“The Smith & Wesson Shield EZ is a great gun for those that need a little help in the racking department. The slide rides smoothly on the rails, making it easy to load a round in the chamber. Ergonomics are pretty good, except for the slide release which is just okay. Overall, it’s a soft and smooth shooter — perfect for those with hand difficulties, new shooters, or older shooters.”
Glock 19 is the most proven compact semi-automatic handgun on the market today. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the Glock 19 is a versatile compact version of the standard Glock option. It’s great for use as a backup weapon, concealed carry, or service pistol. The Gen 5 in particular has made some great improvements which include an ambidextrous slide stop lever, flared mag-well, and upgraded barrel design, just to name a few. The G19 has been a favorite amongst police agencies and military units and for good reasons. This gun is simple to operate and easy to maintain, making it a great first gun, CCW, or home defense weapon.
The Canik TP9SFX is a true competition-ready pistol with a price tag that won’t break the bank. For under $600, you get a pistol that is absolutely packed with features. From its crisp trigger, its extended controls, to its ability to mount most standard micro red dots, the TP9SFX is more than willing to stand up against its higher-priced competitors. You aren’t likely to find a more accurate and easy shooting gun for the price, and if you are looking to dip your toes into competitive shooting or just want a great shooting range gun or home defense pistol, the TP9SFX might be the ticket.
“This is a very accurate and precise gun that’s consistent in its ability to hit your target. Contributing to its accuracy is the fact it’s easy to control, and you’re unlikely to flinch firing it. This gun feels excellent in the handle. The front and rear texturing is a nice touch, and the grip fits just right in the hand. The magazine release and slide lock are easy to reach and engage. All in all, it’s a little dated but still a good gun.” – Travis Pike
The Ruger LCP is a .380 chambered semi-auto pistol that offers a convenient concealed carry gun to those looking for a slim pistol. Perfect for pocket carry, this tiny pistol also works well as a backup gun. It can hold 6+1 rounds in a standard mag and 7+1 in the extended mag.
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.
Glocks do a lot of things right and G43x is one of them. This gun is very comfortable to conceal carry, easy to shoot, and great for defensive shooting. With its straightforward Glock platform and thin profile, this gun is a great choice for CCW. The Glock 43x has a short slide with a barrel length of 3.41 inches and a total length of 6.5 inches. It weighs only 18.7oz, is 5.04 inches tall, and is 1.06 inches wide. It has a trigger pull weight of approximately 5.5 lbs, consistent with other Glock models. Out of the box, this gun comes with standard 10-round mags which isn’t as efficient when compared to a similar-sized Sig P365.
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.