Pistols by country of origin. The best pistols and revolvers according to The Washington Times

GUN(French - pistolet, German - Pistole, Czech pist "ala - pipe or handgun), individual firearms. Pistols are divided: according to purpose, into combat, sports and signal; by design - non-automatic and automatic (single and continuous fire).
Pistols combat (military) - are personal weapons and are intended to defeat enemy personnel at short distances (up to 50-70m); for individual samples equipped with a butt when shooting, sighting range fire 200 m..
Gun- as a rule, the weapon is self-loading; Some pistols, along with single firing, provide automatic fire in short bursts when firing with an attached holster-butt. Automatic pistols are based on the use of bolt recoil or barrel recoil with a short stroke.

For pistol shooting, pistol cartridges with a blunt-pointed bullet are used, which provides a strong stopping effect that immediately makes it impossible to wield a weapon and move. The cartridges are fed from a flat, box-shaped magazine located in the pistol grip and quickly replaced after the cartridges are used up. Pistols with an integral magazine, loaded with cartridges using a clip, are also known. The self-cocking firing mechanism ensures quick opening of fire without first cocking the hammer.
Compared to military ones, civilian pistols common abroad are considered more convenient to carry in a pocket, they have less weight (350-400 g), starting speed bullet flight, accuracy and stopping effect. Their caliber is usually from 6.5 mm..
Pistols Sports are intended for sporting purposes and marksmanship training. They are distinguished by a long sighting line (the distance between the front sight and the rear sight), high accuracy, and a comfortable handle. They are usually designed for special low-power cartridges with a small-caliber lead bullet.
Pistols signal - smooth-bore non-automatic, designed for firing signal and lighting cartridges.
Pistols with a wheel lock appeared in the 16th century, in the 17th century. spread pistols with a percussion flintlock, in the 19th century. - with capsule. Until the middle of the 19th century. pistols, as a rule, were smooth-bore and loaded from the muzzle of the barrel.
In the 50s 19th century pistols in most armies they gave way to more advanced weapons - rifled revolvers.
Invention smokeless powder(80s of the 19th century) and the use of a unitary cartridge with a metal sleeve made it possible to create automatic pistols with a higher rate of fire than revolvers.

With the advent of automatic pistols (1893) and their development in the 1st half of the 20th century. The revolvers that were in service with the armies were gradually supplanted.
The first Soviet model of an automatic pistol, adopted for service in 1930, was a self-loading 7.62 mm pistol designed by F.V. Tokarev (TT). After the Great Patriotic War, the war was adopted Soviet army more advanced 9-mm pistols arrived - self-loading designed by N. F. Makarov (PM) and automatic designed by I. Ya. Stechkin (APS).

Soviet military encyclopedia
Gnatovsky N. I.

On the Internet there is often debate about which pistol is the best. This is a very debatable and controversial issue, because there are more than enough successful designs for these weapons. The criterion for inclusion in this list was not only the reliability of the pistol and its characteristics, but also the revolutionary nature of its design, as well as popularity among professionals and weapon enthusiasts. In our rating we will not consider pneumatic and sports pistols; only military models or weapons for self-defense will participate in the review.

So, the top 10 best pistols in the world.

10. Stechkin pistol (APS)

Our top 10 opens with a pistol created in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. The APS uses a 9x18 mm PM cartridge; its automation operates on the blowback principle. This pistol is very popular in Russia and other former Soviet republics, but it is usually criticized abroad. A special feature of the Stechkin pistol is the ability to fire automatically from it, which is somewhat unusual for this type of weapon. The pistol holster can be used as a stock. The capacity of a standard pistol magazine is 20 rounds.

APS was developed for special services personnel, but it was very quickly removed from service. The disadvantage of the pistol was its excess weight and bulkiness - it was not very suitable for concealed and constant carrying, but as a military weapons The APS was not powerful enough. However, despite this, it was used in dozens of conflicts during the period Cold War and in hot spots on the territory of the former Union.

9. Desert Eagle

In ninth place is the Desert Eagle pistol, which is considered one of the most powerful pistols in the world. It was developed in the early 80s by a joint Israeli-American team chambered for large caliber(up to 12.7 mm). The developers positioned their brainchild as hunting weapon and a pistol for self-defense.

Desert Eagle is not in service with any army in the world; it is not used in special services, but Hollywood directors love him very much. This is one of the most recognizable pistols in the world. Professionals don't use Desert Eagle because of its overweight and bulkiness, in addition, the pistol has a monstrous recoil and a deafening sound of a shot (it is prohibited from being used in indoor shooting ranges). It should also be noted that this weapon is not very reliable, uses very expensive ammunition and is sensitive to contamination.

8. Walther PP/PPK

One of the most famous and successful pistols, as evidenced by a large number of copies and clones of these weapons. Walther RR became one of the first mass-produced pistols to use a double-action trigger. It was developed in 1929 as a police pistol, but later the Walther PP was widely used as a personal weapon for tank crews, pilots and sailors.

In the 60s of the last century, mass production of this pistol was resumed and continues to this day. In addition, the pistol is produced under license in the USA. In total, more than a million copies of this weapon were produced. The Soviet PM is essentially a replica of this German pistol.

7. FN Five-seveN (Belgium)

In seventh place on our list is a pistol created by the Belgian gunsmiths of the Fabrique Nationale company in the late 90s, as an addition to the P90 submachine gun. This largely determines the characteristics of this weapon. The main thing is that it uses the same unique 5.7×28mm pointed bullet cartridge that is capable of defeating most body armor available today.

The FN Five-seveN pistol is very popular among special forces soldiers; it is in great demand in the USA, and in last years these weapons are in increasing demand on the civilian market. This pistol has been used in several wars and conflicts.

6. TT (Tula, Tokareva)

This is a legendary weapon, the first Soviet pistol developed weapons designer Tokarev in the early 30s. The TT pistol went through the entire Great Patriotic War with the Red Army. Patriotic War, used in all conflicts post-war period, it is still popular in Russia today. This is a simple and reliable weapon that uses a powerful 7.62 × 25 mm TT cartridge. Not every body armor can withstand it.
The TT is relatively small in size and is convenient for concealed carry, although there are complaints about the ergonomics of the pistol.

5. CZ-75/85

One of the most successful creations of Czech gunsmiths, which deservedly takes fifth place in our ranking. The pistol was created back in the 80s of the last century and chambered for the 9x19 mm cartridge. Convenience, reliability and simplicity of design brought this weapon great popularity in the West.

The CZ-75/85 has an excellent firing range; the pistol bullet has good penetration and sufficient stopping power. In terms of the number of copies sold, the CZ-75/85 is not too inferior to the Colts. This weapon is not very common in Russia.

4. Heckler&Koch USP

This pistol was manufactured by the famous German company Heckler & Koch in the early 90s. In 1993, it was adopted by the Bundeswehr. Has a large number of modifications.

The Heckler&Koch USP pistol is considered one of the most successful developments for special forces and police units. It is very reliable, unpretentious, and has good shooting accuracy. The gun can be used in any conditions - it is not afraid of either heat or cold, and is insensitive to dirt and falls. Heckler&Koch USP use special units Germany, USA, Italy, France, Ukraine, Poland and Japan.

Among the design features, noteworthy are the polymer frame and proprietary buffer system to reduce friction. Quick caliber changes are possible.

3. Beretta 92

One of the best pistols in the world, created by the oldest European weapons company. The pistol was put into service in 1980 and uses a 9x19 mm cartridge. The quality of this weapon is evidenced by the fact that in 1985, a modification of this pistol, the Beretta 92F, was adopted as a standard weapon (instead of the Colt M1911) in the US armed forces. The Beretta 92 is also in service with the IDF. About 100 thousand of these pistols of various modifications are produced every year.

There are a large number of modifications of this pistol; it is very recognizable and popular in the civilian market.

The advantages of the Beretta 92 pistol include its excellent ergonomics, good balance, which ensures high accuracy and accuracy of fire. The location of the safety allows you to shoot with both the right and left hands. The bullet has sufficient penetration and stopping effect.

The disadvantages include the rather heavy weight of the pistol and its sensitivity to contamination. And a handle that is too thick is not very comfortable for people with short fingers.

2. Colt M1911

In second place in our top 10 is legendary pistol, created by the brilliant gunsmith John Browning before the outbreak of the First World War and is in service with the US Army today. This pistol experienced only one noticeable modernization in 1926; a large number of models and modifications were created based on the Colt M1911.

This pistol was supplied to Russia during the First World War, and then under Lend-Lease during the Great Patriotic War. With the American Army, he went through both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts of the Cold War.

The Colt M1911 uses the .45 ACP cartridge (11.43×23 mm), its automatic operation operates due to recoil with a short barrel stroke. The pistol has a single-action trigger, which is often called one of its main disadvantages. Sometimes they also include the large weight and dimensions of the Colt M1911.

However, despite some shortcomings, the Colt M1911 is the most famous and honored pistol of the last century. For this alone he deserves the most high place in our rating.

1. Glock 17

The pistol, which is in first place in our top 10, has become a real milestone in the development of short-barreled firearms. The Glock 17 uses 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridges, and its automatic operation operates on the principle of recoil with a short-stroke barrel.

The history of the creation of the pistol is very interesting. In 1980, a competition was announced to create self-loading pistol for needs Austrian army and the police. Among others, the unknown company Glock GmbH took part in it, which had previously been supplying the army with bayonet knives, sapper blades and other ammunition, but had never been associated with weapons. Nevertheless, according to the results of the tests, it was the Glock 17 pistol that was recognized as the best and adopted for service. Since then, four generations of the pistol have been created and put into mass production.

In addition to the Austrian army, the Glock 17 is in service with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of more than thirty countries around the world.

Impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic (polyamide) is actively used in the design of the pistol, which makes the Glock 17 very durable and lightweight. Also, thanks to this, the gun is very resistant to corrosion, however, with prolonged and intensive use, the plastic inevitably develops microcracks.

The pistol has excellent accuracy and shooting accuracy, it is very convenient and easy to disassemble. Characteristic feature The thing about this pistol is that it has no safety at all. Therefore, the time to bring it into combat position is minimal.

You can even shoot the Glock 17 underwater without the barrel bursting or ballooning. True, for this you need to use a special drummer.

There is often debate on the Internet about which famous pistols is the best. This is a very difficult question, because they all have different design elements. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the ranking of the Top 10 best pistols in the world.

So, the top 10 best pistols in the world.

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10. Stechkin pistol (APS) Our top 10 opens with a pistol created in the Soviet Union in the late 40s. The APS uses a 9x18 mm PM cartridge; its automation operates on the blowback principle. This pistol is very popular in Russia and other former Soviet republics, but it is usually criticized abroad. A special feature of the Stechkin pistol is the ability to fire automatically from it, which is somewhat unusual for this type of weapon. The pistol holster can be used as a stock. The capacity of a standard pistol magazine is 20 rounds. APS was developed for special services personnel, but it was very quickly removed from service. The disadvantage of the pistol was its excess weight and bulkiness - it was not very suitable for concealed and constant carry, and as a combat weapon the APS was not powerful enough. However, despite this, it was used in dozens of Cold War conflicts and hot spots in the former Soviet Union.

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9. Desert Eagle In ninth place is the Desert Eagle pistol, which is considered one of the most powerful pistols in the world. It was developed in the early 80s by a joint Israeli-American team and chambered for a large caliber cartridge (up to 12.7 mm). The developers positioned their brainchild as a hunting weapon and a pistol for self-defense. The Desert Eagle is not in service with any army in the world, nor is it used by special services, but Hollywood directors love it very much. This is one of the most recognizable pistols in the world. Professionals do not use the Desert Eagle because of its excess weight and bulkiness; in addition, the pistol has monstrous recoil and a deafening shot sound (it is prohibited from being used in indoor shooting ranges). It should also be noted that this weapon is not very reliable, uses very expensive ammunition and is sensitive to contamination.

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8. Walther PP/PPK One of the most famous and successful pistols, as evidenced by the large number of copies and clones of this weapon. Walther RR became one of the first mass-produced pistols to use a double-action trigger. It was developed in 1929 as a police pistol, but later the Walther PP was widely used as a personal weapon for tank crews, pilots and sailors. In the 60s of the last century, mass production of this pistol was resumed and continues to this day. In addition, the pistol is produced under license in the USA. In total, more than a million copies of this weapon were produced. The Soviet PM is essentially a replica of this German pistol.

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7. FN Five-seveN (Belgium) In seventh place on our list is a pistol created by the Belgian gunsmiths of the Fabrique Nationale company in the late 90s, as an addition to the P90 submachine gun. This largely determines the characteristics of this weapon. The main thing is that it uses the same unique 5.7×28mm pointed bullet cartridge that is capable of defeating most body armor available today. The FN Five-seveN pistol is very popular among special forces soldiers, it is in great demand in the United States, and in recent years this weapon has been in increasing demand in the civilian market. This pistol has been used in several wars and conflicts.

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6. TT (Tula, Tokarev) This is a legendary weapon, the first Soviet pistol, developed by weapons designer Tokarev in the early 30s. The TT pistol served with the Red Army throughout the Great Patriotic War, was used in all conflicts of the post-war period, and is still popular in Russia today. This is a simple and reliable weapon that uses a powerful 7.62 × 25 mm TT cartridge. Not every body armor can withstand it. The TT is relatively small in size and is convenient for concealed carry, although there are complaints about the ergonomics of the pistol.

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5. CZ-75/85 One of the most successful creations of Czech gunsmiths, which deservedly takes fifth place in our ranking. The pistol was created back in the 80s of the last century and chambered for the 9x19 mm cartridge. Convenience, reliability and simplicity of design brought this weapon great popularity in the West. The CZ-75/85 has an excellent firing range; the pistol bullet has good penetration and sufficient stopping power. In terms of the number of copies sold, the CZ-75/85 is not too inferior to the Colts. This weapon is not very common in Russia.

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4. Heckler&Koch USP This pistol was manufactured by the famous German company Heckler & Koch in the early 90s. In 1993, it was adopted by the Bundeswehr. Has a large number of modifications. The Heckler&Koch USP pistol is considered one of the most successful developments for special forces and police units. It is very reliable, unpretentious, and has good shooting accuracy. The gun can be used in any conditions - it is not afraid of either heat or cold, and is insensitive to dirt and falls. Heckler&Koch USP is used by special units in Germany, USA, Italy, France, Ukraine, Poland and Japan. Among the design features, noteworthy are the polymer frame and proprietary buffer system to reduce friction. Quick caliber changes are possible.

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3. Beretta 92 One of the best pistols in the world, created by the oldest European weapons company. The pistol was put into service in 1980 and uses a 9x19 mm cartridge. The quality of this weapon is evidenced by the fact that in 1985, a modification of this pistol, the Beretta 92F, was adopted as a standard weapon (instead of the Colt M1911) in the US armed forces. The Beretta 92 is also in service with the IDF. About 100 thousand of these pistols of various modifications are produced every year. There are a large number of modifications of this pistol; it is very recognizable and popular in the civilian market. The advantages of the Beretta 92 pistol include its excellent ergonomics, good balance, which ensures high accuracy and accuracy of fire. The location of the safety allows you to shoot with both the right and left hands. The bullet has sufficient penetration and stopping effect. The disadvantages include the rather heavy weight of the pistol and its sensitivity to contamination. And a handle that is too thick is not very comfortable for people with short fingers.

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2. Colt M1911 In second place in our top 10 is the legendary pistol, created by the brilliant gunsmith John Browning before the outbreak of the First World War and is in service with the US Army today. This pistol experienced only one noticeable modernization in 1926; a large number of models and modifications were created based on the Colt M1911. This pistol was supplied to Russia during the First World War, and then under Lend-Lease during the Great Patriotic War. With the American Army, he went through both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and all other conflicts of the Cold War. The Colt M1911 uses the .45 ACP cartridge (11.43×23 mm), its automatic operation operates due to recoil with a short barrel stroke. The pistol has a single-action trigger, which is often called one of its main disadvantages. Sometimes they also include the large weight and dimensions of the Colt M1911. However, despite some shortcomings, the Colt M1911 is the most famous and honored pistol of the last century. For this alone, he deserves the highest place in our ranking.

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1. Glock 17 The pistol, which is in first place in our top 10, has become a real milestone in the development of short-barreled firearms. The Glock 17 uses 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridges, and its automatic operation operates on the principle of recoil with a short-stroke barrel. The history of the creation of the pistol is very interesting. In 1980, a competition was announced to create a self-loading pistol for the needs of the Austrian army and police. Among others, the unknown company Glock GmbH took part in it, which had previously been supplying the army with bayonet knives, sapper blades and other ammunition, but had never been associated with weapons. Nevertheless, according to the results of the tests, it was the Glock 17 pistol that was recognized as the best and adopted for service. Since then, four generations of the pistol have been created and put into mass production. In addition to the Austrian army, the Glock 17 is in service with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of more than thirty countries around the world. Impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic (polyamide) is actively used in the design of the pistol, which makes the Glock 17 very durable and lightweight. Also, thanks to this, the gun is very resistant to corrosion, however, with prolonged and intensive use, the plastic inevitably develops microcracks. The pistol has excellent accuracy and shooting accuracy, it is very convenient and easy to disassemble. A characteristic feature of this pistol is that it does not have a safety lock at all. Therefore, the time to bring it into combat position is minimal. You can even shoot the Glock 17 underwater without the barrel bursting or ballooning. True, for this you need to use a special drummer.

There are many types of pistols in the world. Their main purpose is safety and security. The pistol is classified as a small weapon because it can be used with one hand. There is even a separate group of people who are fans of this type of firearm. Below is a list of 10 the most best pistols peace.

10. Glock-17

Glock is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Glock GmbH Deutsh-Wagram, Austria. This company has been on the market since 1982. The basis of the Glock-17 pistol is a rigid plastic construction. The pistol operates on the principle of using recoil with a short barrel stroke. It uses 9x 19 mm Parabellum caliber cartridges. It is in service with the Austrian military and US law enforcement agencies.

9. Smith & Wesson.500 S&W Magnum

Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer in the United States. We can see their weapons in many Hollywood films. The 500 S&W Magnum is considered the best commercial sporting pistol. The appearance of the pistol, especially the powerful barrel, gives the weapon its individuality. Smith & Wesson is energy and speed. Ninth place in the ranking best pistols in the world.

8. FN Herstal FNP-9 (FN Herstal FNP-9)

This polymer framed semi-automatic pistol is part of a series manufactured in the United States. The trigger mechanism is unique, wide and smooth. The short barrel stroke makes the weapon simple and accurate to use. Magazine capacity for 9 mm cartridges is 16 rounds in the clip and one in the barrel.

7. Beretta 92 (Beretta)

Beretta 92 is of Italian origin. It uses 9x19 mm Parabellum caliber cartridges. The pistol has been on the market since 1975 and is used in the Italian, French and American armies. The open bolt design facilitates smooth feeding and firing of cartridges.

6. Walther P99 (Walter)

Walther P99 is a German-made semi-automatic pistol. It is produced by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffe. The pistol is used by the German police, Polish police and Finnish army. It fires 9x19mm Parabellum cartridges. Walter's operating principle is recoil with a short barrel stroke, the bolt is automatically locked.

5.QSZ-92

The operating principle of the QSZ-92 uses recoil energy during the barrel stroke. The pistol is equipped with a rotating barrel and an automatic locking system. The cartridges it uses are 9x19 mm Parabellum. Manufacturer - Chinese company Norinco at the Changfeng Machine Shop. Fifth place among best pistols.

4. M1911 pistol

This is a semi-automatic pistol created by John M. Browning. The M1911 pistol was in service with the US Army from 1911 to 1985, especially used during World Wars 1 and 2, as well as in the Korean and vietnam wars. Now updated, it is the finest example of a 20th century pistol, making it popular among civilian competition shooters.

3. Mark 23

Heckler (Heckler) and Koch Mk23 (Koch) are produced in Germany and America. This is a semi-automatic pistol equipped with a module for a laser sight or flashlight and a silencer. The standard version of the pistol is intended for US special forces.

2.HS2000/XD

HS2000 is of Croatian origin and is manufactured by HS Produkt D.o. o. The HS2000 pistol is the company's most successful product. This is a semi-automatic weapon, the frame of which is made of polymer. It is used by the Croatian Army and American law enforcement agencies.

1.SIGP250

The best pistol in the world. SIGP250 is a pistol jointly produced by two countries, America and Germany. It is manufactured by JP Sauer and Son and Sig Sauer Exeter. This is a semi-automatic pistol whose operating principle is based on a return operation. Magazine capacity is 17 rounds.

On this day, the second of September in 1834, American Colonel Samuel Colt patented a multi-shot revolver firearm pistol close combat. Although a lot of time has passed since then, this legendary weapon is no less popular today than it was a hundred years ago.

Samuel Colt is often called the Great Leveler by historians. All because for now divine powers created man, and Lincoln gave them freedom - Colt figured out how to make people equal. And the American colonel succeeded: he patented a weapon that is still used today, set world records and even played roulette.

The design of the revolver was repeatedly changed and improved. We will tell you about ten modifications of the pistol that have proven that this weapon is the best in its genre.

Pfeifer Zeliska

Pfeifer Zeliska is the largest mass-produced revolver. This pistol is a weapon for real heroes. 6 kilograms of weight and 55 centimeters of length are nothing compared to the recoil that you will have to experience if you decide to shoot from this monster.

Revolver Lefoshe

French designer Casimir Lefauchet was dissatisfied with the small number of cartridges with which the revolver could be loaded. Therefore, the engineer actively developed the firearms store. One of his most famous developments is a pistol with two muzzles, 7 rounds along the inner circumference of the drum, 14 rounds along the outer one. Every two shots from the upper barrel, one shot was repeated from the lower one.

Source: gunandgame.com

Le Ma

Jean Alexandre LeMas was a cunning engineer. Therefore, his modification of the revolver is not without surprises: the pistol has a second barrel of a sixteenth caliber. It is the axis for the drum with cartridges. If enemies are advancing, recharge the secret and take advantage of your last chance to win.

Source: thefirearmblog.com

Brass knuckles

In Belgium, the military relied not only on firepower weapons, but also their strength. If they ran out of cartridges, men had to use daggers or brass knuckles. Therefore, engineers combined all three weapons in one, coming up with a six-shot 7 mm pistol. The result was a revolver with weak combat abilities, but additional bonuses for hand-to-hand combat.

Source: giftmansion.com

Tread

The Protector is a non-automatic weapon that has more than just extravagant appearance. That is why it is of interest exclusively to collectors. The pistol is a disk with a barrel and a lever, inside of which eight-gauge cartridges are hidden.

Source: klownsthoughts.com

Garcia Reynoso

Reloading weapons often took a lot of time for the military. Therefore, Argentine officer García Reynoso designed an additional magazine to hold five rounds. As a result, it was possible to reload the pistol and shoot back at the same time. The only problem was the unreliability of the mechanism for feeding additional cartridges.