what is the most effective pistol?

To each his own. The most effective pistol, is the one that fits in your hand comfortably, and that YOU can shoot accurately. Don't forget that different kinds of ammo can be obtained for every calibre weapon, from blanks to Black talons. A hand gun is a tool in your toolbox, and each tool has it's intended use. Most, if not all, police departments and federal agencies have migrated to the .40 cal semi auto with hollow point ammo. Years ago we all carried .38 revolvers with JHP ammo. Duty ammo had less grains of powder, designed for close up & personal, knock down power. Consideration was that we didn't shoot "Through" a target and injure an innocent, and that a "missed" shot didn't travel a mile away and do unintentional collateral damage.

Today, we carry .40 cal semi autos, still light grain, heavy JHP. The reason for the change was to have more rounds available just like the bad guys have. Where we used to carry 6 in the gun and 2 speed loaders ( total 18 rounds ) we now carry 16 in the gun plus 2 spare mags. (total 46 rrds) My issue weapon is a S&W M&P .40, and it is a Nice piece. It's accurate, dependable, and ammo doesn't cost an arm and a leg. My off-duty concealed carry in a Taurus Millenium Pro. I have both the .45 and the .40 cal models. In my area .45 ammo runs about $25 a box and I can get .40 cal for $12.99 a box of 50. In a "defense" situation, I am never going to pull the trigger at a target more than 25 yards away. ( a criminal 75 ft away in not an "credible" immediate threat to my life. )

The US Military went in the opposite direction. The Colt 1911 .45acp was (is) a fierce, close quarters combat weapon. The 230 grain ammo ensures "knock down" with one hit, at any range up to 50 yards, and it's mag carries 7 rds. All the services transitioned to the Beretta 9mm a few years ago, and ( to my way of thinkng ) sacraficed knock down power for lack of recoil and a bullet that will likely go "Through" the target. Several well placed rounds are needed to do the same job a .45acp would do. Now there are likely readers out there that will disagree. If you want proof, set up 2 watermelons or gallon jugs filled with water. Shoot them from the same distance with both a 9mm and a .45acp. At impact, he .45 round will explode its target with earth-shaking results compared to what the 9mm is capable of doing.

Pistols are not designed for long range shooting, and they never were. At "distance" a rifle is the tool for the job. For close quarters combat and home defense, both the .45 and the .40 are good choices. The over-riding consideration is whether you know the gun, you are comfortable with the gun, and whether or not you can hit your target. I suggest you got to a local gun range where other shooters go. Shoot various kinds and calibres of handguns and then make your choice. Kepp in mind that it has to be affordable to shoot, you'll need hours of practice and spend a lot of money on ammo. The difference between $12 a box and $50 a box can cut your afternoon at the range very short. Learn to disassemble, properly clean and maintain your weapon of choice. Practice handling the weapon safely, and learn to shoot it well. I promise you: Nobody in a gunfight EVER rose to the occassion and shot "Better" under stress. In a close combat situation, you will resort to what you have practiced. Think about your worst ever day at the range...in a "stress" situation your shooting will be ten times worse. Take a course, learn from the Pros, and Practice, practice, practice. Remember: If you can't hit your target, it doesn't matter what calibre you "can't hit it" with.

Like any other tool,it depends on the job you need done,and literally everyone will have a different opinion.If you are looking at self-defense guns,then range is almost irrelevant since about any life or death situation you get will happen within 12-15 feet.And any gun is accurate at that type of distance,so realistically any issues with accuracy that close are probable the shooter's,not the gun.

Your own personal comfort with the gun is the most important issue,find something that you can handle easily,and simply practice with it enough to create good proficiency.I personally prefer revolvers for home defense,and would say anything under a 38 special shouldn't even be considered.357 is a good choice for stopping power. My personal choice is actually a bit antiquated,a Colt Cattleman replica in 45 cal. It's simple,effective,etc.Though if I have a chance to grab either gun in a home defense situation,then any intruder will be facing a 12 gauge shotgun.(Pistol Grip Remington)

For concealed carry on the other hand,I prefer semi autos,any decent 9mm or 45 would do really.I prefer Taurus myself,and always thought Glocks were overrated.

As for the 50 cal,it's nice for a firepower demonstration at the range,definitely will turn some heads,but impractical for carry and overkill for home defense.

RWE

It's primarily the barrel length combined with not just the calibre of the ammo but also the load. A 5.56 is designed and intended for ranges out to 300 meters or more. A 9mm pistol round is designed to be accurate out to maybe 50 feet and at 50 feet the shooter needs to be a very good shot to hit what he's aiming at.

the .50 desert eagle is a piece of crap. yes it has a lot of firepower, but if you're using a pistol in a combat scenario then your day has gone to absolute ****, and you dont need a weapon that has such a hard kick that you'd be lucky to get off one round a second IF that.

honestly .40 or .45 are the best rounds when it comes to having effective firepower and range, and theres a number of reliable companies that make great pistols (springfield, smith and wesson, walther, glock, etc). 9mm is a good round too, it has a more drastic drop off than the 2 rounds mentioned above and it is less powerful, however it has less of a kick and can therefore put more rounds down range faster... and when **** has hit the fan, fire superiority is what will win the day.

Most Effective Handgun

The Golden Gun.

A pstol is only effective at close range you would be better off with a few grenades

Sure?

Is that so?

Look in the real world.

Decode this lyrics " You'll see "

"Wonderful wonderful"

"Wonderful life"

"Time after time"

"Don't know much'

"Wonderful world"

"Just another day"

"What a wonderful world"

"Mama Mia"

"Nobody told me"

"I can see clearly now"

"Like a virgin"

"it only take a minute"

"Erotica"

Water pistol?

With all " The rapture"

Luke 21.30-36

Luke 9.25,55-56,60

Luke 8.5-8,10-17

Luke 24.44-45,47-48

What do you think?

potato gun

different jobs require different tools.

you wouldn't ask which hammer is the most effective tool.

a loaded one