Then FN 509 is a polymer pistol with a weight around 26 ounces and a length measuring 7.4 inches. It features a fixed 3-dot sight system with combat-style sights and a capacity of 17 rounds (or 10 round mags available for states that require that). The trigger pull comes in around 5.5 to 7.7 pounds and it feels smooth while shooting. The FN is a nice pistol that, while pricier, is worth the money.
“Taurus provides reliable personal protection to a lot of folks who may be on a budget. Their G3C is a solid and cost-effective offering in a fairly saturated market. The Taurus G3C delivers a reliable, ergonomic, and economic CCW for the average person.” – Johnny B.
“The P-10 F Competition Ready is an impressive shooter that provides fast and accurate fire as a long-slide, polymer-framed, striker-fired gun. CZ included some decorative and functional upgrades to this model and that makes it a little pricey compared to other guns in the line.” – Sean Curtis
Usually coming in at under $400, the Mossberg 500 Field/Security pump-action shotgun is one of the most versatile guns you can buy for the money. This gun comes with two barrels, a 28-inch field barrel with interchangeable choke tubes and an 18.5-inch security barrel with a fixed choke. Having both barrels allows you to have a do-all gun that can cover anything from hunting to sporting to home defense. Mossberg makes the barrel change process simple and easy, with a single screw making the barrel swap a 60-second affair that takes no tools. The ambidextrous tang safety makes this gun intuitive for most users, but the rest of the gun is pretty standard fare when it comes to ergonomics. The Mossberg 500 has been the gold standard for basic shotguns since the 60s, and it has the aftermarket to prove that. If you need a shotgun to cover all the bases, this is it.
The Beretta 21A is the perfect size for concealed carry and even pocket carry if that’s something you’re interested in. It’s a .22 LR model with a tip-up barrel — perfect for those that struggle with semi-auto slides. The gun is a fun plinker and a nice one to take to the range.
“The DDM4ISR is a .300 BLK integrally suppressed rifle from Daniel Defense. It sports a 9 inch cold-hammer-forged barrel with an overall length of 16-inches. This gun features a Keymod handguard and handles just about as smoothly in a shoot house as it does out on the range. We had no problems whatsoever during our testing. This rifle loaded, fired, and ejected perfectly. The grip angle may feel odd to some, but overall it’s great once you get used to it.” – John C.
“The FN 502 Tactical is a .22 LR built on the 509 design. It features aggressive texturing, 15+1 capacity, and can easily accommodate a suppressor and red dot. For those seeking a similar feel to the FN 509 but also wanting to save money by training with .22 LR, this is a great option. The gun also has a place in introducing new students to the platform. If you are looking for a tactically feature-rich .22 plinker, look no further than the FN 502 Tactical.” – Sean Curtis
Daniel Defense’s Mk18 runs extremely well. It’s a blast to shoot and handled well in CQB-type training scenarios. We’ve put well over 1,000 rounds through our model, and it’s still running like it did day one. We did have a little trouble with DD proprietary mags — but that was managed by removing a couple of rounds and gently seating it into the magwell. PMAGs run great, though!
“Swinging for the fences at $392 MSRP, the 9mm Taurus is designed specifically for those that want to concealed carry but also don’t need a tricked-out Gucci Glock to do it. Ergonomically, it’s okay. It feels good in the hand, but its diminutive size is both a good and bad thing. As far as controls are concerned, everything is more or less where you expect it – all within reach and easy to manipulate. The magazine release might be a tad too shallow for my liking, but it’s billed as a carry gun, and carry guns typically carry smaller controls. Also, the grip is short…our bigger-handed reviewers had to adjust their grip not to blow their fingers off…So watch out for that.” – Johnny B.
