Quote Originally Posted by Mitch
In your opinion what is the best all time vet service pistol. Think about longevity, production (use throughout the world), durability, accuracy and cost and easy to produce.
Using your criteria, there really isn't any choice.
1911 is the only one that fits

Longevity:
Designed in 1909, in service w/ military in 1911 until today...well that's almost 100 years...I don't think any others come close.

Production:
Between 1913 and 1946 how many were made...something like 50 million. By companies like GM, Singer, Springfield, Colt and under liscense by 40 other countries.....no contest.

Durability:
Well that original gun designed in 1909 still fires...so again I would say no contest....there are also a lot of 60 year old guns still shooting.

Accuracy:
Well this is the one catagory where the 1911 has it's draw backs. I'm not including custom or race guns in this catagory...because these are modified. (It's like saying your Chevy is the same thing that gets raced in the Indy 500. Yes the same company name is on it, but no, your Cavalier is not capable of 200 Miles per hour.) Accuracy in 1911 style pistols is generally poor. Any semi-auto with a floating barrel and a wearable bushing will have accuracy problems...the barrel just moves around too much. (I know I'm gonna catch flack for this one but I was not talking about improvements to the 1911 making the 1911A1's either; just the original 1911)
Generally speaking the German's Luger or Mauser with their fixed barrel had far superior accuracy.

Cost and easy to produce:
Again I'm not gonna give high marks here either. Most 1911's do not have drop in parts...they need to be hand fitted by someone who is competent. Cost...with the manpower needed to produce one it is not a cost per weapon savings or bonus..it is a detriment.
By comparison was the grease gun with only 26 parts, all but the barrel just stamped sheet metal...there was no hand fitting required and cost about $2.30 in 1945 to produce.