I didn't vote because this is a tough poll, at least for me. There are so many variables... metal, poly, full size,
medium, compact or sub-compact, pistol, revolver and in what calibers? While I'm far from a handgun expert,
I don't think any one manufacturer makes the best in all models and calibers.

My favorites are what I already own:

Springfield - for a full size .45ACP 1911 (PX9151LP)
Sig Sauer - for a full size .40S&W metal frame (P226 Elite)
Ruger - for a full size 9mm poly frame (SR9)
Ruger - for a full size .22LR metal frame (MarkIII Standard)

An exception to my opening remarks would be... I like the Ruger SR9 so much that if they come out with a
SR40 and a SR45, I think I might add them to my collection just to own them, but not to replace the .45 and
.40 I already own. So, after thinking about it... I guess my favorite manufacturer would have to be Ruger " IF "
they came out with the other SR models since I would own four of their guns.

I just need to find a good CCW pistol/revolver to my collection in .40 or 9mm, and then I'll be done.

To me, nothing beats an HK. A bit expensive, but IMO you get what you pay for and then some with an HK. I was going to buy a SIg, but then felt the new P30 and HK45 and fell in love. Always liked the USP series, but hated the 2x4 grip on them.

I have a Walther, it's a fine air pistol. Ruger is the best bang for the buck hands down.

I voted other also.

imho which isn't worth squat I have to vote luger (DWM & stoeger).it has to be one of the most natural pointing,handling pistol I have ever owned.thats coming from a 1911 kind of guy.
pete

my vote Thompson Center, you never said just handguns.

i voted for springfield since its the one i carry the most,but i also have s&w 1911,ruger sp101,keltec p32 and a glock 26.

I haven't owned or shot nearly enough to even give this one a fair reply.
Just bought a Sig, and almost bought a Beretta, so maybe there's two that I certainly like.
Have handled a few by several other brands from big-$ 1911's to budget 1911's, and low to high non-1911's in various common and uncommon action types, from M&P's to CZ's to 92-style Taurus's etc.

I believe the feel and action of XD's, sure-enough Beretta 92's, CZ's, Glocks, Sig's and HK's to be the finest in semi-auto's in general with a few others out there for sure in the better 1911's.. Saw a blow-my-budget-away Les Baer that taught me what a serious 1911 is all about but jumpin' jiminy cricket I might as well drive a Porsche while I'm at it.

I guess like electronics / audio equipment, motorcycles, cars or about any other consumer good type, most major brands or companies make entry-quality, mid-quality and some high-quality each at several price-points and uses.

Gimme one that's affordable.. goes bang every time, where you aim it, and only when it's supposed to go bang and I'll probably like it. Impressions from a newbie that can't even shoot too well yet.

You said fav manufacture not just handgun manufacture so I voted Thompson Center.Like em for both handgun and longgun.

I have to say Sig...but FN has been coming on strong lately. The Hi-Power is my favorite and I like the FNP's a lot.

Originally Posted by One

i chose other for IWI (Israel Weapon Industries) because i just love my Jericho, and it's my only gun what else would i pick? lol

The Israeli guns arent as well made as the German ones like HK, Walther, etc

Im a glock guy. Mostly because its my first handgun of my own. Shot a Sig P226 in .40 and couldnt hit crap with it, and shot nice groups with the GLOCK so thats what I went with

Originally Posted by tony pasley

Had to stick with the saints of firearms Saint Sam Colt And Saint John Moses Browning, combined unbeatable everything else is just an attempt to copy.

I love my Para Ord, not to bash St. Colt or Browning, but I love the 1911 with a double stack. If I could ever find a Colt with 15 rounds of hole punching 45ACP in a normal looking mag I would trade my wife for it.

Originally Posted by dieselman

Im a glock guy. Mostly because its my first handgun of my own. Shot a Sig P226 in .40 and couldnt hit crap with it, and shot nice groups with the GLOCK so thats what I went with

I've noticed that Sig and Beretta people tend not to like Glocks and vice versa. It's not that any of these are of poor quality,they just seem to fit different hands differently.

Les Baer. This is mine.

this was really hard for me because i actually have several favorites including h&k,sig and walther.however,i had to choose walther.the reasons why is hard to explain but a good explanation would probably be,after hadling so many pistols over the years, that i wish ALL of my other pistols and those i will buy in the future had the exact manual of arms, although this term applies more to rifles.that is to say,the way you work a p99 but the most impressive is the AS trigger and grip.

it should be noted that walther began the revolution that has cought on with most other manufactures in regards with interchangeable backstraps and that the p99 grip was designed by an italian team that designs grips for the olympics.imo,even to this day,there has not been anyone that has bettered the grip of the p99 although the new h&k p30 comes close but i have an h&k,there sand paper like grips are relatively uncomfortable after shooting 50 rounds or so.the p99 offers excellent grip while still staying comfortable over an extended period.it should also be noted that walther pioneered the DA/SA and that the p99 offers,imo,a useful and true evolutionary step forward with there trigger system while at the same time responding to a problem that some were having in the line of duty with glock like triggers...accidental discharge.this system is unintrussive on the p99.for me,they also answer the old complaint of the first DA pull messing up your aim with a smooth trigger and relatively light weight..

i only wish that walther offered a 5" or 5 1/2" barreled p99 with 18/19 round cappacity to balance it out....or a "tactical" version.they have there other bases covered though.

it should also be noted that walther is poorly represented here in the states with poor advertising.the only exception is james bond but i don't need a fictional character to tell me why the p99 is so good.

Originally Posted by Cobra64

The P99 is a great gun and I will get one soon. The PPK is a jam-o-matic. I had one.

For a .380 try a Sig P232. They work.

the ppk is not a jam-o matic.the fact is that when the ppk was first designed there weren't all the modern hollow points that now exist.my father has a relatively early version of the ppk.it jamed on modern hp ammo and this is a man who knows how to haddle pistols.he had all but given up on it till one day with me on the range i notice the problems he was having with it.i took it home with me and proceded to finely polish the ramp and did a few other mods to it.it now functions reliably and one day i will own it but i hope that day is far into the future.he had the EXACT same problem with his browning hi-power.

i believe walther has adressed this issue with the modern ones ,however,in .380,for the best results in a possible bad situation,you should not be using hollow points anyway.they will not give the best terminal performance.in this caliber ball ammo will give better results or better yet truncated cones which negates the above.......to each his own...peace.

Originally Posted by spacedoggy

Isn't Walther considered S&W now or manufactured by S&W? Can you consider Walther a line of S&W? Will Walther lose it's identity or will it be kept because they still have Walther in Germany? How much does S&W own of Walther or is it just the US side of the business? I know it's a lot of questions. I'm just hoping Walther didn't hand everything over to Smith due to their size and now they don't care about the customer.

walther is not now or have they ever been owned by s&w.s&w is simply the distributor.so far,s&w has been good about addressing any problems...peace.

Kimber all the way, wouldn't mine owning a custom made 1911 like a nighthawk or wilson combat

I don't have a favorite as of yet because I am a beginner but I did try out the Sig P229 and I loved it.

With all the manufacturers listed it is nice to see how the general population of the forum votes. Quite a broad range of tastes and preferences.

As my forum name hints, I am a disciple of JMB and Colt 1911s. Love the history and tradition they represent.
I have a Ruger and a Kahr that I like also.

Ruger but I own more S&W's.

going with Springfield

Ruger is my edc pistol.
i have 2 and love them both.
The blackhawk is my range gun, but the SR9 fits just fine for edc.
However, I will be purchasing a Glock 17 or 19 soon.