Anderson Manufacturing had a nice spread of new Kiger 9C variants on display at SHOT Show 2023, including both optics-ready and suppressor-ready models.
It’s only been a couple of months since Anderson Manufacturing first announced its new Kiger 9C 9mm pistol, but the company is already bringing new variants to market. We journeyed over to the Anderson booth at SHOT Show 2023 to see the full lineup.
The two most significant additions are the “PRO” and “SR” models, denoting optics-ready and suppressor-ready, respectively. Kiger 9C PRO pistols feature skeletonized slides for weight reduction and optics cuts designed to accept RMR-pattern red dot sights. Kiger 9C SR models come with suppressor-height sights and a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle for common 9mm suppressors (thread protector included). The new variants can be purchased as either the Pro or the SR, but there’s a PRO SR model as well that includes the features of both. Anderson is also selling some of the slides, frames and barrels separately.
Anderson also had some fun Cerakoted versions on display and the rep told us that they plan on offering some for sale down the road too.
All the new Kiger 9C models and parts are already live on Anderson’s website. MSRPs are $429 for the standard model, $499.99 for the Kiger 9C SR, $539 for the Kiger 9C PRO and $549 for the PRO SR.
Laugo Arms of Alien fame has just announced the Creator pistol, a new variant of the Alien tailored specifically to the U.S. market.
When the Laugo Arms Alien pistol first hit U.S. shores in 2020, it definitely made waves. While the gun is priced out of most people’s reach, its design was too interesting and unique to go unnoticed. The pistol’s design is so radically different from any other handgun on Earth, Alien just may be the best name for it.
The original Alien (left) versus the new Laugo Creator (right).
In case you’re not familiar with what makes the original Laugo Alien special, it mostly comes down to four things. Firstly, the company advertises the pistol as having “the lowest bore axis in the world.” Secondly, it uses a gas piston delayed blowback action with a fixed barrel. Third, only the sides of the slide move, leaving the sights stationary while cycling. And lastly, the trigger is incredibly crisp (and adjustable too). Combined, all these features create one very accurate and low-recoiling handgun.
At its heart, Laugo’s new Creator pistol is the same as the Alien, but it has a few tweaks for the American market that will undoubtedly make it even more appealing. The most major update is that the grip angle has been altered to be closer to that of a 1911. The original Alien’s grip was much more Glock-like, and while this will likely come down to personal preference between shooters, for me the Creator pointed much more naturally. I had the opportunity to shoot both side-by-side today, and to me, the Creator felt like an improvement in every way. Another reason for this was the new modular grip which can be customized with several different options (front strap, back strap and cheeks).
When the Laugo Creator is released later in 2023, it will supposedly come in a package with enough grip options to suit any shooter. The magwell and top of the slide can be replaced with other styles as well. The Creator pistol’s pièce de resistance for the U.S. market is the inclusion of some American flags that help highlight the fact that this is an exclusive release.
This was my first time shooting either model and even though the original Alien impressed me, the Laugo Creator felt even better. While this is going to be a very expensive package (the current estimated MSRP is at least $6,500), those who can afford to buy one will see that it really does feel out of this world.
Initially available in five configurations, the new Oracle Arms 2311 combines the best features of the 1911, the 2011 and the Sig P320.
Oracle Arms is new to the scene in 2023, but it had quite the lineup at SHOT Show’s Industry Day at the Range. The company is introducing a new take on the 2011 concept (9mm double-stack 1911) by throwing in some Sig P320 DNA into the mix. The result is the Oracle Arms 2311 and it’s initially being offered in five different configurations.
Variations include Compact, Compact Elite, Combat, Combat Elite and Competition, and we got to put rounds through most of them while at SHOT’s range day. Besides a couple of minor malfunctions with a compact model (likely just in need of some oil), all ran great. They feed from Sig P320 magazines, feature a fully ambidextrous slide lock and have a linkless barrel system that makes field stripping much easier.
This is what Oracle Arms has to say about the 2311 lineup:
Our primary objective when designing the 2311 was to combine the fit, finish, speed, and trigger pull of a purpose-built single action match pistol with the versatility and reliability of a striker-fired polymer duty pistol. Not only did we accomplish that, but we did so while wrapping the platform around a magazine that is roughly 1/3rd of the cost of the competition that doesn’t suffer from any of the common issues that current “double-stack 1911” magazines are notorious for. To make the barrier to entry even lower, we priced the 2311 in a range that makes it approachable for the average enthusiast and recreational competition shooters.
MSRP for the new Oracle Arms 2311 pistols will range between $1,700 and $3,000. While expensive, for those who appreciate the 2011 concept, this seems like the next logical step in its evolution.
Colt has just made a surprising announcement with the unveiling of the CBX Precision Rifle System, a bolt-action rifle available in two chambering options.
When someone familiar with guns hears the name Colt, they’re likely going to think of either an AR-15, a 1911 or one of the company's revolvers. Bolt-action rifles have never really been within Colt’s wheelhouse, but that’s exactly what the company has just unveiled in the form of the Colt CBX Precision Rifle System.
The CBX Precision Rifle System is a bolt-action rifle that is initially being offered in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 version sports a 24-inch barrel while the 6.5 Creedmoor model’s barrel is 26 inches. Besides the difference in barrel length, the two rifles are essentially identical. Both barrels are carbon steel, button-rifled and have 5/8×24 UNEF threaded muzzles. The barrels also feature a black nitride finish and ship with thread protectors.
Another feature worth mentioning is the modular chassis which provides user-adjustable length-of-pull and cheek riser height as well as provisions for mounting accessories, including an ARCA rail and M-LOK slots on the forend. It also features a built-in thumb shelf, barricade stop, QD sling cups and an ambidextrous magazine release. The system feeds from AICS-pattern magazines and each rifle will ship with one 5-round Magpul mag.
Other features of the CBX Precision Rifle System include its flex-reducing flat-bottom receiver, 60-degree bolt throw and user-adjustable trigger. The rifles also come with a 1-piece Picatinny rail for optics that is compatible with Rem700 scope mounts and Colt guarantees that the system is capable of producing sub-MOA groups.
Jessica Treglia, Colt Manufacturing Director of Commercial Products, said this about the new model:
Our engineers excelled in the design of the CBX Rifle…We’ve created a premium precision rifle worthy of the Colt name.
The Colt CBX Precision Rifle System has an MSRP of $1,899 and is shipping to dealers now.
SIG Range Day put the company's catalog on display. Here are a few of the guns that caught our eye.
As is now the norm, SIG Sauer plays in its own sandbox come, SHOT Show. Instead of just being another face in the crowd at media day at the range, the gun and optics behemoth hosts its own live-fire shindig to showcase its wares. While SIG didn’t have earth-shattering announcements at the Clark Count Rifle-Pistol Center just outside of Las Vegas proper, it did have several of its new and newish releases, as well as old favorites on hand. Here are a few that caught our eye.
P365 Rose
Announced days before SIG Range Day, the pistol is a slightly modified version of the company’s P365. With input from World Champion shooter Lena Miculek, the gun is more than a gun—it’s a complete system developed for women new to shooting. The optic-ready P365 itself comes chambered in either 9mm or .380 ACP and is given a feminine touch with rose gold accents on the controls, trigger and backplate. Additionally, it has a nice Rose motif in the grip panel that gives it a unique look without being gaudy.
Nothing too special there, given anyone, can slap on some aesthetic appeal to a gun and call it good. Where this gets better for new women shooters is what comes included in the kit, two magazines, a TSA-approved Vaultek Lifepod pistol safe, five polymer dummy rounds for dry-fire practice, a mag loader, and access to the QuickStart guide and online training series. Overall, a fairly solid system for a lady just getting into the shooting game.
P365 In .380
While we didn’t throw any rounds downrange with the Rose P365, we did get hands-on with the new .380 model. Certainly, it wasn’t enough trigger time to give a definitive thumbs up or down on the pistol. That said, it did leave an overall positive impression. Through a couple of mags, it proved very controllable and overall pleasant—the latter is not always the case with small .380s, especially since your pinky is hanging. Additionally, the gun is sized right. At just 4 inches in height, and just under 6 inches in length it is sculpted to melt away on your person in all but a bikini.
P320-Spector Comp
All the cool kids have compensation models now—SIG wasn’t going to get let out in the cold here. The P320-Spector Comp model was released earlier in 2022 and not only features a fairly sizable single-port comp at the front. It doesn’t stop there with the company’s Custom Works adding a litany of other upgrades, such as a laser-engraved, tungsten-infused grip module, falling serrations, ported slide and 4.6-inch TiN gold threaded barrel. OK, so it’s got the racing stripes and tail fins—but does it shoot? You bet. Plenty heavy and the comp doing its job, the pistol raced through a dueling tree and more than seems to have the chops as a race option.
MCX-SPEAR LT
The big hubbub for SIG heading into SHOT is the MCX-SPEAR LT. This is the lightweight model of the company fighting rifle and more than fits the bill tipping the scales at right around 5 to 7 pounds, depending on the model—pistol or rifle. Much of the weight savings is found in the multi-caliber rifle stock, with has been stripped down to next to nothing and has the added benefit of folding. Nice package. Given the SPEAR in its original form is pretty sweet—we confess, we shot the old one at range day since it was chambered 6.5 Creedmoor (so sue us)—the new iteration should prove quite nimble and convenient in the field.
Cross PRS
No pictures on this one—blame the performance of the rifle. This competition-ready rendition of the forward-looking Cross was lights-out at the range. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, we sent five rounds down at a hostage target at 500 yards, each one sending the flapper flying. The last one was dead center, really hitting the target hard.
It seems a great option for a Precision Rifle Series shooter or someone who’s bound and determined for bragging rights at their local range. The rifle, however, is configured for competition. That is, it’s heavy as sin itself—about 17 pounds in the model we shot. All the better to watch your rounds hit, not so great if you’re looking for a practical field iron. Very comfortable rifle to shoot as well, with an exceptional trigger. There’s no creep on the switch and its break is very consistent and crisp. Honestly, what more could you want out of an off-the-shelf competition gun?
The legendary .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is the grandfather of nearly all belted magnum cartridges.
Originated by the British firm Holland & Holland in 1912, this is one of the original belted, rimless, magnum-type cartridges. It has been used as the basis for numerous wildcats and most of the Weatherby cartridges. Holland & Holland furnished it in a magnum Mauser action, and Griffin & Howe chambered rifles for it, beginning about 1926. The Western Cartridge Co. first offered it in 1925.
At present, Federal, Remington and Winchester load the .375, in addition to a few others. The first commercial rifle of American make to chamber the round was the Model 70 Winchester, in 1937. Weatherby rifles were at one time available in .375 H&H, as was the Remington Model 725 Kodiak. At present, several American manufacturers list the .375 H&H as standard including Ruger, Winchester and Remington.
General Comments
Long considered the best all-round African caliber, the .375 H&H is overpowered for North American big game. However, many Alaskan hunters and guides prefer it for moose and grizzly bear. It isn’t a very flexible cartridge for the American hunter unless one expects to hunt the heaviest species and spend time in Africa or Asia.
John Taylor, in his 1948 book African Rifles and Cartridges, rates the .375 H&H as the best of the medium bores for African hunting. It’s his candidate for the most effective all-round cartridge. This cartridge was the basis for Holland & Holland’s latter .300 H&H Magnum and is therefore the great-grandfather of almost all modern belted magnum chamberings. It can certainly be said that the .375 H&H has inspired the entire genre.
Springfield Armory has recently added a PCC model to its AR lineup in the form of the SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine.
Springfield Armory’s SAINT Victor series of ARs have been popular enough for the company to expand the lineup to other form factors and calibers. So far this has included scaled-up models such as .308 rifles, .308 pistols and the precision-oriented SAINT Edge ATC. The newest firearm to join the family, however, was scaled down to a PCC instead. It’s called the SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine.
The SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine features a dedicated 9mm upper and lower receiver, both made from forged 7075 T6 aluminum. It operates using a direct blowback system for simplicity and reliability, and the system feeds from Colt-pattern 32-round stick magazines. The 16-inch barrel is Melonite coated and features a Springfield Armory Forward Blast Diverter, and the full-length M-LOK handguard is free-floated. Other features include spring-loaded flip-up iron sights, a six-position collapsible B5 Systems Bravo Stock, a B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip, a B5 Systems trigger guard and an ambidextrous safety.
Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory, said this about the new PCC:
The new SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine adds yet another layer of capability to the SAINT Victor line…Combining the familiar handling characteristics and proven design of an AR with the rugged performance of a direct blowback system, the SAINT Victor in 9mm would make for a great addition to any shooter’s firearms collection.
The Springfield Armory SAINT Victor 9mm Carbine is available now and has an MSRP of $1,299.
In this Shadow Systems CR920 review, the author shines a light on the company’s 9mm compact concealed carry pistol.
The gun world, as I’m sure you know by now, is rife with marketing jargon and gimmicks. Bullets that are more this or barrels that are more that. Much of it is hyperbole, even if some companies actually deliver on the promises that they make.
“A subcompact that shoots like a full size.” That’s what the Shadow Systems CR920 is marketed as. In many ways, this is not the hyperbole that I just outlined. This is likely one of the most shootable subcompacts you can buy.
The Shadow Systems CR920 Elite with a bronze TiCN barrel.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no desire to shoot any subcompact all day—they’re not made for that after all. They’re designed to be concealable and easily deployed. Check and check, with the CR920.
It is flat shooting, optics-ready in a discreet package that has a very respectable magazine capacity of 10 rounds in the flush-fit model and 13 rounds in the extended flavor. But that’s not the most remarkable thing about the pistol. After all, you can get that type of capacity from a Glock 26 or Sig P365.
One of the most remarkable things about the Shadow Systems CR920 is that they crammed this capacity in something slightly smaller than a Glock 43 with a pinky extension and about the same thickness (1.06-inch for Glock versus 1.05-inch for CR920). You get one of the smallest CCW pistols on the market loaded with features, and it has an MSRP of $799 for the combat (non-optics ready) version and $940 for the Elite version.
Grip Frame And Ergonomics
Like most subcompacts, the 10-round flush-fit magazine only offers about 3 fingers of real estate. They do sell a pinky extension now, but I haven’t outfitted any of my magazines with this accessory. The extended 13-round magazine does have much better ergs, allows the shooter a full grip and makes it much more comfortable to draw and shoot. Like any other subcompact, the user can choose to carry the firearm either with easier-to-conceal but harder-to-grip flush-fit mags, or the harder-to-conceal but easier-to-shoot-with extended magazines. Depending on what I was wearing, I rocked both while testing this gun.
As far as the ergs, it’s like they took a Shadow Systems MR920 and hit it with a shrink ray. All the familiar stippling is there, yet in a slightly smaller package, along with the extra material under the slide stop (which is very welcome in such a small pistol). There is texturing where the “accelerator cuts” usually are, but not the standard ledge that comes with the MR/XR/DR series.
Unlike its bigger brothers, there is no NPOA system with interchangeable backstraps—there simply isn’t enough real estate for it. However, when compared to the Glock 26 this pistol is unequivocally more comfortable to shoot since it has better ergonomics than a stone block, with a grip that is much more refined than that of a Glock 43.
The Slide
Once more, this gun feels like Rick Moranis’ character from the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids was on the design team—the slide is just like the MR920 Elite, but smaller. The machining is just as superb, and it comes with lightning cuts (albeit small ones) and directional serrations on the top, front and rear of the slide.
Again, this has a whole bunch of science behind it regarding reciprocating mass and it makes the gun more shootable and less snappy. We’ll get into the shootability of this pistol later, of course. But for the size, this pistol doesn’t leave much to be desired in the realm of attention to detail. The slide is well machined, I can’t find a tooling mark anywhere, and directional serrations are a welcome addition to a pistol that is only a hair over 6 inches in length.
From an optics mounting POV, this gun accepts nearly every micro RDS pattern currently on the market besides the RMRcc. I have a 407k Holosun with a 6-MOA dot mounted to mine, and I’ve put it to use shooting bowling pins at 25+ meters without missing. I also carry this pistol relatively frequently and don’t exactly baby it when taking it on and off, and it’s held its zero just fine. Much like the Shadow Systems CR920’s bigger brothers, again, this gun runs like a top.
From an iron sight perspective, the gun does ship with a blacked-out rear and tritium front sight, making it good to go for low-light conditions right out of the box. The sights on it are more than serviceable and ready for any CCW application. You get a co-witness with iron sights and an optic as well, which is kind of a must for me with any carry gun. Red dots, although technology has come a long way, are battery-operated and can fail. It’s good to know I can still get a sight picture no matter what, especially with a gun designed specifically for concealed carry.
The Barrel
The barrel is Shadow Systems’ trademark TiNi spiral-fluted, match-grade barrel, and in the CR920’s case it’s 3.41 inches long. That’s the exact same length as a Glock 43 series barrel and in the same ballpark as the Glock 26 and Sig P365 (3.4 inches and 3.42 inches respectively).
These do not come with threaded barrels, but considering the application and intended use, that’s not a surprise. They are plenty accurate, especially for a subcompact, and I’ve had no problem making precise shots into the A zone in a USPSA target on both the chest and head at good distances. For real-world applications, this barrel gets the job done just fine.
Shootability
As I said at the outset, this gun was billed as a “subcompact that shoots like a full-size.” While I wouldn’t want to put 500+ rounds through this thing in a session as I would with one of my CZ’s or full-size Shadow Systems pistols, it is far and away much more comfortable to shoot than any other subcompact I own or have shot (and I’m including .380s in that statement).
It has better ergs and is lighter, smaller and higher capacity than a Glock 26, and the stippling, index points and slide machining make it more fun to shoot than a Glock 43/43x too. The texturing vaguely reminds me of a Sig P365, and the grip frame is a tad bigger, but I welcome that since I have large hands. I also found the pistol easier to index than its Sig compatriot and more pointable too, likely mostly due to my greater experience with Glocks and the thousands of reps of dry fire I’ve performed with them.
When doing live fire, I found myself wondering “where the hell is the recoil?” The Shadow Systems CR920 is light, an ounce lighter than a Glock 26, but is somehow also much softer shooting and easier to get back on target for follow-up shots. Also, mag dumps all hit the same place on the steel torso I was practicing on, making one big splotch of 10 rounds at center mass. There’s some engineering wizardry afoot leveraging grip angle, bore axis, and reciprocating mass that I only tacitly understand. But take my word for it, for a subcompact, it’s surprisingly controllable.
One feature that I appreciate, but wasn’t sure whether to mention, is the slight beveling at the front of the magwell. This allows for quick reloads as the semi-circle funnel helps to guide in fresh magazines. What’s more, the material on the back of the grip minimized the pinch you get when slamming home a new mag, which to me aids in its shootability and desire to put rounds through it.
Concealability
Typically I review accuracy at this point, but I touched on that, and let’s be real—this gun is made for deep concealment. The CR in CR920 stands for Covert Role after all (fun piece of trivia: MR stands for Multi-Role and DR for Duty Role in the Shadow Systems lexicon). This gun might as well be made of fabric because it disappears when you put it on. It is cross-compatible with most Glock 43x holsters, and I have one that I hate for the 43x, but even when using that one this pistol still virtually disappears.
With the holsters that I do like, I can even forget that I’m wearing a gun. The pistol is only 4.2 inches tall with the flush-fit mag, and 4.7 inches tall with the extended magazine with an overall length of just under 6.5 inches. As you can see here, it basically fits in the palm of my hand. Appendix or 3-4 o’clock carry, it doesn’t matter. This gun is like Houdini—it just disappears. It even makes a fine candidate for pocket carry, but that’s just not my jam.
As with most Shadow Systems pistols, this thing feels over-engineered, but that’s not a bad thing at all. You have all the bells and whistles from the MR/DR Elite series, just shrunken down in a concealable, easy-to-shoot, high-capacity (for a subcompact) package. With optics readiness out of the box, night sights, directional serrations and interoperability with Glock 43x accessories, what’s not to like?
There’s one thing you’ll probably read about on the interwebs that has Fudds and Tacti-bros alike screaming into the proverbial void: proprietary magazines. Yes, you need to buy *gasp* $29 magazines if you want something more than the 10-round and 13-round magazines that the CR920 ships with. But I didn’t see anybody freaking out when Glock dropped their 43/43x line with proprietary single-stacks, nor did I see anybody losing it when Sig came out with a new gun with no interoperability. Could it be a drawback? Sure. But I always buy extra mags anyway so it’s not a dealbreaker.
As is my experience with some other Shadow Systems products, there were some FTEs in the first few rounds. Scratch that, the very first round I shot from this gun failed to eject. This is due to the extremely tight tolerances, and consequently, Shadow Systems recommends a break-in period. If you’ve read my other pieces, you would know that I would recommend you put at least 200-400 rounds through any carry gun before you wore it out in the world. It must prove itself to you. Thankfully, the steel sights that come standard were capable of grabbing onto a range table and racking that first round out. Since then, it runs like a Singer. That’s a sewing machine if you didn’t catch the reference.
Shadow Systems CR920 Final Thoughts
The CR920 is elbowing its way into an already crowded and gimmicky subcompact concealed carry market. We have seen a virtual (small) arms race of capacity that started a few years ago with Sig waving a magic wand and cramming 10-12 rounds into a grip frame that you’d swear was a single stack, and since then, CCW pistols seemed to have inched closer to the size of a Glock 19. Conversely, the Glock 43 was one of the smallest 9mms on the market, but its stock magazine capacity of 6 rounds left a lot to be desired.
With a higher capacity and features like an optics-ready slide and steel night sights right out of the box, the Shadow Systems CR920 is one very capable concealed carry pistol.
Meopta has just announced the MeoSight IV pistol red dot sight, boasting the smallest dimensions and lowest profile of any of the company’s electronic optics.
The MeoSight IV is Meopta’s newest pistol red dot sight, and it has the smallest dimensions, lightest weight and lowest profile in the company’s lineup of electronic optics. The red dot is primarily designed for use with handguns, but it comes with provisions for mounting it on long guns as well.
Weighing in at only 1.2 ounces, the MeoSight IV has a length of 1.89 inches and a width of 1.41 inches. It has a 3-MOA red dot that’s displayed in the 0.93 x 0.67-inch viewing window, and the dot has a 120-MOA windage and elevation adjustment range. The dot is powered by a single Cr 1632 battery and Meopta claims that it can provide up to 30,000 hours of use, and it can be replaced without removing the optic from its host weapon. The MeoSight IV also features five levels of illumination intensity that can either be set to automatically adjust to the ambient light level or be changed manually via buttons on the side. To save battery, the optic also automatically shuts off after four hours if the function button has not been used.
Erik Muller, Product Specialist at Meopta Sport Optics, said this about the new red dot:
We designed the MeoSight IV to significantly increase shooter accuracy and speed whether used in handgun competitions, for personal defense, or in law enforcement situations…This newest generation MeoSight features premium, scratch-resistant optics and a wide sight picture for such a compact sight, facilitating fast and accurate shooting on the move.
The MeoSight IV can be mounted on any pistol that can accept a Docter-pattern adaptor plate and the optic also ships with a Picatinny mount for use on other types of firearms. It has an MSRP of $299 and is available now.
Training without PPE is a bad idea, so here’s a look at the best shooting glasses for protecting your peepers.
Shooting is one of the most dangerous hobbies in terms of the kind of damage it can do to your eyeballs, so shooting glasses are a good thing to have.
We’ll be going over exactly why using them is a smart idea, the various types in existence and some features to consider before buying a pair. Finally, we’ll look at our top picks for the best shooting glasses out there.
Why You Should Use Shooting Glasses
It's estimated that up to 30,000 eye injuries occur around shooting sports every year.
Those injuries range from corneal abrasion/corneal edema, sclopetaria (a bruised eye), hyphema (blood in the eye), traumatic cataracts, traumatic optic neuropathy (optic nerve damage) and even globe rupture.
Any of these can occur when something touches your eye that shouldn’t, and when it comes to shooting guns, opportunities for that to happen are unfortunately plentiful. As a cartridge detonates, carbon and other detritus can be launched toward the shooter’s face. If it’s a semi-auto, the hot brass may be ejected at a dangerous angle as well. When the bullet hits a target, some or all of the bullet may come back the way it came in the form of shrapnel or a ricochet. All of these dangers exist when the firearm is working as it should, and many more can occur when a gun malfunctions.
If Kentucky Ballistics hadn't been wearing his eye protection when his .50-caliber Serbu RN-50 exploded, there's a good chance he would have lost an eye in addition to almost dying.
Kentucky Ballistics' .50 BMG rifle exploded from a hot SLAP round, seriously injuring him. Image source and further info: Kentucky Ballistics.
In short, the permanent damage that can occur while training just doesn’t make eschewing shooting glasses worth it.
What To Look For When Picking Shooting Glasses
The first consideration is obvious, but your shooting glasses need to fit your face. The nose bridge should be just tight enough to hold securely, but not so tight that they're uncomfortable. The frames should find your ears naturally, without having to flex to fit. The more uncomfortable your glasses are the more likely you are to take them off during long sessions at the range, so it’s best to try different models until you find a pair that you can forget you’re wearing over extended periods of use.
Secondly, your shooting glasses should be of the wraparound style. This is because a study found in the journal Ophthalmology determined that having both frontal and side protection greatly reduced the chances of skeet and trap shooters sustaining an eye injury if anything should be directed back at them. Whether you’re trap shooting or testing your pistol skills on steel, protecting the eyes from all angles is a must.
These Hunters HD Gold shooting glasses have some great features, but because they're not a wraparound style they're not as protective as they could be.
The next important consideration is the protection rating.
At a minimum, you want shooting glasses that meet or exceed ANSI Z87.1, the industrial standards for eye protection. This will include most eye-pro that you can buy at the hardware store.
However, if possible, you should purchase shooting glasses that pass or exceed MIL-PRF 32432 Ballistic Fragmentation standards. The military standard subjects eye protection to seven times the impact force of ANSI Z87.1, meaning that any goggles with this rating must be capable of withstanding a .22-caliber projectile at 560 fps and spectacles (glasses) must be able to withstand a 3.88mm projectile at 640 fps.
If you must purchase eyewear that is only ANSI-rated, look for those rated Z87+. That rating indicates a high-velocity impact rating. For prescription safety glasses, the high-velocity impact rating is Z87-2+.
To see if eye protection has passed military certification, it will be on the Authorized Protective Eyewear List. The APEL list can be found here, and the glasses will be marked APEL on the frame as well.
The spectacles section of the 2015 APEL. Source: U.S. Army.
For those of us with four eyes instead of the customary two, there are the questions of whether you can A.) get away with just wearing your glasses, and B.) whether you should get over-glasses or chunk up for prescription shooting glasses.
Most polycarbonate prescription eyeglasses pass basic ANSI standards (but not high-impact standards) and seldom protect the sides of your eyes. Therefore, it's not a good idea.
As to whether you should pony up or deal with goggles that go over your glasses, prescription lenses are better. Not all goggles or over-glasses will fit over your glasses, and they are not comfortable to wear.
Since you should always be wearing both while you’re at the range, it's important to choose eye protection that's comfortable to wear with your favorite hearing protection as well.
A young shooter training while wearing both shooting glasses and earmuffs. If you ever take kids to the range, be sure to have eye protection that fits them too.
What Kind Of Shooting Glasses Are Out There
Shooting eye protection essentially breaks down into two categories: glasses and goggles.
Glasses/spectacles are just what you think they are, and many are little more than generic safety glasses marketed to the shooting community. Some, however, do have some extra touches for shooters including thin frames (for use under earmuffs) and coatings to prevent scratches and visual distortions that are commonly seen with the hardware store variety.
Goggle variants are barely any different than snow goggles, and none would look out of place on the slopes. The advantage is that these have much thicker lenses than glasses, providing them with increased durability.
The goggles section of the 2015 APEL. Source: U.S. Army.
While common in the military, they are a bit much to deal with for the typical civilian shooter. Since they're also more expensive, you might as well not bother unless you have a good reason to prefer them.
As for shooting glasses features that are unrelated to safety ratings, it mostly come down to personal preference. Do you want the ability to swap lenses, or are you fine with lenses that are permanently clear or tinted? Do you need them to work in conjunction with prescription glasses or night vision, or will a more basic pair satisfy your needs? The answers to these questions can only be determined by you, so keep them in mind as you peruse the options.
So, with that said…what are the best shooting glasses to get?
The Top 10 Shooting Glasses
Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 3.0
The M Frame 3.0 uses a modular lens that can be swapped for clear or tinted for use as sunglasses.
You can purchase replacement/additional lenses from Oakley, or get a kit version (called an Array) with multiple frames and lenses. All lenses have a coating for UV, anti-scratch and anti-fog protection. They are available with prescription lenses through specialty retailers as well.
The Array kits can be found for $250 to $300, but single pairs (usually black frames with clear lenses) can be had for around $100 to $130.
Champion Traps And Targets Youth Clear Shooting Glasses
Kids need eye protection too, and Champion Target makes these “fold smart” youth shooting glasses with clear lenses and many frame color options. The lenses are full-wrap, have a scratch-resistant coating and are ANSI Z87.1+ rated for impact protection.
They're available for around $10 through most retailers.
ArmouRx 5003 Safety Glasses
ArmouRx glasses are available in prescription and non-prescription form with an ANSI Z87+ high-impact rating. They're available with multiple lens and frame colors and can generally be had for around $30.
They have a side shield, a UV/anti-scratch coating on the outside and a durable polymer frame helping them stay lightweight.
Honeywell UVEX XC Safety Glasses
Honeywell UVEX XC safety glasses have two excellent attributes. They're on the APEL, meeting military standards for spectacles, and they're easily found for less than $20.
UVEX XC glasses have interchangeable lenses, much like the Oakleys, and similarly have a coating that guards against scratches and fogging as well as provides UVA/UVB light protection. Multiple frame and lens colors are available, including clear and tinted.
The only drawback is they aren't available with prescription lenses. The frame can extend to fit over glasses, and Honeywell does make an RX lens insert to attach RX lenses to them, but that's it.
Radians Clay Pro Shooting Glasses
Sporting clay shooters have long been a specially catered-to market when it comes to shooting glasses. Radians Clay Pro Shooting Glasses are a great entry-level set for the shotgunner, though they may turn some people off.
The Radians Clay Pro comes with a vermillion (kind of a pink color) tint, with full wrap lenses and spring hinges for a secure fit, with no top frame to keep vision from being obstructed. The thin (almost wire-like) frame fits easily under any earmuffs.
They're rated at ANSI Z87.1+ for impact protection. As a bonus, the vermillion tint is supposedly beneficial for people with red/green colorblindness. A solid entry-level set that goes for about $15.
ESS Crossbow
ESS, a subsidiary of Oakley, is an eye protection manufacturer that specializes in ballistic eye protection and has models listed on the APEL. The Crossbow series is a good mid-shelf option.
The lenses are swappable and have a UVA/UVB blocking/anti-fog/anti-scratch coating, however, only the Clear and Smoke Grey lenses and Black frames are APEL-approved. Prescription lenses are available as well.
Prices start around $40 for a basic black frame with clear lenses.
Caldwell Adjustable Pro Range Glasses
Caldwell Adjustable Pro Range Glasses are ANSI Z87.1 certified for high-impact resistance, have UV-blocking lenses that wrap around the side and have an adjustable nose piece to dial in the fit.
Best of all, they meet the basic requirements for less than $10, and less than $5 from many retailers.
Magpul Rift
Magpul knows how to make some seriously tough gear out of polymer, including safety glasses. The Rift model, available with both standard and Rx lenses, is ANSI Z87 high impact rated and is billed as being compliant with MIL-PRF 32432, but is not on the APEL.
They have side protection, UV-blocking and scratch-resistant lens coating (as well as anti-fog) and can be had with several different lens/frame options including polarized and non-polarized lenses.
They also look a bit like vintage Ray-Bans, so you are guaranteed to look cool. Everyone knows that makes you shoot better. Non-polarized lenses start at around $100, and polarized lenses start at around $140.
Wiley X Romer 3 Shooting Glasses
Wiley X is an eye-pro brand that is on the APEL, including the X Romer 3 set. They're designed to be wearable under ear muffs and with NVGs if needs be, and can be ordered with prescription lenses so long as your PD (pupillary distance) is more than 64mm.
They have all the usual specs, including UV-blocking and anti-scratch coating on the outside, and an anti-fog coating on the inside. The non-prescription set has interchangeable lenses should you want to switch between smoke (tinted) and clear lenses.
Prices are between $70 and $100, depending on the options.
Howard Leight Genesis Sharp Shooter By Honeywell
Howard Leight, a division of Honeywell (the industrial safety equipment manufacturer) is another rock-solid budget option that is ANSI Z87.1 rated (high-impact) and passes military standards.
The Genesis Sharp Shooter glasses are available with or without tinted lenses and have anti-fog, anti-scratch and UV-blocking coatings. The thin frame will work under earmuffs and the frame can be adjusted out to wear over eyeglasses, but can't be had with Rx lenses.
Keeping the .22 LR platform nimble and keeping it more shootable, the Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper is a worthy investment for the MP15-22.
Let’s face it… if you aren’t shooting rimfire suppressed nowadays, you aren’t shooting rimfire. Yes, the gritting of teeth among the traditionalists out there is deafening and certainly, you can still pitch lead without a can. Yet, not taking advantage of the shooting tech available today, well, it makes about as much sense as staying wed to black powder after the advent of nitrocellulose.
Nowhere is this more evident than in adding a suppression system to a rimfire. Less recoil, dampened report, faster shooting, improved accuracy potential… the list of benefits goes on and on. While a bold statement, almost nothing beats shooting a suppressed rimfire. Well… perhaps one thing—shooting an integrally suppressed rimfire.
For devotees of Smith & Wesson’s snappy little AR-style .22 LR, the MP15-22, things couldn’t be better in this arena thanks to the company’s subsidiary Gemtech. Launched earlier this year, the company’s Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper kicks the already solid carbine’s game up a notch, not only offering exceptional sound suppression but in an inconspicuous package that maintains the integrity of the platform. In short, it makes an already sweet rimfire even sweeter.
Why Go Integral?
Truth told, there are a slew of top-notch direct-thread and QD options for the .22LR available today—many quite a smidgen easier on the pocketbook. This piques the question, why go all top shelf and pony up $654 (MSRP) for the Integra? For the MP15-22 owner the answer is performance, but perhaps not in the manner you first might guess. Yeah, it hits the aforementioned notes—we’ll get to those in a moment—but where the system excels is in maintaining a nimble and deft platform.
Consider this, most rimfire cans are going to add anywhere from 5 to 7 inches of length to a barrel. In the case of the MP15-22, this takes a 16.5-inch carbine and modifies it into anywhere from a 21- to 23-inch rifle. Furthermore, with roughly 3 or 4 ounces of weight getting tacked on past the muzzle, the balance of the rifle is thrown all out of whack. On the other hand, at just .25 inches longer in overall length and tipping the scales at nearly the same weight as a stock 15-22 upper, Integra seamlessly interfaces with the platform.
Any practical use—picking off varmints or competition—this advantage pays dividends, maintaining the carbine’s inherent dexterity. This is particularly notable shooting the Integra offhand, with gun’s fulcrum perhaps a few fractions forward, but not enough to make a marked difference shooting. For many, that alone is worth the price for entry.
Integra Breakdown
Certainly, preserving the nimbleness and feel of the 15-22 is important, but the Integra brings some other assets to the table. To get to these, however, we should touch on a few points of its construction.
Matted to a 15-22 upper is a 9-inch barrel that is pinned and welded to a 7.9-inch monocore baffle, this ensures the upper meets the 16-inch minimum length and keeps it a “one-stamp” purchase. The ample monocore gives the upper a one-two punch. The more notable is it cuts the carbine’s report down to safe levels—so safe that when tested at Cancon the folks a Gemtech insisted on the removal of electronic ear protection, which would have amplified the report.
A less considered point of the ample monocore, it has the potential to cut down on the need for cleaning, as fouling is less apt to clog it in a short period of time. Furthermore, made of 17-4 PH stainless steel, the monocore resists overheating quickly—given the thermal-resistant nature of the material.
Encasing the monocore is a lightweight .925-inch aluminum tube, that fits snugly around the internals. It is black-oxide finished and interestingly has no gas seal. This is a benefit to its sound suppression, expanding the overall size of the expansion chamber, but means fouling does have a way of finding its way into nooks and crannies.
This all sits in what is essentially the stock MP15-22 handguard, a slimmed-down affair that offers plenty of accessory mounting options thanks to M-Lok slots at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions. Up top, there’s a full-length Picatinny rail and flat-top receiver, making the addition of an aim solution easy to install and flexible to modify.
At The Range With The Integra
Getting the chance to run the Integra at Cancon, in Savannah, Ga., in October, one couldn’t but walk away impressed. As has been ballyhooed repeatedly, the upper offers unparalleled sound suppression, making the MP15-22 positively safe for naked ears. This lends a lot to a plinker, making it an ideal option for beginning shooters to cut their teeth with almost no perceptible recoil and very little report, thus eliminating flinch. Also, for a long afternoon sending ground squirrels to varmint Valhalla, well the Integra makes for comfortable shooting sans muffs or plugs.
Veteran shooters have plenty to appreciate in the integral upper as well. This is particularly true if they want to really run the gun, and accurately so. With little to no kick or muzzle rise, you have the ability to work the trigger and fast, something put to the test at Cancon. Suffice it to say, emptying the magazine in the first run on a steel popper was one long stream of pings of lead smashing into steel. That sort of experience should be enough to sell anyone on the Integra.
Parting Shot
Obviously, if you can’t pick a nit on any gun, accessory or component, then likely you aren’t looking closely enough. And there is one aspect of the Integra 15-22 Suppressed Upper some might not cotton to—it’s only compatible with the MP15-22. Hey, Gemtech is a Smith & Wesson company, can’t blame them for keeping it in the family.
While this might not sit well with owners of other AR-style rimfires, it doesn’t diminish what the Integra brings to the table. Furthermore, for those whose interest is piqued, it’s a great excuse to add a 15-22 to your arsenal. The gun is a slugger in and of itself but takes on a whole new dimension when paired with the Integra upper.
Integra Suppressed Upper Specs Caliber: .22LR Diameter: .925 inches Overall Length: 23.75 inches (Overall Length of the Suppressed Upper 17.5-inch Barrel Length) Weight: 2.7 pounds (Includes charging handle and bolt carrier assembly) Mount Type: Fits M&P15-22 lower receiver Tube Material: 6061 T6 Aluminum Full Auto Rated: No Tube Finish: Matte Black Hard Coat Anodized MSRP: $654
The Suppressor: How They're Made, How They Work, And How To Buy One
The 2nd Edition of Massad Ayoob’s Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right To Self Defense is now available, updated and expanded with the latest advice for handling a lethal force encounter.
The first edition of Gun Digest’s Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right To Self Defense brought you expert advice from Massad Ayoob on how to best handle a lethal force encounter, but plenty more has happened in the world since it was released. Now updated and expanded for its second edition, Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right To Self Defense is more comprehensive than ever before.
In its over 300 pages, the revised book walks you through the grave responsibility and laws surrounding the application of lethal force. A must-have for any concealed carrier, Ayoob lays down what you need to think, do and say before and after surviving a deadly force encounter. Besides the author’s established wisdom concerning how to remain within the bounds of the law, Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right To Self Defense, 2nd Edition now also includes commentary and conclusions drawn from recent high-profile shooting cases such as those involving Kyle Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery.
Whether you’re a seasoned concealed carrier or only recently strapped on your first iron, this updated guide will help you do it right.
This updated edition includes deep dives into the:
Kyle Rittenhouse trial
Ahmaud Arbery shooting
SCOTUS’ New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen ruling
Legal standards for self-defense
Castle doctrine and stand your ground laws
Debunking self-defense myths
Realities of post-shooting psychological trauma
Commentary on problematic hardware
And More!
The book is currently available for purchase on the Gun Digest Store!
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.
Rimfire geeks might be familiar with Fletcher Rifle Works open-top 11/22. In simple terms, it improves upon the Ruger 10/22 by allowing access to the bolt, extractor and firing pin without removing the trigger or separating the receiver from the stock. Handy. Bandera has embraced the concept, releasing it in the form of the 11/22 pistol. Aside from its ease of maintenance, the Charger-esque offering has a slew of other assets. Topping this list is a receiver CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, stainless-steel pins, springs and detents, and a 9-inch carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel with 1/2×28 thread for accessories. Bandera further enhances this with a Ruger BX trigger and shock-absorbing recoil buffer pin. MSRP: $975
Masterpiece Arms ESR Rimfire Rifle
With the rise of NRL22 matches, precision rifles have begun calling the tune in the rimfire market. With that in mind, it’s little surprise Masterpiece Arms (MPA) has jumped into purveying top-notch precision rimfire guns. To this end, the company’s ESR Chassis turns heads and more than has the chops to take the humble .22 LR the distance … and then some. Built upon the MPA’s ESR chassis, it features an MPA/Curtis Action, a Curtis Rimfire bolt, an MPA heavy-profile barrel and is compatible with Vudoo rimfire magazines. For good measure, the gunmaker throws in an ATS barrel tuner. Specialized for competition, the 12-pound rig demands a premium price—it isn’t an everyday plinker. But, those who take rimfire precision seriously will appreciate everything the ESR brings to the table. MSRP: $3,000
Savage Arms 64 Precision
Yes, precision rimfire shooting is all the rage, but not everyone can afford the Cadillac options in this category. What to do? Savage’s 64 Precision is one answer, offering shooters a lights-out package at a price nearly anyone can afford. Featuring a glass-filled nylon chassis, a 16.5-inch heavy barrel and a well-formed pistol grip, the semi-auto .22 LR extends shooters’ reach and provides consistency on target. Savage has threaded the muzzle, making adding a can a snap, as well as pre-drilled and tapped the receiver and topped it with a Picatinny rail for the easy addition of optics. While the stock is fixed on the chassis, it’s M-Lok compatible, with slots at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions. It also sports a barricade stop for steady support shooting. MSRP: $300
Norma TAC-22 Subsonic 40-Grain .22 LR Ammunition
Norma is renowned for across-the-board top-shelf ammo. So, when the manufacturer turns its attention to rimfire, you know it’s going to be different … and likely a bull’s-eye. Right on both counts with Norma’s introduction of TAC-22 Subsonic 44-grain .22 LR HP. Clocked at well under the sound barrier (1,033 fps), the stuff is tailor-made to bring the best out in your suppressed .22, while not compromising on performance. Much of this is thanks to the 44-grain hollow-point bullet, which provides the utmost stability at lower velocities. It also thumps its terminal destination like the dickens. Best of all, Norma far from extracts a pound when it comes to price. MSRP: $8 per box of 50
Standard SG22 Pistol
The best .22 LR pistol? That’s not getting hashed out in this space. But it’s fair to say, the Colt Woodsman would likely end up in the debate, which makes the news out of Standard Manufacturing fairly exciting. The company’s recently launched SG22 is a dead-ringer for one of the all-time classic rimfire pistols—a plus for both performance and aesthetics. Available in three variations—blued, color-case hardened and color-case hardened engraved—the pistols have several attractive features. Some of these include a 6 5/8-inch barrel, target-style walnut grips, crisp trigger and target sights. While a bit on the spendy side, the SG22 most likely will win favor among discerning rimfire pistol shooters. MSRP: Starting at $1,000
Faxon Rimfire Short Barrel Line
With modularity baked into the cake, there’s no need to settle for a stock Ruger 10/22. This is where Faxon Firearms’ recent offerings give shooters a definite twist in configuring the standby .22 LR semi-auto. Meet the company’s short-barrel lineup: Offered in 6-, 8.5- and 10.5-inch models, the stainless-steel firetubes offer an excellent option to build out a 10/22 shorty—be it pistol or SBR. The nice part, Faxon loads them with extras, including threaded and capped muzzles, fluting (flame design in the 8.5-inch barrel) and recessed target crowns. Available with salt bath nitride or PVD coatings, the Faxon barrels are also up to rough use. MSRP: 6-inch $220, 8.5-inch $255, 10-inch $250
Volquartsen Scorpion-X Pistol
The Volquartsen Scorpion has more than made its bones as a top-performing varmint and competition rimfire pistol. Few would say there’s any room for improvement. But the innovative Iowa gunmaker has found a way—the Scorpion-X. The flat-top iteration of the .22 pistol gives the gun an important advantage: the ability to mount a slew of different red-dots in several different configurations. The secret sauce is multiple mounting holes on the LLV-X upper. Further enhancing the handgun, Volquartsen offers it in 4.5- and 6-inch barrel configurations, a threaded muzzle and a sweet trigger with a 2.25-pound break. The company also offers the upper as a stand-alone component, compatible with Ruger MKII, MKIII and older Scorpions. MSRP: $1,410 complete pistol, $514 stand-alone upper
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
POF-USA has just unveiled the Tombstone, a lever-action 9mm rifle that feeds from box magazines.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that you first started to see people putting rails on lever-action rifles. While sacrilege to most lever-gun appreciators, the “space cowboy” trend appears to be picking up steam. The latest example, and the most radical departure from the traditional design that we’ve seen yet, is the POF-USA Tombstone – a lever-action 9mm rifle that feeds from box magazines, and yes, it has plenty of rails too.
Until now, Patriot Ordnance Factory has exclusively been a purveyor of AR-based firearms, so it’s quite a surprise to see the company branching out into lever-guns. What makes it less surprising is that the POF-USA Tombstone is far more tactical than traditional.
The new lever-action rifle is chambered for 9mm and feeds from box magazines (proprietary design), comes with XS Ghost Ring Sights and has a total weight of only 5.75 pounds (unloaded). The 16.5-inch barrel is free-floated, threaded 1/2×28 and comes with a dual-port muzzle brake. As for customizability, the receiver features a Picatinny rail for mounting optics and the monolithic 10.5-inch handguard features MLOK slots on the sides and Picatinny rails on the top and bottom for mounting accessories. The POF-USA Tombstone ships with a Magpul SGA 870 nylon stock, but it can be replaced with any compatible model.
Jeremy Selting, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at POF-USA, said this about the new rifle:
The Tombstone has been in the works for quite a while now and its truly representative of what POF-USA is all about, revolutionizing the original lever-action design with enhancements…The feedback from writers who have reviewed the Tombstone has been extremely positive with the common theme being that the rifle is extremely enjoyable and fun to shoot.
The POF-USA Tombstone is available now and has an MSRP of $1,962 for the black version and $2,097 for one with an FDE finish. The standard variants ship with a 20-round magazine but a 10-round option exists for ban states as well. Magazines in both capacities, as well as a 35-rounder, are also all currently available on the company’s website for $35 each.
From the editors of RECOIL Magazine comes SUPPRESSORS! A complete guide to everything you need to know about buying, owning, and caring for your suppressors.
For over a decade, RECOIL Magazine and our sister publications, CARNIVORE and CONCEALMENT, have published some of the definitive articles on every aspect of suppressors. Now all of that knowledge can be found in one place, SUPPRESSORS!
No matter how new or experienced you are to the world of the NFA and suppressors; you’ll find helpful and useful information contained within these pages. Expert advice on what to purchase, the current legal standings of components, how to choose the right suppressor for your needs, and a whole lot more.
The author once called the EDC X9 “the best pistol ever made,” but could the Wilson Combat SFX9 be even better?
In January of 2018, an article appeared in these pages with the title, “The Best Pistol Ever Made.” I wrote that article and it was about the then new Wilson Combat EDC X9. I believed what I wrote then and have stood by those words ever since. In fact, I believed it so much that I convinced several shooters to buy an EDC X9. How did I do that? I just let them shoot mine. Now, four years later, I’m having to reevaluate that opinion.
With its 4-inch barrel and 15+1 capacity, the SFX9 is ideally configured for personal protection and sized right for concealed carry.
For 2022, Wilson Combat introduced a 4-inch, 15-round version of their SFX9. The SFX9 is slightly different from the EDC X9. Where the EDC X9 has a grip frame that accepts grip panels, the SFX9’s grip frame, similar to modern polymer pistols like the Glock, is solid. In fact, SF stands for “solid frame” and, with this 4-inch, 15-shot version, Wilson Combat now has three solid frame SFX9mm pistols: there’s a 3.25-inch, 4-inch and a 5-inch.
So, how different are the 3-inch EDC X9 and SFX9 pistols? With the EDC X9, you can remove/replace the side grip panels or grip scales. This is accomplished by depressing a release at the bottom of what would be called the mainspring housing on a conventional 1911. Once this release is pressed, the backstrap swings up and out of the way, allowing access to the mainspring and sear spring. With the newer solid frame SFX versions, there are no grip panels to remove. With the exception of the pivoting backstrap, the SFX9’s grip is a monolithic unit.
The only other differences I noted between the EDC X9 and SFX9 were the slot spacing on the accessory rails and the sights. With the SFX9, the accessory rail slots were a bit closer together. As for the sights, the EDC X9 comes with a Wilson Combat elevation adjustable Tactical rear Battlesight and the SFX9 comes with a fixed rear, Wilson Combat Concealment Battlesight. Other than that, the guns seem identical and use the same magazines.
One difference in the SFX9 (front) and EDC X9 (rear) is that the slots in the accessory rail are a bit different. With the SFX9, they’re a bit closer together.
Small, But Significant
So, why am I questioning my earlier opinion? There are three reasons.
First is the fact that the grip of the SFX9 is thinner by 0.164 inch. That’s not a lot, but for some hands it might matter. The second reason is that the SFX9 doesn’t have an adjustable rear sight, which is—arguably—just another part that can break. (For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen an adjustable rear sight on a Wilson Combat pistol break.) The final reason isn’t the most or least important, and in fact, if you can afford a Wilson Combat handgun, it’s probably of no consequence. That said, the SFX9 has a suggested retail price that’s $100 less than the EDC X9. Of course, in today’s world, a hundred bucks will buy nearly 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and that’s important.
The SFX9 comes with a Wilson Combat Concealment Battlesight. Out of the box, it was zeroed dead on at 10 yards.
What it really comes down to is how the gun feels in your hand, and this is something that’s frequently overlooked. User interface can be directly linked to shooting performance; if a gun doesn’t fit your hand comfortably, you’ll not shoot it as well as you possibly can. The flat-sided Glockish feeling grip frame of the SFX9 might very well fit your hand better than the more rounded EDC X9 grip. If you’ve been a Glock shooter and like the way Glocks feel in your hand, this is almost a given. I’ve never liked the way a Glock felt in my hand, so it should come as no surprise that I prefer the more rounded grip of the EDC X9.
In my 2018 article, I wrote that the EDC X9 could’ve been the result of a ménage à trois among a 1911, a Browning Hi Power and a Glock 19. I wrote that because the EDC X9 is a single-action pistol with a straight-pull trigger like the 1911. It also has the manual thumb safety of the 1911 and the Hi Power, but like the Hi Power, there’s no grip safety. And finally, the EDC X9 was sized almost identically to the Glock 19 and shared the 19’s and the Hi Power’s high capacity. I carry a Hi Power a lot and felt that from the standpoint of feel, the Hi Power was the dominate partner in this three-way creation. That’s not the case with the SFX9. The way its blocky grip feels in my hand, I immediately think “Glock.”
SFX9 Vs. EDC X9 On The Range
I couldn’t resist the urge to continue the comparison of these two handguns on the range. They’re so similar, and with what’s at stake so important, they’re just begging to go head-to-head. My standard defensive handgun test drill is what I call the Forty-Five Drill. I call it that because it’s made up of four elements of five. With it, the goal is to draw from the holster and hit a 5-inch circle, at 5 yards, five times, in less than 5 seconds. It sounds easy—but it’s not. Trust me when I say many police officers can’t conduct this drill to standard on their first or second attempt.
The SFX9 (left) is very similar to the EDC X9 (right). The primary difference is that the SFX9 has a solid frame without interchangeable grip panels.
I ran this drill 10 times with the EDC X9 and 10 times with the SFX9, alternating between pistols after each run. My average time with the EDC X9 was 3.09 seconds, with 47 hits out of 50 shots. My average time with the SFX9 was 3.05 seconds with 45 hits out of 50 shots. From a practical perspective, there was no difference at all in how these handguns performed for me. I also shot the SFX9 a lot more after that test, which given the availability of ammunition nowadays isn’t an easy thing to do. Combined with some other ammo I had on hand, I fired 450 rounds through the SFX9 without as much as wiping it down … and I experienced no stoppages.
Final Thoughts
I would like to offer one other observation between these two pistols: My EDC X9 is outfitted with a green fiber-optic front sight. The SFX9 came with a red fiber-optic front sight. Though while based on the range results there seemed to be no difference at all between the two, I felt that the red fiber-optic sight was twice as easy to see as was the green fiber optic sight—in all lighting situations. Take that for what you think it’s worth.
If you’re going to trust your life to a handgun, why would you settle for anything less than the best?
Bill Wilson believes the SFX9 is the best personal protection pistol offered by Wilson Combat, and who am I to argue with Wilson? The thing is, I like my EDC X9 better because it feels better in my hand. Of course, I should say that I carried a Glock for 13 years as a police officer and never liked the way the damn thing felt. It’s a matter of personal preference, and understating this opinion is coming from someone hopelessly in love with the Browning Hi Power should help explain my position.
However, I’d bet that many younger shooters, especially those who grew up with a Glock but always wanted something better, will think this new SFX9 from Wilson Combat is nothing short of marvelous. I wouldn’t argue with them, either.
With its 1911-like operation, Hi Power capacity and Glockish feeling frame, the SFX9 is a combination of three of the best fighting pistols ever created.
If you and I were walking down Fremont Street in Tombstone, Arizona, toward a vacant lot near the O.K. Corral, to face off against the Clantons and McLaurys or even some modern-day hoodlums—and if the only two guns we had were a SFX9 and an EDC X9—I might ask for the one with the red fiber-optic front sight, but I’d be happy with either gun. I believe the EDC X9 and the SFX9—4-inch/15-shot handguns—are the two best self-defense handguns ever made. Pick the one that fits your hand the best and you’ll be able to feel confident your money has been well spent.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 USA Special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
