Top 15 World-Famous and Best Handguns (Part 1)

A handgun is a small firearm designed to be handheld, in either one or both hands. This characteristic makes it different from long guns such as rifles and shotguns (which usually can be braced against the shoulder). The word "pistol" is often synonymous with it.

Although handgun use often includes bracing with a second hand, the best-known characteristic of a handgun is the ease of use for one-handed operation.

The best handguns for use are those like the ones already in use by various military and police organizations as "service pistols”. These handguns generally sacrifice some concealment features for power and versatility.

Handguns have become the firearm of choice for many gun owners, especially those buying for the first time. And the most common reason given by the majority of gun owners for having firearms was self-defense.

In this first part of a 2 part blog post, we are going to list down 7 of the top 15 (and in no particular order) best and most influential handguns ever made in the world. The other remaining 8 handguns will be covered in the next post after this.

1. Ruger Single Six Convertible

The Single Six was first released in June 1953 by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., an American, Southport, Connecticut–based firearm manufacturing company. It had the ability to shoot .22 rimfire or .22 Magnum cartridges which made it practical for the woods or practice range, and it taught countless numbers of noobs how to shoot.

2. Smith & Wesson Model 10

In production since 1899, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police model, or sometimes called the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is popular worldwide. It was previously known as the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899. It was the successor to the Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1896 and was the first Smith & Wesson revolver to feature a cylinder release latch on the left side of the frame.

It is a six-shot double-action revolver with fixed sights. Over its long production run it has been available with barrel lengths from 2 to 6 inches. Barrels of 2.5 inches were also made for special contracts.

This fixed sight revolver is the most popular in history, with over 6 million sold and production continuing today.

3. Beretta 92

Beretta 92 is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. Beretta is a privately held Italian firearms manufacturing company operating in several countries. Its firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. Beretta is also known for marketing shooting clothes and accessories.

Originally designed for the Italian army and police, the Model 92 pistols earned most of their fame as the standard sidearm of the US military. The model 92 was designed in 1972 and many variants are still manufactured in different calibers today. The United States Armed Forces replaced the Model 1911A1 .45 ACP pistol in 1985 with the military spec Beretta 92F, the M9.

Like it or not the Beretta design has proven to be quite robust. While many in the military and law enforcement would prefer another caliber (.45 for full stopping power) it’s hard to argue with the 15 rounds of 9mm bullets it carries.

4. Colt 1873 Single Action Army

The Colt Single Action Army which is also known as the Single Action Army, SAA, Model P, Peacemaker, M1873, and Colt .45 is a single action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six cartridges. It was made to compete for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company (today's Colt's Manufacturing Company) and was adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892.

This firearm has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths. Its overall appearance has remained the same since 1873. Colt has discontinued its production twice, but brought it back due to popular demand. The revolver was popular with people of the American Old West and was known worldwide as "The Gun That Won the West".

As of the early 21st century, models are mostly bought by collectors and people involved in the theater and film business. Its design has influenced the production of numerous other models from other companies.

5. Colt Woodsman

Designed by John Moses Browning, the Colt Woodsman is a semi-automatic sporting pistol manufactured by the American Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1915 to 1977. The frame design changed over time, in three distinct series: series one being 1915–1947, series two 1947–1955, and series three being 1955–1977.

Recently classified as a curio and relic firearm by the ATF, the Colt Woodsman is an elegant and accurate pistol. It is also light and it's grip is shorter and at a more rakish angle than many pistols today. The design allows for a great trigger. The grip angle and sight radius makes for a very pointable, accurate pistol.

6. Smith & Wesson Model 41

Smith & Wesson developed this semi-automatic pistol after World War II as a competitive target pistol. It was designed with a 105 degree grip angle, the same as the Colt M1911 pistol, to maintain a consistent grip angle.

This handgun is still a firearm revered by many in small circles centered on rimfire accuracy.

7. Ruger MK II

The Ruger MK II is a rimfire single-action semi-automatic pistol chambered in .22 Long Rifle and manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company. With over 3 million sold, these rimfire pistols are some of the most popular handguns ever made,

This pistol is built primarily for small game hunting and as a plinker, or to practice with to get better at shooting guns in a larger caliber.

(Stay tuned. To be continued in the next post which will be published ASAP)

References:

wikipedia.org
www.guns.com
www.washingtontimes.com
savvysurvivor.com
www.chuckhawks.com
www.officer.com
xavierthoughts.blogspot.com
www.thetruthaboutguns.com
hubpages.com/sports/Ruger-Mk-II-Review

Images sources: Pixabay, Yahoo and Google images for noncommercial use

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