What would you consider a reliable self-defense pistol?

[ronin67]

I just wanted to ask what members considered a reliable self-defense pistol. I'm quite a big fan of polymer based pistols and have owned over 15 different pistols over the last two years. Here are some of the models I've had and my results at the ranges:

XD-45s (2 service models and 1 Tactical): I fired a total 0f 500 rounds through one of my service model XD-45s and never had on stoppage. Accuracy was 2.5 to 2.0 inches across the board at 15 yards.

Glocks (models; 30, 20, 29, 31, 22, 23, 21, 37, & 33). Had only one failure to eject (last round) from my Glock 21. Found out later it was a bad magazine. Total rounds fired through all models: (3500/with only one stoppage). Accuracy 2.5 to 2.0.

S&W M&P: I fired about 200 rounds through my M&P 40c and had my first stoppage within the first 50 rounds (failed to go completely into battery/had to push the slide forward). Accuracy decent; 2.0 to 1.5.

Walther P99 (9mm): Fired 300 rounds not one stoppage. One magazine had the rattle (loose rounds), but never failed once. Accuracy 2.0 to 2.5.

Steyr M9A1: Fired 100 rounds not one failure. Accuracy 3.0 to 2.0.

H&K USP (40 S&W): No stoppages after 200 rounds. Accuracy 2.0 to 1.5.

Taurus Millienum: One stoppage in 50 rounds. Accuarcy 3.5 to 3.5 (worst of the bunch).


Now, in my opinion having just one stoppage out of 50 rounds is unacceptable for me (minimum requirements). Needless to say the S&W M&P was my real big disappointment. Am I too picky or am I realistic about my expectations of a reliable self-defense pistol? I know I always hear the big excuse "Its not broken in yet". To me this is a cop out. Can I please get input from all you good people. My intent is not to bash any brand of pistol, just to show my personal results with each brand.

Take Care and God Bless!

Ronin

[slugger6]

Mine is an XD45 Service with an M6X tactical light/laser.

[mhillsing23]

I have two XDs, a Service and a SC, both in 9mm. I carry them both, depending on the weather and my clothing. I haven't kept round count for either of them, so I can't say home many rounds I have been through without a failure/stoppage, but I haven't had one since they came new out of the case. Do I trust them for defense?...You bet!

If I had more than one failure out of a few hundred rounds I would start to have serious doubts about carrying either one of them.

Say I did have one failure now. If it went another 500+ without one I am sure I could begin to trust it again.

Your expectations are realistic.

[edm24]

Either my XD45 or my XDM. Both dependable as death and taxes.

[Ripper111]

Reliability is a result of two factors, good ammo and very few moving parts. To ensure reliability use a revolver but if you are like me you are hooked on Automatic pistols.

Having said that reliability for automatic pistols generally means good Ammo and a somewhat loose weapon. The tighter fitting the gun the more accurate it may be but it also becomes less reliable. I also do not like dissimilar metals (aluminum frame with a steel slide) that is do to dissimilar coeficients of expansion. I know you can design for that but it is a complexity. Plastic is thermally very stable so I do not consider plastic a dissimilar in this case. If you want a light weight weapon plastic is a good way to go. The XD uses a steel slide and steel parts in a plastic frame, this is a rather smart way to go

The XD seems to be a very reliable weapon and so far it is a good shooter. The standard to me would be 1000 rounds MTBF. Anyway practice your failure drills because failure does happen

[G McBride]

XD45C is my home defense pistol.

[ForTehNguyen]

get a XD or Glock, should be fine with those.

[Water-Man]

XD 9mm, XD .45 & Glock 19 9mm

[kitsapcharly]

The XD-45 with the small grip and two-sized magazines in the 4-inch barrel is as close to perfect as anything is likely to get. It can be carried several ways in different clothes. You should also have little Kel-Tec 380's for back-up and hot weather when something very small is all you can carry.

[griggrt]

Originally Posted by ronin67

I just wanted to ask what members considered a reliable self-defense pistol. I'm quite a big fan of polymer based pistols and have owned over 15 different pistols over the last two years. Here are some of the models I've had and my results at the ranges:

XD-45s (2 service models and 1 Tactical): I fired a total 0f 500 rounds through one of my service model XD-45s and never had on stoppage. Accuracy was 2.5 to 2.0 inches across the board at 15 yards.

Glocks (models; 30, 20, 29, 31, 22, 23, 21, 37, & 33). Had only one failure to eject (last round) from my Glock 21. Found out later it was a bad magazine. Total rounds fired through all models: (3500/with only one stoppage). Accuracy 2.5 to 2.0.

S&W M&P: I fired about 200 rounds through my M&P 40c and had my first stoppage within the first 50 rounds (failed to go completely into battery/had to push the slide forward). Accuracy decent; 2.0 to 1.5.

Walther P99 (9mm): Fired 300 rounds not one stoppage. One magazine had the rattle (loose rounds), but never failed once. Accuracy 2.0 to 2.5.

Steyr M9A1: Fired 100 rounds not one failure. Accuracy 3.0 to 2.0.

H&K USP (40 S&W): No stoppages after 200 rounds. Accuracy 2.0 to 1.5.

Taurus Millienum: One stoppage in 50 rounds. Accuarcy 3.5 to 3.5 (worst of the bunch).


Now, in my opinion having just one stoppage out of 50 rounds is unacceptable for me (minimum requirements). Needless to say the S&W M&P was my real big disappointment. Am I too picky or am I realistic about my expectations of a reliable self-defense pistol? I know I always hear the big excuse "Its not broken in yet". To me this is a cop out. Can I please get input from all you good people. My intent is not to bash any brand of pistol, just to show my personal results with each brand.

Take Care and God Bless!

Ronin

I think your Signature says it all.