Kings Corner Pawn

What is the absolute best handgun to have with you if you are actually in a gunfight? Given the vast plethora of available handguns today, is there a possible answer to this question that won't be purely subjective opinion? In spite of the fact that this issue continues to be hotly debated, I am a firm believer that a definitive answer can be given-in fact, I'm going to give one! First, notice I am not dealing with the best target-shooting pistol. This is a horse of an entirely different color. A target handgun is used in a controlled environment while adhering to specific disciplines that are not usually rushed in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy.

First, notice I am not dealing with the best target-shooting pistol. This is a horse of an entirely different color. A target handgun is used in a controlled environment while adhering to specific disciplines that are not usually rushed in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy.

I'm talking about going to your car at Wal Mart late one night and two armed men jump you-what do you want to have in that situation?

For years, John Browning's model 1911 in .45 ACP would have been hard not to rule as the favorite. I have even heard one combat handgun instructor swear that God inspired Browning when he designed the gun. That the 1911 has a proven track record is beyond doubt; its longevity of service in the US Military alone earned it a most respectable place. The voice in favor of Browning's gun has been and continues to be strong and ardent, and for years the only sizeable homogenous voice of dissent has been the wheel gunners, revolver fans.

Now let it be said that I have a S&W 1911 and love shooting my S&W1911. Also, when I first started shooting and carrying handguns seriously, my first carry gun was a Ruger GP100-a .357 magnum revolver. But I carry neither now and there is a reason. Gaston Glock entered the handgun world when the Austrian Army began accepting bids for a new sidearm. Glock's entrance was his 17th patent, the Glock 17. The Austrian Army accepted the gun in 1982. The Norwegians did a year later. In short order, the "plastic pistol," began taking over law enforcement agencies the world over. In 1988, Glock introduced a compact version of the 17 that was one half inch shorter in both directions. It was called the Glock 19. Both the 17 and 19 are high capacity 9mm handguns that sport a lightweight polymer frame. Primarily there were two things about these Glocks that got everyone's attention, and they are the reason that I carry a Glock and nothing else. First, Glocks work! In a variety of shooting conditions, clean or dirty, hot or cold, wet or dry, Glocks perform flawlessly and do so with redundant precision. Second, Glocks are amazingly simple yet the safest firing system on the market today. There are no external safeties--okay we'll budge and allow one and that is on the face of the trigger. Now to pause just a moment: some would consider the lack of an external safety a liability and not a plus. The US Military does. But consider this: In the adrenaline charged moments of a gunfight, anything you must manipulate to get your gun into a firing condition can go wrong. The idea is to keep the task of getting the gun useable as simple as possible. Your life depends on that simplicity.

With a Glock, you simply draw and fire. If in the stress of the moment, you fudge finger it and drop it, all the safeties are engaged-simple!

That brings us to a third characteristic of Glocks-simple design. Gaston Glock designed a handgun with 35 parts, most of which interchange with other models. For example in the 9mm models (Glock 17, Glock 34, Glock 19, Glock 26), the magazines for the larger guns will also work in the smaller ones-that is 17 & 34 Magazines are the same and both will work in the 19, and all 3 will work in the 26 (baby Glock). And virtually all other parts that are not caliber oriented are interchangeable with any other models.

The gun can be broken down into all 35 parts and thoroughly cleaned with only a punch and a roll of duct tape (roll of duct tape acts as a work bench). But, clean or not, it runs!

I have never been in a gunfight, but I carry because I know there are evil men who would use violent coercion against me or mine; we see the headlines every day. Should I ever be forced to use deadly force for self-defense, I want a gun that works.

In closing this article, I must pick up one thread and neatly stow it in the fabric of the argument-isn't the 9mm undersized for self defense situations? My answer, no! A miss with a 16-pound sledgehammer does no damage, but 15 hard strikes with a 16-ounce claw hammer does significant damage if the hammer blows are properly placed. A larger caliber cannot make up for poor shot placement.

But even in this realm, that of shot placement, we have to add the adrenaline factor of an up close and personal gunfight. Those who train in force on force scenarios can demonstrate time and time again, that a pretty sight picture is rarely obtained. In most cases, the defender must shoot multiple rounds at the assailant and literally shoot them to the ground. A high capacity 9mm handgun such as the Glock 17 or 19 is ideal. The larger caliber low capacity guns often leave the defender in a precarious position of having to reload at such a time when it is not feasible.

Which leads to a practical admonition to those who do carry-train and practice. Don't rely on a gargantuous sized bullet to make up for a lack of skill with your handgun. I have known men who could not hit a target at 3 yards who felt smug and defended because their caliber of choice was a .44 magnum which as we all know, "would blow your head clean off!"

Be smart. Go Glock 17 or 19 so you'll have a manageable round to train with and a gun that goes bang every time!

A person posting on Gabe Suarez' Warrior Talk Forum has this line at the bottom of his identity, "Colts and Kimbers are what you show your friends; Glocks are what you show your enemies!" Well said!

Luther E. Sam Koon is an NRA Certified Handgun Instructor, avid shooter in IDPA, and licensed in Armed Security for Tennessee. He lives in Spring City, TN with his wife Kay.