M9

Weapon: M9 (Beretta 92FS)
Accuracy: low/medium
Damage: low
Range: close
Fire Rate: n/a
Mobility: 12 / 12
Clip Size/Reserve Ammo: 15/30
Recoil: very low cluster
Reload Time: 1.6 Seconds / 1.9 Seconds Empty
Damage: 20-40
Range: 250-500 / 150-350 SD
Rate of Fire: 1200 RPM single
Penetration: Small / Small Bullet
Location Damage Multiplier: Head (1.4) / Neck: (1.0) / Torso: (1.0) / Stomach: (1.0) / Limbs (1.0)
Hip Accuracy: Stand (3-6) / Crouch (2.5-5) / Prone (2-4)

This Italian-made U.S. Military 9mm pistol is undoubtedly the weakest of the bunch, but can also fire the most shots before reloading, which is important if it's all you have to rely on against multiple enemies until you can find a better dropped weapon (or in Last Stand). Aim for the head to make the most of your large clip.

Iin the game, this pitol has the biggest clip, but is the weakest of all the pistols. Basically rapid-fire with this gun, because it is weak you're going to need to get as many rounds into the enemy as you can. It shares ammo with the MP5, so the M9 is a good choice in combination with the MP5 so you don't have to use bandolier. Recoil is not too much of a problem with this gun, but if you're aiming for the head you might want to slow down, as the bullets still have the potential to miss. It still recoils, even if it isn't much.

USP .45

Weapon: Heckler & Koch USP .45
Accuracy: low/medium
Damage: medium
Range: close
Fire Rate: N/A
Mobility: 12 / 12
Clip Size/Reserve Ammo: 10/20
Recoil: low vertical
Reload Time: 1.6 Seconds / 1.9 Seconds Empty
Damage: 20-40
Range: 450-1000 / 250-650 SD
Rate of Fire: 1200 RPM single
Penetration: Small / Small Bullet
Location Damage Multiplier: Head (1.4) / Neck: (1.0) / Torso: (1.0) / Stomach: (1.0) /
Limbs (1.0)
Hip Accuracy: Stand (3-8) / Crouch (2.5-8) / Prone (2-8)

This pistol has quite a handy clip, 12 bullets. A few less than the M9, yes, but also more powerful. You can still spam with it, but you won't have to do it as much as with the M9 because this is a 2-3 hit kill gun. Many find this gun better than the Desert Eagle, although it might not have as much power it still has a decent amount of power and can fire many more shots before it has to be reloaded. Recoil isn't too bad, but some might be looking for an absolutely no recoil pistol.

M1911 .45

M1911 - The M1911
Weapon: Browning M1911 .45
Accuracy: low/medium
Damage: medium
Range: close
Fire Rate: n/a
Mobility: 12 / 12
Clip Size/Reserve Ammo: 8/24
Recoil: very low cluster
Reload Time: 1.6 Seconds / 1.9 Seconds Empty
Damage: 20-40
Range: 350-900 / 250-500 SD
Rate of Fire: 1200 RPM single
Penetration: Small / Small Bullet
Location Damage Multiplier: Head (1.4) / Neck: (1.0) / Torso: (1.0) / Stomach: (1.0) / Limbs (1.0)
Hip Accuracy: Stand (3-6) / Crouch (2.5-5) / Prone (2-4)

This gun has a tiny bit more power than the USP .45, but not a ton more. It has the lowest recoil of all the pistols, which is its biggest bonus. This is probably the best gun for hardcore, it works well silenced and packs enough punch for a one hit pistol kill, and just make your shots count and you won't really need a large clip. Has 8 bullets, a fair amount lower than the USP, but if you like to use pistols more tactically and take more time with your shots instead of spamming, this is the pistol for you. Low recoil, higher damage, and clip size really won't matter if you make your shots count. If you encounter enemies at close range, too, feel free to aim wherever you want, as recoil really isn't a problem with this gun.

Desert Eagle

Weapon: Israel Military Industries Desert Eagle
Accuracy: medium
Damage: high
Range: close
Fire Rate: n/a
Mobility: 12 / 12
Clip Size/Reserve Ammo: 7/14
Recoil: moderate/high vertical
Reload Time: 1.96 Seconds / 2.1 Seconds Empty
Damage: 30-50
Range: 350-1200 / No Silencer
Rate of Fire:1200 RPM single
Penetration: Small / Small Bullet
Location Damage Multiplier: Head (1.4) / Neck: (1.0) / Torso: (1.0) / Stomach: (1.0) / Limbs (1.0)
Hip Accuracy: Stand (2-4) / Crouch (1.5-3) / Prone (1-2)

The Deagle stands out from every other pistol because of it's higher 50-30 damage. One of the drawbacks is it has the lowest capacity of any pistol at 7 rounds. It has the best range of 350-1200; it is true that the damage begins to drop earlier at 350, as opposed to 450 with the USP but that is easily compensated for by the Deagles higher initial damage. The low capacity is not a limiting factor because 7 shots at 50-30 damage easily gets you to the 100 damage needed for a kill. The Deagle's main issue is with accuracy and aiming. It has a huge recoil which makes it impossible to quickly spam shots with any sort of vertical accuracy. Aiming wise the Deagle is so fat you can barely even see around it trying to aim at a target. The high damage damage it sub optimal accuracy makes the Deagle a great choice for close range encounters, but poor for long range ones.