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 Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal builds on the previous M&P line with the addition of a lightweight, rigid metal frame that pushes the performance of that platform. A 4.25-inch barrel and 17-round capacity make for a balanced pistol that distributes the weight well for a low-recoil shooting experience. Excellent ergonomics and a good flat-faced trigger help shooters reach the accuracy and speed potential of the gun.
“The venerable CZ-75 is a classic design that still serves in many militaries around the world…and it’s a great addition to any firearm collection. Chambered in 9mm, it offers an all-metal design with DA/SA operation. And its most modern version, the CZ 75B is a solid and well-built pistol with great ergonomics and a tough, dependable reputation. For that, we can’t recommend it enough.” – Travis Pike
“The METE SFX series by Canik introduces another striker-fired, polymer 9mm pistol into an already crowded market. But priced just over $500 and with a bunch of extras, I think the METE SFX is a clear winner. The gun performed well at the range, shot accurately, and feels great.” – Johnny B
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.
The Glock 20 brings the heavy-hitting 10mm cartridge into an easy-to-control and affordable handgun. The 4.61-inch barrel, combined with the low bore axis, helps provide a comfortable shooting experience, even when using high-powered loads. Whether it is for hiking, hunting, or target shooting, the Glock 20 will deliver great accuracy while maintaining the legendary reliability that Glock is known for.
“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.
Johnny B says “Benelli’s M4 is what we would call a good Italian auto shotgun. It’s the best combat shotgun on the market and would do phenomenal in a home defense setup or tactical arena. This autoloader looks great, runs smooth, brings that cool factor we all like from our guns. Most importantly, you can trust your life to it.” This 12-gauge shotgun is a fast-shooting, smooth semi-auto model. Featuring an 18.5-inch barrel, it measures 40 inches in total length with a weight of 7.8 pounds. It offers up a 14.75-inch length-of-pull. Drilled and tapped, you can throw an optic on it and rock and roll.
The IWI Masada is a 9mm polymer, striker-fired pistol that provides a low bore axis, improved and adaptable ergonomics, fully ambidextrous controls, and an optics-ready slide, all at a reasonable price point. Its 4.1-inch button-rifled barrel and 17-round capacity make it an ideal size for those seeking a reliable duty weapon.
“Named after an ancient fortification, the Masada is everything you would expect from a modern carry/duty firearm. Roughly the same size profile as the Glock 19, this gun is good to go right from the box.” – David Lane
The Taurus GX4XL builds on the standard GX4 micro-compact by adding length to the slide, providing a longer sight radius and increased velocity. Features include a DLC-coated barrel, flat-faced trigger, 11 or 13-round (extended) capacity, and a 3.7-inch barrel. At only one inch wide, the GX4XL combines capacity, accuracy, reliability, and concealability to make for a great EDC pistol.
