If you are interested in a shooter, I'd suggest the model 25-5 S & W in .45 long Colt. I quit screwing around with clips about five minutes after seeing one, and the big S & W in long Colt gets you some serious firepower, with better sights, hammer and trigger.
The military had a lot of things that were procured because they could get them, not because it was the best tool for the task at hand.

Best,
Ted