The Sig P365 is an impressive micro 9mm with a great track record. This gun is a popular subcompact semi-auto pistol, designed for CCW and self defense. Some of it’s key features include a 10-round capacity, which is higher than many of its competitors, compact and modular, has XRAY3 Day/Night sights providing visibility in low light conditions, and ambi controls. We’ve tested this gun time and time again. As our writer puts it, “The rest of the industry has had a couple of years to catch up but the P365 is still an impressive micro 9mm that is super popular as a CCW option.” – Travis Pike
“The Toro is Taurus red dot ready version of the GX4. Not only does it run a red dot, but it has a mag extender giving a total capacity of 13+1. Its magazine release was a little shallow, but it’s billed as a carry gun, and carry guns typically include smaller controls. With practice we got used to it and the mags cleared freely when dropped. The magazine extension adds round and also makes the gun easier to handle. As far as shooting, it feels way less snappy than we anticipated. Overall, we liked it!” – 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!
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).
The Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine is a modern reproduction gun that gives consumers a chance to experience the sweet-shooting WWII classic chambered in .30 carbine without having to chase down an original copy.
Produced by Kahr Arms in Greely, PA, each Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine is made to be a faithful reproduction of the gun that served the United States from World War II through the Vietnam War. A parkerized receiver, walnut stock, 18-inch barrel, and standard capacity 15-round magazine complete the authentic look and feel of the original.
The Beretta APX A1 was created by taking feedback from various professional and recreational shooters and applying it to their already successful APX platform. Improved ergonomics, aggressive slide serrations, and an upgraded trigger provide a better hand feel and shooting experience than its predecessor. The low bore axis helps reduce muzzle flip and recoil, improving accuracy. Additionally, it features a blacked-out rear sight and tritium front sight combo and is also optics-ready out of the box. Ambidextrous capable controls and interchangeable backstraps round out the feature set and ensure that the APX A1 is a fit for any hand.
The DDM4A1 features the RIS II Picatinny quad rail, a 14.5-inch cold hammer-forged M4 profile barrel with a permanently attached DD flash suppressor, carbine-length gas, and an ambi GRIP-N-RIP charging handle. Built for hard use and extreme-duty cases, the DDM4A1 excels in all conditions and is worthy of the top-tier reputation Daniel Defense has built.
CZ and Dan Wesson collaborated to bring us the DWX pistol, a true combination of the 1911 and CZ 75 platforms. It uses a simple locked-breech barrel system in lieu of the older 1911 link system. A CZ-style takedown is also used. The use of P-09/P-10 F magazines provides a reliable low-cost double-stack magazine that sports 19+1 capacity. Sights-wise, you get a 1911-style dovetailed front sight and a CZ Shadow 2 fully adjustable rear. The melding of 1911 and CZ features provide a unique-yet-familiar platform that is built for speed and performance.
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.
“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.
Walther took their renowned PPQ design and combined it with the classic American .45 ACP caliber to produce an accurate pistol with minimal recoil and excellent ergonomics. The PPQ 45 has a magazine capacity of 12 rounds and also features Walther’s famous quick defense trigger. An ambidextrous slide stop and reversible magazine release ensure it is a great fit for both lefties and righties. The result is a user-friendly, reliable handgun with top-notch accuracy and reliability.
