed the pistol's durability as unmatched to the other eight semi-automatics under consideration. The Glock amazed police departments at its accuracy. The primary reason for this improvement in marksmanship; the pistol's light and steady trigger pull.

Glock 19 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol

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Honeybadger 300 Blackout 7

Honeybadger 300 Blackout 7 Pistol is an A.R. style platform, featuring a 30-round magazine. This tactical pistol provides the latest in firearm technology. The feature set includes; 2-stage match trigger, telescoping brace, and an adjustable low-profile gas block. Honeybadger's muzzle has been re-engineered as well; 5/8-24 threads, tapered muzzle, and a cherry bomb muzzle brake. The "Cool Factor" on the Honeybadger is off the charts! Han Solo's Blaster had it, along with Bond, James Bond's Walther PPK. One look at the Honeybadger
 300 Blackout 7, and any self-respecting enthusiast must have it. The premier firearm website offers several 300 Blackout ammo options for the Honeybadger. Ammunition
for the pistol are from significant manufacturers such as Winchester, Hornady, and Remington. Loads are 110 grain to 220 grain and everything in between. Engineers designed the 300 Blackout Ammo for a gas block pistol. Ballistics for the cartridge is superior to other variants and suppresses better. Honeybadger Specs include:
  • 6-inch M-Lok Handguard
  • 7-inch barrel with a 1:5 twist
  • Overall length 20-25 inches (telescoping pistol brace)
  • Weight is 4 lbs. 8 oz.


Q LLC Honey Badger .300 Blackout Pistol

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Beretta 92FS

Beretta 92FS 9mm Semi-Auto took over the U.S. Military contract from Colt in 1985 and served with distinction. Colt's 1911 began showing its age with increased durability problems. Due to excellent reliability, Beretta designed the 92 for sports enthusiasts and law enforcement. Other militaries and law agencies around the world accepted the pistol as its service weapon. Beretta produced almost 3,500,000 of the 92 model, and the pistol stayed in service from 1975-present. Reported muzzle velocities are 381 m/s, with an effective firing range of 160 feet. We offers several variants of the Model 92
, with a new in the box police special, which includes 3-15 round magazines. Beretta's Model 92 is instantly recognizable with its distinctive open slide design. The open slide ensures smooth feeding and ammo ejection. 92 F.S. available at Classic Firearms is a semi-auto with a double/single action. The design features a delayed locking-block system, yielding faster cycle times. The classic look of the 92FS features clean lines and is easy to shoot. Using the ultra-popular and affordable 9mm round makes for a great defensive and range cartridge.

Beretta 92FS 9mm Pistol

----------------------------------------- There you have it; My top five list of the best pistols of all time. I am sure there have been a few thousand designs that were left off. (another day perhaps) Sig-Sauer, Browning, Smith, and Wesson are just a few of the significant builders that have impacted our industry. Semi-auto, revolvers, derringers are fascinating historical points in world history, each with its own influence. Shop All Hand Guns
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