When the best military and police forces go out, every piece of gear has to work—no excuses. And their handguns aren’t the exception. These aren’t backup guns; they’re lifelines in many cases. Special operations teams count on handguns that have to be reliable, versatile, and battle-tested. Here are five guns that have proven themselves under the world’s greatest tacticians.
5. SIG-Sauer P226 – Accuracy Under Stress
Renowned for its reliability and accuracy, the SIG-Sauer P226 has been a favorite among US Navy SEALs and other law enforcement agencies for decades. Developed especially to counter the XM9 pistol trials of the US military, it was beaten out by the Beretta 92 on a price basis, but gained a place in the special operations community forever.
Built ruggedly with a history of exacting accuracy, the P226 performs well under high-stress conditions. Offered in a variety of calibers, it has had its share of variants over the years and has cemented itself as a workhorse sidearm of serious professionals.
4. Beretta 92 (M9) – The American Military Standard
The Beretta 92—better known in US military circles as the M9—is a household name with generations of American warriors. It has been an international symbol since its adoption in the mid-1980s. Its double-column magazine capacity, toughness, and durability of the double-action/single-action trigger mechanism made it the US Armed Forces’ standard issue for nearly a decade.
Outside of the military, it’s also employed by police squads worldwide. It’s maybe a bit too big for today’s standards, but few pistols have so solidly cemented and revered a history.
3. CZ 75 – The Sleeper European Contender
Although less famous by name in the US, the CZ 75 has gained a legendary reputation in Europe without so much as a rumor. A popular choice with special forces and police forces across the continent, this all-steel pistol has an ergonomic grip and very smooth trigger pull.
Its influence has been wide-reaching—many modern pistols have taken a leaf out of its book. The CZ 75 range has numerous variants for different missions and user preferences, and is one of the most versatile handguns on the market.
2. Makarov PM – Strong, Durable, and Surprisingly Versatile
For many years, the Makarov PM was the ubiquitous standard-issue sidearm across the Soviet Union and most of the Eastern Bloc. It’s compact, easy to use, and notoriously rugged. The blowback system and steel structure of the Makarov make it functional in situations that would ground more delicate pistols. Even today, it remains in use with Russian special units such as the Spetsnaz, proving that simple and sturdy is more enduring than flashier technology.
1. Glock 19 – The World’s Favorite
In modern sidearms, the Glock 19 has no equal. It’s used by elite units around the world—U.S. Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs, British SAS, and intelligence officers. It’s a well-loved, handy, striker-fired handgun respected for its reliability, simplicity, and modularity. It’s short enough to conceal, but large enough for precise, confident shooting.
Add to that the unlimited number of aftermarket modifications possible—lights, optics, extended magazines, the whole nine yards. That the fundamental design of the Glock 19 has not needed a drastic change in over 40 years is a testament to its durability.
All of these guns have one large thing in common: when lives are on the line, they’re professionals’ go-to choices. From the iconic Beretta, to the world-hardened Makarov, to the endlessly adjustable Glock 19, every one of these guns has built its reputation over decades of use in the harshest conditions imaginable. With reliability potentially a question of life and death, these sidearms have been put through their paces and passed with flying colors countless times.