Best Pistol of WWII?

[Gary Cain]

Hey Johnnie and everyone else,
I vote for the 1911 for all the reasons stated above plus the aesthetics of the pistol. Additionally it is a natural pointer, the ergonomics are so good that most people with very little training can point shoot with good effect out to 10 yards or so. That is a huge edge in a gunfight, especially when you consider most pistol fights occur within 2.7 feet
The Beretta slide breaks were indeed tracked down to the ammo, but you have to realize that this ammo is 50% hotter than anything out there and it will break any pistol within a few thousand rounds. The Beretta's were breaking after 10,000 rounds or so, so all in all not too bad for shooting rifle ammo!


Cheers
Gary

Your observations about the problems with the Beretta 92 are quite correct. Although we are straying off the subject of the thread a bit, one of the first slide failures occured when Navy Seals began breaking slides. Come to find out, they were evidently using high velocity black tipped rounds designed for the Uzi carbine, ( good body armor penetration I am guesing) The Navy's answer? Stop using the ammo. So now you have a situation where the standard service pistol is limited in the types of available ammo it can use. The 1911a1 would safely launch anything in .45acp. My personal 1911a1 has launched quite a variety of super high velocity 45acp loads without a hitch. Interesting side note:The Italians had a similar problem with their WW1 era Glisenti auto pistol in 9mm Glisenti, which was dimensionally the same as 9mm Para, but loaded a lot lighter. Many were destroyed by unknowing troops using standard 9mm ball.
The P-38 design, per se is a great design, but as you mention, the MANUFACTURING parameters are the problem.
Sorry for straying a bit here Matt,
Johnnie

[WalterB]

My vote is for the 1911. The reason for my selection is something that has not been discussed yet: accuracy. I shoot every weekend and I used to shoot exclusively 9mm (P-38s and Browning Hi-Powers). The accuracy of my P-38s were never very good. In fact, downright mediocre, since at 15 yards, 5 to 6 inch groupings would be the norm. The Browning Hi-Power, on the other hand, is a sweet and accurate pistol. At 15 yards, 2 inch groupings were the standard. About a year ago I broke down and purchased a Wilson CQB 1911. Granted, it is a beefed up version of the 1911, but the accuracy and handling of it is, simply, to die for. At 15 yards, 1 inch groupings are no longer uncommon. Nowadays, I pretty much shoot my Wilson 1911 exclusively. The only reason I keep my P-38s is because of the WWII mystique they carry. The accuracy never, ever impressed me.

[DJT]

Has to be the Colt 45

Sexy, reliable and good stopping power

Regards,

Des

[sb98]

I would have carried a Browning Hi-Power back then given the choice. I'm suprised it hasn't gotten more votes. Designed by John Browning after he did the Colt 1911 and a hi-capacity mag. What's not to like? Great gun and I believe it has been the most widely used automatic pistol by militaries around the world. A Colt .45 would be my second choice to carry, nice rugged hand cannon.

For sex appeal, has to be a Luger followed by a Walther PPK.

Tim

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Tim, Browning HP would have been my choice too I wear one of these for my WW2 British Airborne living history impression.


Cheers, Ade.

[Ostmark]

What is the text of the poll ->BEST Pistol of WWII and NOT the nicest sexiest
what ever.
When you have a shooting what counts? ...Yes Sirs ... the capacity of the magazine.

So I voted for FN HP and not for a gun with 8 rounds in the mag ....

[sb98]

What is the text of the poll ->BEST Pistol of WWII and NOT the nicest sexiest

what ever.
When you have a shooting what counts? ...Yes Sirs ... the capacity of the magazine.

So I voted for FN HP and not for a gun with 8 rounds in the mag ....

I'm glad to see the Browning HP is getting some props. I'm American and I love the .45 for sentimental reasons, but the HP was the best, most modern gun of the time. I'd sure like to have all those extra rounds in my mag if I needed to use it. To top it off, it's not a bad looking Browning design either.

Tim<O</O

ps - I've owned a .45, HP, and a P-38. The accuracy of the P-38 was bad, the others were good.

<O</O

[Britch]

I'm glad to see the Browning HP is getting some props. I'm American and I love the .45 for sentimental reasons, but the HP was the best, most modern gun of the time. It's double action, you don't have to carry it with an empty chamber or "cocked and locked". I'd sure like to have all those extra rounds in my mag if I needed to use it. To top it off, it's not a bad looking Browning design either.

Tim<O</O

ps - I've owned a .45, HP, and a P-38. The accuracy of the P-38 was bad, the others were good.

<O</O

Hi Tim, the browning hi power is single action, but I agree it is one of the best designs of ww2. The p38 was double action

[sb98]

Doh , I just pulled my HP out and sure enough it's single action. Shows how often I use it. (Now I remember one reason I bought a new Sig - Sauer over a Browning). But the P-38 is double action. Hmmmm. Still going with the HP.


Tim

ps - I'm pushing for the HP but I'm going to edit my other posts. I don't want it to make it even better than it was (and show off how I got it wrong )

[ramon]

Tim, you're forgiven! I've attached a copie of a poor quality photo I took many years ago of some of my favorite pistols. The one on the bottom is just for you.


Enjoy!

Good wishes,

Ramon

[sb98]

Thanks Ramon . Here's a pic of mine. It's an early one, pre-war and can accept a shoulder stock like yours. Nice pieces by the way! A Broom-handle is on the very long list of things I want to get some day. Here's my contribution for the best bolt action combat rifle of WWII. OK, I guess that's not what we're talking about, but a Browning HP and an Enfield just kinda' go together.

Tim

[ramon]

Very nice, Tim. Thanks for the pictures. I have a very nice No. 4T Sniper version as configured by Holland and Holland with scope and the original wooden rifle crate and accompanying metal container for the scope. If I can get the digital camera to work, I'll send you a scan. It's not a P 38 so it probably wouldn't be welcomed on this thread.


Ramon

[EKman]

Much as I love the Walther P38, the good ole Colt 45 gets my vote.

[ramon]

EKman,

I certainly agree that the 1911 is the best battle pistol given the choices outlined in the poll.

As evidence of my high regard for the pistol, I have attached a poor picture of my favorite 1911 in my collection.

Hope that it's of interest to those who love this pistol type.

Ramon

[EKman]

EKman,

I certainly agree that the 1911 is the best battle pistol given the choices outlined in the poll.

As evidence of my high regard for the pistol, I have attached a poor picture of my favorite 1911 in my collection.

Hope that it's of interest to those who love this pistol type.

Ramon

Very nice piece, broke my heart to see the officer's sidearm change from the Colt 45 to the Baretta 9mm.