Handguns

The SIG P226 TacOps earned its reputation the hard way, with training, hard use, and more than 1,000 rounds without a failure in this original test. More than a decade later, Legion, SAO, E2-style grips, optic-ready models, X-Fives, and the P320 have changed the shopping landscape, but not the basic question: Is the old-school hammer-fired P226 still worth the money?

After more than 1,300 rounds and 12 months of regular carry, the Kimber CDS9 has become my go-to EDC. It is accurate, distinctive, and flawless for me unsuppressed, although suppressor testing exposed one weakness worth knowing about.

The FN SCAR 15P crams battle-proven SCAR DNA into a 7.5-inch 5.56 package that is compact, brutally loud, impressively reliable, and capable of groups just over 1 MOA with the right ammunition. After running it hard, suppressed, hot, and dirty, I liked it enough to buy it.

The H&K VP9B backs German engineering with exceptional ergonomics, an optics-ready slide, and a factory trigger that only gets better as the rounds pile up. I started as a skeptic and ended up questioning my usual plastic fantastic.

The Springfield Prodigy 3.5 AOS packs 18 rounds into a compact double-stack 1911 built for concealed carry, then backs it up with approximately 500 rounds of malfunction-free testing and a best 15-yard group of just 0.61 inches.

The Lipsey’s S&W 632 puts six rounds of .32 H&R Magnum into a 13-ounce J-frame that nearly disappears in a pocket. It shoots accurately, carries easily, and delivers more authority than its small caliber reputation suggests.

After more than 250 rounds, the optics-ready Walther WMP proved accurate, comfortable, and ridiculously fun. Its 15+1 capacity, .40-inch best group, and surprising .22 WMR energy make this full-sized rimfire far more than a casual plinker.

The CANiK PRIME RADIAN packs Radian’s RAMJET and AFTERBURNER recoil-control package into a 17+1 micro-compact 9mm that shoots flatter than its size suggests. It is not cheap, and the trigger on this sample did not quite hit classic CANiK greatness, but the range performance makes a strong case for this carry-ready package.

Striker-fired pistols dominate today’s handgun market, but that does not automatically make them the best choice for every shooter. We put revolvers, single action, DA/SA, DAO, and striker-fired handgun actions under the microscope and on the range to see where each one shines.