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<\/p>\nNearly every experienced shooter has an opinion on what the best pistol brands are. During my years working at gun shops and gun ranges, I saw almost every pistol brand under the sun. I learned that shooters usually have some type of emotional connection to their favorite pistol brand, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a great option for everyone.<\/p>\n
Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best pistol brands on the market.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ranking the best pistol brands is difficult because a lot of the factors that determine what is best are subjective. There are many different quality pistol brands on the market, and what one shooter might think is the best pistol out there, another shooter may hate. This doesn\u2019t mean either shooter is wrong \u2013 what is best for the individual shooter may just differ.<\/p>\n
In order to objectively determine what is the best pistol brand, we can look at a few factors. First, we can look at which brands have been widely used by the military and law enforcement. Typically, these guns have been used in combat or in real-world shootings, and have a track record of solid performance in these situations.<\/p>\n
Other factors include reliability, price or value, availability, customer service, accuracy, and durability.<\/p>\n
Based on these factors above, the following, in no particular order, are among the best pistol brands on the market:<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t feel offended if a pistol brand that you swear by isn\u2019t listed here. This list isn’t exhaustive, but instead a highlight of some of the best pistol brands.<\/p>\n
Also, just because a pistol brand is listed doesn\u2019t mean all of its models are top-quality. Some manufacturers may make solid revolvers, but its semi-auto pistols may not be the same quality. Some manufacturers may also have an extremely popular pistol that is widely carried, but have a more obscure offering that doesn\u2019t have the same reliability.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s take a closer look at these brands.<\/p>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/glock48.jpg\" "\\"glock")
<\/p>\n
One of the most popular, and highly contentious pistol brands is Glock. The polymer-framed Glock pistols have their fanboys, and for good reason. The Glock brand has a reputation for reliability, and it helps that the company never deviates far from its original formula. I\u2019ve found that, most often, the Glock haters simply don\u2019t like the ergonomics, sometimes comparing it to a brick.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve previously covered Glock\u2019s history<\/a>, but the brief synopsis is that it is an Austrian brand led by engineer Gaston Glock who started developing pistols in the 1980\u2019s.<\/p>\n Today, you\u2019ll find Glock pistols on the hips of law enforcement agencies across the country. Glock pistols are also extremely popular for concealed carry and competition. Many companies offer aftermarket Glock parts like magazine extensions and trigger kits. There are full-size, compact, and subcompact sizes available, all with similar ergonomics. Some of the most popular Glock pistols for concealed carry include the Glock 19, Glock 43, Glock 43X, and Glock 48.<\/p>\n Next up is the legendary American brand Smith & Wesson. Known for producing both revolvers and semi-auto pistols, Smith & Wesson offers a variety of handguns that shooters choose to carry for self defense. Smith & Wesson collectors usually seek out some of the company\u2019s older revolvers. Even today, J-frame revolvers from Smith are a go-to for wheel gun lovers.<\/p>\n As for semi-auto pistols, it\u2019s Smith\u2019s Military & Police line that shines. Smith first introduced the M&P line in 2005. The line uses a polymer frame and is available in many calibers, like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG<\/a>. Along with the full-size M&P, the company also offers the compact M&P Compact, M&P SubCompact, M&P Shield, M&P Shield Plus, and M&P Shield EZ.<\/p>\n Originally a German company, Sig Sauer, came to the US market in the mid 1980s. Sig has a wide variety of pistol options, including striker-fired, single action only, and double action\/single action pistols. With the release of the P365 line in 2018, Sig has grabbed the attention of shooters that are looking for a shootable, yet easily concealable, 9mm pistol.<\/p>\n While Sig has had good luck with the P365 line, it faced heat when its P320 line of pistols appeared to be firing without the trigger being pulled. Sig has since offered upgrades<\/a> to fix the issue.<\/p>\n Despite the issues with the P320 line, shooters still enjoy Sig pistols like the P365, P226, and 1911 models.<\/p>\n Another American gun maker is Sturm, Ruger & Co., known simply as Ruger. Ruger is arguably most well known for its rimfire pistols and rifles as well as its revolvers.<\/span><\/p>\n Ruger first started producing revolvers in the 1970\u2019s with its Six-series. Today, the company produces two of the most popular revolvers on the market: the <\/span>SP101 and GP100 revolvers<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ruger has also had success with its compact LCP line of semi-auto pistols. While I don\u2019t personally find the LCP enjoyable to shoot due to its size, it is easy to conceal, even on smaller frames. Ruger also has a line of 1911 pistols that single-action shooters love.<\/span><\/p>\n As for Ruger\u2019s rimfire semi-autos, I personally shoot a Ruger Mark IV 22\/45 Lite for Steel Challenge competitions due to the pistol\u2019s reliability and all of the aftermarket <\/span>Ruger Mark IV 22\/45 Lite Upgrades<\/span><\/a> available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If high-end 1911-style pistols are your thing, you likely already know about Wilson Combat. What started out as a gunsmith shop in the back of a family jewelry store in 1977, is now one of the top pistol brands on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n Wilson Combat produces custom 1911 pistols with exceptional quality and reliability. A brand that was once primarily sought out by competition shooters and those with a high-end taste in 1911s, now mass produces quality 1911s for law enforcement and concealed carriers. On top of producing custom pistols, the company is known for adding its touch to other pistol brands by offering upgrades to brands like Beretta.<\/span><\/p>\n While 1911s were traditionally chambered for .45 ACP, Wilson\u2019s lineup includes other calibers like 9mm and .38 Super<\/a>. While Wilson\u2019s guns still come with a higher price tag than most other pistol brands on this list, the quality offered, like that of the <\/span>EDC X9<\/span><\/a>, draws many shooters willing to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n I know a lot of shooters might see Taurus listed here and immediately scoff at its addition to this list. Hear me out, though. Taurus has an image problem. Over the years, it gained a reputation as a company that offered cheap pistols with poor quality control.<\/span><\/p>\n While the brand is known to many as a budget-friendly brand, it has made moves to fix its poor reputation. The company appointed a new CEO in 2020 who has focused on hiring good people who continue to bring innovation to the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n Taurus released the TX-22 semi-auto pistol chambered in .22LR in 2019. The TX-22 has been a popular choice when competing among a sea of brands offering .22LR pistols. The 856 Executive Grade .38 Special +P revolver is another example of the brand\u2019s comeback.<\/span><\/p>\n CZ is a Czech company, but its subsidiary CZ-USA is based in Kansas City. The brand is probably most well-known for its double action\/single action pistols like the CZ 75 and Shadow 2. These DA\/SA pistols are especially popular in USPSA\u2019s Production, Limited, and Carry Optics divisions.<\/span><\/p>\n The company also owns another great brand known for its high-end 1911s: Dan Wesson. Both brands provide quality pistols for competition or concealed carry, though they come with a higher price tag than most on our list.<\/span><\/p>\n Springfield is another company that has a bit of a reputation problem. It might stem from the \u201cGrip Zone\u201d labeled on pistols that many shooters found a bit gimmicky. However, the company works with some well-respected trainers in the industry like <\/span>Massad Ayoob<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Rob Leatham<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The company\u2019s polymer-framed XD line of pistols have been used by law enforcement agencies across the country. Today, the optics-ready 9mm Hellcat pistol has been a solid choice for concealed carriers.<\/span><\/p>\nSmith & Wesson<\/h3>\n
![\"smith](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/smithandwessonmandp.jpg\" "\\"smith&wesson")
<\/p>\nSig Sauer<\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/sigp365xl.jpg\" "\\"sig")
<\/p>\nRuger<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/rugerlcr.jpg\" "\\"ruger")
Wilson Combat<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/wilsoncombatedcx9.jpg\" "\\"wilson")
<\/p>\nTaurus<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/taurusg2c.jpg\" "\\"taurus")
<\/p>\nCZ USA<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"cz](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/czshadow2.jpg\" "\\"cz")
Springfield<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"springfield](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/springfieldhellcat.jpg\" "\\"springfield")
<\/p>\nBeretta<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"h&k](\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/hkp30sk.jpg\" "\\"h&k")
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