“The CZ Shadow 2 boasts legendary accuracy, reliability, and shootability. Its ergonomics, phenomenal trigger, and added weight help make this one of the flattest, easiest shooting pistols on the market. If you are looking for an off the shelf ready competition gun, home-defense gun, or a fun range toy, there are few guns that do it better than the Shadow 2.” – Johnny B.
The FN 509 is designed to be a duty weapon. This striker-fired 9mm is a nice gun packed with small features that add up to a lot. From interchangeable backstraps to an accessory rail, this gun has enough going for it to justify the price. While not a budget option, it’s a mid-tier that offers reliability and smooth shooting.
The FN 509 is a polymer pistol with a weight of 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 gun is ambidextrous right out of the box, great for those lefties! The FN is a nice pistol that is worth the money.
“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
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 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
“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.
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!
The Mk18 is a fun pistol or SBR option (depending on what you prefer). Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it offers a 10.3-inch barrel on a 28.6-inch overall length. Pistol versions sport an SB-Tactical pistol stabilizing brace (keep an eye out, though, as laws may be changing there).
