The Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison is an absolute gem of a gun and one of the best value 1911s on the market. For $750 – $850, you get a 1911 with an outstanding trigger, amazing accuracy, and a beautiful hot salt blued finish. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end 1911s, it’s got looks that kill and performance to match – all at an affordable price.
Beretta’s 92X Performance builds on the 92 platform but elevates performance with out-of-the-box ready competition features. The Extreme S trigger feels like a dream while the gun itself brings fast cycling to the table. It’s hefty, so be prepared for that, but at the end of the day, you want that in a competition gun for recoil purposes. All in all, this is a solid shooter.
“The Toro is Taurus red dot ready version of the GX4. Not only does it run a red dot, but it has a mag extender giving a total capacity of 13+1. Its magazine release was a little shallow, but it’s billed as a carry gun, and carry guns typically include smaller controls. With practice we got used to it and the mags cleared freely when dropped. The magazine extension adds round and also makes the gun easier to handle. As far as shooting, it feels way less snappy than we anticipated. Overall, we liked it!” – Sean Curtis
The Canik TP9SFX is a true competition-ready pistol with a price tag that won’t break the bank. For under $600, you get a pistol that is absolutely packed with features. From its crisp trigger, its extended controls, to its ability to mount most standard micro red dots, the TP9SFX is more than willing to stand up against its higher-priced competitors. You aren’t likely to find a more accurate and easy shooting gun for the price, and if you are looking to dip your toes into competitive shooting or just want a great shooting range gun or home defense pistol, the TP9SFX might be the ticket.
Glock 19 is the most proven compact semi-automatic handgun on the market today. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the Glock 19 is a versatile compact version of the standard Glock option. It’s great for use as a backup weapon, concealed carry, or service pistol. The Gen 5 in particular has made some great improvements which include an ambidextrous slide stop lever, flared mag-well, and upgraded barrel design, just to name a few. The G19 has been a favorite amongst police agencies and military units and for good reasons. This gun is simple to operate and easy to maintain, making it a great first gun, CCW, or home defense weapon.
The Glock 23 is a compact version and is a popular handgun for police and government agencies who prefer .40 S&W. One of the big selling points is a large capacity yet lightweight feel. This one is great if you want a compact concealed carry weapon or if you have smaller hands.
The Ruger LCP is a .380 chambered semi-auto pistol that offers a convenient concealed carry gun to those looking for a slim pistol. Perfect for pocket carry, this tiny pistol also works well as a backup gun. It can hold 6+1 rounds in a standard mag and 7+1 in the extended mag.