The Beretta CX4 Storm is one of the earlier entries into the world of modern pistol-caliber carbines. Its simple direct blowback system has helped cement its status as an extremely reliable gun. Solid ergonomics make the gun feel slick and easy to point, but the gun is almost 20 years old, and it is starting to show.
The S&W M&P Sport II was long considered the best budget starter AR-15, but those days are well behind us. These are well-built and reliable guns, but a lack of updates to the furniture, barrel twist rates, and gas system length has led to other guns in the same price bracket taking the place of the Sport II.
Whether it’s video games, Stargate, or crazy-looking space guns, everyone can find a reason they want a PS90. FN designed the PS90 around the 5.7x28mm cartridge to create a carbine that offers a lot of firepower in a small package. While they can’t sell the original short 10.5-inch barreled model over the counter, the 16-inch PS90 is the next best thing. Although it looks strange, the gun is oddly ergonomic and is 100 percent ambidextrous — it even ejects downwards. Even though it is a direct-blowback gun, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is so light recoiling that your trigger finger will get tired running through the 50-round magazines before your shoulder does. The factory options for mounting optics leave much to be desired, but luckily the aftermarket has you covered. If you can stomach the cost of the gun and the ammo, then you will end up with a gun that is nearly unmatched in firepower for its size and weight.
“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.
The FNX 45T is admittedly a pretty niche gun. It really only makes sense if you plan on-duty use or range fun. Other than that, it’s too large to conceal for most and not the best suited for competition. Long story short, it’s duty-sized and heavy weighing in at 33 ounces unloaded. It features a stainless-steel slide assembly and measures 8.6-inches in total length! Furthermore, it stands 6.5-inches tall with a width of 1.5-inches. “The FNX 45 Tactical was built for duty, and it excels in just that. Whether suppressed or unsuppressed, it shoots like a 9mm with all the cool factor of .45 ACP in just as many rounds. It’s completely modern by 2021 standards, making it all the more impressive when considering it launched in 2012. If you’re looking for a full-size, heavy gun that you can run a red dot and suppressor with all in .45 ACP…this is a decent option.” – Justin Chang
“If you need a top tier CCW, the FN 503 needs to be in the consideration. With an outstanding trigger, great ergonomics, and coming in at a very reasonable price point — this is a gun that simply delivers.” – David Full Review
“With a flared mag well and a large mag release, reloads are quick and easy. The streamlined slide reduces muzzle flip and helps keep follow-on shots on target. CZ’s TS 2 is heavy but also a very appealing and purposefully designed competition pistol. While I know of others who have run their TS 2 without ever having an issue, the model we received did not like to shoot dirty — so a good cleaning is recommended when you take it out.”
The full-size CZ Shadow 2 is one of the most winning competition handguns of all time. The CZ Shadow 2 Compact takes all the shootability, ergonomics, accuracy, and performance of the larger Shadow 2 and scales it down into a package that is suitable for concealed carry. While this kind of performance doesn’t come cheap, the discerning concealed-carrier may find it worth it to spend the money to get something that shoots as well as this.
