Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Archon Firearms has, over the years, refined the Archon Type B to the most current Gen 2 model. I tested this Archon Gen 2, Type B by PTR extensively and am excited to share my thoughts and experiences with you all! Some people on the internet may compare this pistol to a Glock.
Table of contents
What Is the Archon Gen 2 Type B?
First, I want to give a glimpse at what the Archon Gen 2, Type B is. Then I’ll go into further detail about the most interesting and unique aspects. This gun is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol chambered in 9x19mm that has a grip angle similar to a Glock. For maximum ergonomics, the magazine release is reversible for ease of use by right or left-handed shooters.
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The grip length of the Gen 2, Type B is modular, It comes with 3 backstraps and 2 grip extensions that provide 4 different grip configurations consisting of one sub-compact, two compact, and one full-size grip length. This gun is available with no optic cut, or a direct mount for RMR, RMS, or Acro footprint optics for an additional $39. This makes the optic cut on the Archon Gen 2, Type B one of the most affordable optic cuts!
Internally, there are other impressive engineering feats worth mentioning. First and foremost, the AF-Speedlock system keeps the barrel in line with the slide under operation, reducing felt recoil and muzzle rise. Unlike some striker-fired pistols that have a visible trigger safety, the Gen 2, Type B has an internal safety that doesn’t allow the gun to fire unless the trigger is in the rearmost position. This design makes this gun drop-safe and offers peace of mind from potentially fatal mechanical malfunctions.
What Does the Type B Come With?
The Archon Gen 2, Type B by PTR comes in a padded hard case with one 15-round magazine and one 18-round magazine. These two different-sized magazines allow you to use any possible grip configurations. Three back straps and two grip extenders also come with this package. Also, it has two extra roll pins which are used to attach them. If you buy an optic cut model, a plate will come attached to this optic cut, keeping the slide looking sleek and seamless if you do not mount a red dot. And of course, you also get a cheap cable lock and some good instruction manuals with the package.
Performance and Accuracy Testing
I used the Archon Gen 2, Type B in USPSA matches when I first got it in. This gun worked perfectly for the application because it pointed like a Glock, which I was used to. The trigger also felt similar, but the Gen 2, Type B shot much flatter and allowed me to shoot faster and more accurately while running and gunning. During this hard-use period, and throughout the rest of my testing, I didn’t experience any malfunctions or issues with the gun whatsoever.
After shooting many, many rounds through the Archon Gen 2, Type B Pistol, I performed an accuracy test at 15 yards using range, defensive, and competition-type ammo. This wide variety of projectile weight and design consisted of Norma, Hornady, Magtech, Blazer, Federal, and Winchester ammunition. for consistency’s sake, I shot these groups using a Holosun HS507C red dot instead of iron sights. Please read each picture’s caption to see the specifics of each ammo tested.
Accuracy Testing Results
These groups were shot from a bag and bench with a Holosun HS 507C red dot mounted on the Gen 2, Type B Pistol. Each group is 5-shots where the best performer was Norma Hexagon Match Grade 124 grain at 9.87 MOA or 1.55 inches at 15 yards. The worst performer was the Blazer Ammunition 147 grain brass case with 16.78 MOA or 2.64 inches at 15 yards. Everything else fell in between these, averaging around 12 MOA groups.
Specifications of the Type B
- Weight: 0.84 lbs
- Dimensions: 7.7 × 1.1 × 5.2 in
- Caliber: 9x19mm
- Action: Semi-automatic, striker fired pistol
- Locking System: AF‑Speedlock®
- Barrel: 4.3″, 6 grooves, right-hand twist 1:10, 45° crown, Nitride finish
- Sights: Serrated rear with front fiber optic sight (Glock standard dovetail)
- Grip: Modular, black polymer, Talon grip rubber-black textured standard
- Trigger: Tactile-short reset, trigger weight 4,5 lbs.
- Safety: Trigger block, firing pin safety block, trigger bar
- Magwell: Flared
- Magazine: 15 Round, 18 Round
- Weight Unloaded: 1.85 lbs
- Frame: Steel Monocoque
- Included Accessories: 2 Magazines – 1X15 RDS & 1X18 RDS Magazines, 3 Back Straps, 2 Grip Extenders
- MSRP: $960.00 – $999.00
AF-Speedlock
The big claim to fame of the original Type B is decreased felt recoil and muzzle flip, which this Gen 2, Type B also boasts. Mainly, this comes from the unique AF-Speedlock system consisting of a U-shaped falling block that keeps the barrel locked with the slide until the recoil causes the block to fall away. When this block falls away, it unlocks the barrel and slide, allowing the slide to continue traveling rearward without the barrel needing to tilt.
This design nests the barrel deeper into the grip, creating a lower bore axis than other striker-fired handguns. When this system is coupled with a three-stage recoil spring, felt recoil is killed through stiff spring tension being applied where it matters during operation.
Taking A Closer Look
The Gen 2, Type B is very easy to disassemble for cleaning. Simply remove the magazine and clear the gun, pull the slide slightly out of battery, push the slide takedown pin through the frame, pull the trigger, and remove the slide. The parts of the Gen 2, Type B are different than other common striker-fired guns, but the manual of arms remains similar, which I appreciate. Also, this takedown pin is captured in the frame, so it cannot easily be lost during this process.
The grip texture of the old Type B was polarizing. People Either loved it or hated it. This doesn’t have to be the case with this Gen 2 model, though. Talon Grips makes the adhesive texture the Gen 2, Type B comes with. This means you can have your pick between three different grip textures. These textures are Pro (hybrid), Granulate (skateboard), or Rubber (comes stock).
The Archon Gen 2, Type B comes with a serrated, blacked-out rear sight and a red fiber optic front sight. If these don’t tickle your fancy, these sights can be replaced with any Glock sights of your liking. Or you can buy an optic-cut model with RMS, RMR, or ACRO footprint and use a red dot like all the Instagram operators these days. Of course, I chose to do this when I mounted a Holosun HS507C to my RMR cut model. Naturally, the fit for my optic was perfect
Final Thoughts on the Gen 2, Type B
Archon’s Gen 2, Type B pistol by PTR is an incredible striker-fired handgun. It has a unique internal design that keeps recoil low and follow-up shots fast. It also proved accurate and reliable during my testing with many different ammunition weights and designs. This gun has a new modular grip system that can be reconfigured for subcompact, compact, or full-sized grip lengths quite easily to suit any task.
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The Gen 2, Type B does all this for a sub $1,000 price tag while also coming with an optic cut and a 4.5-pound trigger. I would happily own and run this handgun as an EDC or competition-focused tool for these reasons. I prefer this design over other popular striker-fired options.
Learn more about the Archon Gen 2, Type B by PTR here!
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