What is the most practical martial art to learn?

The art of the Tactical Carbine or the art of the Dynamic Handgun.

Krav Maga

I personally enjoy and identified myself with "Krav Maga" though is not consider a martial art. I can say that in most cases I have found it to be more effective than other art i have practice. But you also have to find yourself what art, you are compatible with. Even when you like an art but you can't manouver it then it's better for you to move on to the next.

Practice a few and then go back and ask yourself which one did you feel comfortable with?...

If you consider combatives a martial art because of the jujitsu involved, than I would say combatives. You can train the most uncoordinated Soldier how to become a combatives standout.

One can ask opinions all day long, but shouldn't you gauge the response based on the experience of the testators? After all, you would not ask a mechanic for medical advice, correct?
Let me start off by listing my credentials: I am a nidan in Shotokan Karate. I am ranked by Shotokan Karate International Federation. I was tested by Hirokazu Kanazawa Kancho. I am also a 1st Kyu brown belt in Judo, which despite what some would say, encompasses Jiu Jitsu. I actively train in both karate and Judo and have done so for over 10 years. I have learned enough to know that anyone that suggested any one style has not practiced very many styles. There are no bad styles, only bad instructors. The style you choose should be based on the schools in your area, not by the styles offered. I've practiced many martial arts and I have seen many good and bad instructors in every style I've practiced.

In martial arts outside Judo, one can literally buy a black belt off ebay and open a school. The first thing you must do is research the instructors. The degree does not matter, as a matter of fact, the most tore-up instructors I've seen throw words in front of their name like "grand master" and "10th degree" so be leery of this. Ask them who ranked them and which organization they are affiliated with. Google that organization and instructor and see if you can find out any information. Due diligence will pay off big time in the long run; you are giving these people your money, so make sure they are worthy of it.
Also, don't think you are going to do 1-2 years of a traditional martial art and walk out being Chuck Norris. The martial way is a life-long journey that takes years to progress. If you only have a year or two and you plan on stopping, you are better off going to one of the local MMA gyms. They will teach you basic skills that will make you a better fighter in the short term, but when you stop training it will go fast. Traditional martial artists are better in the long run, but it takes YEARS to get up to par.

Whatever you do, don't fall for the normal BS one-liners:

"Every fight goes to the ground. " BULL... you go to the ground and 9/10 times his buddy will come behind you and stomp your head. (It's rarely 1:1)

"xxxxxxxx art is the best... mostly because I saw it on TV" BULL. As I said, no art is the best. Even practitioners of a single art are not qualified to determine the "best" because they only have experience in one art.

The number one lesson training in combatives is the true state of humility. I've gotten my six handed to me by people half my size; when that happens enough times one learns never to underestimate and to be humble; no matter how big you are, there is always a bigger fish.

Stay safe and good luck. OSU!

That is not an easy question to answer because the many styles are based on the human body. some people are short, some stocky, some tall and others are skinny. Are you fast or slow. aggressive or defensive. you can try and attack first, last or intercept/counter. Honestly the most Practical for most is a weekend self defense course. Most styles of martial arts focus more on slowly training the persons character. While they can be used to hurt an attacker most of the time they will not teach you how to hurt/incapacitate them quickly. This is because they are responsible for what you do with there teachings. The thing that makes the biggest difference is how you train more then what you train. Few people seem to know small things that make a big difference. Like striking with a open hand or a closed fist. Hard on soft and soft counters hard. open hand has a bunch of muscles that will protect the bones in the hand when you strike a hard target. But if you hit the stomach you want to use a closed fist. I have seen some practice something again and again and not get the technique but another instructor comes buy and says one simple phrase and everything snaps in to place.

I'm rather partial to Kung Pow Chicken!!! (OK, my bad.)

I would look around and observe. You don't want a belt mill class. I take tang so do which is traditional Korean martial arts. Take kwon do is a spin off which I started taking in Korea in 2002. I use my background as a wrestler in high school and army combatives with this for self defense.

check out MMA or a place that has grappling and striking on their schedule.

Traditional martial arts (TMA) have challenges, they are not always as adaptive, this is why people have to study multiple TMA in order to cover a larger spectrum of skill.

to expand on fights that go to the ground, review this study:
http://ejmas.com/jnc/2007jnc/jncart_Leblanc_0701.html

its not 90+% but it shows that ground must be a part of your training because you can't avoid going to the ground 100% so train for it. also that doesn't mean you have to stay there either.

the following list will most definitely keep you well rounded and give you the confidence to close with your enemy and finish the fight:
-stand up or striking at long range (weapons)
-shorter to mid range (hands, feet)
-close range (knees, elbows)
-ground / grappling
-m4 / m9 retention drills
-edged weapons

while i believe that there isn't one martial art in the civilian world that will cover all of these thoroughly, at the end of the day, do what fits for you with the time and budget that you have. best of luck.

I took Krav Maga for a full year before my last deployment in 2010 and felt confident in my abilities to defend myself. Effective and easy to learn without all the rituals that come with other self defense disciplines.

Krav-Maga, Judo, or Jiu-Jitsu; all will teach you discipline and self-control. But, the ability to get a fight to the ground, over with quickly, or disable/disarm someone could definitely save your life.

I have done Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Hap Ki Do and Krav Maga. They all have some cross over but for me Krav Maga is the way to go. Effective and simple to learn.

The one you will enjoy enough to spend time in regular training. Why are you going to train? Exercise? Self Defense? The Traditions of Budo/Traditional Martial Arts? Pick the Art that teaches what you want and dive in. I recommend not signing any contracts that guarantees a "Black Belt in One year" or some such. Pick a school you can pay month to month and leave when you desire/have to.

BJJ.

Krav Maga or Take a Class / Seminar from Kelly McCann. He is very up front: gross motor skills, simple hand strikes and kicks with basic boxing. Very painful if you do the 3 Day Sudden Violence workshop.

It really depens what you mean by practical? Useful all depends on the person and thier ability. If you mean value it is so different from school to school, instructor to instructor. Each martial art has strengths and weaknesses, and our taste may be complete opposite of yours? Try to do online searches on what it is you are looking for in technique and discipline, make a short list of schools and try each one out for at least a week, a month if possible. Some martial arts are repetitive and boring, some are complex and exhausting, some are prone to injuries, some require lots of memorizing, but you will find one that just feels right. Hard to know what that is unless you try, it is much better to be exposed and develop your own judgement.

Clink Chank Pow

Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.

The one you will train in an use. Same as my advice on "what gun", you are just going to have to try a bunch. Everything below is just rambling on that main point.

I've done many different styles over the years, from GoJuRyu, Kempo (both Ed Parker and the Chinese one), Hung Gar (just a bit), TKD, Judo, BJJ, "American Freestyle", MMA, Krav Maga, a few others, and now do Kickboxing. Interestingly enough, I have never had a combatives course. :-) I say this just to point out that I have tried several.

I have liked different parts of all of them, at different times in my life. What I have discovered is that different styles appeal to different personalities, and different body types have different affinities for different styles. The instructor also makes a huge difference, but that is a topic for another day... If you find a style that aligns to both your personality and your body, you will be happier, especially if you click with the instructor. If you are happier, you will train. If you train regularly, you will get good. Within limits. I've never had the hip flexibility to do head kicks of any style. (Through diligent work, I have gotten my kicks up to about chest hight - when completely warmed up...sometimes)

Next, you are going to have to acknowledge your purpose. You said "practical". Practical for what? Conditioning and flexibility? Competition? Your future career as a Bouncer/Bad Ass? (Roadhouse!!) Self Defense? Not being sarcastic, these are all real motivations. If fitness, almost any art, to include Tai Chi, will get the job done. For the record, Tai Chi can ALSO be pretty bad ass, but not as commonly taught & trained. If competition is your goal, Krav Maga will be a poor fit. If your goal is self defense, I think highly of Krav Maga, especially as they tend to do more training in typical street clothes - it makes a great difference in how well you can execute techniques. That kick in the photo just doesn't happen in off the rack Levi's.

Next, you have to assess your attitude. Different arts, and different instructors, have different attitudes to actual combat. Some preach avoid, deescalate, defend, disable, and leave. Some preach "the best defense is a good offense, so hit first. And break him." And all steps along that continuum. NOTE: All will say something along the lines of the first version to someone off the street as that is the "responsible" version, but you will quickly be able to discern actual attitudes.

Finally, you have to assess the amount of effort you are willing to put into it. I think it is fair to say that arts can be placed into “Content then details” and “Details then content” camps. The first will teach you a lot of stuff quickly, and then spend the next several years getting you from “kinda” to “right”. The second will make sure that you are “right” all along, but you will learn less at a time. I mentioned that I did Hung Gar a little up above, it was definitely of the second camp. Hung Gar stylists are freaking phenomenal, but it is a long time until you advance to “now throw a punch”. On the other extreme Krav Maga has you doing disabling moves within a few classes, normally. I would not recommend someone learn Hung Gar for self defense.
Right now, if I had the extra time in the day, I would want to learn Escrima.

I'm partial to Japanese styles. Goju-Ryu was the style i took. I've been looking at a few places here in the DFW area and found several Jiu Jitsu schools (mostly MMA fusion) close by and a Krav Maga school. Although not Japanese, I would still like to learn Krav Maga.