Reliable Semi-Auto Handgun?

[Jason762]

I'm looking for a semi-auto handgun that I can take backpacking/camping/hiking with me.

It may get dropped in dirt, mud, and sand. It could see extended periods without a thorough cleaning (maybe a bore snake at most). What .45 caliber would be the FN FAL of handguns?

I was thinking a 1911, but it seems most 1911's are "match grade" and "tight fitting". A certain no-no in dirty conditions. The Springfield Armory mil-spec looks good but I'm a southpaw and would like something ambidextrous.

I've also heard good things about Glocks. Don't know too much about them however.

Got any suggestions?

[artherd]

glock glock and glock. 5000+ rounds through mine and not one failure.

[Hillbilly Rebel]

I'm looking for a semi-auto handgun that I can take backpacking/camping/hiking with me.

It may get dropped in dirt, mud, and sand. It could see extended periods without a thorough cleaning (maybe a bore snake at most). What .45 caliber would be the FN FAL of handguns?

I was thinking a 1911, but it seems most 1911's are "match grade" and "tight fitting". A certain no-no in dirty conditions. The Springfield Armory mil-spec looks good but I'm a southpaw and would like something ambidextrous.

I've also heard good things about Glocks. Don't know too much about them however.

Got any suggestions?

I have carried an HK USP 45 through most of what you mention and even worse. It has always shot 100% and never had any problems, even when caked in mud. You can get an ambi safety on this, but you will need to do it after buying the gun, because that variant isn't approved for sale in CA. You can modify it legally afterwards.

If you are specifically looking for a .45 for this type of environment stay away from the match grade guns. They are too tempermental when they get really dirty.

EDIT: Forgot to add this. You can even carry the HK USP cocked and locked if you like the 1911 style single action.

[bwiese]

It always makes sense to keep a gun a tad clean when possible and not let things lag too far behind.

There's really no rational basis for not cleaning a gun over an extended time period - even guys in combat find time to do this.
A rod, some CLP and some patches are all that are needed. Excessive 'white glove' cleanlineness is rarely necessary.

Most guns, esp handguns, can be cleaned (sufficiently well enough for maintaining functional reliability) in under 2 min.

[An AR can be cleaned to this standard in under 5 - and if in a rush and mildly dextrous, in about 3 min.]


However, any quality-by-design gun will do well:
- Glock
- Sig
- S&W big bore (45/10mm) or 9mm (avoiding Sigma and their 40cal metal autoloaders);
- Ruger P89 (9mm) or P90 (45ACP) - unstoppable!

Or, a base-model 1911 from, say, Rock Island Armory or ParaOrdnance Springer or Colt may be better than a tight-spec 1911. (You won't catch me near a Kimber.)

[If you get a Springfield 1911, throw the stock mags away and get OEM 1911 mags from MecGar or ones marked Colt which are made by MecGar.]

If you're really abusing a gun and want 100% bang factor the Ruger P89 and P90 are the way to go. They are tougher than Glocks for a variety of reasons (put a plug in the bbl of a Glock, fire it, and watch the gun self-destruct; do this with a P89 and you just get a bulged barrel.) The P90 is in fact one of the most accurate outta-box midgrade 45ACPs out there.

[mothergreen]

I have glocks a p99 and a 1911. for what you described. glock! specifically the 21sf. I have the older g21 (fater grip) and I love it. many many many thousands of rounds (lost count long ago) still going strong with its original parts (even the recoil spring amazingly enough)
if you want the smaller gun since your going to be carrying it around than the g30 is a good choice too. I hear rumors that the 30sf is coming out at SHOT.

the thing about glock.. unlike HK's and other .45s there are no exposed hammers or extra safety decocker doodads hanging off of them that can get stopped up with crud.

[Jeffrock]

Glock or H&K. I wouldn't get a 1911 if reliability was my top priority, regardless of what the 1911-apologists say...

[vorpar]

I'm liking the Ruger P95. Been working great for almost 10 years. External hammer, no safety.

[Sumo99]

I like Sig P220. I've never had a jam or malfunction with it. Probably not the best pistol for a left-hander since all the controls (mag release, slide lock, de-cocker) are on the left side.

The Glock and HK are great guns, great reliabity, they just don't fit my hand as well as the Sig.

Maybe a XD45. I really like the way it shoots, I'm just not sure of the long term reliabiltiy.

My favorite pistol is my Kimber 1911, but it is more sensative than my Sig. It's my HD pistol, but it's kept clean and the recoil spring gets changed out every 1000 rounds.

[BHPFan]

Glock.

It is proven for the conditions you want.

Other sturdy designs (HK and SIG) are proven as well, but for my money and for the simplicity of operation, I recommend Glock. If having an external safety is a major requirement, look at the .45 ACP Ruger semi-autos.

[FlyingPen]

Navy SEALS have the Sig Navy as their standard side arm. I'm pretty sure they'll see much harsher conditions than you will and are in the line of harm much more frequently.

Other special forces also utilize HK USPs in .45.

I would say use the benefit of their own testing and experience. While I hugely admire the Glock, strangely I've never heard of them being awarded .mil contracts for specialized field useage in extremely stressing environments. That seems strange to me considering the Glock is renown for it's reliability although not accuracy.

[mothergreen]

not accuracy? pbbt thats from people who can't use the glocks trigger the pistol itself is very accurate.

[FlyingPen]

I think relative to HK Usp, Sig P226, 1911, and the 92FS the Glock in general is less accurate for most top level shooters.

[aplinker]

I'd go with a Glock 21 and buy a 10mm barrel for it. Glocks are cheap, simple and tough.

You can get 10mm loads up to near .41 magnum levels, which is a decent load for things like pigs and other 2 and 4-legged nasties.

[Mr. Beretta]

Colt GM.

[mothergreen]

someone tell dave sevigny his glock 34 is an inacurate pos and he should get a 1911 like a real man