GunsAmerica Product Reviews – Pistols

Smith & Wesson’s M&P line keeps getting bigger. Only this time, the M&P itself is getting smaller. The M&P22 Compact is a well balanced rimfire that is looking to put the fun back in the fun gun. It is brand new, and we have a full review.

When the XD-S was released two years ago, everyone expected that the small .45 ACP would be the first in a long line of sub-compact single stack pistols. Yet there is really very little that can compete with the XD-S. The .45 ACP XD-S has built a solid reputation, broken preconceived notions for the caliber, and set new standards for concealed carry that have yet to be matched. And Springfield is giving them away!

The XD Sub-Compact is one mean little pug. The polymer-framed powerhouse holds 16 rounds of 9mm in its extended magazine, and is still small enough to conceal. But don’t let the Sub-Compact label snow you. This is a hefty little gun. It seems paradoxical, but a fully loaded XD Sub-Compact feels and shoots like a much larger gun.

What exactly do you get for the money you’d invest in an Ed Brown 1911? The decision isn’t one you would make on sheer impulse. The Special Forces Carry is one of those rare pistols that is a functional work of art, not because of fancy grips or anything about the finish, but because of the way that all of the pieces come together in a pure union of form and function.

Pocket pistols are not much fun to shoot. Even in .380, they are jumpy and prone to stinging your hand when fired. It’s hard to improve shooting techniques with these little guns. And most are not known for their accuracy. Yet the Kimber Micro CDP defies all of these preconceptions. It is comfortable to shoot, and the accuracy is exceptional for its diminutive size.

Long established firearm manufacturers, with catalogs of full-size models, went back to the drawing board to design smaller, lighter, and more concealable handguns. Some manufacturers executed flawlessly, while other struggled with reliability issues and safety recalls. Diamondback Firearms followed a different path, as is clearly evident in the new full-sized, budget conscious DB FS 9.

I’d put the Sphinx Compact Alpha up against any 9mm I’ve ever fired. It is that capable. The weight of the gun gives it a distinct advantage where it counts. Lighter guns may be easier to carry. Smaller guns may be much easier to conceal. Yet the Sphinx has enough size and enough weight to really make the most out of the platform when it comes out of the holster.

The CMMG Mk9 PDW is one of those guns often defined by what it is not. It is not a modern sporting rifle, exactly. It isn’t a 5.56. It is not a traditional AR pistol (if such a thing exists). But if you’re looking for something larger, faster, and more stable than a full-sized pistol, the Mk9 may be for you. If you are looking for something smaller and less powerful than an AR carbine, the Mk9 is an ideal choice. Not quite a carbine, more than a pistol: the Mk9 shines.

There are some of us out here in the real world who scrape up funds for gun purchases. We want guns that work, and we don;t want to pay premiums for brand names. Well, here’s one. The Bersa BP9CC is a kickass way to carry concealed. The price tag isn’t going to knock you over, but the gun’s performance just might.