A quick look at the new Vortex Triumph HD 3-9×40 Riflescope and Triumph HD 850 Laser Rangefinder.
Who says that hunting optics have to break the bank? There are plenty of affordable options that are more than good enough to help you fill your freezer this deer season, and Vortex has just added two more to choose from with the Triumph HD 3-9×40 Riflescope and the Triumph HD 850 Laser Rangefinder.
The Triumph HD 3-9×40 scope features Vortex’s HD Optical System, designed to provide excellent resolution, color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness and light transmission while reducing chromatic aberration. The lenses are also fully multi-coated, and Vortex says the scope is built tough to withstand water, fog and shock. As for its reticle, the Triumph HD 3-9×40 sports a Second Focal Plane (SFP) Dead-Hold BDC (MOA) reticle, and each scope ships with a set of Vortex 1-inch Hunter rings in addition to a neoprene lens cover, lens cloth, Torx T-25 wrench and a custom turret tool. It has an MSRP of just $150.
The Triumph HD Laser Rangefinder features a durable waterproof and shockproof housing, an HCD (Horizontal Component Distance) Corrected Shoot-To Range reticle and the same great glass quality as the scope thanks to the HD Optical System. It also features 5x magnification, three ranging modes, three targeting modes, and a maximum reflective range of 850 yards. Each range finder ships with a carry case, a wrist lanyard, a lens cloth and one CR2 battery, and it has an MSRP of $150 as well.
I take Q’s The Fix rifle in 8.6 Blackout to the range to test the best ways to maximize its subsonic and supersonic capabilities.
Up until the introduction of the 8.6 Blackout cartridge I never had much interest in subsonic centerfire rifle cartridges. This was mostly because of the lackluster supersonic capabilities of the .300 Blackout and even the much newer .338 ARC. Once either cartridge is combined with a compact short-barreled-rifle (SBR) all you really have is a subsonic platform with limited application. The 8.6 Blackout is different, mostly because of its incredibly fast twist rate of 1 turn in 3 inches. From a terminal performance perspective this radically fast rotational velocity not only lets it outperform all other subsonic cartridges, but it also substantially increases its supersonic capabilities. That high performance dual use intrigues me.
This comparison shows the difference in the 8.6 Blackout (left), .308 Winchester (center) and .300 Blackout (right).
The 8.6 Blackout is a brainchild of Q, a firearms company in New Hampshire that’s probably best known for their Honey Badger SBR. I don’t know where the company came up with their odd name, but I do remember that Q was where James Bond got all his cool tools. At any rate, the founder of Q was also the founder of AAC (Advanced Armament Corporation) and the creator of the .300 Blackout. As you might guess, Q also makes the best rifle for the 8.6 Blackout cartridge. It’s called the Fix.
The Fix is very unique and unlike any other bolt-action rifle you’ve seen. It is built around an aluminum receiver, but, except for the trigger, all operational components are housed in the striker-fired bolt. It also has a folding stock that’s adjustable for length of pull and comb height, and the barrel system is modular, so the end user can swap barrels on their own. A Q Fix SBR in 8.6 Blackout with a 12-inch barrel only weighs 5.18 pounds, so even with a suppressor and a riflescope it’s still reasonably light for a rifle that powerful.
Gorilla Ammunition offers the widest range of factory loaded 8.6 Blackout ammunition with supersonic and subsonic loads.
I’ve been working with one for about a year and wanted to maximize its usefulness by selecting a sight system that would allow me to go between subsonic and supersonic ammo without drastic sight alterations. In other words—ideally—I wanted to be able to shoot accurately, from the muzzle to 200 yards, and let the riflescope do my trajectory correction work for me. The first thing I needed to do to start down this road was establish the DOPE for super and subsonic loads so I could select a riflescope that would best pair with both, and the current best source for 8.6 Blackout ammo is Gorilla Ammunition.
Getting the DOPE
This is where things get a bit tricky because you’re dealing with trajectory correction at various distances, and this makes the click value of the riflescope change. For example, at 100 yards most riflescopes have a click value of ¼ MOA. This equates to about a quarter inch, but to be precise it equals 0.262 inch. At 50 yards, the riflescope has a click value of 0.131-inch (1/8th MOA) per click, at 75 yards the ¼ MOA click value equals 0.197 inch, and at 200 yards it’s 0.524 inch per click. It is also a bit complicated because you’re correcting for loads that shoot reasonably flat and for other loads with a rainbow trajectory.
The Maven’s RS.6 1-10x28mm riflescope offers two rotations of 25 MOA of correction and has a zero stop.
For my purposes, I decided on the 190-grain Fracturing supersonic load, which is what I zeroed the rifle for at 100 yards. Next, I wanted to know how much that load would drop at 200 yards. Shots on target confirmed this at about 7.5 inches. Since each elevation click equals 0.524-inch at 200 yards, I needed 14.31(15) clicks.
While I was at it, I also checked the drop of the 210-grain Barnes TSX load at 100 yards. With the rifle zeroed for the 190-grain Fracturing supersonic load, the 210-grain TSX load was 2 inches low at 100, and 9.0 inches low at 200. But I really wanted to be able to shoot accurately out to 100 yards with the 285-grain Fracturing subsonic load.
I started at 50 yards using the 100 yard zero for the 190-grain Fracturing supersonic load. At that distance the 285-grain Fracturing subsonic load impacted 5 inches low. The ¼ MOA click value of the scope at 50 yards is 0.131 inch, and to correct for 5 inches I needed 38 clicks. As it turned out, this was the same elevation correction I needed for the Gorilla subsonic 300-grain Sierra MatchKing load.
Next, I shot a target at 75 yards, and both the 285-grain Fracturing and 300-grain Sierra MatchKing subsonic loads struck the target right at about 12 inches low. The ¼ MOA click value at 75 yards equals 0.197 inch, which meant I needed to divide 12 inches by 0.197 to determine the number of clicks of correction needed. The math worked out to 60.91 or 61 clicks.
Finally, I was shooting the subsonic loads at 100 yards where I was also dealing with the common ¼ MOA (0.262-inch) per click correction. At that distance, the 300-grain Sierra MatchKing subsonic load was 17.5 inches low, so it required 67 clicks, and the 285-grain Fracturing subsonic load at 19 inches required 73 clicks.
This chart shows the impact of the tested loads at different distances. The click adjustments can be confusing because ¼ MOA equals different corrections at different distances.
Any long-range shooter is familiar with an exercise like this; it’s called getting your DOPE (Data from Previous Engagement). The difference is that most long-range shooters are only working with a single load, and they’re also not trying to use a single zero for two different loads.
Another thing to consider is that the drop of your subsonic loads might not impact the target directly below their impact at close range or the impact of the supersonic load at its zero range. This can be a trait of the ammunition, but it’s more than likely an indicator your riflescope/reticle is not level, and when you’re applying click corrections, you’re minutely moving the reticle to the left or right.
DOPE Chart
LOAD
DISTANCE (YARDS)
DROP (INCHES)
1/4 MOA (INCHES)
CLICKS
190-grain supersonic
100 yards
-0-
0.262
0 (0)
210-grain supersonic
100 yards
-2.0
0.262
7.63 (8)
190-grain supersonic
200 yards
-7.5
0.524
14.31 (15)
210-grain supersonic
200 yards
-9.0
0.524
17.17 (17)
285-grain subsonic
50 yards
-5.0
0.131
38.17 (38)
285-grain subsonic
75 yards
-12.0
0.197
60.91 (61)
285-grain subsonic
100 yards
-19.0
0.262
72.52 (73)
300-grain subsonic
50 yards
-5.0
0.131
38.17 (38)
300-grain subsonic
75 yards
-12.0
0.197
60.91 (61)
300-grain subsonic
100 yards
-17.5
0.262
66.79 (67)
Finding a Scope
Once I had my DOPE, I then knew the maximum amount of elevation correction I needed. Since I wanted to shoot to 200 yards with supersonic loads and out to 100 yards with subsonic loads, I needed at least 18.5, or better yet, 19 MOA of correction. Most rifle scopes offer this much elevation adjustment in a single rotation, and some of the more modern riflescopes offer two rotations with almost double that amount. If you wanted to take the subsonic loads beyond 100 yards the additional—second rotation—adjustment would be necessary with the 8.6 Blackout.
If you want to dial in corrections for super and subsonic 8.6 Blackout loads, the Swarovski’s Z5i + L BT riflescope is the simplest solution.
Swarovski’s Z5i + L BT
I first tried one of the new Swarovski Z5i + L BT riflescopes ($1,949) that comes with their self-customizing elevation correction turret that uses multiple small rings. After setting the zero for the 190-grain Fracturing supersonic load, I set a ring at 15 clicks for the 190-grain Fracturing supersonic load at 200 yards, and rings at 38, 61 and 73 clicks for the 285-grain subsonic load at 50, 75 and 100 yards, respectively. This riflescope was equipped with the illuminated plex-style reticle, so trajectory correction was only possible by clicking in a solution.
The Q Fix with the 17-ounce Swarovski’s Z5i + L BT riflescope installed.
Maven’s RS.6 1-10x28mm
I switched to the new Maven RS.6 1-10x28mm riflescope ($1,600) that comes with the unique MOA3-LPI reticle. This is an MOA Christmas tree style reticle with elevation and windage correction, but it also very uniquely provides red or green illumination. This reticle offers 50 MOA of elevation and 20 MOA of windage correction, in 1 MOA increments, so it would be easy to correct for distance with either load. Of course, with 50 MOA of elevation correction in the turret, I could click-in corrections too.
The Q Fix with the Maven’s RS.6 1-10x28mm riflescope installed.
EOTech’s 3-9X32mm SFP
Then, I tried the new EOTech 3-9X32mm SFP riflescope which retails for $1,059. This is an unusual scope because it does not mount via rings. Instead, it uses a rail that interfaces with various height mini-ACOG mounts. The windage and elevation turrets are capped with this scope, but given its size and weight, it was the scope I really hoped worked with this rifle and cartridge. The reticle for the EOTech 3-9X32mm SFP is also an MOA reticle that’s illuminated, and it offers 30 MOA of elevation correction and 16 MOA of left and right windage correction.
The Q fix with the compact, lightweight and rail mounted EOTech 3-9x32mm SFP riflescope mounted. Note: A EOTech mini reflex sight is mounted to the 3-9X scope.
The EOTech has capped turrets, so dialing DOPE was not really an option. But the SFP’s reticle worked just fine for trajectory correction with both loads at the designated distances. However, without any numbering on the MOA hash marks I had to do some counting to select the correct one. Looking at the DOPE chart this seems complicated, but remember, based on my goals, I only wanted four trajectory corrections: 200 yards for the supersonic load, and 50, 75 and 100 yards for the subsonic load. This scope can also be had with a mount for an EOTech EFLX mini reflex sight and ring mount for an additional $370 extra. With the addition of this sight, I can make accurate shots at extremely close quarters just by slightly rotating the rifle and raising my head to look through the reflex sight.
With the EOTech mini-reflex sight installed on the EOTech 3-9x32mm SFP riflescope, you can make accurate close-quarters shots just by raising your head and slightly rotating the rifle.
A Symbiotic Super/Sub System
With its fantastic varied applications, the Q Fix and the 8.6 Blackout cartridge can be used for hunting, recreation, and personal protection, and all this DOPE illustrates how you can maximize the system by using various optical sights. With the modern optics we have today, options seem endless. I really liked all three riflescopes I tried, and it may take some time for me to settle on which one I like best. No matter which way I go I’ll have a very symbiotic system that will allow me to accurately place slow and silent or fast and quiet bullets right where I need them out to 200 yards and beyond.
Shooting Results
LOAD
VEL (fps)
ST DEV (fps)
ENG (ft-lbs)
PRECISION (Inches)
Gorilla 190-grain Fracturing
2,013.2
10.7
1,709.7
1.69
Gorilla 210-grain Barnes TSX
1,927.8
8.5
1,732.6
1.12
Gorilla 285-grain Fracturing
881.6
30.9
492.4
1.64
Gorilla 300-grain Sierra MatchKing
917.3
30.9
561.1
2.88
AVERAGE:
1.83
NOTES: Average muzzle velocity, standard velocity deviation and muzzle energy were obtained with a Garmin Xero C1 chronograph. Average precision is the result of three, five-shot groups fired at 100 yards.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
A quick look at .219 Zipper, a cartridge that’s gone the way of the dinosaur.
The .219 Zipper was brought out in 1937 by Winchester for its Model 64 lever-action rifle, which was a modernization of the Model 94. This combination (as with the .218 Bee in the Model 65) did not prove sufficiently accurate for long-range shooting on small targets and, in addition, did not allow the proper mounting of telescopic sights. Winchester discontinued the Model 64 after World War II.
The last commercial rifle chambered for the cartridge was Marlin’s Model 336 lever action, discontinued in this chambering in 1961. A number of custom-made single-shot and Krag-Jorgensen rifles have been made for the .219 Zipper. It’s not and never has been very popular, and it’s based on the necked-down .25-35 WCF case.
Winchester dropped the .219 Zipper in 1962, and Remington followed shortly thereafter.
General Comments
In a good, solid-frame single-shot or bolt-action rifle, the .219 Zipper is just as accurate as any other high-velocity .22 in its class. Since it was designed for tubular magazines, all factory-loaded ammunition is furnished with flat- or round-nosed bullets, and this causes rapid velocity loss.
Although overshadowed by the .222 Remington, it’s still an entirely satisfactory small game, varmint or target cartridge. Given carefully prepared ammunition in a properly functioning lever action, performance of this cartridge and rifle combination is limited more by the necessary use of blunt bullets than by intrinsic accuracy constraints. Such a combination is certainly capable of 200-yard shots on vermin, which is stretching what most shooters can do with iron sights anyway; beyond that range, velocity drops off so fast that trajectory limits usefulness, even given a telescopic sight.
This is one of the few American cartridges that functions well through the British Lee-Enfield action. Some of these rifles have been rebarreled and altered to handle the Zipper. Anecdotal information from several serious shooters who have bothered to wring out the cartridge’s accuracy in the Model 64 suggests that Winchester should have spent more effort on ammunition quality.
In 2022, the Zipper was loaded as complete ammunition by a few custom shops. Hendershot’s Extreme Custom Ammunition listed 45- and 55-grain bullet weights with properly headstamped brass. Reed’s Ammunition & Research listed loads for 40-, 50-, 55- and 60-grain V-Max bullets and 46-grain flat-nose soft points suitable for use in lever actions, as well as Zipper brass. Buffalo Arms Co. also loaded the 46-grain ammunition. MidwayUSA.com also listed .219 Zipper brass.
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.
Springfield’s latest Saint Victor offering packs full-size AR performance into a compact 9mm package. The Saint Victor 8.5-inch 9mm Pistol runs a direct-blowback system inside dedicated 9mm forged receivers, with a Melonite-treated 8.5-inch barrel that hits the sweet spot for compact maneuverability and ballistic punch. It features an M-Lok handguard with a handstop, QD mount and the recessed SA Muzzle Drum tucked underneath. Out back is an SB Tactical SBA3 brace, while controls include a short-throw ambi safety and B5 Systems furniture. Feeding from a 32-round Colt-pattern mag, this 9mm blaster is ready for anything. MSRP: $1,099
Laser Ammo’s CQB in a Box
Laser Ammo’s CQB in a Box is a portable, wireless training system built for real-world readiness. Designed for law enforcement, military and security pros, it includes three full-size reactive targets with adjustable hit zones for the head, torso and pelvis. Shooters can run simple drills or complex simulations with light-coded shoot/no-shoot scenarios—no range required. The system syncs with a Windows PC for drill analytics and remote control, and it’s compatible with Laser Ammo’s red and IR laser systems. It all packs neatly into a rugged case for training anywhere. MSRP: $2,400 full kit, $899 single target
Federal 7mm Backcountry Terminal Ascent
Federal’s new 7mm Backcountry is rewriting the rules for long-action hunting cartridges. With its innovative Peak Alloy case design, it delivers magnum-level speed—up to 3,300 fps with a 155-grain Terminal Ascent bullet—while still running on a standard bolt face. Built for deep penetration and long-range performance, the bonded Terminal Ascent projectile features a high BC (.586), Slipstream tip for reliable expansion and AccuChannel grooves to cut drag and boost accuracy. It’s available in 155- and 170-grain loads, both delivering flat trajectories and hard-hitting results. MSRP: Starting at $79
C&H ERD-2 Red Dot Optic
C&H Precision’s new ERD-2 brings tough, enclosed-emitter performance to shotguns, rifles and PCCs. This 22mm red-dot runs a 3 MOA reticle with 10 brightness settings (including two for NV), and its front-facing sensor auto-adjusts to changing light on the fly. Housed in 7075 aluminum and fully submersible for 30 minutes, the ERD-2 is built to take abuse and keep zero. A 50,000-hour battery life and included Picatinny pedestal mount round out a feature-rich optic that punches above its price. MSRP: $280
Hawke Optics Frontier Reflex Sight
Hawke’s new Frontier Reflex sight brings rugged versatility and a crystal-clear view to pistols, rifles and everything in between. Built with a tough aluminum body and steel shroud, it runs a crisp 3-MOA red dot with 10 brightness levels—including two night-vision settings—and auto-adjusts via onboard sensor. Mounting options are nearly endless, with RMSc, Docter, DeltaPoint Pro, and Weaver/Picatinny compatibility all in one package. Motion-sensing standby conserves battery life, while a side tray makes swaps fast without re-zeroing. At just 0.8 ounce, it’s compact, tough and ready for carry, competition or duty. MSRP: Starting at $319
Primary Arms SLx RS-10R Reflex Sight
Primary Arms just made its popular RS-10 red-dot even more versatile with the new SLx RS-10R. Built around the widely used RMR footprint, it’s ready to drop onto a broader range of optics-ready slides and mounts. At just 1.1 ounces, this 7075 aluminum sight is featherweight but rugged, with a 23x19mm multi-coated lens, side-loading battery tray and AutoLive tech that preserves its 40,000-hour battery life. Setting up for duty use or everyday carry, the sight is rock-solid at a fair price. MSRP: $210
Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10X FDE Scope
Leupold has added a fresh twist to its elite Mark 5HD line with a 2-10x30mm variant dressed in flat dark earth and outfitted with the illuminated CMR reticle. Built on a 35mm main tube and using Leupold’s M5C3 zero-lock turret system, this scope offers 34.9 mils of elevation in 0.1-mil increments—ideal for precision with semi-auto carbines or compact bolt guns. It’s first focal plane, loaded with MST motion-sensing tech and backed by the Pro Grade Optical System for clarity across the zoom range. MSRP: $2,699
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
I go over 8 must-consider factors when choosing a tactical light, whether it be for a pistol, a rifle or just everyday carry.
Until we learn to use sonar, or genetic manipulation gives us the means of thermal ID, we need light. But because this is America and there are lots of options … well, that doesn’t mean they are all correct.
You have to choose—and you have to choose wisely. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Enough But Not Too Much
The idea of a megawatt light source makes some of us a bit giddy. I mean, who doesn’t want to be wielding 2,500 lumens of tactical light or even more?
Well, try doing anything indoors with that light.
Room-clearing would be an awful experience, yes, but just plain searching for the blasted blankety-blank thing you need when the power is out would be a chore. In truth, 2,500 lumens will blind you when it hits those developer-approved Navajo White walls you are fond of.
Show some restraint when buying a light. We were all agog when SureFire came out with its first handheld tactical light. “Sixty lumens? Oh my.” That was considered blinding back then.
So, if you need a pocket light, consider one with selectable lumen outputs. And if it’s to be mounted on a pistol, keep a hand on your impulses and “settle” for a “mere” 500 lumens—max.
2. More Than One
I know what you’re thinking: Oh, right, the two becomes one, one becomes none adage, right?
Well, yes and no. If you’re going to depend on lights, you need backups. But, you also often need more than one tool. Two examples come to mind: dogs and dropped items.
Each night, when I take the dogs out for their last walk of the day, I’ve got three lights on me. One is a 2,000-lumen blaster. If there’s something moving out there in the dark, I want to do more than just see it. If it might be a hazard, I want its little retinas to fairly sizzle when I light them up.
Having a light on your pistol is good, but not enough. You need a non-gun light source to avoid embarrassment … or worse.
But when it comes time to pick up dog poop (I’m a responsible dog owner, and the city requires it even if I wasn’t), I don’t need 2,500 lumens. So, I have an adjustable-lumen light clipped to my pocket programmed to start on “Low.”
No dogs?
OK, how about this: You’ve walked to your car, and at the car you fumbled and dropped something. Are you going to pull out your concealed handgun, turn on your weapon-mounted light and search for it? If you are, I will disclaim any knowledge of your existence. “Bob Smith, the light-on-his-gun-in-the-parking-lot guy? Nope, never met him.”
Such things are at the very least going to get you talked about. And if anything at all goes awry, you could find yourself in some serious trouble. Have a regular light so you can see dropped things, find the keyhole on the lock, etc.
3. Know Your Beam
Lights come with reflectors, and they determine the shape of the slight spread. If you’re going to be putting a light on a rifle in the country to deal with varmints and hogs, yes, you want power. But you also want a “hot” center, lots of throw with a lot of those lumens in the center of the beam. The measure of that is the candela power, and for reach you need a hot center.
But, if you’re going to be working indoors, you want a wide spread so you can see things not in the center. Oh, you’ll want a hot center also, but you need spread as well.
So, do your research and buy accordingly. That wide beam doesn’t help when trying to hit that coyote at 100 yards, and the high-intensity hot beam is a big fail indoors.
4. Control the Controls
Light only helps if you can call on it when needed. Learn the controls of your light, and practice until you can do them by “I need this” and it happens.
On handguns, that means learning the controls so you can do momentary or continuous. You can select strobe if you want, and you can turn it off easily. In the dark, under stress, is no time to be learning the controls or trying to remember what you read in the owner’s manual, once. On rifles and shotguns that also means training yourself to where the controls are.
Once you have mounted a light onto your rifle or shotgun … learn to run it as efficiently as you’ve learned to run your firearm.
Well, first you have to mount them where you can reach them. Then you learn to reach and control them. So, mount the light and its switch (if that is cabled to be remote) and then practice. If the practice just isn’t working, try a different location. “But that’s where the SEAL team guy who taught us mounted his.”
Practice to see if you can reach the switch. If not, move it until you can, regardless of “how the SEALs do it.”
His light was mounted where it was for a reason. That reason might have been good, or it might have simply been required. His reasons and requirements may or may not be the same as yours.
Mount yours where it works for you.
5. Backup Your Batteries
“Backup” means backup lights and back up batteries for all of them. Your light might come with a battery or batteries. Great. But your practice (and need I remind you to practice?) will use up some of that juice. Buy more now before you need them.
And here’s a hint: Buy in bulk. Why? OK, a common battery for lights is the CR123A. I did a quick search and found six-packs for $13 or so. Hmm. That’s $2.16 per battery before we even get to shipping? That seems like a lot.
The last time I bought CR123As, I bought a tray of 100 of them. With shipping, it was around $120. So, $1.20 per. Yes, that’s a lot of batteries, but they do not go bad sitting on the shelf. I have a multi-year supply, and if prices go up (they never go down), my deal gets better and better.
Store yours in a warm, dry place that won’t get stuff spilled on it. Label the box. Keep an eye on it if you have friends or relatives who might dip into your supply. You’re set.
6. Know the Law
Actually, pay attention to the law, because in this regard the law is pretty much the same everywhere. Pointing a loaded weapon at someone is an assault, and doing so could bring consequences.
We’re back to that search in the parking lot situation. So, there you are, scrambling in the parking lot or the parking structure, using your one-and-only source of illumination, your pistol light, to find what you dropped, and someone asks “Need some help there?” Reflexively, you turn the source of light to see who is talking, and you have just committed an assault.
Will they notice? Will they care? Will they scream for help? Call 911? The responding authorities are not necessarily going to be understanding.
You might get a warning; you might get more. It would not be unusual in some jurisdictions for you—at the very least—to lose your CPL and not get it back. Or, you might get it back after much legal hassle. So, know when you can use it, and if you do need to, have already worked out the details and processes with your attorney.
7. Know the Company
If you break your light, can it be fixed? Will the company stand behind their warranty? Do tire tracks and hammer marks void the warranty?
Oh, let’s stop beating around the bush. Why are you buying a tactical light made out of chinesium? If this is important, it is important. So, buy good gear. The adage “buy once, cry once” comes to mind. Cry over the high price and the performance it brings, not over the failure because the cheap, crappy light failed you when you dropped it, once.
Buy quality and you won’t regret it. This light has been dropped (even gun writers can be clumsy), and it still works just fine.
I expect a light, when dropped, to show the marks but still keep working. If I drop a light (hey, we all get clumsy, tired, have our hands full), and the light doesn’t work … hmm. The maker gets one chance to fix it. If they can’t, won’t or it fails again, I don’t use it. And I won’t show it in an article. (No, I won’t send you a list.)
8. Learn the Lingo
Last on this list, but first in your efforts: Learn the lingo. Learn the difference between lumens and candela. Learn the difference between flood and throw. Get a sense of the performance parameters to be had out there. If a new company offers a light that has just as many lumens as the big guys, but promises twice the runtime, be suspicious.
Know what things mean before you are standing at the counter of your local gun shop, perusing tactical lights.
It’s your money, after all.
But then again, it’s your safety, after all, too.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Premier Body Armor has just introduced a new 10×15 special threat rifle-rated backpack insert.
Armor panel backpack inserts are a simple but great way to add some defense to your day-to-day life, and Premier Body Armor has just launched a new 10×15-inch special threat rifle-rated backpack insert designed specifically for the most common 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm rifle threats.
With a weight of 3.6 pounds and a thickness of just 16mm, the new special threat backpack insert is thinner and lighter than Premier Body Armor’s previous version. It’s designed to fit in most backpack laptop compartments and provides discrete, quiet, all-day protection to anyone who regularly carries a backpack.
While the special threat backpack insert isn’t NIJ-certified, it is optimized to defeat the most common rifle rounds used in crime—5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm. By ignoring the NIJ RF1 certification requirement for the rarely-seen-in-crime 7.62x51mm round, Premier Body Armor can make a thinner, lighter armor insert that focuses on the two much more common rifle threats. The full test report is available on the product page. The backpack inserts are also multi-hit capable, feature a durable UHMWPE composite construction with a waterproof polyurea coating and they come with a 7-year limited warranty.
Alex Stewart, President of Premier Body Armor, said this about the special-threat backpack insert:
The best armor is the armor you’ll actually carry … By focusing this plate on the most common rifle threats, the AR-type 5.56×45 M193 and the AK-type 7.62×39 MSC, we cut thickness and weight while protecting where it matters most. For people who carry a backpack every day, that tradeoff makes protection a realistic, daily habit.
The Premier Body Armor 10×15 special threat rifle-rated backpack insert has an MSRP of $290 and it’s available now.
Vortex is continuing to roll out new optics, and the latest is the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot.
Vortex has fully committed to the enclosed micro red dot trend, as the company has just announced the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot, the fourth model in its catalog. The first Vortex enclosed micro red dot was the Viper, designed for shotguns, followed by the Defender-CCW and Defender-ST Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dots. The Vortex Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot offers the same rugged reliability of the Defender models, but with no solar feature and a smaller price tag.
Featuring a DeltaPoint Pro mounting footprint, the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot’s enclosed 6061 aluminum housing protects it from the elements while the large viewing window enables fast target acquisition and a good field of view. It’s available with either a 3-MOA or 6-MOA red dot reticle and the brightness level (ten daylight bright settings, two night vision settings) is adjusted via buttons on top of the optic. The red dot also has a motion activation feature and automatically shuts off after 10 minutes.
The new Vortex enclosed micro red dot isn’t just for pistols, either, as Vortex also sells a compatible 45-degree Pro offset mount and Picatinny mount for attaching to carbines or PCCs. Maybe the best part about the enclosed Venom red dot is its MSRP of $290, making it one of the most affordable enclosed micro red dots on the market.
A quick look at the limited series Smith & Wesson 500 Emergency Kit from CNC Firearms.
If you find yourself venturing into bear country but don’t like packing iron on your hip, having a gun nearby is the next best thing. What better way to stay prepared than with a custom box of anti-bear goodies? That’s what CNC Firearms is offering with its limited series Smith & Wesson 500 Emergency Kit.
So, what’s in the box? Most importantly, a Smith & Wesson 500 with a 4-inch barrel and compensator sporting orange rubber grips and a black Cerakote/high polish stainless finish with a bear motif. Also included is a Boker fixed blade knife, a Humvee compass and a fire starter. The orange hard case has spots cut out for five rounds of .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum as well, but you’ll have to provide your own ammo.
Each CNC Firearms Smith & Wesson 500 Emergency Kit also ships with a Custom and Collectable Firearms challenge coin, a series-detailed postcard and a certificate of authenticity. MSRP is $2,900 and it’s available now.
Want to help support wildlife and habitat conservation? Take a look at the new Banish Backcountry Bugle suppressor.
Last month, we reviewed the Banish Backcountry and walked away very impressed. From excellent noise reduction to its lightweight yet durable titanium construction and compact size, the .30-caliber can has everything you’d want in a dedicated hunting suppressor. Now, Banish has partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to introduce the Banish Backcountry Bugle.
Functionally speaking, the Banish Backcountry Bugle is the same as the standard Banish Backcountry. The only physical difference is that the Bugle model features a dual-layer Cerakote finish for extra protection and to help show off the laser-etched RMEF logo. The presence of the logo is less important than what it signifies, namely, a portion of each Banish Backcountry Bugle sale will go to the REMF to support its conservation mission.
Brandon Maddox, BANISH Suppressors Founder and CEO, said this about the new Bugle suppressor:
Hunting and conservation are key parts of the culture at BANISH … From the very beginning, we have worked hard to support conservation and pro-hunting efforts, and RMEF has always been a great partner. We are really excited to work with them on the Backcountry Bugle. Not only is it a premium hunting tool that will protect hearing and reduce recoil, it also directly supports the work being done by RMEF to conserve elk and promote big game hunting across U.S.
Kyle Weaver, RMEF President and CEO, said this about the new partnership with Banish:
We’re excited for the release of the BANISH Backcountry Bugle because not only is it a suppressor optimized for hunting, but it also supports RMEF’s mission to conserve big game, enhance habitat, and improve access … This partnership with BANISH Suppressors will benefit today’s hunters along with the future of our hunting heritage as we continue to conserve one square mile of big game habitat every day.
The Banish Backcountry Bugle suppressor has an MSRP of $1,200 and it’s available now.
A quick look at the new Savage RXR22, a lightweight, reliable semi-auto .22 LR rifle.
Who doesn’t love a semi-auto rifle in .22 LR? Whether you’re plinking for fun, hunting varmints or teaching someone how to shoot, few things are better for the job. The latest model to hit the market is the Savage RXR22, and the company says it’s light, reliable and ready for anything.
The RXR22 features a direct blowback operating system, a durable polymer receiver (with an integrated Picatinny rail on top) and a 10-round rotary magazine with last-round bolt hold-open. The 16.5-inch precision barrel is button-rifled and sports a recessed target crown and a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle for suppressors. Other features include a quick-release trigger group, metal sling studs and a Picatinny accessory rail under the forend. The synthetic stock’s vertical pistol grip also comes with interchangeable grip inserts for different hand sizes. The cherry on top is that an extensive aftermarket for the RXR22 already exists, as it can use Ruger 10/22 magazines, triggers and barrels.
RJ Contorno, Savage Arms Senior Product Manager, said this about the new .22 LR rifle:
The new RXR is built for shooters who demand more than just accuracy. They want a platform that adapts to their style, discipline and ambition … This rifle offers unmatched versatility and customization straight out of the box. Whether you’re dialing in for competition or building your ideal training rig, this is the rimfire that grows with you.
The Savage RXR22 is available with either a Gun Metal Gray or an FDE finish, and the MSRP for both models is $299.
I hit the range to test out one of Luth-AR’s new 20-inch retro upper receivers.
Since the days of the first AR-15 carbines during the Vietnam War, it seems that shorter has always been cooler. It’s easy to see why—they’re light, they’re nimble and they’re what you see all the green-faced operators carrying in photos.
That’s all well and good, but know what short AR-15s don’t have? Good ballistic performance or range.
There’s a reason why the original AR-15 models all had 20-inch barrels, and it’s because that’s what .223 Rem. performs the best out of. More than that, they’re super smooth shooters. If you’ve only ever shot 16-inch or shorter ARs with carbine-length gas systems, you’re missing out, as rifle-length ARs are very soft on the shoulder. For those lacking a 20-incher in their arsenal, Luth-AR’s new retro upper options are well worth taking a look at.
The Luth-AR A1 C7 upper attached to an H&R XM177E2 lower sporting a knockoff Colt 3X scope and canvas sling.
Some retro AR uppers are designed to be as clone-correct as possible, meaning that they’re intended to be near-perfect replicas of their real military-issue counterparts. Luth-AR retro uppers are not that, and I like it that way.
First, I should mention that Luth-AR offers two variants of its retro upper, each available with either black or green furniture. One is called the A1 Slick-Side, and the other is called the A1 C7. I opted for the latter, but both feature a carry handle with an A1-style rear sight.
The A1 Slick-Side model is a pretty close copy of the very earliest AR-15/M16 rifles. It has no brass deflector or forward assist and features a triangular handguard, a triangular A1 charging handle and a duckbill flash hider. Only some smaller details, like the barrel twist rate and finish, keep it from being truly clone-correct.
The A1 C7 variant I requested features a C7-style upper (forward assist and brass deflector), round M16A2-style handguards, an A2 charging handle and an A2 flash hider.
Details common between the two models include .625-inch non-F marked front sight bases, a manganese phosphate exterior finish and chrome-lined 20-inch pencil-profile barrels with a 1:7 twist. They both also ship with a complete BCG, but the A1 Slick-Side appropriately comes with a full chrome BCG while the A1 C7’s has a manganese phosphate finish.
Here you can see that the Luth-AR retro upper has a modern black finish, not a retro gray finish.
A Good Mix
I mentioned earlier that I appreciated how Luth-AR’s retro uppers weren’t perfectly clone-correct, but why? Two reasons: practicality and Hollywood.
As for practicality, if the A1 Slick-Side model were a perfect clone of the early Colt models it’s intended to represent, it would have a 1:12 twist barrel. That’s great for 55-grain ammo, but what if you want to shoot something heavier? I think that the 1:7 twist barrel that Luth-AR used for its retro uppers is a much better choice for modern shooters.
As for Hollywood, it’s just an aesthetic appreciation born from the classic action movies of the ’80s and ’90s I grew up watching. Many of them often featured very similar setups to what Luth-AR offers with its A1 C7 upper.
Seriously, next time you’re watching a classic action flick that’s trying to portray an era-appropriate M16A2, take a closer look. There’s a good chance it will have a pencil barrel under the A2 handguard and a simple A1-style rear sight. Because they were built on the M16A1s the armorers had available at the time, they won’t have brass deflectors like Luth-AR’s C7 version, but it’s close enough for me to call it a Hollywood faux M16A2.
Besides, the A1’s pencil barrel is better than the A2 barrel profile that’s thick on the wrong end, and the simple rear iron of the A1 is better than the A2’s overly adjustable monstrosity. The A2 handguards are definitely an improvement over the A1, though, so Luth-AR’s C7 is basically the best of both worlds.
On The Range
I intend to build a dedicated fixed-stock lower to go with the retro Luth-AR upper, but in the meantime, I tested it out using the lower from my H&R XM177E2. And yes, the carbine-weight buffer ran the rifle-length upper just fine.
On that note, in about 500 rounds of testing I didn’t experience any malfunctions. It ran just as you’d expect an AR to run, with one exception.
Like I said previously, rifle-length ARs are very fun, smooth, soft-recoiling shooters, and a lot of modern AR guys have never had the pleasure of trying one themselves. If that’s you and you’re looking to expand your AR collection, I suggest considering a 20-inch of any variety, but especially a retro-styled one with a carry handle so you can experience something close to what Eugene Stoner originally conceived. Luth-AR’s retro offerings are well made and have the right stuff in the right places—20-inch barrels, rifle-length gas systems and carry handle uppers.
If you’re setting out to build an exact clone of something, a Luth-AR retro upper probably isn’t for you, but these are perfect for range shooters who just want the classic look with practical features like a 1:7 twist. A lot of 20-inch retro uppers also have heavy barrels, but the pencil barrel on Luth-AR’s helps keep the weight low and the rifle well balanced.
For accuracy testing, I only used it to ring a quarter-size silhouette at 100 yards, but that’s plenty accurate in my book. The Chinese knockoff Colt 3X scope I mounted helped with that, too.
Parting Shot
Even amid the current retro AR craze we’re living through, they remain relatively niche and only a handful of companies have carry handle uppers in their catalog. Some of those don’t offer them as complete uppers either.
Luth-AR’s retro upper receivers aren’t perfectly clone-correct, but they are one of the most affordable offerings on the market. More than that, they provide a stylish, practical, plug-and-play option for shooters looking to build a 20-inch retro AR.
Vortex Optics has just announced the Defender-CCW and Defender-ST enclosed solar micro red dot sights.
Vortex’s Defender line of pistol red dot sights has been out for a couple of years now, and the optics have become one of the most popular options on the market. Earlier this year, Vortex introduced the Viper Shotgun red dot as well, and its enclosed design had many speculating about the future of a Vortex enclosed pistol optic. Well, that theory has just been proven true with the announcement of the Vortex Defender-CCW and Defender-ST enclosed solar micro red dots.
Pistol red dots have absolutely taken over, and that’s a good thing. It’s no surprise they’ve become the norm, given the myriad advantages they offer, but everything in life is a tradeoff and pistol red dots have some disadvantages as well. A big one, traditional designs have open emitters, meaning that dirt, debris, grime, water or anything else can get in and render the optic unusable. This is why the latest trend is enclosed emitter pistol red dots, and the newest options are the Defender-CCW and Defender-ST from Vortex.
They feature durable enclosed 7075 aluminum housings, large viewing windows and aspherical lenses for a distortion-free sight picture. Both versions also charge themselves via a solar panel, feature motion activation with a 10-minute auto-shutoff, sport a Fast-Rack textured grip and have multiple reticles to choose from (circle, dot or circle/dot) with 12 brightness settings (10 daylight, 2 night). The ST variant is larger and intended for full-size pistols, shotguns and carbines and it mounts via the DeltaPoint Pro footprint, while the CCW variant is designed for smaller carry guns and uses a Shield RMS footprint.
MSRP for the enclosed Vortex Defender-CCW is $400 and MSRP for the enclosed Defender-ST is $530. Both versions are available now.
If you’ve ever wanted to own a clone of the historic “grape shot revolver”, Pietta has just reintroduced the LeMat.
The iconic LeMat revolver never became a commonly used firearm in American history, but the Frenchman-designed Confederate ten-shot double-barrel wheelgun sure left a lasting impression. While real examples are incredibly rare and expensive, Pietta has just added LeMat clones back to its catalog.
The blackpowder Pietta LeMat revolvers are exclusively available at MidwayUSA and come in four variants, though all are .44 caliber and have 9-shot cylinders with a smoothbore center barrel for buckshot. The Old West version is yet to be released, but the Navy, Cavalry and Army models are all available now. All three of those feature beautiful, blued finishes, wood grips and 6.75-inch barrels.
Pietta said this about the new LeMat revolvers:
Pietta’s commitment to authentic detail and quality craftsmanship ensures that today’s LeMat Revolvers are faithful reproductions of the original, offering the reliability modern collectors and enthusiasts demand. Four configurations are part of the current production line, including the discontinued “Old West” model. The LeMat’s unique combination of firepower and versatility cemented its place in firearms history. With its nine-shot revolving cylinder and an additional smoothbore barrel for buckshot, the LeMat gave its bearer a distinct battlefield advantage.
All three currently available Pietta LeMat revolvers have an MSRP of $1,360 and are available now at MidwayUSA.
A quick look at Charter Arms’ new Pathfinder II .22 LR revolver series.
Charter Arms has just announced the Pathfinder II, a .22 LR revolver available in three finish options. It features a 7065 anodized aircraft aluminum frame, a 3.5-inch extruded stainless-steel barrel and an 8-shot cylinder. As for sights, the Pathfinder II has an orange, easy-to-see aluminum ramp front sight and an adjustable rear sight. The package is topped off by a set of comfortable, compact rubber grips and your choice of a black, stainless steel or OD green/black finish.
Nick Ecker, Owner, President and CEO of Charter Arms, said this about the new revolvers:
We couldn’t be happier to offer an update to our hugely successful Pathfinder Target model … Customers have praised its reliability, accuracy, and suitability for both novice and experienced shooters. It’s a great option for plinking, target practice, and even small game hunting.
All three versions of the Charter Arms Pathfinder II have an MSRP of $510.
Come take a look at some of the new semi-auto pistol options available in 2025.
For all those who think the 1911’s day has passed, think again. Various manufacturers continue to produce the double-stack 1911 platform at price ranges we mere mortals can afford. EAA and SDS are at the low end, Springfield Armory is in the middle, and Staccato is at the high end. Colt is even offering a 1911 with a red-dot cut. Beretta continues to innovate with its legacy products, namely the Model 90 Series. Glock offers factory-mounted Aimpoint red-dots, while FN is enlarging its Reflex lines for that just right feel and balance. CZ continues morphing the Shadow 2 pistol, be it for concealed carry or competition. H&K USA is also getting new guns into American hands faster with manufacturing here in the U.S. Finally, the new polymer is metal, as far as Smith & Wesson is concerned. Here is all that’s new in semi-auto pistols.
Think the .380 Auto is a has-been caliber? Beretta doesn’t. The 80X Cheetah Tactical Urban (MSRP $749) is chambered in .380 ACP and designed for concealed carry. This cat is loaded with features like a Vertec-style grip, Xtreme-S trigger, skeletonized hammer, easier-to-rack slide, suppressor-ready threaded 4.4-inch barrel and is optics-ready. It comes with black polymer grips and two 15-round magazines.
The Beretta 80X Cheetah Tactical Urban is chambered in .380 ACP and designed for concealed carry.
Beretta continues to reinvent the iconic Model 92 into competition-ready pistols like the 92XI SAO Gara (MSRP $1,499), 92XI SAO Corsa ($1,599) and 92XI SAO Sabbia ($1,299). These 92s are equipped with single-action-only (SAO) triggers, chambered in 9mm and have a skeletonized hammer, 92X Performance hammer spring, frame-mounted safety, extended mag release, and Toni System magwell and compensator. The Gara and the Corsa come with a Toni System Compensator. The Gara has LOK Grips in red and black G10 panels and a red match aluminum trigger. The Corsa sports gold-colored accents, LOK Grips’ carbon-fiber grip panels with a yellow outline. The Sabbia has a 5.1-inch black threaded barrel. All come with three 22-round magazines. beretta.com
Browning
New to the Buck Mark line of rimfire pistols is the Contour Pro (MSRP $799) designed for competition and plinking. The 5.9-inch barrel is contoured and threaded. It’s equipped with a removable compensator, Pro-Target white outline adjustable rear sight, TRUGLO/Marble Arms fiber-optic front sight, Picatinny optics rail and accessory rail, and gray/black G-10 grips. One 10-round mag is included. browning.com
Colt
The original manufacture of the 1911 has gone new school with a competition line of optics-ready 1911 models chambered in 9mm (MSRP $1,399) and .45 ACP ($1,399). Like all its competition pistols, these are made of stainless steel with a matte finish, blue G10 grips and a Series 70 firing system for a clean, crisp trigger pull. colt.com
CZ-USA
CZ continues to build on the Shadow 2 platform. The CZ Shadow 2 Target (MSRP $2,342) is designed for bull’s-eye shooters. Features include a 5- or 6-inch match barrel, undercut triggerguard for a higher grip, longer and deeper cocking serrations, adjustable trigger shoe and trigger, an interface for attaching frame weights and adjustable sights. It’s chambered in 9mm with a 17+1-round capacity.
CZ’s new Shadow 2 Target sports a long slide and is designed for bull’s-eye competitors.
For concealed carry, the Shadow 2 Compact (MSRP $1,499) is smaller still with a 4-inch barrel. The trigger is tuned for speed and consistency for fast follow-up shots. Chambered in 9mm, the Shadow 2 Compact feeds off a flush-fit 15-round magazine.
New to CZ’s P-09 series is the P-09 Nocturne (MSRP $579) with enhanced ergonomics and the ability to mount a red-dot sight. The Nocturne is available in a full-size version with a 4.5-inch barrel and 19+1-round capacity and a compact configuration with a 3.7-inch barrel and 15+1-round capacity. cz-usa.com
EAA
European American Armory or EAA Corp continues to build guns on the Beretta 90 series and the 1911 platforms. The 9mm Girsan Regard MC X (MSRP $519) is a Beretta-style 90 series pistol with a spiral-fluted and threaded barrel, two-tone black and tungsten Cerakote finish, tuned trigger, ambidextrous safety and 19-round capacity. The Girsan Influencer X (MSRP $689) is a full-size, single-stack 1911 equipped with a full-length accessory rail, flared magazine well, extended beavertail, ambidextrous thumb safety, aggressive grip texturing, two-tone Cerakote finish, and lightening-cut slide. Calibers available include 9mm, 10mm Auto, .45 ACP, or .38 Super. The Golden Brat (MSRP $889) is a special edition of the Witness2311 in 9mm with a compact 3.4-inch barrel, 17+1-round double-stack magazine and a striking high-contrast golden slide and matte black frame. eaacorp.com
EAA Corp’s Influencer X-1 is a full-size, single-stack 1911 equipped with a full-length accessory rail, flared magazine well, and many other refined touches.
Ed Brown Products
The limited edition Kobra Carry 25th Anniversary Custom 1911 (MSRP $3,295) is a 4.25-inch barrel Commander model with a single-stack Bobtail frame. Details include snakeskin texture treatment on the frontstrap, Bobtail housing, and slide; fixed black rear sight and orange HDXR front sight; “25th Anniversary” engraving on the frame; and exotic Cocobolo wood double diamond checkered grips with the Ed Brown logo. It’s offered in all stainless steel or black Gen4 finish and in .45 Auto only. edbrown.com
Ed Brown’s Kobra 25th Anniversary can be had in blued or stainless steel.
FN America
The Reflex XL MRD (MSRP $719) follows other manufacturers’ micro compact trends. However, the slide, barrel and grip are slightly enlarged to enhance the pistol’s usability. Features include a 15-round flush-fit magazine, slide cut for a RMSc/K-series optic footprint, and it uses an internal-hammer-fired design with a 5-pound single-action-only trigger.
FN has also expanded its popular Reflex micro-compact, semi-automatic pistol line with the Reflex XL MRD (MSRP $719). It features a slightly longer barrel, an extended grip, compatibility with popular red-dot optics and comes with 15-round standard capacity, plus an 18-round extended magazine. Available in black and flat dark earth (FDE) finishes. fnamerica.com
Glock
Glock added an out-of-box Aimpoint COA variant, which resulted from a collaboration with Aimpoint. The limited edition series is available on five Glock 9mm pistols: G43X (MSRP $834), G48 ($834), G19 ($970), G45 ($970) and G47 ($970). The Glocks have an A-Cut interface milled into the slide that is compatible with the ultra-compact Aimpoint COA optic and co-witnesses with standard iron sights. us.glock.com
Glock’s new Aimpoint collab resulted in this G19 Gen5 A-Cut COA Combo.
H&K USA
H&K USA, the new H&K manufacturing facility in the U.S., has introduced some exciting striker-fire pistols: The HKCC9 (MSRP $699), the VP9A1 K ($979) and the VP9A1 F ($979). The HKCC9 is a sub-compact 9mm striker-fired pistol designed for concealed carry. Its overall width is less than 1 inch, and it features a 10-round flush-fit magazine or a 12-round extended mag. The VP9A1 K and the VP9A1 F are the next-generation VP9 pistols. The K model has a new compact-size frame, is equipped with a 4-inch barrel and uses a 15-round flush-fit magazine. The F model is a full-sized version with a new, longer slide and barrel (4.5 inches), flush-fit 15-round magazine, and an extended 20-round mag.
HK’s full-size VP9A1 F model shown with a 20-round magazine.
Enhanced features include wider slide serrations, flared magazine well, flat front gripstrap, charging supports at the rear of the slide, and a high-visibility Tritium front sight. The polymer grip is user-adjustable with small, medium and large backstraps and grip panels. Both the K and F models are also available with a factory-mounted Holosun SCS optic. hk-usa.com
The HK VP9A1 is the next-generation VP9 pistol. The K model has a new compact-size frame, is equipped with a 4-inch barrel and uses a 15-round flush-fit magazine.
Italian Firearms Group
The Tanfoglio is again being imported into the U.S. and this time by the Italian Firearms Group. Tanfoglio pistols are based on the CZ 75 platform and the new Tactical Pro pistol (MSRP $1,530) in 9mm offers a host of cutting-edge features, like a full-size frame, hammer-fired action, DA/SA trigger, threaded tactical bull barrel, Cerakote OD green mil-spec finish, aluminum grips, extended beavertail, accessory rail, oversized controls, and a flared mag well. It is optics-ready and ships with two magazines: a 17-round flush fit and 20-round extended. italianfirearmsgroup.com
KelTec
The latest pistol from KelTec is the PR57 (MSRP $399)—a compact concealed carry pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm. Unique to the PR57 is a rotary barrel and top-loading fixed magazine with a hefty 20-round capacity. That top-loading design means rounds are loaded via 10-round stripper clips or manually inserted one at a time. The overall length is 7.1 inches and the weight unloaded is 13.8 ounces. keltecweapons.com
Kimber
Kimber’s 2K11 series pistols are built on a 1911 high-capacity double-stack platform. All three 2K11 variants are hammer-fired with SAO triggers. The 2K11 (OR) (MSRP $1,995 in 9mm, $2,125 in 45 ACP) is the standard model. The 2K11 Target (OR) ($2,595 in 9mm, $2,595 in 45 ACP) is a target configuration with adjustable rear sights and a fiber-optic front sight. The 2K11 Target (OI) (MSRP $3,095 in 9mm) is similar to the Target (OR) but comes with a factory-mounted Trijicon SRO optic. All 2K11 pistols feature 5-inch barrels, custom 2K11 front and rear serrations, Type III hard-anodized aluminum grip modules, and GT triggers with a 3- to 4-pound trigger pull. All models come with three magazines and one C&H optic mounting plate. The standard 2K11 (OR) model has a matte DLC-coated frame and brush-polished slide flats with DLC coating. The 2K11 Target (OR) model has a ported slide, adjustable rear target sight, Stan Chen Customs competition magwell and a matte black finish frame and brush-polished Coyote PVD-coated slide. They’re available in 9mm with 17- and 20-round magazines or .45 ACP with two 13-round mags. kimberamerica.com
Military Armament Corporation (MAC)
The latest MAC Duty 9 Double Stack (MSRP $1,099) has a new slide cut design. The Duty 9 is chambered in 9mm with a SAO trigger. It’s also equipped with an RMR-pattern optics cut on the slide, accessory rail on the dustcover, 5-inch bull barrel, flat-face trigger, fiber-optic front sight and black serrated rear sight. It ships with two 17-round magazines.
The MAC Duty 9 Double Stack.
Another addition to the MAC 9 Double Stack series is the MAC 9 Double Stack Comp 9mm handgun (MSRP $1,079). It has a 4.25-inch bull barrel with a built-in compensator. Other features include a skeletonized hammer and trigger, Tenifer QPQ finish, serrated front sight, extended slide stop and RMR-pattern optics cut on the slide. It ships with two 17-round mags. milarmamentcorp.com
Nighthawk Custom
The new Double Agent (MSRP $5,899.00) from Nighthawk was developed in partnership with Agency Arms to created a commander-sized double-stack 1911 for concealed carry. The Double Agent is chambered in 9mm and has a 16-round capacity. The commander-length slide is knurled to provide texture during slide manipulations without abrasion. Other features include a Straight Eight Heinie Ledge rear sight and Tritium front sight, and the trigger set to 3.5 to 3.75 pounds pull weight. The new Sand Hawk (MSRP $5,199) is touted to be Nighthawk’s softest-shooting single-stack 1911 ever. Available in 9mm, .45 ACP and 10mm, the Sand Hawk is built on a steel-frame with a square triggerguard, dimpled front and rear backstraps, and a full-length accessory rail that sits flush with an integrated compensator. nighthawkcustom.com
Ruger
A collaboration between Ruger and Magpul produced the RXM (MSRP $499), a 9mm striker-fired, polymer-frame pistol designed for concealed carry. Unique to the RXM is a removable serialized stainless steel Fire Control Insert (FCI) that fits inside the Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG). The FCI has a flat-faced trigger, smooth trigger pull, and tactile reset. The Magpul EHG features Magpul’s TSP texture for a secure grip without abrasion. Plus, it has textured indexing pads for consistent finger and thumb placement, an undercut triggerguard, and a high beavertail grip. The slide cut is compatible with RMR, DeltaPoint Pro (DPP), and RMSc-pattern optics and the high steel tritium sights cowitness with optics. For finishes, the EHG comes in stealth gray and the slide sports black nitride. It ships with two Magpul PMAG 15 GL9 15-round magazines; a 10-round magazine compliant model is also available. All RXM pistols are compatible with Glock Gen3 aftermarket parts, holsters and accessories.
Unique to the Ruger RXM is a removable serialized stainless steel Fire Control Insert (FCI) that fits inside the Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG). The Magpul EHG used on the Ruger RXM features Magpul’s TSP texture for a secure grip without abrasion. Plus, it has textured indexing pads for consistent finger and thumb placement, an undercut triggerguard and a high beavertail grip.
Two new Mark IV 22/45 Lite (MSRP $739) rimfire pistols combine reliability and accuracy with an updated style. Chambered in .22 LR, both models are feature-rich and have 4.40-inch threaded barrels, adjustable sights, a Picatinny rail, and an ambidextrous manual safety. The receiver is machined from aerospace-grade aluminum with ventilated slots and flats. One pistol features a black receiver, black grip panels, gold trigger and a gold barrel. The other has a champagne-colored receiver, black grip panels, and a black trigger. ruger.com
Ruger also released two new Mark IV 22/45 Lite rimfire pistols with an updated style. Chambered in .22 LR, they have 4.40-inch threaded barrels, adjustable sights, a Picatinny rail and an ambidextrous manual safety.
SDS Imports
SDS makes owning a double-stack 1911 easy on your finances. The Tisas 1911 Duty B9R Double Stack 1911 (MSRP $749) takes the 9mm 1911 platform to the next level by offering a bushingless-style bull barrel, RMSc/K slide cuts, steel frame and slide with polymer grip, ambi safety, and crisp, smooth trigger. It ships with one 17-round magazine. New to the Nightstalker series is the 1911 Carry Night Stalker Bobtail Comp (MSRP $879) single-stack available in either 9mm or .45 Auto. Features include a bobtail frame design, compensated barrel for reduced recoil, optics-ready slide, accessory rail,and an ambi manual safety. sdsarms.com
SIG Sauer
The P322-COMP (MSRP $658) is a tricked-out, competition-ready P322, featuring a compensator-equipped barrel, a takedown lever that acts like an extended gas pedal, and a RomeoZero red-dot with Elite slide racker so it’s easier and faster to rack the slide. It comes with a 20- and 25-round mag. Remember to buy plenty of .22 LR ammo to run through this rimfire. sigsauer.com
Smith & Wesson
Metal is the new polymer when it comes to Smith & Wesson’s M&P striker-fire pistols. New to the M&P Metal compact-framed pistol series are two 9mm models: a Compact 3.6-inch (MSRP $899) and a Compact 4-inch Compact AOS ($899). The M&P 9 M2.0 3.6 Inch Metal Compact has a 3.6-inch barrel and the M&P 9 M2.0 4 Inch Metal Compact has a 4-inch barrel. Both striker-fire pistols feature an optics-ready C.O.R.E. System slide, flat-face trigger, white-dot open sights, four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts and tungsten gray Cerakote finish. They ship with a 15-round magazine. Models are available with and without a manual thumb safety.
From the Performance Center is the M&P 9 M2.0 Full-Size Carry Comp (MSRP $799)—a full-size polymer pistol to take advantage of the Carry Comp Power Port, which diverts gases upward to reduce felt recoil, meaning you can stay on target better, all in a sleek design. This 9mm semi-automatic pistol is optics-ready with features such as a flat-face trigger and tuned action, and stainless steel slide ported with gray Armornite finish. It ships with three 17- and two 23-round magazines. The metal version is the M&P 9 M2.0 Metal Carry Comp ($999)—a full-size metal-frame striker-fire pistol set up with a compensator, tuned triggers and aggressive slide serrations. The 40 S&W caliber is getting a second wind with the M&P 40 M2.0 Metal ($899) with a metal frame and all the M2.0 features.
Smith’s CSX line now has two new CSX E-Series ($699) models, a 3.1-inch barrel and a 3.6-inch barrel model. They have an enhanced E-Series trigger with a clean break and reset, extensive grip texture coverage and a modular grip adapter that converts from micro-compact to compact frame size. Both models are optics-ready, chambered in 9mm and have 12-, 15- or 17-round capacity options. The Bodyguard 380 Auto pistol has evolved into the ergonomic and ultra-concealable Bodyguard 2.0 ($449). At only 9.8 ounces and 5.5 inches long, the Bodyguard 2.0 is easy to conceal and has a 10- or 23-round capacity. You’ll also like the flat-face trigger, extensive grip texture, and aggressive slide serrations. Models are available with a manual thumb safety. smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson’s CSX E-Series Bodyguard 2 in .380 ACP is easy to conceal and has a 10- or 23-round capacity.
Springfield Armory
New to Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor series is the Saint Victor Pistol (MSRP $1,099) a compact package featuring a 5.5-inch barrel with SA Muzzle Drum, full-length top Picatinny rail, 32-round Colt-pattern magazines and an SB Tactical SB-A3 brace. The Echelon 4.0C ($679-$719, depending on finish) was designed for concealed carry and is equipped with a 4-inch barrel, compact frame, Variable Interface System to provide direct-mount compatibility with popular red-dot sights and Tritium U-dot iron sights. It ships with a 15-round flush magazine and an 18-round extended mag. Finish options include black, OD green and desert FDE.
Springfield’s Echelon 4.0C is equipped with a 4-inch barrel, compact frame, Variable Interface System to provide direct-mount compatibility with popular red-dot sights and Tritium U-dot iron sights.
Springfield is downsizing models in the 1911 DS Prodigy series with two new compact variants: a 3.5-inch Compact AOS ($1,549) and a 4.25-inch Compact AOS ($1,549). These pistols were designed for concealed carry and built around a 15-round double-stack magazine, so the grip module is smaller and more compact. springfield-armory.com
Springfield Armory’s new 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5- and 4.24-inch Compact AOS 9mm handguns were designed for concealed carry and built around a 15-round double-stack magazine, so the grip module is smaller and more compact.
Staccato
Staccato completely overhauled the ergonomics of its new Staccato HD P4 (MSRP $2,499) and HD P4.5 ($2,699) 1911-style double-stack pistols. The 1911s are chambered in 9mm and have a new optics mounting system, improved recoil for better durability and shootability, and are compatible with Glock-style magazines. The HD P4 is equipped with a 4-inch bull barrel and the HD P4.5 has a 4.5-inch barrel. staccato2011.com
Stoeger
The STR-9 Thinline (MSRP $529) has a slender, 1-inch-wide slide and frame. Chambered in 9mm and fed from 14- and 16-round magazines, it’s designed for everyday carry. The STR-9 Thinline includes front and rear Tritium sights and an optics cut that is compatible with the RMSc Shield footprint. stoegerindustries.com
The STR-9 Thinline from Stoeger gets its name from its slender, 1-inch wide slide and frame.
Taurus
Taurus’ new budget-priced GX2 (MSRP $250) is designed for entry-level, first-time shooters. It’s chambered in 9mm, has a 13-round capacity and uses a striker-fired action. The 3.3-inch barrel and light weight make it an ideal EDC option. The steel sights are compatible with Glock sights and the frame has an accessory rail. Two finishes are available: Matte black and two-tone with a stainless slide and black frame. taurususa.com
TriStar Arms
TriStar is offering a high-value handgun line with the APOC and Protégé X Sub Compact, both chambered in 9mm. The APOC (MSRP $279) is a 9mm Glock-inspired striker-fired pistol with updates, including enhanced ergonomics, front and rear slide serrations, steel fiber-optic sights and textured memory pad forward of the trigger. It comes with two interchangeable backstraps, two 15-round Glock-pattern magazines and in four color options. The Protégé X Sub Compact ($549) is an all-metal, hammer-fired pistol inspired by the classic 1911. Features include a 3.2-inch barrel and 7+1 capacity. It ships with two Kimber Micro 9-pattern mags; one with a finger rest and one flush fit. tristararms.com
We take a quick look at the three new Ruger Collector’s Series models for 2025.
Ruger started its Collector’s Series in 2014 for the 10/22’s 50th anniversary, but the company has continued to release new, unique, limited-run models for collectors. This year’s additions to the series include three new models—a 10/22 Sporter, a Mark IV 22/45 and a Super Wrangler revolver.
This year’s Collector’s Series theme is an oak leaf and basket weave design. In the case of the 10/22 Sporter, it’s featured on the stock. In the case of the handguns, the same handsome pattern is on the grips. As a bonus, each Ruger Collector’s Series gun will ship with a metal license plate, a decal and a lapel pin.
The Ruger Collector’s Series 10/22 and Mark IV 22/45 share an MSRP of $600, and the Super Wrangler has an MSRP of $370.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
