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Kind of an impossible question to answer really - yes some are crap either in design, production quality or both - some are not. This goes for any product anywhere - the US included.

Think of the vast number of clones available out there. Also think of the kinship many - if not most modern handguns share. ( Much like bolt action rifles and the Mauser system)

Many designs are copied /licensed abroad. Take the CZ75 ,made in China as well as in the US by Springfield.

The M1911 too - in Norway we made them under license from 1914 - 1947 or so. ( Yes - some were made by the nazi occupation forces and have the nazi markings and all.I dont know about operational service-probably little as .45 was not in the logistics systems in quantity in the Wehrmacht). HP35s were used in numbers by Germans as well as other nations during WWII , the TT33 Tokarev takes a leaf out of Brownings book bearing some kinship to an earlier Colt automatic - the model 1907 I believe. I also read that a British horse regiment was issued Lugers in 1909. The C96 Mauser pistol was reportedly used by US troops in the Phillipines in the early 1900 rebellions there.)

Anyways - the role of the handgun in combat has differed over the ages, military tactic has changed over time and along with technological advances. Normally all modern armies have adopted tactics used by others if found to be efficient -be it US or European.

Sometimes the technological development caught the decision makers unawares. The 9x19 mm is an efficient combat round and today its maybe the most common caliber. The .45 was more popular before - the tendency has been going towards lighter calibers in small arms over the last 100 - 75 years though. That said - highly trained professionals may have preferences towards this or that caliber. Many shooters have such preferances.

Also it should be considered that economy plays a role. A handgun doesnt give the same bang for buck as a rifle. So if arming a force on a budget - rifles will be bought.

I carried a Glock for app 2 years as a service weapon. Never had a problem even though I did let it suffer some mistreatment from time to time.Mud,dust,water,snow - as long as the barrel was free it went bang. Some stoppages occurred. Hardly any automatic has never jammed be it ammo,mag or fingers the culprit. Perfectly safe to carry loaded in the proper holster. Of course teaching the index finger were to stay until it was time to fire is paramount. No finger operations to botch getting of a shot in a stressed situation -just draw find the trigger and let loose. Saves time and effort when training people to use it.

The CZ75 is reliable and sturdy in my book-not as user friendly as the Glock though.

It is always going to be a trade off between the properties of the cartridge/projectile and the other stats on your gun. You can get a single shot Thompson Contender in .30-06. You can get a FNfiveseven with a 21 round mag or so.