What's the best defensive handgun?

[GoldMatch92]

There is no such thing as a best handgun. Only what's best FOR YOU. That means what you are the most proficient with. It's that simple.

There's no such thing as the best food. Or beer. Or hottest women. Or cars. Or ANYTHING. Because everyone's needs and wants are different. Why do people think guns are the exception?

Because a Wilson is obviously better than a Kimber, just as a 10 is obviously hotter than a 2! It's simple math haha

[numpty]

...my current SHTF pistol is an XD service model.

I would say the same. It's not the sexiest by any means. It's not the most accurate. But the two times that I've had any reason to think that I might have to use something to defend myself, I picked up the XD9 service model.

It has never, ever had any issue, with anything. I know it will fire when I want it to, and I'm about as good with it as anything else.

XD9 is my go to.

[BigPimping]

The one available to you in the time of need.

[71MUSTY]

The one in my hand at the time. The rest are pretty much useless.

[Steve_In_29]

Best defensive pistol?....The one you have in your hand at the time.

This question is akin to asking...Which car is best?...and just as useless.

[ruchik]

Because a Wilson is obviously better than a Kimber, just as a 10 is obviously hotter than a 2! It's simple math haha

A Wilson is better than a Kimber in terms of absolute quality, but what good does it do you if you can't afford it? Again, the best gun is the one YOU are best with and actually HAVE.

And a 10 to you may be a 2 to me, and vice versa. Like the saying goes, the best bewbs are the ones in your hands.

[davidb]

Glock 7, because you can defend yourself at an airport with one, and tsa won't even know

[TripleThreat]

[ElDub1950]

I am already familiar with many of the popular platforms but am curious to see if others prefer different ones than me. Maybe I've been overlooking something great! What's your favorite and why?

The title asks 'what's the best' and the answer is in your question. The 'best' is the one you prefer .. or in many cases, one of several favorites. Plain and simple.

[kenl]

... but I was actually referring to the pistol that you would grab (in addition to your AR) in the case of a real emergency like a severe natural disaster. ... Maybe I should have asked what your sidearm would be if you were serving overseas but were allowed to use hollow points (to make 9mm a worthwhile cartridge). So given that clarification, what would it be?

When described like this, I'd go with a 4" or 6" .357 revolver with speed loaders. Can't spray and pray with them, but they are simple, reliable, and accurate.

If going with a semi-auto, I'd choose a full sized one in 9mm, .40, or .45. Full sized because of its better sight picture and it relatively easier handling.

[CSACANNONEER]

BTW, a handgun is pretty much my last choice in SD firearms. Their ONLY plus is their size. However, a handgun should only be used to fight your way back to the rifle (or shotgun) that you never should have left. So, anyone who firmly believes that any handgun is "the best choice" for SD is plain crazy.

[L84CABO]

Holly Crap! A Glock 7!

[GoldMatch92]

When described like this, I'd go with a 4" or 6" .357 revolver with speed loaders. Can't spray and pray with them, but they are simple, reliable, and accurate.

If going with a semi-auto, I'd choose a full sized one in 9mm, .40, or .45. Full sized because of its better sight picture and it relatively easier handling.

This is more what I was looking for. I was hoping for a more technical discussion than "the gun that's in your hand" since many of us have a lot of pistols that we could choose to put in our hand at any time and nearly unlimited options of other pistols that we could buy. So please, tell me something like "XDM holds 19 rounds, is accurate, and reliable" or "the HK P30 was torture tested and ran xxxxx rounds without a failure". That's the kind of discussion I'm interested in because if there is something awesome out there that I don't know about yet, I wanna get it!

[GoldMatch92]

BTW, a handgun is pretty much my last choice in SD firearms. Their ONLY plus is their size. However, a handgun should only be used to fight your way back to the rifle (or shotgun) that you never should have left. So, anyone who firmly believes that any handgun is "the best choice" for SD is plain crazy.

Agreed

[Click Boom]

Glock 18