Something that fits your hand that you are comfortable shooting. Also make sure its something you can afford to practice with. A 22 rimfire can be lethal but they lack quick stopping power. A 44 magnum is a great stopper but can be hard to control without a lot of practice. Go to a gunshow & handle some guns. Then find a range near you that rents guns to try some out. I would recomend a minimum of a 38 Special or a 380 ACP on the small end up to a 44 Special or 45 ACP on the big end. Learn the 4 rules & be safe.
International Defensive Pistol Association was created in 1996.
Any weapon can be defensive or offensive from a rock to a hammer to a car, etc..
There is no one "best" for everything. A Hammerli Olympic grade target pistol may be an excellent firearm for one specific competition, and fare poorly in another. A Ruger Mk III may be the leader in another competition, but is far to big for easy concealed carry as a defensive firearm. Depends on what you want the pistol to do.
It was the year 1996, when the International Defensive Pistol Association IDPA was founded by some men, who shoot with pistols in a sporty manner. They train and simulate real scenarios of shooting.
There is no universal best gun. A gun, as any tool, must be appropriate for the job. A good defensive pistol would make a poor hunting gun. Determine the intended use first for a meaningful answer.
Alabamas defensive coordinator
Lawyrence Taylor (retired) is the best defensive tackle in the NFL.
There is no ONE best for everything. A small .22 carried as a defensive firearm would do poorly in Olympic slow fire pistol competition, and the Olympic pistol would be a poor choice for carrying concealed. You would need to refine your question a bit. And then it will still be a matter of opinion. Some people like strawberry, some like chocolate, some like Ruger, some like Hammerli, and some like revolvers!
A lot of people think that the hunting pistol is the best. Im one of them!
impossible to know
Sig
Micro