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 PPK/s is an iconic pistol that has grown in popularity since its introduction in 1929. The Bond novels and films have certainly helped that, but all the positive publicity in the world wouldn’t matter if the gun itself wasn’t a well-built shooter.” – Mike Hardesty
The Staccato C2 redefines the concept of a concealed carry gun by providing full-sized accuracy, handling, and shooting characteristics in a smaller package. The match-grade bull barrel, 16-round capacity, and Recoil Master System ensure that you have everything you need to engage targets from point-blank out to 100 yards with ease. Durability and reliability are also hallmarks of the C2, as evidenced by its growing popularity with law enforcement across the country.
The Sig P365XL has quickly established itself as one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market today. Excellent ergonomics, great capacity for the size, factory night sights, and an optics-ready slide make this a feature-rich gun at an affordable price point.
Usually coming in at under $400, the Mossberg 500 Field/Security pump-action shotgun is one of the most versatile guns you can buy for the money. This gun comes with two barrels, a 28-inch field barrel with interchangeable choke tubes and an 18.5-inch security barrel with a fixed choke. Having both barrels allows you to have a do-all gun that can cover anything from hunting to sporting to home defense. Mossberg makes the barrel change process simple and easy, with a single screw making the barrel swap a 60-second affair that takes no tools. The ambidextrous tang safety makes this gun intuitive for most users, but the rest of the gun is pretty standard fare when it comes to ergonomics. The Mossberg 500 has been the gold standard for basic shotguns since the 60s, and it has the aftermarket to prove that. If you need a shotgun to cover all the bases, this is it.
The TP9 Elite SC was the first sub-compact version of the TP9 series from Canik. The Elite SC has the same features as the full-size models while being designed to be snag free and concealable. These features include 12 and 15-round double-stack magazines, front serrations, and day and night sight options with co-witness capability. Each Elite SC is optics-ready and accepts RMS/RMSc pattern optics, making this gun ready to go out of the box.
The Glock 48 takes the universal standard Glock 19 and slims it down into a more concealable but still easy-to-shoot platform. A barrel length of 4.17 inches, a standard capacity of 10 rounds, and an overall width of only 1.1 inches. An overall weight of 20.7 ounces helps keep things relatively light, further improving the ease of carry. Although the trigger is the standard mediocre 5.5-pound Glock affair and the capacity is lower than some of the competition, it makes up for that in reliability and aftermarket.
“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.”
Weighing in at just 6.6 ounces and measuring 0.75 inches wide, the KelTec P32 is the smallest semi-automatic centerfire handgun on the market. Despite its diminutive size, the P32 still offers an impressive 7+1 capacity and uses a short-recoil operating system. A 5-pound double-action-only trigger pull rounds the features out. Designed for deep concealment, the P32 is ideal for a variety of carry situations and styles.
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.
