“The Shield 9 Plus is about as small as you can go and still have an easily useable platform with ergonomic controls across a range of hand sizes…any smaller and compromises begin to occur. That said, Smith did an excellent job with this pistol, making it accurate, easy to use, and wholly concealable.” – Sean Curtis
For those who love the classic styling of the Browning Hi-Power but want a modernized version, Girsan has you covered. Improved ergonomics, a better trigger, and the ability to mount optics help breathe new life into an older platform. Not to mention, the price is affordable for what you get.
The Girsan MC P35 brings that classic look and feel of the Browning Hi-Power, but at a price that anyone can appreciate. It may not be as nice as the originals, but it definitely captures the essence of the Hi-Power while providing a reliable shooting experience.
“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 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
“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 .22 LR Glock G44 does what it is supposed to do. Shots on target, reliable with specific ammo, and it comes in at a great value. Plus it’s nearly identical to the Glock 19 which makes it the perfect training and plinking gun. Rounding out why this might be worthy of your time…accessories. Because it’s a Glock means that it has a ton of accessories and aftermarket parts ready to throw on.” – Johnny B.
A metal-framed .32 ACP semi-automatic pistol is almost an oddity in today’s world. Despite this, the Tomcat is an interesting pistol. A tip-up barrel means you never have to rack the slide, making it accessible to just about every shooter regardless of strength or dexterity. The .32 ACP cartridge is also extremely soft shooting, and even with a heavier trigger, this gun is accurate and fun to shoot.
The Mossberg 500 has withstood the test of time and is the gold standard when it comes to pump-action shotguns for the everyman. They are reliable, easy to maintain, versatile, have a huge aftermarket, and are extremely affordable. It is likely the most popular shotgun in the United States, and for a good reason.
