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Best Micro Compact 9mm Pistols [Field Tested]

By
Elwood Shelton
-
16

These micro compact 9mm handguns are more than ready for everyday carry and backup-gun duty.

The best concealed carry handguns are small, and most shooters today tend to prefer 9mm. Put together, these two concepts create the hottest new class of CCW guns on the market: the micro compact 9mm. This budding category of firearms has developed a lot in just the past couple of years, with new models being released almost too fast to keep track of. Here are our picks of the best micro 9mm handguns available in 2023, including both pistols and revolvers.

How We Chose The Best Micro Compact 9mm Handguns

The genesis of any of our lists is testing. Every gun chosen for the best micro-compact 9mm has been carried, shot and combed over by the Gun Digest team. Well, these and numerous other guns that did not make the cut.

We’ve taken these guns to the range, sent thousands of rounds through them with various ammo—self-defense and range—and evaluated how they performed. Furthermore, we’ve also carried them in everyday situations to make certain they have the stuff for EDC and not just another gun taking up space in your safe.

Overall, these are the handguns that provide the best performance, reliability, ergonomics and comfort for EDC.

Best Micro Compact 9mm Handguns

Best Micro Compact 9mm Comparison

ModelBarrel Length (inches)Overall Length (inches)Height (inches) Width (inches)Weight
(ounces)		CapacityFrame MaterialSightsSafetyTrigger Pull (pounds)MSRP
SIG Sauer P3653.164.81.117.810+1, 12+1PolymerXRAY3 Day/Night Sights, optics readyN/A4$600
Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.03.256.755.2526.915+1AluminumConcealment Battlesight with red fiber optic front sightThumb4$3,422
Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP364 flush magazine, 4.5 extended magazine117.9 11+1, 13+1Polymer Steele, tritium front, U-notch rear, Shield SMSc footprintTrigger5.5$843
Glock 43X3.416.065.041.1020.6410+1PolymerPolymer, dot front, white outline rearTrigger5$485
Taurus GX43.066.054.41.0818.7010+1Stainless steelSteel, white dot front, textured rear; optic-ready models availableTrigger7 $424

SIG Sauer P365

P365-11

P365 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.1″
Overall Length: 6″
Height: 4.8″
Width: 1.1″
Weight: 17.8 oz
Capacity: 10+1, 12+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: XRAY3 Day/Night Sights, optics ready
Safety: N/A
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs
MSRP: $600

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Reliable
  • Modularity

Cons

  • High Price
  • Limited Grip Size

Essentially creating this class of handguns, of course, we’re kicking off the list of best micro compact 9mm guns with the P365. Getting so much right from the start is also our top pick for these small shooters.

We find a ton to like about the Sig pistol, from its modularity to its ability to melt away on the body and its relative accuracy. However, what got our attention in testing is the P365’s clockwork reliability. It simply keeps on ticking no matter what it’s fed.

Shooting-wise, we found the pistol accurate out to 25 yards in controlled fire. Up close, the 9mm shines combining a fast reset and the ability to jump targets quickly.

The overall accuracy is what most of us walked away most impressed over.

Surprising, because the gun only weighs in at a hair under 18 ounces unloaded. But smart texturing and ample grip real estate offered us supreme control.

Overall, this comes out as our top pick for micro 9mm handguns—also it tops the list of our best concealed carry guns. There’s a reason why the P365 has become among the most prolific microcompacts available today.

Check out our P365 review to get the inside out on the pistol.

P365 Deals

Guns.com$552Gun Price Check
Sportsman's Warehouse$570Gun Price Check
Palmetto State Armory$800Gun Price Check

Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0

Wilson Combat EDC X9 2 review feature
The Wilson Combat EDC X9 is the next step in the evolution of one of the best self-defense handguns ever created.

EDC X9 2.0 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.25″
Overall Length: 6.75″
Height: 5.25″
Width: 1.4″
Weight: 26.9 oz.
Capacity: 15+1
Frame Material: Aluminum
Sights: Concealment Battlesight with red fiber optic front sight
Safety: Thumb
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs.
MSRP: $3,422

Pros

  • Exceptional shootability
  • High-quality trigger
  • Durable

Cons

  • High price tag
  • Heavy for a concealed carry
  • Thumb safety

Some of our reviewers consider the EDC X9 the perfect concealed-carry pistol. These are bold words but especially backed up by the 2.0 generation’s performance.

Outfitted with a compensator, the 1911 micro compact 9mm was the most shootable of all the guns we tested. No stretch, this gun could double as a competition pistol.
In addition to the compensator, the EDC X9 has enough heft to eat up the already polite 9mm’s recoil, making double taps lighting fast.

Of course, the trigger was an exception—light, crisp and a reset no bigger than a minute.

Being a Wilson, the gun is also as reliable as the day is long. However, we did find—as is the case with most 1911s—proper lubrication is a must to keep it ticking.

We won’t go as far as to say the EDC X9 2.0 is for everyone. First off, the price tag is steep, not to mention, it’s a weightier gun than almost anything we tested. Plus, not everyone who carried the pistol carried for having to disengage a thumb safety on a carry pistol.

For those comfortable with a time-test system, however, Wilson has cooked up what can only be described as a masterpiece—one you can trust your life to.

Read our entire Wilson EDC X9 2.0 review.

X9 2.0 Deals

Guns.com$2,700Gun Price Check

Load Up On 9mm Ammo Knowledge:

Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP

Carry-Gun-Feature-Hellcat

Hellcat Specs
Barrel Length: 3″
Overall Length: 6″
Height: 4″ flush magazine, 4.5″ extended magazine
Width: 1″
Weight: 17.9 oz.
Capacity: 11+1, 13+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: Steel, tritium front, U-notch rear, Shield SMSc footprint
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 5.5 lbs
MSRP: $843

Pros

  • Excellent capacity
  • Optics ready
  • Comfortable in larger hands

Cons

  • Brusque recoil
  • Gritty Trigger
  • Heavier Slide

A direct competitor to the Sig masterpiece, the Springfield micro compact 9mm is on par with the standard bearer and even exceeds it in some circumstances.

Especially notable, the Springfield touts the gun's class-best capacity, with 11+1 on board with its flush-fit magazine.

As a bonus, the grip geometry is expanded a bit compared to other guns in this class, making it slightly more comfortable for our larger-handed reviewers.

We love the original Hellcat but the OSP model–optics ready–is where we put our money in this line of guns. If you can add a red dot, you should.

For a 3-inch barreled 9mm, the gun is very shootable, though most of our shooters found it snappy. For those who find it too jumpy, Springfield offers a compensated model that does a number on recoil.

Perhaps the one major nit to pick from some of our reviewers was the trigger proved gritty and not quite as refined as other guns we test.

Even with this, the Hellcat more than earned its place as one of the best micro 9mm guns out there today.

Find out the whole story in our Springfield Hellcat review.

Hellcat Deals

Gritr Sports$580Gun Price Check
Palmetto State Armory$770Gun Price Check
Sportsman's Warehouse$600Gun Price Check

Glock 43X

Glock-43x-MOS2

G43 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.41″
Overall Length: 6.06″
Height: 5.04″
Width: 1.10″
Weight: 20.64 oz
Capacity: 10+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: Polymer, dot front, white outline rear
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 5 lbs.
MSRP: $485

Pros

  • Runs like a Glock
  • More grip space
  • Aftermarket support

Cons

  • Optics compatibility limitations
  • Stock capacity limited

Boring is generally pejorative, but in the case of Glock, it's high praise.Like nearly every other Glock we’ve handled, the G43X is boring—it’s accurate for a micro compact 9mm, chews through everything it's fed and almost never stumbles.

In essence, it’s everything you want in a potential concealed-carry gun.

The one hitch in its giddyap is capacity.When it first came out, we were perplexed about why Glock insisted on a single-stack, which keeps its onboard at 10+1.

Admittedly, this is enough firepower to handle most circumstances, yet teeters on the edge. However, along with reliability, the other thing you can count on with Glock is a thriving aftermarket.

Luckily enough, there are plenty of options to up the round count of the G43X, including a 15-round flush-fit option from Shield Arms.

A side note, our larger-handed reviewers tended to appreciate the longer grip on the pistol, which prevented overhang.

Other than that, it’s a Glock… which most should know what that means.

Learn more about this pistol in our Glock 43X review… we also test the Glock 48 in it too.

G43X Deals

Brownells$555Gun Price Check
Gritr Sports$525Gun Price Check
Palmetto State Armory$657Gun Price Check

Taurus GX4

Taurus-GX4-with-mag

GX4 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.06″
Overall Length: 6.05″
Height: 4.4″
Width: 1.08″
Weight: 18.70 oz
Capacity: 10+1
Frame Material: Stainless steel
Sights: Steel, white dot front, textured rear; optic-ready models available
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 7 lbs.
MSRP: $424

Generally speaking, we don’t exactly do backflips over Taurus—or haven’t in the past. However, the Brazilian company got a lot right with its minute GX4 pistol.

Aside from an extremely small package with plenty of firepower (11+1), the gun performs reliably.

What shined through was the gun's accuracy, with it producing groups as small as 1.14 inches at 10 yards. Not shabby with any pistol, but especially one with a barrel just a tick over 3 inches.

Add in it is a comfortable shooter, produced no malfunctions in our time with it and is easy to conceal, it’s a heck of a package. Especially for the price, which comes in at nearly half of what most micro 9mm ring up.

Is it perfect? Not by any stretch.

With pocket-pistol dimensions, those with larger hands are likely to find it difficult to get a grip on it. And its recoil is brisker than other guns in its class.

These factors far from preclude it from consideration—particularly for the budget-minded.

See how Taurus made a turn in out GX4 review.

GX4 Deals

Sportsman's Warehouse$300Gun Price Check
Brownells$330Gun Price Check
Palmetto State Armory$394Gun Price Check

Micro-Compact 9mm Pistol FAQ

Are micro compact pistols good?

For concealed carry, the pistols are excellent offering exceptional concealability and ample firepower in a proven caliber.

What is the highest capacity micro compact 9mm?

Most micro-compact 9mm pistols have 10- or 11-round flush fit magazines. However, there are some options—such as the Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0—that boast a 15-round flush-fit magazine. That said, nearly all micro-compact pistols have extended-capacity magazines with 15- to 17-round capacities.

What is the difference between micro compact and subcompact?

Size is the primary difference between the two classes of pistols with the micro-compact being smaller than the subcompact. Micro-compact pistols generally have a shorter overall length, height, and are lighter and thinner than subcompact pistols.

What makes a good micro-compact?

Given the main purpose of a micro-compact is on-person self-defense, its No. 1 asset is reliability. From there, the gun should be accurate, easy to conceal, relatively easy to shoot and manipulate and have ample capacity.

More 9mm Knowledge:

Self-Defense: How To Stay Cool In The Face Of Deadly Threats

By
Steve Tarani
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0

Here we discuss some strategies for staying cool and ahead of fear when facing deadly threats.

It’s no secret that the coolest cucumber can think clearer and perform better in a violent physical altercation. Countless documentation of historical events has been written about the critical importance of staying cool under pressure, from Wyatt Earp to Kyle Carpenter. There are three things that can be done to keep your cool, should it hit the proverbial fan; listed in order of priority, they are: prepare your mind and body, map your environment and have an operational plan.

Humans need current information to make an accurate assessment and formulate a viable solution to a tactical problem. Anything other than relevant physical and mental input, rapid assessment, and a realistic solution can cause significant decision-making delays. In a life-and-death situation, even a few seconds of processing time can put you behind the action-reaction power curve. 

If you expect to stay cool, you’ll need to allow that mind-body input-processing-solution process to run without a hiccup. There are two approaches to streamlining this process—one psychological and the other physical.

Psychological Preparation

Looking at it from the psychological perspective (mind), at times, your perception of a threat may be so intense that it could cause a “freeze response.” People who have experienced this have sometimes described accompanying physical symptoms such as tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, fine motor degradation, an inability to physically move and the like. 

Most people are concerned about what they call being “frozen with fear.” However, you can effectively prepare for and overcome such a psycho-mechanical “freeze” both proactively (pre-freeze) and reactively (post-freeze). 

Proactively, you can run through potential high-threat scenarios in your mind. The subconscious registers these imaginary vignettes no differently than if they were actual events. By watching these scenarios unfold in your mind’s eye, you gain a familiarity.

Reactively, you can take a deep resetting breath, and keep your eyes moving to break tunnel vision and gain continuous visual and audio input from your immediate surroundings. This causes your body to continue functioning on the conscious level and can help override the autonomic panic mechanism. 

Speaking practically, what being “frozen with fear” more accurately describes is the brain being overwhelmed. The brain must process information to determine your best course of action. If that mental process is clogged, then you in effect are frozen, not with fear per se, but bogged down in a self-induced mental processing quagmire. Some call this analysis paralysis. The root cause is inbound information that may be new, unfamiliar, and threatening. 

Proactively running mental self-rehearsals, engaging in force-on-force training, judgment exercises, and/or use-of-force training makes the experience no longer something new to your mind. Such proactive measures further mitigate information processing overload and decision paralysis by making such scenarios feel familiar. 

Yes, from a psychological perspective there’s nothing much you can do about the “threatening” part, but you can certainly inoculate yourself against newness and unfamiliarity, which removes at least two-thirds of the mental processing roadblock. This is critical to prevent psycho-mechanical freeze.

Physical Preparation

Looking at it from a purely physical perspective (body), if you’ve never been in a face-in-the-dirt drag-down knock-out violent physical altercation, then such an experience would be a brand-new one to your body. You’d be unfamiliar with the nuances of physical combat. If you had experienced aggressive bodily impact prior, then it would no longer be new. If you were previously trained in boxing, martial arts or some other type of hard skill (physical training), your body would at least be familiar with certain aspects of aggressive physical contact such as how to best develop receiving or managing impact, make evasive movements, and other related body mechanics. 

Training in hard skills is the most effective form of tactile inoculation available. It familiarizes you physically with the intricacies of personal combat. After you’ve rolled on the ground with someone trying to get you to tap out, stood toe-to-toe with someone trying to punch you in the throat, or spent quality trigger time on a firing range, your body begins to experience such activities as “just another day at the office.” Minus previous exposure, physical experience or familiarization, you place yourself at a tactical disadvantage. Real-world training in any hard skill is a recommended proactive measure that preps your body by preventing new and unfamiliar physical experiences from clogging mechanical function.

From a physical perspective, there’s nothing you can do about the “threatening” part of it in terms of physicality, but by training in any type of hard skill such as shooting, ground-fighting, boxing, martial arts and the like, you can gain a level of familiarity so that it’s no longer a new or unfamiliar physical experience. 

Psychologically new and unfamiliar incoming information and physically new and unfamiliar experiences can cause a processing jam both in mind and body. Removing two out of the three roadblocks mentally and physically affords you a significant tactical advantage. You will be able to process a tactical solution faster (both mentally and physically) than those who would otherwise mechanically freeze. 

It’s no surprise that the military and other government agencies (such as those providing protective services and the like) require rigorous psychological and physical training as a job prerequisite in preparing both mind and body.

Boxing and martial arts can help you condition your response to bodily impacts, reducing the shock you’ll feel if you get hit.

Map Your Environment

Most people believe that situational awareness is just a matter of “looking around” or “keeping your head on a swivel.” It’s so common that these cliché lines can now be found in action-adventure movies. There’s a lot more to it than just simply looking. 

How many times have you looked at your watch and then had to look at it again to take in the actual time? It’s not what you look at but what you see that matters. Looking is simply a matter of placing your eyeballs on something, whereas seeing is a matter of being mentally engaged with your environment. 

Taking visual and audio control are the keys to mapping your environment. This valuable skill takes time to develop. Next time you go into a restaurant or a coffee shop or a store, take a minute to just stand off to the side for a second and look and listen for anomalies—those things that don’t seem to fit the environment. You may be surprised to find what you discover in this simple, easy-to-run exercise.

The second part of mapping your environment is to locate and identify your highest and most likely threat areas. These would include any structural entry or exit such as doors or windows. Commonly referred to as the “fatal funnel,” doorways, narrow halls and stairwells are natural choke points. You don’t want to find yourself stuck at a choke point in a violent physical altercation. Identify your choke points and how you would avoid them.

Lastly but certainly not least important in mapping your environment is identifying cover, concealment, fields of vision and fields of fire. Will that knee-high wall, table, or protruding structure stop a rifle round? Mapping your environment is a recommended active measure and something you can do on-site without anyone even suspecting what you’re doing.

Environmental mapping ties directly back to mind body prep in terms of interacting with your environment. Engaging with your immediate environment displaces any newness or unfamiliarity that may present itself within your surroundings, which further attenuates the probability of a psycho-mechanical freeze. Interacting with your environment both mentally and physically significantly contributes to formulating a layered solution to any burgeoning tactical problem.

The first time you drove a car, driving the speed limit felt fast and overwhelming. Years later, you have conditioned your mind and body to the point that 65 miles per hour feels like standing still. The same can be done for fights through continuous training.

Have A Plan

In the world of aviation, pilots always strive to be cognizant of the dangerous and cascading chain of events that can arise from simple oversight, negligence, laziness and overconfidence (complacency breeds contempt—that being the most inexcusable cause). These common operational blunders are the behaviors that generally lead up to an emergency. By being cognizant of these behavioral failures, pilots avoid ever having to implement the exigent response skills or reactive measures mandated annually in flight simulators. 

The same applies to operational readiness. If you have taken proactive measures to prep your mind and body to neutralize the effects of processing new and unfamiliar information and experiences, you’re a step ahead of the next guy who has not. If you take the additional measure of mapping your environment, you’re then mentally engaged with and in further control of your immediate surroundings. 

One more thing that you can do to help keep your cool should it hit the proverbial fan is to come up with an op plan. If the front door is no longer an option for you, then target your egress for the back door. Determine which pieces of cover you will employ and which route will get you there quickest with the least amount of physical injury.

Needing to keep cool means you’re physically reacting to an active threat with which you’re engaged. As it’s going down, take a deep cleansing breath to clear (or possibly unfreeze) your mind and plan your next move. Don’t just spin around in circles. You need to think on your feet. 

Speaking of feet, staying mobile is a priority—moving targets are more difficult to hit than stationary ones. Staying mobile is the only way to create distance (which is your best friend) between yourself and the threat. More space equals more time, which equals more opportunity to solve the tactical problem.

Most folks think, I’ll just walk in and place my back against the wall so I can see what’s going on. OK, that’s not a bad initial idea, but then what? What’s your op plan if you do see something? Do you have an unimpaired field of vision? Where are the margins of your fields of fire should you need to go to guns? Do you even have a backstop? If it’s a no-shoot scenario, then to where is your first tactical movement?

If you had to move yourself and your family out the kitchen or back door, you’d need to get there incrementally in a full-blown firefight. How and where would you move to get to that next piece of cover? What are your safety options along the way?

You’ll most likely not be able to follow your initial op plan all the way to its terminal objective—Plan A hardly ever ends up working out—but even having one to start with puts you ahead of the power curve. You have saved the step of needing a plan. It’s always better to have and not need than need and not have.

Prepping your mind and body both proactively and reactively, mapping your environment by identifying ingress, egress, choke points, fields of vision, fields of fire and the like, plus having an op plan to follow during either a shoot or no-shoot scenario are the necessary gray man tools in your tool kit. They afford you the opportunity to gain the initiative, stay ahead of the action-reaction power curve and keep your cool when the mercury rises.

Quick Tips To Not Lose Your Sh!T

Catch A Breath

One of the first signs of panic is how you’re breathing, and it’s directly tied to how your heart is beating. Often breath gets quicker in an effort to increase blood oxygenation but very quickly this can spiral into losing consciousness. Other times, the breath may be unknowingly held in a losing attempt to slow the heart, and this has the exact same result.

If you’re going to maintain your decision-making conscious brain, you need to manage your heart. And to do that, you need to control your breath.

Breathing exercises are not just for yoga studios, and this technique has been used by special units for decades. The most basic is called the Box Breath or 4-Count Breathing. Like a box, it has four steps:

  • Inhale slowly while counting to four. Let your stomach expand and feel the breath come in.
  • Hold your breath for a count of four (this one can be the most difficult).
  • Exhale to a count of four, emptying your lungs if possible.
  • Repeat.

This technique seems simplistic, but it can be difficult to perform under pressure unless it’s practiced. Use your mind to resist the urge to hyperventilate, assure your body it is getting enough oxygen. Give it a try during physical exercises and as you go about your day until it becomes second nature. Some advocate the breath coming in the nose and out of the mouth but none of that matters so long as you’re controlling the pace of your breath. There are also variations in counts from different yoga practices, and those are likely fine too.

calm vs Deadly Threats breath infographic

Use Your Senses

You can avoid “getting sucked in” and over-focusing on a perceived threat, or break yourself free from tunnel vision, by intentionally engaging your senses. This helps keep you grounded, and the easiest way is to actively identify objects or features with each.

In order of typical effectiveness:

Look

Physically move your head from one side to the other to break tunnel vision. Identify two or three objects by calling them out—out loud and to yourself if necessary. Reading signs and locating doorways are easy buttons.

Listen

If you’ve just been in an explosion or gunfight, this one can be tough. Still, actively try to identify environmental sounds. Just as before, single them out to ensure you’re actually paying attention.

Touch

Some people will lose the feeling in their fingers, hands, and feet when panic rises. You can help combat this by rubbing your fingers or hands together. Touching a wall, the texture of your clothes, or other exposed parts of your skin.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More Knowledge For The Armed Citizen:

New Guns And Gear January 2025

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.

The New Guns And Gear:

Taurus 22TUC Pistol

taurus 22tuc
While not most people’s first choice, the .22 LR is a viable self-defense round for some. Catering to these folks, Taurus has launched the 22TUC pistol, a unique micro-compact .22 that offers some advantages—especially to those who might have less hand strength. To this end, the pistol has a tip-barrel design, allowing the shooter to load it and put it into battery without having to rack a slide. A double-action trigger proves a little heavy; however, it comes with double-strike capabilities—a nice peace of mind if you don’t get ignition on the first trigger pull. Size-wise, it’s perfectly proportioned for carry, with a 2.5-inch barrel and tipping the scales at 10 ounces. As for capacity, it comes with a 9-round magazine for a total of 10 onboard.
MSRP: $349

Ruger SR1911 “Street Edition” Series

ruger 1911
Ruger has been making pistols for a long spell, and the prolific gunmaker is taking some time to crow about it. Shipping at the end of 2024, the SR1911 “Street Edition” Series of SR1911 pistols come with a ton of flourish that makes these irons definite keepsakes. Kicking things off is an elaborately engraved model of the commander-sized pistol, commemorating the company’s 75th anniversary decked out with elaborate scroll work and eagle-and-flag motif. Furthermore, the metalwork includes Ruger’s logo and “75 Station St.,” the location of the barn where Bill Ruger launched his business. Other notables include drift-adjustable Novak sights, unique grip coloring for each model and .45 ACP chambering. Hurry, because Ruger will only turn out 500 of each model.
MSRP: $1,899

Heckler & Koch CC9

hk cc9
Given the market has tilted that way in recent years, it’s no surprise Heckler & Koch is releasing its first micro-compact 9mm. Dubbed the CC9, the pistol is much what you’d expect in this class of firearms, boasting a polymer frame, 3.32-inch barrel and solid capacity (10+1 flush fit, 12+1 extended mag). However, H&K has put some extras on the concealed-carry gun, including an ambidextrous magazine and slide release, optics-ready slide—and fore and aft cocking serrations. Overall, the German gunmaker’s first foray into this corner of the market looks to be a solid one and certainly on par with what’s already available. Even the price comes in right for many shooters.
MSRP: $699

Savage Rifles In 21 Sharp

savage 21 sharp
The big rimfire news to start the year is Winchester’s introduction of the 21 Sharp. The rub on the new cartridge is that it offers a more aerodynamic projectile, thus bringing many of the modern bullet advancements to the rimfire realm. A new cartridge is great and all, but you need something to pitch it down range. In steps Savage Arms. Among the first outside of Winchester, the gunmaker has released three models of the Mark II bolt action and one model of its B Series chambered for the hot new round. Savage’s offerings include Mark II F, Mark II FV-SR, Mark II Minimalist (pictured) and B21 F, which should give shooters top options for everything from target shooting to hunting.
MSRP: Starting at $269

Remington Ammunition Ranch Hand .22 LR

Remington ranch hand 22
You can never have enough .22 LR ammunition, which is why Remington Ammunition’s latest announcement is music to plinkers’ ears. The company just unveiled its Ranch Hand .22 ammo line, a workhorse offering that should fill the role of target, varmint and small-game hunting round. The company offers two different loads in the line: a plated round-nose 40-grain option, and a hollow-point 38-grain round. Both move at a good clip, with Remington reporting the lighter load’s muzzle velocity at 1,340 fps and the heavier load at 1,255 fps. The nice part of the Ranch Hand line is that the company has tuned it to perform out of any barrel length—so it should prove a winner pitched from pistols or long-guns.
MSRP: $12.99, box of 100

Nosler Whitetail Country Ammunition

nosler 308
Nosler is a well-known name in hunting, particularly Western hunting where an ultra-tough bullet is called for. But the company hasn’t turned its back on the most popular big game in the nation with the introduction of its Whitetail Country Ammunition. Designed for the thinner-skinned game, the cartridge falls back on a Nosler classic bullet in its bottleneck cartridges—the Solid Base. With a tapered jacket, the bullet expands reliably out to 400 yards—which is more than twice the distance at which most whitetails are taken. These bullets are boat-tails, thus cut a more aerodynamic profile and are more than capable of making hits at these longer distances. Nosler hasn’t left out straight-walled hunters either, boasting the brand-new Straight Wall bullet. These are tailored to these cartridges and expand at much lower velocities, ensuring hunters will always get a devastating wound channel in whatever they hit.
MSRP: Starting at $35, box of 20

Aero Precision Tephra-22 Suppressor

Aero suppressor
Aero Precision has rolled into the suppressor market … hard. Just a cup of coffee ago, the manufacturer introduced its very first suppressor—the Lahar—now it’s launched its very first rimfire can. Built like a tank, the Tephra-22 is suitable for nearly any rimfire round out of any gun, and the 5.7x28mm from a handgun. Addition-ally—and necessary—it’s user-serviceable, which is a must for those dirty rimfire rounds, given they’ll clog a can in no time flat. The suppressor is outfitted with an aluminum tube with 17-4 stainless-steel baffles. It’s a bit hefty for a rimfire can at 7.2 ounces, but Aero has constructed it to last—and that’s a fair trade-off. Best of all, the company has priced them to move.
MSRP: $375

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Get More Guns And Gear:

Best Mosin-Nagant Stocks: Upgrade Your Warhorse

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

No need to stick to pitted and time-worn wood, aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks abound and are the fast lane to enhancing the iconic rifle.

What Are The Top Aftermarket Mosin-Nagant Stocks:

Given its long and storied history, playing the aftermarket game with a Mosin-Nagant is sacrilege to some. It’s difficult to argue their logic. Would you tinker with a vintage M1 Garand or a working order M1908A1? Best to leave these old warhorses alone and ticking like they always have.

mosin nagant m44

That said, the Mosin-Nagant poses a different proposition. With over 37 million rifles built over the years, there are still plenty of rough specimens available today and we don't think that anyone should shed a tear over one of these being modified. There are some rare and collectible variants out there too that should probably be left alone, but run-of-the-mill 91/30s are not that. The good news for anyone looking to upgrade their warhorse is that despite its length of tooth, there are a few good options to help dial the bolt-action closer to contemporary performance expectations.

Original Mosin-Nagant stocks aren’t exactly a thing of beauty. Their aesthetics fit with those of a mud fence. And as to performance, let’s simply say they weren’t exactly designed to enhance the average Russian or Soviet soldier’s innate marksmanship. An extremely linear stock, with a straight grip and a metal buttplate, does not a pleasurable shooter make. Plus, it feels just shy of a T-34 tank in the weight department.

Much of this is easily solved. While the selection isn’t as extensive as it is for the Remington 700, there are plenty of solid aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks to tailor the rifle to your particular application. If we’ve piqued your interest, then you’ll want to continue reading, because we’ve gathered together four of the best Mosin-Nagant stocks to help turn your Russian iron into a tack driver, hunter or whatever you can think up for it.

How We Made Our Picks

Truth be told, there aren't that many aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks out there. The four featured on this list are the most popular on the market partly because there aren't many more to pick from. That said, we've handled all of these models and believe that each has virtues that could make them an excellent choice for different tasks. Whether your goal is bagging game, punching tight groups in paper or just replacing that rotten wood stock on your Mosin before it falls off, one of these should serve you well.

Best Mosin-Nagant Stocks:

KPYK (Crook) Chassis

kpyk mosin nagant stock
When it comes to Mosin-Nagant stocks, chassis options aren't the norm. This makes Crook's a gem.

Pros

  • Chassis system w/ adjustable LOP and comb height
  • Plenty of rail space for optics/accessories
  • Can accept AR grips and stocks
  • Adds detachable magazine

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy
  • KPYK is going out of business

There isn’t a wealth of Mosin-Nagant chassis options on the market, which makes the KPYK (pronounced “Crook” which means raven) variation worth its weight in gold. Released in 2015, the Ukrainian-made chassis is compatible with nearly every variation of the Russian rifle and is solidly built.

Manufactured from 7021 aluminum, the chassis has a fully adjustable buttstock, giving you plenty of play in comb rise and length of pull. The buttstock is also replaceable, given the threads are identical to those of a mil-spec AR-15 buffer. Additionally, the forearm boasts ample M-Lok slots, so dolling up your Mosin with the latest accessories is a snap. Honestly, these alone are well worth the price of entry, but there are a few other intriguing aspects of the KPYK Chassis.

V-Block bedding gives complete contact along the action, no matter if it’s octagonal or rounded. Further, the system allows for the use of detachable box magazines. Thankfully it uses Archangel/ProMag-pattern mags so you won't need to track down anything more expensive or proprietary. It also comes with three Picatinny rail sections, making optics mounting a snap. Finally, the KPYK Chassis is a drop-in installation, which might just be the best feature of all.

A brief note, KYPK is going out of business. As the time of this update the company was still around, but likely will shutter in 2025 unless something drastic changes. If you like this chassis there's no time to lose in getting one.  MSRP: $539.95 ; Site: kpykusa.com

KPYK (Crook) Chassis Deals

KPYK USA$539.95PngItem_4588935
Atlantic Firearms$539.95PngItem_4588935

ATI Monte Carlo Stock

ati monte carlo mosin nagant stock
A traditional hunting style stock for the Mosin-Nagant, ATI's Monte Carlo is effective and affordable.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Classic hunting rifle look
  • Durable material
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not great for precision
  • Lacking extra features

The original and most common chambering of the Mosin-Nagant is 7.62x54R, which is a dandy hunting round despite its age. It’s ballistically similar to the .30-06 Springfield. Yet, in its stock configuration, the Russian bang stick isn’t the most wieldy field rifle. ATI changes this in a snap with its Monte Carlo Mosin-Nagant stock.

Giving the rifle a classic hunter look and feel, it also does a number on its heft and manageability. This is thanks to its glass-reinforced polymer construction, which not only cuts down on weight, but is impervious to most environmental factors.

ATI bills the unit as compatible with most Mosin variations, and as a drop-in installation. Though, the latter might not always prove the case. To truly achieve the desired fit, there may be some material removal/addition required.

This is a straight polymer stock. Perhaps this might not matter to someone looking for a dedicated hunting upgrade or a range toy, but it will have plenty of flex under recoil which means it might not be the first choice for a long-range Mosin build. This may not be the most feature-rich option, but it's relatively affordable and still offers several advantages over an original wood stock. MSRP: $129.99 ; Site: atioutdoors.com

ATI Monte Carlo Stock Deals

Optics Planet$82.45PngItem_4588935
Midway USA$131.29PngItem_4588935

ProMag Archangel OPFOR

promag archangel mosin nagant stock
Of all aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks, the Archangel might be one of the best choices for a precision build.

Pros

  • Good for precision
  • Adjustable LOP and comb height
  • Adds detachable magazine
  • Goose-neck grip

Cons

  • Doesn't come with sling swivels or rails for mounting accessories

When it comes to precision builds, the Archangel has been the top choice among Mosin-Nagant stocks. For a long time that was a default position, since it was about the only precision option in the game. Even with other accuracy-enhancing stocks now in the running, we think there are still several reasons to consider the Archangel.

With carbon fiber- and glass-reinforced polymer, the Archangel is fully adjustable and conveniently so. Both length of pull and comb height are dialed in via thumbwheels, each with around 1 inch of play. Additionally, the stock has a goose-neck style grip with an ambidextrous palm swell. Precision rifle stocks have been trending towards pistol grips and away from traditional straight grips for some time now, so we think this is a particularly smart feature if precision is your goal.

Nice as the ergonomics are, what’s happening in the stock might be of more value in accurizing your Mosin. The Archangel features steel pillar bedding blocks, ensuring there is little to no wiggle once the action is in place. Furthermore, the system free-floats the barrel, making sure it has the pristine harmonics required to improve accuracy.

Finally, Russian-made Mosin-Nagants—any variation—are simple drop-in installs, but Finnish models may require a bit of finagling. Also, did we mention it makes the Mosin compatible with 5- and 10-round detachable box magazines? ProMag proprietary, but a nice upgrade nonetheless, especially if you're like me and hate the Mosin's clunky stripper clips.  MSRP: $185.99 ; Site: www.promagindustries.com

ProMag Archangel OPFOR Deals

Optics Planet$178.49PngItem_4588935
Midway USA$182.09PngItem_4588935

Boyds At-One

Boyds Gunstock
Boyd's At One stock is a solid choice for any rifle, but brings out the best in a Mosin-Nagant.

Pros

  • Adjustable LOP and comb height
  • Good for precision
  • Handsome wood
  • Lightweight
  • Very configurable/customizable

Cons

  • Wood is less durable than synthetics

Honestly, if you have a favorite Boyds stock, disregard this particular pick. Given their advanced manufacturing system, nearly any of its stocks are compatible with a majority of common Mosin-Nagant models. That said, it’s difficult to look much further than Boyds' At-One Stock.

Among the most flexible systems available today, it takes the Mosin-Nagant to another level. And it’s not just the fully adjustable comb riser and length of pull we’re talking about. Though, push-button controlled, those are nice. But everything, from grip to forend and swivel points is either interchangeable or factory configurable to your needs.

Furthermore, Boyd’s hardwood laminates—what the stocks are constructed of—provide a good deal of the needed rigidity to improve the rifle’s accuracy. Not to mention, they’re eye-catching.

At 3 pounds, the At-One is light enough to keep a build field ready. At the same time, it is more than capable of providing the base for a precision rifle. MSRP: $249 ; Site: www.boydsgunstocks.com

Boyds At-One Deals

Optics Planet$269.99PngItem_4588935
BoydsStarts At $249PngItem_4588935

Da Comrade! We Have More Russian Guns:

Hardware Talk: Springfield Hellcat Threaded Barrels

By
Patrick Sweeney
-
0

Want to suppress your Hellcat? Here we take a look at Springfield Armory’s threaded barrel options for the Hellcat and Hellcat Pro.

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is one slick little blaster. As an everyday carry in 9mm, it offers 11+1 rounds with their flush-fit magazine and 13+1 with an extended one (which isn’t very extended and is probably your standard carry mag). Practicing with it is fun and rewarding.

Sometimes, however, you want even more fun, so a lot of shooters now own suppressors for maximum fun.

But, what to do with your Hellcat? Simply fire up the old interwebs machine and track down the latest extra for Springfield Armory’s Hellcat: a suppressor barrel.

This is a drop-in barrel that’s just like the one currently in your Hellcat … but extended and threaded. Same manufacturing process, tight dimensions, reliable feeding and an ultra-tough Melonite finish to make the surface harder than sin and slicker than [the editor won’t let me go there].

You can even have your choice of the regular Hellcat, in which case your barrel grows from 3 to 3.7 inches, or if you happen to own the Hellcat Pro version like mine, going with a suppressor option your barrel goes from its standard 3.7 to 4.4 inches in length.

Springfield Hellcat Threaded Barrels
The suppressor-ready barrel comes from Springfield Armory with a thread protector installed. You’ll need to remove this to assemble the barrel and to install the suppressor.

To install, unload, strip the Hellcat as if for cleaning and remove the barrel. Unscrew the thread protector currently on the suppressor barrel. Then, install it as you reassemble your Hellcat or Hellcat Pro. It’s that easy. The muzzle is threaded for the standard 9mm suppressor thread pitch, that is, ½-28, so all the regular suppressors you may or may not own will fit right on. To install the suppressor, remove the thread protector (if you put it back in after assembly) and screw on the suppressor.

If you opt to add to your fun, the threaded suppressor-ready barrel, of either length, will run you $169.99. Considering the cost of a suppressor and the cost of ammo for a range day, this isn’t a big deal.

And as it’s made to the same specs as your non-threaded barrel, the very idea that you might wear out this barrel is out of the question. So, you can even stash the original barrel back in the safe and leave the suppressor barrel on your Hellcat all the time. If it’s your EDC pistol, the extra length won’t be noticed in a proper holster. And, the extra length will give you a few more fps out of whatever load you have chosen to use.

If you just use the suppressor-ready barrel for the range and suppressed, the barrel comes in a storage tube, so you won’t leave it rattling around in your safe, unprotected.

Fair warning: A suppressed pistol is giggle-worthy fun, and once you start down that road you may find yourself with a shelf full of suppressors in your safe … and a raft of pistols set up to use them. If that’s the case, you can blame me and Springfield Armory for pointing you that way.

What can I say? I like to spread the joy.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Suppressors:

A Closer Look At 338 ARC

By
Josh Wayner
-
5

Hornady’s new 338 ARC is like a lot of subsonic chamberings we already have, but much, much better.

I’ve been among the first to get my hands on some very interesting cartridges over the years, and I try to be objective in my response to these products and take a good look at what they’re trying to accomplish by merit of having been invented.

Some, I find, are simply marketing gimmicks that are a solution looking for a question. Sadly, some great ideas fail to succeed as a result of poor marketing and wanting consumer interest. Others, well, hit the mark, so to speak.

Introduction To 338 ARC

The 338 ARC is part of the venerable Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) family that originated from the 6.5 Grendel/.220 Russian parent case. The 6.5 Grendel has enjoyed steady popularity over the past couple decades after it showed serious potential for fighting use early in the War on Terror era. It was proposed as something of a replacement for 7.62 NATO in long-range use, but it never truly caught on beyond its initial concept, with most military interest today being in Eastern Europe, though it’s yet to be seen if even this will ever come to fruition.

338 arc
Subsonic (left) and supersonic 338 ARC cartridges.

The 6.5 Grendel went head-to-head with other cartridges during this time of speculation in the early 2000s, but neither it nor its main opponent, the 6.8 SPC, managed to come close to unseating the reigning 5.56 NATO, both in military applications and on the civilian market.

However, these two rounds had something of a lasting legacy with a variety of parts being standardized around them to include bolts and magazines, as well as their case head diameters. The 6.8 SPC and its children have continually struggled to maintain relevance, largely due to insufficient manufacturer support and a general lack of enthusiasm.

In short, they all can’t be winners.

So, in our current day, the child cartridges of 6.5 Grendel have become quite common and are solidly in the mainstream, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Hornady company. The 338 ARC was, remarkably, the first ARC cartridge the company designed … all the way back in 2017. It’s a subsonic-centric cartridge designed for use on medium game at medium range.

Hornady was exceedingly clever in releasing this cartridge at the right time, which is something that has tripped up many other cartridge launches. The market is able to support a subsonic .338 bore rifle easily right now, where even a few years ago this would have struggled to gain traction.

338 arc vs 556 mag
While it looks large, the 338 ARC still fits in the same size magazines in the same magazine well as the 5.56.

It’s based on the AR-15 magazine dimensions using the 6.5 Grendel-style magazine and bolt face. And the “ARC” designation is becoming common now, as opposed to the “Grendel” name.

I’ll spare a dozen case studies on “failed” cartridges, as the 338 ARC has but two main competitors—and, suffice to say, it’s hard to talk about the newcomer without talking about what it will likely supplant in the field. The first thing people ask me when I show them this product is why it was designed when the 8.6 Blackout and 300 Blackout are alive and well.

338 arc vs 556 bolt head
The bolt face is slightly different between the common 5.56/300BLK/350 Legend bolt (left) and the ARC-style bolt (6.5 Grendel, 6 ARC, 22 ARC, and 338 ARC).

Well, to be totally honest, the 338 ARC does what they both tried to do … but does it substantially better in virtually all aspects.

Subsonic Superiority

Any time a new round is introduced, it’s immediately compared to others in its class or at least to its near-peers. When it comes to the subsonic realm—cartridges that operate at just under the speed of sound so 1,000 to 1,050 fps—there’s much less wiggle room for improvement as compared to supersonic cartridges.

In dealing with subsonic loads and rifles, we’re, in fact, asking a lot. The bullet needs to be fast, but not too fast. It must also be accurate while suffering from a steep trajectory. It also needs to be powerful enough and cause enough terminal damage to be effective, though as ranges extend this becomes more difficult.

Basically, subsonic rifle hunting is a deliberate handicap, but is in common hyperbole in that it’s very advantageous and offers the hunter a number of real-world abilities not afforded by supersonic loads, primarily being very quiet.

In this subsonic world, we’re talking close range—completely inside 200 meters, ideally inside 150 meters. I’ve hunted quite a bit with subsonic factory loads, in particular the Hornady 450 Bushmaster 395-grain subsonic. This is a great killer and is quite quiet through a SilencerCo Hybrid 46M, but it drops like a rock in a sock. I typically won’t take a shot with it past 75 to 100 meters.

338 arc rifle acog
Day optics are, of course, just as valuable as thermal on the 338 ARC. Being that it’s a close/medium-range cartridge, light and fast-handling optics like the ACOG are always welcome.

On the contrary, the .338 bore is an ideal size for the projectile, given what is trying to be achieved, and I think that Hornady really got this right. For the most part, the .30 subsonics aren’t great. I’ve used them until I gave up—there was just not enough energy. “But shot placement!” Yeah, I know. That doesn’t make up for low bullet mass—that’s called being lucky, even cruel if you run the logic to its end.

There are always the guys in this discussion who had a grandpa who shot deer with a .22 LR, but that’s a strawman argument at best. The bigger-bore subsonics just end up being hefty pistol rounds in .38 or .45 bore. I like them, but there are some disadvantages that include accuracy and inconsistent cycling with their common, straight-wall cases.

These are adapted to subsonic, not designed for it.

Where the 338 ARC fills the gap is in delivering a very long, heavy .338 bore bullet that maintains better accuracy than short and fat, big-bore bullets while offering 50-percent more mass than similar .30-caliber subsonics. The 338 ARC comes standard at 307 grains, as opposed to the 200-grain class bullets you’d get in 300 Blackout.

Bear in mind that it isn’t all roses … despite being the best in the pack on paper. The trajectory and impact energy are still not high compared to supersonic loads like .308 Win. We’re talking about 3 feet of drop here from 100 to 200 yards, so it’s a bit better than other subsonics but not even close to a supersonic rifle load.

hornady 338 arc
Hornady is initially offering a 175-grain HP Black and 307-grain Sub-X for the 338 ARC.

Since it’ll be commented on in the future by critics, no, this round isn’t trying to be a National Match contender or long-range tack driver. It’s designed to be the best of the subsonic field cartridges using the best design and case layout possible for the most popular rifles made today … and now is when we get messy.

Subsonic 338 ARC Ammo Deals

Hornady 338 ARC, 307gr Sub-X at Battlehawk Armory$35 per box of 20PngItem_4588935
Hornady 338 ARC, 307gr Sub-X at Midway USA$39 per box of 20PngItem_4588935

338 ARC Vs. 8.6 Blackout

The 8.6 Blackout (also a .338 diameter cartridge) has been out for a while now. Not surprisingly, the 8.6 Blackout is in direct competition with the 338 ARC, but it falls significantly short in a number of areas that put it at a total and distinct disadvantage. The problems are endemic to the cartridge.

The next issue that 338 ARC bests the 8.6 in is twist rate. I’ve been critical of the 8.6’s 1:3 twist rate since day one. This fast twist rate severely limits the bullet choice to essentially monometal: Jacketed bullets can strip in this bore. The other issue was the unsubstantiated claims about the enhanced terminal performance imparted on tissue with this fast twist rate. In my time with the 8.6, I never found these results to be repeatable. The shape of a given bullet dramatically impacts the so-called “radial” energy given off by the spin of the projectile, a HPBT profile bleeding differently from a round nose or perfectly cylindrical projectile.

There was, in my opinion, no legitimate reason for this twist rate, aside from the somewhat elitist notion that people should be using monometal bullets because they’re better somehow. This “let them eat cake” mentality just means you can’t use trusted bullet designs in the 8.6 easily … or at all.

The 338 ARC is designed around a slower twist. I hesitate to say exactly what the final barrel manufacturer twists will be because it’s very early in the game, but the most common twist rate listed at this time is 1:8. This will allow a far greater number of .338-diameter bullets to be used for the reloader, as well as a far greater range of suitable practice and hunting loads in both subsonic and supersonic velocity ranges. And yes, you should be able to use all the same monometal bullets as you would in the 8.6, making it far more versatile overall as a medium- to large-game, short-range cartridge.

The next leg up the 338 ARC has over 8.6 is its market feasibility. It’s a drop-in for standard AR-15 rifles, requiring just a barrel and bolt/magazine swap. While the 8.6 is certainly not at a disadvantage being a direct barrel swap for 308/6.5CM rifles, the sheer commonality of the AR-15 platform and the established success of the ARC line is quite important here: You get equal performance with the same bullet in subsonic … in a lighter rifle with common parts.

Concerning yourself with supersonic performance in what are subsonic-centric rounds is bit of a moot argument: Neither 338 ARC or 8.6 is close to the power and range of supersonic .338 bore rifles. Plus, while not boat anchors, the large-frame AR rifles the 8.6 requires are beefier and heavier.

I mentioned earlier that the 338 ARC is arriving at the correct time in the market, a professional move by Hornady. The 8.6 suffered at its outset because there were so few 338 suppressors and fewer 9mm (.355) pistol suppressors that were feasible for rifle use. Today, we have a large category for these big-bore suppressors that are quite small and light, many convertible to a wide range of uses. The ability to easily suppress .338 bore rifles is here, so the time is perfect.

Not only that, but the barrel length situation with 338 ARC makes it feasible to use any length to get reliable performance. You don’t need any special sauce or particular load to achieve results, be it 16 or 12 inches.

338 ARC Vs. 300 Blackout

CaliberLoadBulletAdvertised Muzzle Velocity (fps)Muzzle Energy (ft/lbs.)BC (G1)SD
338 ARCHornady Sub-XSub-X 307gr1,050752.375.384
338 ARCHornady BLACKHP Match 175gr2,0751,673.385.219
.300 BLKHornady Sub-XSub-X 190gr1,050465.437.286
.300 BLKHornady BLACKV-Max 110gr2,3751,378.290.166

That last point is pretty important: The other main rival to the 338 ARC, the .300 Blackout, has always struggled with unsuppressed use and cycling without a can attached in subsonic. The 338 ARC is optimized to work in all configurations, which is great if you want to get range time while waiting for your suppressor. I do like the .300 Blackout for what it is, and it has been a truly successful cartridge, arguably the first cartridge people really wanted to suppress in the AR.

338 ARC comparison
The 338 ARC (two leftmost rounds) compared to subsonic and supersonic 300 Blackout and the ever-popular 5.56 NATO BHA 77-grain OTM (far right).

I’ve never been very happy with any 30-caliber subsonic on game. I think that, as a close-range, quiet fighting cartridge in the right gun, it makes a lot of sense, but they really lack that mass for hunting deer or hogs past bow range. I consider the subsonic .300 Blackout with a good bullet to be a 50-yard load. This low-velocity with a 200-grain-class bullet leaves much to be desired. It’s just never going to have the weight to extend those ranges or deliver more energy. Bearing in mind that this is subsonic ammo we’re talking about, the performance gap between .300 Blackout and 338 ARC is substantial.

Before we talk guns, I will close the ammo question by saying this is what suppressor enthusiasts and hunters have been wanting: a true solution for a real problem. In the 338 ARC, we have a well-designed, SAAMI-approved cartridge that can use common .338 bullets and cycle in the AR rifle with only small changes. Not only that, it’s coming to market with a tried-and-true Hornady Sub-X bullet and as part of the established ARC family.

338 ARC Guns—What to Expect

The AR build featured in the photography of this article was sent to me from Faxon Firearms. I must make note that this may or may not be a factory offering in the future. This is a prototype build to demonstrate the concept. This isn’t to say you won’t see a similar product; I just can’t say for certain.

338 arc faxon rifle
The concept Faxon 338 ARC with SilencerCo Omega 36M and Armasight Contractor/Vortex side-mounted Defender red-dot. A winning combo for day and night. Tripod by Two Vets.

As of the time of this writing, there are many companies working on introducing guns to use the 338 ARC. Suffice to say, the public list of companies supporting 338 ARC is already large, but in the future you should be seeing not just AR upgrades … but also bolt actions and more.

While this may change with time, it appears that the majority of muzzle thread patterns are going to be 5/8-24 inch, meaning that it’ll use the same muzzle devices as .30 cal. This is something to be aware of, as some muzzle devices are going to cause issues.

Another thing to consider is magazines. There are plenty of them out there for the ARC family, but they vary widely in shape and capacity. They are also comparatively expensive against common 5.56 mags, so be prepared for a little sticker shock. This will come less into play for hunting scenarios and in bolt actions where the capacity and size are already limited, but if you’re hoping to stuff 30 rounds of these 307-grain bullets into a mag, well, you may need to do a bit of trial and error as the ARC family magazines are only just now really starting to become widely available.

Because this is a .338 bore bullet, you’re not going to be able to use .30-caliber suppressors. Likewise, .36-cal suppressors (350 Legend, 9mm, etc.) will work so long as they’re rifle rated. I’d not go putting a pistol can on this—even shooting subsonic. It’s not worth the risk.

338 ARC Gun Deals

CMMG Banshee Mk4 Pistol at Battlehawk Armory$1,500PngItem_4588935
CMMG DISSENT Br4 Rifle at Midway USA$1,800PngItem_4588935
CMMG DISSENT Mk4 Rifle at Midway USA$2,000PngItem_4588935

In Closing

I’m optimistic about this cartridge as a subsonic deer and hog hunter. I think that it really did hit the market at exactly the right time at all points, and it is, in fact, what people like me were asking for after years of adapting existing rounds to subsonic instead of doing something subsonic on purpose. We finally have a much better-designed cartridge than 8.6 Blackout and a much more powerful one than the 300 Blackout.

Pro

  • Great for suppressed hunting with subsonic loads
  • Fits in standard small-frame AR-15s
  • Barrels don't require a super fast twist rate, meaning more projectile options

Con

  • For suppressed shooting, it requires a rifle can with a caliber of .338 or larger
  • Still new, so 338 ARC ammo is much more expensive than the established .300 BLK

338 ARC FAQ

What is 338 ARC good for?

In a nutshell, 338 ARC was designed to deliver more power in a subsonic package than what similar cartridges like 300 Blackout or 8.6 Blackout are capable of. When a job calls for something both extremely quiet and very hard-hitting, these qualities make 338 ARC a good choice. Hunters who use suppressors will benefit from its harder punch, greater range and better bullet options.

What is the effective range of 338 ARC?

Considering that 338 ARC is a heavy, subsonic round, it's maximum effective range for hunting is only about 200 meters. That doesn't sound very far, but for this class of hunting it's better than other popular options like subsonic 300 Blackout.

What is the FPS of 338 ARC?

As far as Hornady's two current factory 338 ARC loads go, the supersonic 175-grain BLACK load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 2,075 fps and the subsonic 307-grain Sub-X load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,050 fps. Both of those results are from a 16-inch test barrel.

What is 338 ARC based on?

338 ARC's parent case is 6.5 Grendel, and that's a very good thing. That's because 6.5 Grendel, and by extension 338 ARC, is compatible with a lot of standard AR-15 parts including the lower and upper receivers. This gives it an advantage over 8.6 Blackout which requires an AR-10-style large-frame AR.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Raise Your Ammo IQ:

Beyond The 6.5 Creedmoor: The Other 6.5 Cartridges
The Lonesome Story Of The Long-Lost 8mm
Why The .300 H&H Magnum Still Endures
.350 Legend Vs .450 Bushmaster: Does One Win Out For Hunting?

Ammo Brief: 33 Nosler

By
Gun Digest Editors
-
0

We take a quick look at the big but nimble 33 Nosler cartridge.

In 2017, Nosler added its largest round to its family of cartridges—the 33 Nosler. The family was born in 2014 with the introduction of the 26 Nosler, followed by the 28 Nosler in 2015 and 30 Nosler in 2016.

The 33 Nosler shares the same parent case (.404 Jeffery) as the rest of the family but fires .338-caliber bullets. Like other Nosler cartridges, it’s designed with an overall length to function in standard .30-06-length actions. To prevent cross-caliber chambering, Nosler moved the 33 Nosler’s shoulder datum back, so it’s shorter than the 30 Nosler.

cartridges of the world 17th ed book
This is an excerpt from Cartridge's Of The World, available now at GunDigestStore.com.

General Comments

The 33 Nosler can propel a 225-grain AccuBond at 3,025 fps … and a 265-grain AccuBond Long Range at 2,775 fps. That’s 275 fps faster than the .338 Win. Mag. in the same length action and 25 fps faster than the .338 Lapua at the muzzle while burning 18 percent less powder.

The 33 Nosler is SAAMI approved and is supported with ammunition and components from Nosler. The water capacity is 94.6 grains, while the case weight is 281.8 grains with a primer installed. It’s chambered in the 26-inch-barrel Nosler Model 48 Patriot rifle.

33 Nosler Loading Data and Factory Ballistics

Bullet
(grains/type)		PowderGrainsVelocityEnergySource
180 AccubondRL1779.53,3914,594Nosler
225 Spitzer E-TipFL–2,9754,437Nosler 40042
250 PartitionFL–2,7504,197Nosler 60134
300 HPBT CustomFL–2,5004,343Nosler 60031

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest's Cartridge's Of The World.

Raise Your Ammo IQ:

Beyond The 6.5 Creedmoor: The Other 6.5 Cartridges
The Lonesome Story Of The Long-Lost 8mm
Why The .300 H&H Magnum Still Endures
.350 Legend Vs .450 Bushmaster: Does One Win Out For Hunting?

Self-Defense And Modern Mob Violence

By
Alex Ooley
-
0

We discuss the blurred lines of self-defense when navigating the complexities of modern mob violence.

The landscape of civil unrest has evolved, and with it, the rules of engagement for law-abiding armed citizens have become increasingly complex. The distinction between protesters and rioters has blurred, creating a precarious situation for those intent on defending themselves and their property. This has necessitated a fresh examination of what constitutes a mob—and how individuals should react in the face of collective aggression.

Historically, the legal definition of a mob has been rooted in common law, which views a mob as a group with a malevolent purpose, the intent of which is shared by each member. This interpretation has allowed victims of mob violence to defend themselves against any member of the mob, as all are deemed equally culpable. Classic examples, such as Wyatt Earp’s stand against a lynch mob in 1881, highlight a time when the response to mob violence was straightforward due to the clear malicious intent of the aggressors.

Wolves And Sheep

However, the 21st century presents a different scenario. Today, during protests, it’s not uncommon to find violent rioters hiding within larger groups of peaceful demonstrators. This mixture complicates the rules of engagement for armed citizens. The presence of both innocent protesters and malevolent individuals within the same crowd forces a reevaluation of who legitimately poses a threat. Modern circumstances require us to distinguish between hostile actions and mere offensive expressions.

The protests and riots that erupted across the United States in 2020 following the death of George Floyd provide a stark example of the complexities of modern mob dynamics. What began as largely peaceful protests quickly devolved in some cities into riots, looting, arson and clashes between protesters and law enforcement. This highlighted how the line between legitimate protest and unruly mob can rapidly blur when emotions run high.

In cities like Minneapolis, Portland and Kenosha, small subsets of violent instigators—some affiliated with extremist groups—hid among and provoked otherwise peaceful protesters. Their destructive acts like smashing windows, setting fires and assaulting officers made it extremely difficult for law enforcement and unsuspecting citizens to distinguish legitimate threats from non-violent demonstrators.

This created an incredibly complex situation for any armed citizens caught up in the unrest. Exercising lawful self-defense would have required clearly identifying specific individuals engaged in violent felonious acts. However, the sheer size of the crowds, potential for stray rounds, and mix of peaceful and violent elements made firearms an extremely high-risk option in most circumstances.

This differentiation is crucial in today’s environment, where the interaction between protesters and rioters can obscure threats. For instance, not everyone in a crowd surrounding a vehicle during a protest is necessarily intent on violence. Some may be attempting to restrain the violent elements, complicating the decision-making process for an armed individual.

Personal Responsibility

An individual must clearly identify a threat before employing deadly force. This means observing whether a person is merely protesting or actively engaging in violence, such as throwing a Molotov cocktail or breaking into an occupied vehicle. It is in these moments of clear and present danger that the law typically recognizes the right to defend oneself.

The choice of weaponry and ammunition also plays a critical role in these situations. Given the potential presence of innocent bystanders, selecting ammunition that reduces the risk of pass-through injury is prudent. For example, instead of opting for high-penetration rounds, one might consider using lower penetration hollow-point bullets that are less likely to cause unintended harm. These are generally better for self-defense anyway because they minimize the likelihood of passing through your target, and they’re more effective at stopping the threat than a full-metal jacket bullet.

Moreover, the importance of situational avoidance cannot be overstated. Using tools like the Waze app to avoid getting trapped in dangerous situations, maintaining vigilance about one’s surroundings, and always leaving an escape route are practical steps that can prevent the need for violent confrontation.

Ultimately, the mood of the local judicial system also factors into how self-defense cases are viewed. Understanding the prosecutorial tendencies of your locale can be as important as knowing the specific legal statutes. This knowledge can minimize the likelihood of a lawful act of self-defense turning into a costly legal battle.

As we navigate these challenging times, the key takeaway for armed citizens is a renewed emphasis on discretion, legal awareness and the absolute necessity of distinguishing between genuine threats and those merely caught in the fray. In essence, the battle avoided is indeed a battle won, reinforcing the age-old wisdom that the best fight is the one not fought.

While the landscape of public demonstrations and the nature of mobs have evolved, so must the strategies of those legally armed. It is not enough to simply carry a weapon; understanding the nuanced legal and practical implications of its use in increasingly complex scenarios is crucial for ensuring personal safety and legal protection. Remember, in times of uncertainty, knowledge, preparedness and restraint are your best defenses.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More Knowledge For The Armed Citizen:

Wilson Combat Division 77 P1 Review: Pistol Perfection?

By
Richard A. Mann
-
1

We hit the range to test out Wilson Combat’s high-performance D77 Project 1 pistol, also known as the P1.

The P1 pistol is the newest firearm from Wilson Combat, but to fully appreciate this gun, some history is in order.

In 1977, a competitive handgun shooter from Berryville, Arkansas—who just happened to be a watchmaker by trade—started building custom 1911 handguns. Bill Wilson was a good jeweler and a good shooter, and he became one of the most recognized and best modifiers of the 1911 platform. As Wilson told Gun Digest in an interview in 2020, “As I became a high-level competitor, I needed a better pistol, and when guns from the top pistolsmiths of the day did not satisfy me, I used my jewelry and watchmaking skills to work on 1911s.”

And Wilson did make them better.

In fact, his 1911s were so much better that they became highly sought after.

Wilson said, “My goal was always to build the best product I could, charge what I had to in order to make a living, and to take care of my customers with a forever customer satisfaction policy. I knew if I did this, everything else would work out fine.”

Now, almost 50 years later, Wilson has transformed the little gun customizing shop in the back of a jewelry store into the largest and most respected custom firearms manufacturing company in the world.

Wilson is no longer at the helm of Wilson Combat. He’s handed the reins of the company over to Cam Ankele. Wilson spends his time on his ranch in Texas, hunting, conducting R&D and providing technical guidance for Wilson Combat. Ankele, on the other hand, is hard at work to elevate Wilson Combat to even greater heights, and one of the projects he has inspired is Division 77.

Wilson Combat Division 77 P1
Wilson Combat Division 77 Project One pistol with optics cover plate/rear sight installed. Photo credit: Wilson Combat

Division 77 has a very specific mission: to offer a revolutionary gun series that provides Wilson Combat’s R&D division with the latitude to push innovational boundaries, while also paying homage to the standards Wilson pioneered with 1911 design in 1977. You could look at Division 77 as the Skunkworks of Wilson Combat, and the P1—Project 1—pistol is the first Division 77 gun.

Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1 Specs:

  • Chambering: 9mm Luger
  • Action: Single Action
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 3.25 pounds, as tested
  • Capacity: 18+1, ships with three magazines
  • Barrel Length: 5 inches
  • Weight: 33.8 ounces (unloaded), 41.5 ounces (loaded)
  • Overall Length: 8.7 inches
  • Height: 5.5 inches
  • Finish: Armor-Tuff and PVD
  • Sights: Wilson Combat Battlesight rear, fiber-optic front, multi-platform optics cut
  • Accessories: Carry bag or carry bag and gun box, replacement fiber optic, optics mount pins (challenge coin and metal box comes with first 100 pistols)
  • MSRP: $3,995, ($4,295 with box)

The Details

The foundation for the new D77 P1 pistol is Wilson Combat’s EDC X9 2.0 pistol, which I consider one of the best self-defense carry pistols ever created. The P1 elevates the EDC X9 to make it the ultimate solution for capacity, speed, accuracy and reliability. With the P1, I think there are four noteworthy innovations that are important, and I’ll start with recoil control.

Wilson Combat Division 77 Project one mags
The weather conditions weren’t ideal for testing a pistol, but in the cold, rain and snow, the P1 digested 400 rounds without a stoppage.

Wilson Combat used an all-new Dynamic Recoil Analysis System (DRAS), which is a state-of-the-art testing device designed to measure and analyze pistol recoil with unprecedented exactness to help them tune the recoil impulse of the P1. As opposed to peak recoil measurement, this system relies on 2,000 pressure data points within a 350-millisecond window. The data it provides represents a true recoil pressure curve. Compared to the standard EDC X9, the P1 reduces the recoil impulse by an astounding 42 percent. This substantial recoil reduction comes from a proprietary barrel and slide porting system.

The next innovation is a new optics cut on the slide. This cut utilizes an all-new and extremely innovative pin system that allows shooters to seamlessly mount any reflex sight with an RMR, RMSc or DeltaPoint Pro footprint. The cut is also at the rear of the slide for unobstructed chamber access and optimally positions SROs and longer reflex sights. The pistol ships with a plate that has an integrated Wilson Combat Battlesight rear sight. Remove this plate with two screws and then the reflex sight mounts directly to the slide. Small metal disks/pins allow this cut to interface with the various sight footprints.

Wilson Combat Division 77 P1 irons v red dot
With the P1, you have your choice of fixed sights or a wide range of reflex sights.

The next innovation is Wilson Combat’s Advanced “RPG” Guide Rod, which is a longer, one-piece guide rod that enhances reliability and ease of use. Its smaller diameter and tapered profile let it tilt out of the slide to make takedown and reassembly easier. (The guide rod can be removed without removing the reverse plug.) The longer shaft of the guide rod increases recoil spring reliability and life.

Simply put, it’s a better mouse trap.

And, finally, Wilson Combat has crafted an integral big-mouth magwell to the compact-sized aluminum X-Frame, and then they added reliability enhanced frame rails and an accessory/light rail. The gaping magwell/grip extension accepts an 18-round magazine with a newly configured base pad that has precisely machined grooves on both sides to help conduct faster and smoother magazine changes. Altogether, the magwell and magazines will help you reload the P1 in competition or in other high-stress situations … faster.

Wilson Combat Division 77 P1 Reload

Everything else about the P1 is much the same as the EDC X9 2.0. Except—Wilson Combat finishes the P1 with black Armor-Tuff, and the barrel, barrel link, link pin, slide stop, magazine release, grip screws and ambidextrous thumb safety all have a copper PVD coating. This makes for an attractive contrast that creates a pistol that’s as beautiful as it is functional.

The Shooting

I prefer conventional sights to a reflex sight on a personal protection pistol. I’m not saying it’s the best way—it’s just my way. However, to evaluate the P1, I mounted a Trijicon RMR. This allowed me to work with the new mount system that utilizes little metal disks that interface with the slide and the reflex sight you want to mount.

Wilson Combat Division 77 Project one in hand

The system is nothing short of ingenious, because it’s hillbilly simple and allows you to choose between a much wider variety of reflex sights. While zeroing the sight, I was amazed at how comfortable the P1 was to shoot. Granted, a 33-ounce 9mm pistol isn’t known for abusive recoil, but shooting the P1 was like shooting a 33-ounce .380 Auto.

I evaluated five loads in the P1 for precision from the bench at 15 yards. It included a mix of practice and carry ammunition. Overall, the pistol averaged 0.85 inch for 15, five-shot groups from a sandbag rest. Wilson Combat guarantees 1 inch or better groups at 25 yards, and I have no doubt that in the right hands—and in good weather—this pistol is fully capable of delivering on that promise.

My range session occurred in the middle of an arctic blast. In total, I fired 400 rounds of various munitions through the P1 and didn’t experience a single stoppage.

forty five step back drill
The D77 P1 performed better on the author’s two favorite handgun evaluation test drills than any other pistol he has evaluated.

I also did a bit of distance shooting with the P1 with the Trijicon reflex sight installed. Silhouette targets at 100 yards weren’t a problem, and about half the time I was ringing an 8-inch steel plate at that distance. But for most of the test-fire process, I removed the reflex sight and shot the pistol with the open sights. Running the gun through the Forty-Five Drill and Step Back Drill, which are my standard evaluation drills for handguns, I recorded the best scores on both that I’ve managed with any handgun I’ve ever tested.

Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1 Shooting Results

LOADMVMESDPRECISION
Lehigh Defense 115-grain CF+P1,1423338.30.78
Federal 124-grain Tactical Hydra-Shok1,09833211.10.86
Wilson Combat 125-grain HAP1,04630411.30.71
Federal 115-grain FMJ American Eagle1,19036210.40.88
Speer 147-grain G298831924.81.02
NOTES: Reported muzzle velocities (MV), muzzle energies (ME) and standard velocity deviations (SD) were obtained by firing 10 shots over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens positioned 10 feet from the muzzle. Reported precision (PRECISION) is the average for three, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag rest at 15 yards with each load using a Trijicon RMR.

The Verdict

I only had one complaint, and it’s that there’s no provision for co-witnessing sights when running a reflex sight. Of course, selecting a reflex sight like the Sig Sauer RomeoZero with an integral rear sight notch solves that. Alternatively, and better yet, just get a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and add the CQ DeltaPoint Pro adjustable iron sight accessory. Problem solved.

wilson combat project one
If you load all three of the P1’s magazines and put a round in the chamber, you’ll have 54 rounds at your disposal.

Aside from that, if the ultimate in speed, accuracy, capacity and reliability are your primary concerns with a pistol, the new Division 77 P1 is likely the best option currently available. The P1 holds 18+1 rounds and the large magwell and magazine base plates make it easy/fast to load. It offers dime-splitting precision and gives you the option of fixed sights and a wide variety of reflex sight options. It’s fast, easy to field strip and assemble, comfortable to shoot, and you can hammer the hell out of a target with minimal muzzle rise.

It’s also a damned fine-looking pistol, and while looks don’t make a pistol perform any better, they do enhance pride of ownership.

Wilson Combat Division 77 P1 box
The limited-edition metal box the D77 P1 pistol can be purchased with is just as ingeniously designed as the P1 pistol. Photo credit: Wilson Combat

Granted, not everyone can afford a Wilson Combat pistol; I had to save for a while to get my EDC X9. And you could also buy a box of Glocks for the price of the P1, but you cannot do the things you can do with a P1 with any Glock pistol. Wilson Combat has elevated the bar with the P1, and I’m anxious to see what’s next in their Division 77 line.

Pros

  • High capacity
  • Fast to reload
  • Extremely accurate
  • Very controllable

Cons

  • No provision for co-witnessing iron sights when using a red dot
  • Very expensive

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More Handgun Reviews:

Going Modern With B5 Systems AK Furniture

By
Gun Digest Editors
-
0
Sponsored Content

Looking to bring your Kalashnikov into the 21st century? Here we check out the new AK furniture options from B5 Systems.

When it comes to AKs, their owners usually fall into one of two camps: “rifle is fine,” or “rife is not fine.” As good as Kalashnikovs look decked out in classic furniture, when it comes to practicality and ergonomics, laminate wood definitely leaves a lot to be desired.

If you’re ready to get with the times and outfit your Kalash with something more modern, B5 Systems’ new AK furniture is well worth taking a look at.

B5 Systems AK furniture feature

B5 Systems AK Furniture

Although each component is sold individually, B5 Systems has concocted a full set of AK furniture to choose from including a grip, a handguard and three different models of buttstock. The grip and handguard should be compatible with just about any AKM-based firearm, and the three buttstock variants are designed for three different patterns of rear trunnion—fixed, 4.5mm and 5.5mm.

The fixed version is what it sounds like and is non-folding and compatible with standard AKs with fixed-stock rear trunnions.

B5 Systems AK stock

The 4.5mm and 5.5mm versions can be folded but are only compatible with their respective pattern of folding trunnion featured on some more modern AK models.

Besides the ability to fold, however, all three stocks are identical. They feature adjustable lengths of pull, cushioned non-slip buttpads and mounting points for both traditional and QD slings.

The handguard features an integral heat shield, aggressive texturing and M-LOK slots on the bottom and sides (on both the upper and lower handguard segments).

B5 Systems AK handguard 2

The AK P-Grip also features aggressive texturing, but more significantly it has a 13-degree angle. Compared to most AK grips, original or otherwise, this is very straight and closer to what is often found on modern AR-15 setups. It can also accept B5 Systems’ grip plug for storing batteries or other small items.

B5 Systems AK grip

You also have your choice of color, as all B5 Systems AK furniture is available in either black, green or plum. A plum set is featured in this article.

Installing B5 Systems AK Furniture

Unlike some of the more complex styles of modern AK furniture out there, the B5 Systems set is very easy to install. Besides potentially having to do some minor fitting, it’s completely drop-in and installs almost the same way as an original wood set. When we were mounting ours on a Romanian WASR-based SBR, we only had to remove a minor amount of material from the lower handguard for it to fit.

After clearing and stripping the rifle, the gas tube lever can be flipped up and the upper handguard/gas tube assembly can be lifted out. The old upper handguard can then be twisted off the gas tube. A vise helps with this.

Next, the lower handguard retaining lever can be flipped so the lower handguard can be removed, just remember to take out your cleaning rod first if you have one.

The pistol grip screw and pistol grip can be taken off next followed by the two screws that retain the buttstock. Removing the buttstock itself may be easy for some while others will find theirs still solidly stuck in place, but that’s nothing that a rubber mallet can’t fix. It wouldn’t really be working on an AK if there were no hammers involved.

Once all the old furniture is off, the B5 Systems set can be installed by reversing the above process except for the stock which is slightly more complicated.

B5 Systems AK furniture stock extended

The B5 Systems Fixed AK stock features two components, the Stock Connector and the rest of the buttstock, and the connector piece must be installed to the rifle before the actual buttstock is attached to it. That said, it’s very easy to do and B5 Systems provides easy-to-follow instructions for it.

Also, keep in mind that this is for installing the fixed version. The process for the folding 4.5mm and 5.5mm stocks will be slightly different.

Once everything’s in place, you’re ready to shoot. Or, more likely, ready to install accessories to your new M-LOK slots.

On The Range With A B5 Systems AK

We have trigger time behind a lot of different flavors of AK with a wide variety of furniture styles, and B5 Systems’ set proved to be some of the best in its class.

The handguard is nicely slim but flares out some toward the rear to give your hand something to pull back on, and the rough, aggressive texturing on the bottom ensures that your hand won’t slip off even when wet. We didn’t utilize the M-LOK slots, but they’re perfectly positioned to accept a flashlight on one of the sides and a grip or handstop on the bottom.

B5 Systems AK Furniture range

The pistol grip features the same excellent, rough texturing to prevent slippage, and its straighter profile felt great too. We found that the grip facilitated a more natural wrist angle when shouldering the rifle. That said, grip angle preference can be subjective, and some might still prefer theirs to be more angled.

The B5 Systems Fixed AK stock provided the most noticeable upgrade to how the AK handled, namely because of the adjustable length of pull. The button at the bottom is easy to grab to quickly make adjustments and it locks into each position very positively so there’s no chance it will collapse on itself when firing. Including fully extended and fully collapsed, there are five positions to choose from. The rubber buttpad also does a great job of locking into your shoulder.

Parting Shot

All put together, the B5 Systems furniture is a great upgrade for an AK. When it comes to other modern AK furniture sets, they’re often heavier, more expensive and harder to install, with the tradeoff being that they also typically add solid rail systems for mounting optics or lasers.

Compared to those, the B5 Systems set is incredibly lightweight, easier to install and much more affordable. The grip has an MSRP of $20, the handguard has an MSRP of $40 and all versions of the buttstock have an MSRP of $125. It doesn’t give you the ability to mount an IR laser without losing zero, but most shooters don’t need that anyway. If all you’re looking for is furniture that will make your AK more ergonomic, more shootable and more customizable via M-LOK slots, B5 Systems’ set accomplishes that handily all without breaking the bank.

For more information, visit b5systems.com.

More AK Stuff:

Best 10mm 1911 Pistols For The Money [Field Tested]

By
Elwood Shelton
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9

We hunted out the best 10mm 1911 we could find that fit nearly any shooter's budget.

I've heard many purists scoff at the thought of a 1911 chambered for anything other than .45 ACP. Difficult to argue against the proposition.

John M. Browning came up with nearly the perfect pistol-ammunition combination lo those 100-plus years ago. However, if the heavy-metal sidearm is your passion, you most likely know there’s an equally, dare I say better chambering available.

While the 10mm Auto was not designed specifically for the iconic handgun its eventual marriage to the 1911 was a match made in heaven. Like any good couple, the cartridge and gun bring out the best in each other.

Heavy and accurate, the 1911 makes the snappy cartridge more manageable, enhancing its overall accuracy potential. And for its part, the 10mm endows the pistol with the trait most shooters cherish in the 1911—power, and plenty of it. Gad, who could want any more?

Thankfully, we live in an exceptional age when 10mm 1911 options abound.

True enough, many are expensive affairs running well north of the everyday marksman’s budget, making them prohibitive for many. We’ve come up with a few such specimens in our list of best 10mm 1911 options for any budget.

How We Chose The Best 10mm 1911s

Among the other Gun Digest editors, most trusted freelancers and myself, we have quite a few 1911 fans on our staff. When it comes to 10mm 1911s, we've had the opportunity to collectively put thousands of rounds down range from a wide variety of different makes and models. When it came time to boil down our list of the best affordable 10mm 1911s, we considered each gun's overall build quality, reliability, accuracy, features and price. In the end, these were the top options that earned a spot on our list.

The Best 10mm 1911s:

Best 10mm 1911 Comparison

ModelCapacitySightsGripsFinishBarrel Length (in.)Overall Length (in.)Overall Height (in.)Weight (oz.)MSRP
Colt Delta Elite8+1NovakBlack compositeBrushed Stainless Steel58.755.539$1,199
Springfield Ronin8+1Fiber Optic Front ; Tactical Rack White Dot RearCheckered WoodTwo-Tone Blue/Stainless58.65.540$917
Ruger SR1911 Target8+1Adjustable TargetBlack RubberizedLow-Glare Stainless58.675.4540.4$1,299
Iver Johnson Eagle XL-108+1Adjustable White-Dot Rear/Dovetail FrontPartially Checkered WalnutMatte Blue Frame/Black Cerakote Slide69.755.546$933
Rock Island TAC Ultra MS8+1LPA MPS1 Adjustable Rear/Dovetail Fiber Optic FrontBlack/Grey G10Black Parkerized4.2585.537.76$849
Girsan Influencer MC19118+1Low-Profile 3-Dot ; Optics-Ready SlideHexagonal TexturedBlack4.485.537.6$669

Colt Delta Elite

Colt-Delta-Elite-Rail-Gun-f

Pros

  • The classic Colt 10mm
  • Handsome finish
  • Optional accessory rail

Cons

  • Expensive

Colt Delta Elite Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: Novak
  • Grips: Black composite
  • Finish: Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Barrel Length: 5 Inches
  • Overall Length: 8.75 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.5 Inches
  • Weight: 39 Ounces
  • MSRP: Starts at $1,199

Sure, the Bren Ten gets all the love for kicking off the 10mm craze, but the Delta Elite did the heavy lifting in keeping the cartridge alive. Minted in 1987 the 10mm 1911 was one of the few options in the chambering through the late 1980s and early 1990s. While absent from the Colt catalog for several years, the gunmaker reintroduced the pistol in 2008, just in time to catch the new wave of Big-10 mania. Lucky for shooters. Few who shoot the Delta Elite come away disappointed.

Like any Colt 1911, the pistol is well made with excellent fit and finish, and in capable hands is a tack driver. Yes, it can drill the bullseye despite a Series 80 trigger. No, it’s not custom-trigger snappy, but its predictable 4-or-so-pound break is respectable enough.

At 35 ounces unloaded, I find the the 5-inch barreled pistol has enough heft to tamp recoil and plenty of texturing on the grips and backstrap for supreme control. Genuine Novak Sights deliver just what you’d expect, an eye-catching aiming system and just the thing to milk accuracy out of the gun. And a brushed stainless steel finish give it dashing good looks. I believe that the Delta Elite certainly qualifies as a modern classic.

Also, if you're like me and prefer to have a light on your gun, Colt makes a version with an accessory rail as well.

Colt Delta Elite Deals

Guns.com$1,298.99PngItem_4588935
GrabAGun$1,299.99PngItem_4588935

Get An Edge On The 10MM:

Springfield Ronin

10mm Springfield Ronin

Pros

  • Great build quality
  • Fiber optic front sight
  • Forward cocking serrations

Cons

  • No accessory rail

Springfield Ronin Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: Fiber Optic Front ; Tactical Rack White Dot Rear
  • Grips: Checkered Wood
  • Finish: Two-Tone Blue/Stainless
  • Barrel Length: 5 Inches
  • Overall Length: 8.6 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.5 Inches
  • Weight: 40 Ounces
  • MSRP: $917

Over the years, Springfield Armory 1911s have earned a rock-solid reputation. Deservedly so, given for the price point few hang with the clean line and nearly flawless performance of the gunmaker’s catalog. You have to step up a bit to get into one of Springfield’s 10mm 1911 pistols. The only model presently made residing in the Ronin series. But it’s not so great a leap as to preclude the shooter of modest means.

Springfield markets the Ronin series as a combination of classic style and modern features, built using a mix of modern and traditional manufacturing methods. I find that the result is a handsome, full-size two-tone 10mm pistol that performs as good as it looks. It uses a forged frame and slide, has a match-grade 5-inch barrel and an 8-round magazine capacity. Each Ronin 1911 also features forward slide serrations and checkered wooden grips.

The gun handles very nicely, plenty of weight in the hand—40 ounces—making for what I thought to be an extremely controllable 10mm. Top-notch sights enhance the overall system, an eye-catching fiber-optic pipe in front and two white dots in the rear. I'll admit, I think the gun comes in too heavy for everyday carry for most folks, including myself. But with the right sights it could transform into a first-class hunter.

Springfield Ronin Deals

Guns.com$765.99PngItem_4588935
Sportsman's Warehouse$799.97PngItem_4588935

Ruger SR1911 Target

SR1911

Pros

  • Good target sights
  • Nicely checkered backstrap
  • Full-length guide rod

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Trigger could be better
  • No accessory rail

Ruger SR1911 Target Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: Adjustable Target
  • Grips: Black Rubberized
  • Finish: Low-Glare Stainless Steel
  • Barrel Length: 5 Inches
  • Overall Length: 8.67 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.45 Inches
  • Weight: 40.4 Ounces
  • MSRP: $1,299

Ruger has an amazing ability to walk a fine line. Generally, this is between cost and performance and is perhaps best exemplified in its 10mm 1911, the SR1911 Target.

No, I definitely don't think you'll split gnat hairs at 20 paces with the piece, but for the money, I found the attractive-looking pistol delivers good-enough accuracy. Overall, the trigger was my sticky point with the pistol and felt in loosened my groups. Invest a little more with a competent gunsmith to clean up the trigger and you’d most likely have a lights out shooter.

Essentially the pistol is Ruger’s rendition of a Series 70 1911, though the gunmaker made some significant breaks from the original design. This is evident in opting for a 5-inch bull barrel over collet bushings. Debate rages over if bulls provide more support compared to bushings, but I'm not going to get into that here. One thing indisputable about the feature, combined with a full-length guide rod, the SR1911 has more heft up front. A good thing overall, helping tame some of the recoil.

I find the SR1911 very comfortable, it just feels good in the hand and is very controllable. Rubberized panels and ample checkering on the mainspring housing are to thank for this, as well as a high beavertail safety. A Bomar-style adjustable rear sight rounds out the package.

It’s a good 1911, one most shooters find capable of filling most roles.

Ruger SR1911 Target Deals

GrabAGun$919.99PngItem_4588935
Midway USA$1,038.99PngItem_4588935

Our Top Articles on 10mm Firearms

Iver Johnson Eagle XL-10

Iver

Pros

  • 6-inch barrel, better ballistics
  • Nice target sights
  • Forward slide serrations

Cons

  • Too long and heavy for carry
  • No accessory rail

Iver Johnson Eagle XL-10 Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: Adjustable White-Dot Rear/Dovetail Front
  • Grips: Partially Checkered Walnut
  • Finish: Matte Blue Frame ; Black Cerakote Slide
  • Barrel Length: 6 Inches
  • Overall Length: 9.75 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.5 Inches
  • Weight: 46 Ounces
  • MSRP: $933

Yes, the owl head is the same as those budget revolvers from 100 years ago, but the modern Iver Johnson has nothing to do with its namesake. Unless you’re a sucker for nostalgia, this is a good thing. With a vastly expanded catalog, Iver Johnson is an importer with a slew of superb pistols from the Philippines (S.A.M. Inc.). What I find the best of all, the guns are at prices nearly any shooter can afford.

This includes its outstanding Eagle XL-10 10mm 1911. Certainly, the long-slide pistol isn’t a top choice for on-person defense. A 6-inch barrel and 46-ounce weight is plenty to keep under wraps. Outside of that, I definitely peg the 10mm fit for any other duty—home defense, competition or hunting.

I personally like the Eagle XL-10's throwback appeal, dang near a spitting image of John Browning’s Government model design—only longer. For it's prince range, I was impressed with the manufacturing quality of the the pistol as the gun’s fit and finish are impeccable. Honestly, I'm apprehensive about imported 1911s because many are rife with tool marks and other undesirable blemishes. Not the case here.

Even more impressive, I thoroughly enjoyed the Eagle's trigger. Shooting out to 20-yards, the brisk 4-pound switch had me staying right around 2 MOA with a variety of ammo. About my only strike against the 10mm, it's right-hand configured and not at all ambidextrous. For the price and performance, I think that even lefties can get over this.

Iver Johnson Eagle XL-10 Deals

Guns.com$781.99PngItem_4588935
Midway USA$754.99PngItem_4588935

Rock Island TAC Ultra MS

Rock Island TAC Ultra MS 10mm 1911

Pros

  • Nice adjustable fiber optic sights
  • G10 grips
  • Accessory rail
  • Commander-sized, could be carried

Cons

  • Slightly worse ballistics
  • Lighter means more recoil
  • Shorter sight radius

Rock Island TAC Ultra MS Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: LPA MPS1 Adjustable Rear/Dovetail Fiber Optic Front
  • Grips: Black/Grey G10
  • Finish: Black Parkerized
  • Barrel Length: 4.25 Inches
  • Overall Length: 8 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.5 Inches
  • Weight: 37.76 Ounces
  • MSRP: $849

When it comes to budget 1911s that bring something to the table, Rock Island Armory is the king. Based out of the Philippines, the gunmaker offers one of the largest selections of the iconic pistol out there. And nearly every one I've handled has ticked like a clock, including the gunmaker’s impressive catalog of 10mm 1911 options.

As far as budget options go, it’s difficult not to opt for the TAC Ultra. One of the truly-carry friendly configurations available in 10mm in this tier, the pistol is the perfect choice for overpowering personal protection.

Commander-sized, the 4.25-inch barreled TAC Ultra is much more concealable than other options on we put on this list. At the same tick, it boasts enough bore to get the powerful Perfect 10 to live up to ballistic expectations. But don’t expect a long-slide kitten when behind the trigger. At around 37-ounces unloaded it is decidedly lighter than most 10mm 1911s, which I can attest translated to more felt recoil.

Overall, the gun was bucky when I tested it, leading to slow splits due to having to rebuild my sight picture after every shot. However, the more time I spent with the TAC, the more proficient I became with the pistol. Regular practice and familiarity with the gun should tighten shot-to-shot accuracy.

Rock Island gives shooters the tools to manage the hand-fitted beast, with ample checkering on the mainspring housing and G10 grips that If found very positive. The pistol is also dolled up with carry-enhancing features, including a low-rise, fully adjustable rear sight and corrosion-resistant parkerized finish.

Rock Island TAC Ultra MS Deals

Guns.com$729.99PngItem_4588935
Midway USA$729.99PngItem_4588935

Girsan Influencer MC1911

girsan influencer 10mm 1911

Pros

  • Optics-ready
  • Accessory rail
  • Forward slide serrations
  • Very affordable
  • Shorter barrel, could be carried
  • Ambidextrous thumb safety

Cons

  • Slightly worse ballistics
  • Shorter sight radius
  • Lighter means more recoil

Girsan Influencer MC1911 Compact Specs:

  • Capacity: 8+1
  • Sights: Low-Profile 3-Dot ; Optics-Ready Slide
  • Grips: Hexagonal Textured
  • Finish: Black
  • Barrel Length: 4.4 Inches
  • Overall Length: 8 Inches
  • Overall Height: 5.5 Inches
  • Weight: 37.6 Ounces
  • MSRP: $669

Girsan is a Turkish company, and Turkish firearms have received a mixed reputation in the U.S. The truth is that the Turkish gun industry has grown massively in the past few years, and while some companies' products have been less-than-stellar, plenty of others have proven themselves as great-value guns. The general consensus is that Girsan 1911s fall in the latter group.

Released in 2024, the Girsan Influencer MC1911 is more with the times than anything else on this list. Namely, that’s because it has an optics-ready slide. If you want to put a red dot on your 10mm 1911, this is the one to look at.

Besides being optics-ready (RMS/RMSc footprint), the Influencer has a few more tricks up its sleeve as well, and the features combine to make an excellent 10mm 1911 option at an impressively affordable price. They have low-profile magwells, ambidextrous thumb safeties, low-profile 3-dot sights and aggressively textured grips. Another great aspect of the Girsan Influencer is that you have your choice of size, as the 10mm model is available as either a Compact with a 4.4-inch barrel (pictured) or a Full-Size with a 5-inch barrel. You also have a choice between a blue/black, black camo or tungsten finish. Regardless of which version you choose, both have a capacity of 8+1 rounds. While still heavy at 37.6 ounces, the 4.4-inch model could definitely be carried concealed if that’s something you’re interested in doing.

All that said, the best part of the Influencer is probably its price, as the 10mm models range between $669 and $725 depending on the finish. Are its bones as good as a Colt or a Ruger? Probably not, but for the features you get for the money we think it would make an excellent option for both range shooting and defense.

Girsan Influencer MC1911 Compact Deals

Guns.com$551.99PngItem_4588935
Palmetto State Armory$619PngItem_4588935

10mm 1911 FAQ

Is 10mm Stronger Than .45 ACP?

Yes. 10mm Auto has a higher muzzle velocity and more energy than .45 ACP, it also retains more of that velocity and energy over greater distances. That said, “stronger” isn't a well-defined term when it comes to comparing handgun cartridges, and .45 ACP's larger diameter and typically heavier projectiles lends itself to potentially better expansion with hollow-points.

Will a 10mm Stop A Grizzly Bear?

Yes, but only with proper shot placement. 10mm is on record as having killed grizzly bears before, but you still have to do your part to hit the right spots.

Why Did The FBI Get Rid Of 10mm?

While the FBI did adopt 10mm Auto and then subsequently decommission it, it's only partly true to say that they “got rid of it.” The cartridge's hefty recoil combined with the large grips of the Smith & Wesson 1076 pistol were too much to handle for most average FBI agents, leading them to adopt .40 S&W instead. However, FBI HRT and SWAT teams did continue to use it, at least for a period.

Raise Your 1911 IQ:

Editor's Note: Adam Borisenko contributed to this article.

10-Gauge: Still Alive and Kicking? 

By
Robert Sadowski
-
0

We take a closer look at 10-gauge, from its history to its usefulness to what its future holds.

I remember a pal of mine who had a 10-gauge H&R single-shot shotgun. It weighed less than 10 pounds and had a 36-inch barrel and a thick vented recoil pad. You’ll note I didn’t say fondly remember.

That 10 swung like a 6-foot 2×4 and whacked your shoulder like it wanted to prove a point, and that point was the distance that 10-gauge could hit at. At the ranges where a 2-3/4-inch 12-gauge starts sputtering out, it seemed like the 10 still had plenty of steam.

We made some phenomenally long shots with that shotgun, and I guess that was the transaction when shooting a big-bore like the 10-gauge: sore shoulders and each hunter with our limit of ducks.

HR 176 10g RIAC
An H&R 176 10-gauge single-shot with camo furniture. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

As much as I tried to bury my memories of the 10-gauge, there are others who still swear by it. The number of those individuals is few and dwindling, but in my mind, 10-gauge will not go gentle into that good night. 

What Is A 10-Gauge Good For

10-gauge shotguns are not do-all shotguns like 12-gauges are. They were at a time, but not anymore. Today, this gauge specializes in distant, high-flying targets and is best suited for a goose pit or blind—geese, swan, the 747-class of migratory waterfowl.

In fact, the 10-gauge is the largest legal waterfowl gauge allowed per the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916 signed by the United States and Canada. The big-bore shotgun sure hammers Canada geese, but the guns are too heavy for a day spent chasing grouse or pheasant, and the lack of light factory loads does not endear it to busting clays.

There is, however, a devoted group of 10-gauge followers much like there is for 16-gauge. So, what’s the attraction to the largest legal bore? We need to go back to the Old West to answer that. 

remington 1889 10g RIAC
A Remington 1889 double-barrel 10ga shotgun. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

10-Gauge Black Powder To Smokeless 

The 10-gauge was born in the black powder era when puffs of smoke followed each shot, and powder, wad and shot were loaded separately down the muzzle. This eventually gave way to loaded shells and 10-gauge quickly gained a similar status to what the 12-gauge enjoys today.

10 gauge ammo boxes RIAC
Two old boxes of Winchester black powder 10ga blank shot shells. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

Not all 10-gauge shotguns were side-by-sides, either. Winchester introduced the first successful repeating shotgun, the Model 1887, which was a lever-action available in 10- and 12-gauge. By the time smokeless powder came around the 10-gauge made an easy transition from black powder shells to smokeless shells.

The Winchester Model 1901 (the updated Model 1887 lever-action) was designed specifically to handle the new more powerful 10-gauge 2-7/8-inch smokeless shells. Despite this, 12-gauge was already creeping into 10-gauge’s territory. Winchester’s Model 1897 pump-action wasn’t even offered in 10-gauge, only in 12- and 16-gauge. By about 1930, the 10’s days were looking numbered.

Winchester 10g 1887 RIAC
A Winchester Model 1887 lever-action in 10ga. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

The Modern 10-Gauge Shell 

Winchester and Ithaca consorted in the early 1930s not only to create the 10-gauge magnum shell, which is the 10-gauge 3-1/2-inch shell as we know it today, but a new side-by-side shotgun to go with it called the New Ithaca Double. The partnership did not revolutionize shotgunning, but it did give goose hunters another option and helped 10-gauge to hold on for a bit longer.

10-gauge 3 1-2 inch shell
A 10ga 3-1/2-inch shell. Photo: Wikipedia.

The next development that helped 10-gauge’s popularity was the introduction of the Ithaca Mag 10 semi-automatic shotgun in 1975. 10-gauge has a lot of kick, and it’s accentuated when fired from a system that has no recoil absorption like a double-barrel, so the introduction of a softer-shooting semi-auto helped make it more appealing. This gas-operated shotgun weighed 11 pounds with a 32-inch barrel and stifled the felt recoil of 2-1/4-ounce shot loads. Remington eventually bought Ithaca’s patent for the Mag 10, modified the design and called it the SP 10. The high weight of these two shotguns combined with their gas-operated actions helped ease felt recoil and made the 10-gauge much more pleasant to shoot. 

itchaca mag 10 RIAC
An Ithaca Mag 10 semi-auto 10ga shotgun. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

Non-Toxic Shot Boosts The 10-Gauge’s Popularity 

At this point in 10-gauge’s life, all looked grand. Goose populations were on the uptick and turkey hunting was coming back as well. Plus, thanks to new hunting laws that started being enacted in the 1980s, the use of non-toxic steel shot was now being mandated for waterfowl hunting in place of lead. This change placed 10-gauge in a perfect position to grow in popularity.

This is because early factory steel loads lacked power and pellet density. Powder and shot material technology were not what they are today. Back then you needed to shoot much bigger steel shot pellets due to the low density of steel shot compared to the lead shot that was previously used by hunters. You also needed to use a more open choke with steel to get similar patterns that were achieved using a tighter choke and lead shot. Besides that, steel shot didn’t always play nice with some shotgun barrels that had older fixed chokes.

Remington 10g shell
A cross-section of a Remington Hypersonic Steel 3-1/2-inch 10ga shell loaded with BB shot.

Today, we take screw-in choke tubes for granted and are very familiar with the efficacy of other shot materials like bismuth and tungsten. However, back in the 80s, larger steel pellets meant fewer pellets could be stuffed in 3-inch 12-gauge shells which resulted in bad pattern density. The answer to this problem at the time was 10-gauge. It could still deliver the goods with non-toxic steel shot, offering more pellets per payload compared to similar 3-inch 12-gauge loads. Even if it was just the result of a law changing the scene, it did give 10-gauge a new distinct advantage over 12-gauge for certain tasks, and the obvious result was many bird hunters opting to make the switch. Had the planets aligned? Was 10-gauge about to enjoy a renaissance? Federal and Mossberg had other ideas. Ideas that doomed the future of 10-gauge. 

Rise of the 12-Gauge 3-1/2-Inch Shell 

The year was 1988 and Mossberg debuted the model 835 Ulti-Mag pump-action shotgun, but the real surprise that year was the gun’s new 3-1/2-inch chamber and the introduction of the 12-gauge 3-1/2-inch shell. The 10-gauge was simply outgunned.

A 3-1/2-inch 12-gauge shell could do basically everything that 10-gauge could do equally well if not better. Plus, the 3-1/2-inch 12-gauge was available in lighter shotguns that could also shoot 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch shells. This development gave 12-gauge excellent versatility as you could now fire everything from light target loads to heavy goose loads all out of the same gun.

Benelli introduced the semi-auto Super Black Eagle with a 3-1/2-inch chamber about three years after Mossberg’s 835 Ulti-Mag, and this essentially knocked the SP 10 off the magnum bore pedestal and put the last few nails in 10-gauge’s coffin.

Taking a look at current 10- and 12-gauge waterfowl and turkey loads, it’s easy to see that the long 3-1/2-inch 12-gauge loads perform equally as well or better than equivalent 10-gauge loads. 

Waterfowl Loads:

LOAD/GAUGE SHOT SIZE TYPE SHOT CHARGE MUZZLE VELOCITY (FPS)
Federal Black Cloud 10 gauge 3-1/2” 2 Steel 1-1/2 oz. 1,450 
Federal Speed-Shot 12 gauge 3-1/2”  2 Steel 1-1/2 oz. 1,500 

Turkey Loads:

LOAD/GAUGE SHOT SIZE TYPE SHOT CHARGE MUZZLE VELOCITY (FPS)
Federal Grand Slam 10 gauge 3-1/2” 4 or 5 Copper Plated Lead 2 oz. 1,200 
Federal Grand Slam 12 gauge 3-1/2”  4 or 6 Copper Plated Lead 2 oz. 1,200 
Federal 3rd Degree 12 gauge 3-1/2”  5, 6, or 7 Tungsten/Lead 2 oz. 1,250 

The 10-Gauge Edge 

The side-by-side comparison of 12- and 10-gauge muzzle velocities shows that the 12 is the obvious winner, at least on paper. As for ammo availability, 12 gauge also offers a greater variety of shot sizes and payloads.

There are, however, advantages that 10-gauge still has over 12-gauge. Since the bore of the 10-gauge has a larger diameter, the pellets tend to pattern more efficiently, especially at longer ranges. Plus, because 10-gauge shotguns are heavier than 12-gauges, they’ll kick comparatively less when shooting powerful hunting loads. If nothing else, their ability to produce better patterns at longer ranges with less kick means that 10-gauge shotguns still have their place as dedicated waterfowl guns.

10-Gauge Shotguns 

At the time of this writing, zero manufacturers are producing new 10-gauge shotguns.

Browning was the last holdout to still make them for many years, both pumps and semi-autos, but even they recently threw in the towel and ceased production. So, if you’re interested in buying one, your only option is now the second-hand market. Unfortunately, the choices are pretty limited and prices are high.

Browning BPS RIAC
A Browning BPS pump-action 10ga. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

If you want a pump-action, the only model we’re aware of is the Browning BPS, and even their used prices seem to typically start at around $1,000. Semi-autos like the Ithaca Mag-10, Remington SP-10 and Browning Gold are even more pricey. Expect to pay around $1,200 on the low end for an Ithaca, around $2,000 for a Remington and closer to $5,000 for a Browning.

The least expensive 10-gauge shotgun you’ll be able to find will almost certainly be a single-shot, likely a New England Firearms or H&R model, but even these typically go for between $500 and $800. In the same price range, you might be able to find an older double-barrel as well. Any way you slice it, as far as typical shotgun prices go, 10-gauges are expensive.

HR 10g double barrel RIAC
An H&R double-barrel 10ga. Photo: rockislandauction.com.

Regarding 10-gauge ammunition, it’s still readily available but also quite pricey. Plenty of manufacturers like Winchester, Federal and Remington all still produce a variety of loads for it, but the cheapest of those will run you about $1 per shell. The price obviously only goes up from there for fancier hunting loads.

The 10-Gauge Niche 

With nobody making 10-gauge shotguns anymore, it’s safe to say that the gauge is on its way out. Like 16-gauge, however, it probably won’t entirely disappear either.

As long as 10-gauge retains its few distinct advantages over 12-gauge for waterfowl hunting, as slight as they may be, a dedicated group of users will continue to employ it for the foreseeable future. It’s not going to gain in popularity ever again, but for now, 10-gauge has found its niche as a dedicated bird gun gauge that offers better long-range patterns than 3-1/2-inch 12-gauge shells.

The vast majority of people in the market for a shotgun today should stick with 12-gauge, but if you have a fondness for big-bore boomsticks and have birds that need killing, 10-gauge can still be an excellent, effective choice.

More On Shotguns:

First Look: Christensen Arms Evoke Rifle Series

By
Adam Borisenko
-
0

We take a quick look at the new Christensen Arms Evoke series of sub-MOA, sub-$1,000 bolt-action rifles.

There was a time when you had to pay an arm and a leg if you wanted a sub-MOA rifle, and while they’re still not exactly cheap, the prices of extremely accurate guns have been steadily dropping in recent years. For proof, look no further than Christensen Arms’ new Evoke rifle series. Featuring four configurations to choose from and 11 chambering options, the Evoke rifles come with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee and have a sub-$1,000 price tag.

Christensen Arms Evoke

The rifle series includes the Evoke, Evoke Mossy Oak, Evoke Hunter and Evoke Precision. The standard and Mossy Oak models are available in all 11 chambering options, but the Hunter and Precision models are only available in six of those. The full list includes .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .270 Winchester, 7mm Rem. Mag., 7mm PRC, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win. Mag., .300 PRC and .350 Legend. The barrel lengths of Evoke rifles range between 18 and 22 inches depending on caliber, and their weights start at 7.7 pounds.

Christensen Arms Evoke Rifle

Notable features found on all Evoke rifle models include Christensen Arms Precision Machined Receivers, adjustable TriggerTech triggers, detachable box magazines, Remington 700 optics bases and an integrated section of Picatinny rail on the forend for accessories. As for their barrels, they’re made of 416R stainless steel with a #4 contour and feature RFR-style muzzle brakes and 5/8×24 threaded muzzles. The Evoke Hunter also comes standard with a pre-installed 0-MOA scope rail, and the Evoke Precision features the same as well as an adjustable FFT carbon fiber cheek riser and a section of forward ARCA rail instead of Picatinny. However, the Precision model won’t be available until late 2025. All variants also include a sling swivel stud and a stock that can have its Length of Pull adjusted via spacers.

Vic Keller, CEO of Christensen Arms, said this about the new rifles:

The new Evoke lineup offers hunters world-class, attainable firearms that embody our dedication to craftsmanship and innovation regardless of what, or where, they hunt … The Evoke is the result of our passion for building American-made rifles that prioritize performance and precision. We’ve sacrificed nothing in the development of the Evoke line—we want premium rifles accessible for everyone.

MSRP for the Evoke rifles starts at $898.99 and each comes with Christensen Arms’ Sub-MOA Guarantee and Limited Lifetime Warranty.

For more information, visit christensenarms.com.

More On Hunting Rifles:

First Look: Bushmaster MUTA II Suppressor

By
Adam Borisenko
-
1

Bushmaster Firearms has just announced the MUTA II, the latest version of the company’s direct-thread 5.56/.223 suppressor.

The original Bushmaster MUTA was released a few years ago, but a lot has happened in the suppressor space since then. Harnessing the advantages of new manufacturing techniques and materials, the MUTA II BM556 is packed with improvements over its predecessor.

Bushmaster MUTA II Suppressor 2

Featuring a 3D-printed Inconel 625 exterior, the MUTA II is shorter, lighter and quieter than the original. It has a length of only 5.65 inches, an outer body diameter of 1.675 inches and a weight of 12.25 ounces. Bushmaster also says that the suppressor is full-auto rated, built tough and designed to more efficiently dissipate heat when shooting.

Bushmaster MUTA II Suppressor 1

As for sound suppression, the MUTA II is advertised as being able to reduce the sound signature of 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington by 14 percent at the left ear, 15.4 percent at the muzzle and 15.9 percent at the right ear. Cleaning and maintenance are also made simple thanks to the suppressor’s threaded front cap and removable baffle stack. For mounting, the MUTA II is only available as a direct-thread suppressor with a 1/2×28 thread pitch.

The Bushmaster MUTA II BM556 suppressor has an MSRP of $709.95 and is available now.

For more information, visit bushmaster.com.

More On Suppressors:

First Look: G9 Defense 9mm Copper Subsonic Ammo

By
Adam Borisenko
-
0

We check out G9 Defense’s new all-copper subsonic 9mm self-defense ammo.

When it comes to 9mm ammunition, most shooters usually only need it to be either good for self-defense or subsonic, but those who need both in the same package have a new option to consider from G9 Defense. Featuring all-copper projectiles, it's as effective on target as it is quiet (when used with a suppressor).

G9 Defense 9mm Subsonic

The G9 Defense subsonic 9mm ammo is loaded with 126-grain solid copper External Hollow Point (EHP) projectiles, and they offer several advantages compared to traditional hollow point bullets. The parabolic flutes on each projectile utilize fluid dynamics to create devastating cavitation and wounds in soft tissue while their solid construction allows them to penetrate common barriers without performance loss and only minimal deflection when striking auto glass. G9 Defense says that the design of this bullet also helps prevent over-penetration and eliminates the possibility of jacket separation. The ammo has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,020 fps, but the company recommends only using it with barrels that are 8 inches or shorter to ensure it stays subsonic.

G9 Defense 9mm Copper Subsonic Ammo gel test

The final impressive detail regarding G9 Defense’s subsonic 9mm ammo is that it’s light-for-caliber. Most subsonic 9mm ammo is loaded with 147-grain projectiles, but G9’s 126-grain bullets will be comparatively softer shooting and have less muzzle rise.

G9 Defense 9mm

Effective on target, extremely quiet when suppressed and softer-shooting than most other subsonic 9mm, it seems that the G9 Defense copper subsonic ammo is going to be a great option for anyone running a suppressed 9mm for home defense. It’s available now and has an MSRP of $36.99 per 20-round box.

For more information, visit g9defense.com.

More On Handgun Ammo:

First Look: Silencer Central MeatEater By BANISH

By
Adam Borisenko
-
0

We take a quick look at the new Silencer Central/BANISH MeatEater, a .30-caliber suppressor designed with hunters in mind.

Silencer Central is continuing to expand its BANISH suppressor lineup, but this time it’s with something more hunting-oriented. Called the MeatEater, this .30-caliber suppressor was designed in collaboration with Steven Rinella, host of the popular hunting TV show MeatEater. The goal was to build a suppressor that struck a balance in features that would be ideal for most hunters. Specifically, that means it needed to be light, short and user-serviceable all while decreasing noise and felt recoil.

Silencer Central MeatEater BANISH

The BANISH MeatEater handily meets all of these criteria. As for weight, thanks to its full titanium construction it comes in at only 10.3 ounces. As for its size, it’s also relatively compact at 5.85 inches long and 1.73 inches in diameter. And as for cleaning and servicing, the MeatEater’s removable baffle stack makes it easy.

Silencer Central MeatEater By BANISH

Regarding noise suppression, the MeatEater is rated for up to 300 RUM and reduces sound level by 32 dB on average. The suppressor also features an anchor brake that can be opened or closed, reducing the recoil impulse by 40 or 30 percent, respectively. When closed, you’re trading that extra 10 percent of recoil reduction for about 5 dB of additional sound suppression. For achieving the greatest amount of suppression possible with your setup, the MeatEater also features interchangeable muzzle cap inserts for different calibers. Each can will ship with two muzzle cap inserts, one for .30-caliber and one for 6.5mm, as well as a direct-thread 5/8×24 HUB mount. Since it uses the HUB system, you’ll be able to attach the suppressor to just about anything with the appropriate mount.

Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, said this about the new BANISH suppressor:

From the beginning, both Silencer Central and MeatEater had a shared vision for this suppressor … It had to be lightweight, quiet, and reduce recoil – essential features for hunters. Our engineering team worked hand-in-hand with the MeatEater team on every aspect, from design to testing, and even down to the aesthetics, to ensure we delivered the best possible product. The result exceeded every expectation. I’m excited to take it into the field this season, and I know the MeatEater crew is just as eager to use it on their next hunt.

The Silencer Central MeatEater by BANISH is available now and has an MSRP of $1,299.

For more information, visit silencercentral.com.

More On Suppressors:

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