June 02, 2020
By Lane Pearce
While most new handguns are chambered for the popular 9mm and .45 ACP, interest in .22 LR and 10mm Auto semiautomatic pistols appears to be resurging. Here’s a peek at many new pistols and revolvers available at your local dealer.
Auto-Ordnance Revolution 1911 Auto-Ordnance’s Revolution 1911 honors the American Revolution and our Founding Fathers. Based on the Auto-Ordnance GI Model, it features the usual .45 ACP 5.0-inch barrel, standard GI iron sights, and a seven-round magazine. The slide and frame have a distressed Cerakote Midnight Blue finish, and the pistol wears solid copper grip panels. The slide, frame, and grips are profusely engraved with historical artwork that pays tribute to famous people and symbols of that period.
MSRP: $1,277
auto-ordnance.com
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The new 92X 9mm SA/DA semiautomatics are an evolution of Beretta’s classic 90 series. Models include the Performance, the Full Size, the Centurion, and the Compact with or without accessory rail, and they are designed for use in situations from competition to personal defense. The Vertec-style vertical grip frame enables firm control for shooters with smaller hands. Optional wraparound polymer grips ensure proper fit for those with larger hands. The 92X universal slide is easily converted from safety-decocker (FS) to decocker-only (G) mode. Sights, barrel length, and magazine capacity vary by model.
MSRP: $800 to $1,399
beretta.com
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Ed Brown Fueled MP1 Ed Brown Products is now producing “Fueled” Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 polymer-frame, striker-fired pistols in three versions. The Fueled MP1 shown here features a fully machined custom front block the company calls an “Accuracy Rail.” It is fitted to the frame and provides the slide and barrel with perfectly machined mating surfaces. The slide is a full custom part machined from 17-4 stainless steel, and the stainless-steel match barrel is button-rifled with a 1:10 twist and an 11-degree target crown. The pistol also has a custom extractor, custom AmeriGlo sights, a custom Apex Tactical trigger, a custom Ed Brown magwell, custom magazine baseplates, custom machined pins, and a custom slide backplate.
MSRP: $1,995 (base price)
edbrown.com
Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision Blue One of Browning’s 2020 SHOT Show special pistols is the .22 LR Buck Mark Plus Vision Blue that features a lightweight, alloy-sleeved, steel “Vision” barrel; a top-mounted optics rail; a 5.9-inch, suppressor-ready threaded barrel with removable muzzle brake; UFX overmolded rubber grips; a TRUGLO/Marble Arms fiber-optic front sight; and a 16-click, adjustable Pro-Target rear sight with white outline. Honeycomb cuts on the barrel sleeve reduce weight and give the gun its distinctive look. The frame and barrel sleeve are anodized blue; the trigger is gold; and the slide, grips, top rail, sights, and muzzle brake are matte black. The pistol comes with two 10-round magazines and a pistol rug.
MSRP: $699.99
browning.com
Colt Python Colt is reintroducing the Python. Long noted as the premier .357 Magnum wheelgun, it was the first of what became Colt’s “snake gun” legacy. The new Python differs somewhat from the original, and it is available only in stainless steel with a 4.25- or 6.0-inch barrel. It features a recessed target crown, interchangeable front sight, and checkered walnut target stocks. In addition, there’s 30 percent more steel under the redesigned, fully adjustable rear sight to strengthen the frame and ensure long-term durability.
MSRP: $1,499
colt.com
CZ-USA CZ75B 45th Anniversary The CZ75 9mm pistol has been around for 45 years with an estimated production of one million units. CZ is celebrating the occasion in a big way with a 45th anniversary, one-year, 1,000-unit limited edition. The pistol’s shiny silver external controls contrast with the high-gloss blued and engraved slide and frame. The wood stocks are embellished with complementing engraving. The all-steel, SA/DA CZ75B features tritium night sights and a double-column, 16-round magazine. The CZ75B is used by more governments, militaries, police departments, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world.
MSRP: $1,720
cz-usa.com
FN 509 Compact MRD The latest addition to the FN 509 striker-fired, DA 9mm autoloading pistol series is the FN 509 Compact MRD. Offered in black or flat dark earth, it delivers full-size performance in a lightweight, concealable package. The polymer lower frame has a shortened grip and replaceable steel rails. Slide features include combat-style black sights, a low-profile optics mounting system, an external extractor, a loaded chamber indicator, and front and rear cocking serrations. The slide stop and magazine release are ambidextrous. The pistol comes with a 1913-style Picatinny rail, two interchangeable textured backstraps, and two magazines (either a 12-rounder and a 15-rounder or two 10-rounders).
MSRP: $799
fnamerica.com
Glock G44 Glock made big news with the introduction of the new G44 .22 LR pistol. It incorporates most of Glock’s proven design features, plus a hybrid steel/polymer slide. The compact pistol (same size as the G19) comes with interchangeable backstraps, an adjustable rear sight, and two 10-round magazines.
MSRP: $439
us.glock.com
HK SP5 If you think the MP5 9mm submachine gun is hot, listen up. The new SP5 semiautomatic pistol mimics the look and feel of the MP5. The new pistol uses HK’s proven roller-delayed, blowback operating system; paddle magazine release; and fluted chamber. The SP5 is available with either 30- or 10-round magazines, and it comes in a soft case custom fitted for the pistol, with a sight tool, an extra magazine, and a sling.
MSRP: $2,799
hk-usa.com
Kel-Tec P17 Kel-Tec’s new P17 has all the bells and whistles you could ask for and is the most inexpensive new .22 rimfire pistol offered this year. The magazine holds 16 rounds, barrel length is 3.93 inches, and the fully loaded weight is less than 14 ounces. The sights are an adjustable rear and a fiber-optic front. It comes with three magazines.
MSRP: $199
keltecweapons.com
Kimber EVO SP Select Designed for everyday carry, Kimber’s new EVO SP Select 9mm aluminum-frame pistol offers all the basic features of the EVO models without the extra frills. The EVO SP Select is offered in KimPro II Silver and KimPro II Black finishes. It comes with a 3.16-inch barrel, white-dot sights, and nylon grips. It weighs 19 ounces.
MSRP: $599
kimberamerica.com
Magnum Research BFR Magnum Research has recently introduced an assortment of custom features for its all-stainless, single-action BFR. The BFR features an extra-long, five-round cylinder or a five- or six-round short cylinder chambered for a dozen or so handgun and rifle cartridges. Made in the United States, the massive single action has a brushed finish, match-grade 7.5- or 10-inch barrel, traditional iron sights, and rubber grips. Custom features include a casehardened or black nitride finished frame, hammer, and trigger. You can choose a fluted and/or black nitride cylinder and even an extra interchangeable cylinder if it’s compatible with the primary chambering. Instead of the standard cowboy-style grip, a custom BFR can be fitted with a Bisley-style grip frame with black or ivory Micarta panels and a Hi-Viz front sight.
MSRP: $1,400, with each option adding $30 to $625
magnumresearch.com
Mossberg MC2c As we detailed in last month’s issue of Shooting Times, Mossberg’s new handgun for 2020 is the MC2c. This compact 9mm pistol is offered in five versions. The glass-reinforced polymer frame is offered with or without a crossbolt safety. The slide is available with a black DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) finish or a bead-blasted stainless-steel finish. White-dot drift-adjustable iron sights are standard on four versions, and another offers optional TRUGLO Tritium Pro night sights. Other features of the MC2c include a thumb safety, a reversible magazine release, an oversized trigger guard, and a frame rail. Each pistol comes with a 13-round flush-fitting magazine and a 15-round extended magazine.
MSRP: $490 (standard sights), $595 (TRUGLO sights)
mossberg.com
Nighthawk Custom Agent2 Commander One of several recently introduced Nighthawk Custom 1911 pistols is the Agent2 Commander model chambered in .45 ACP and 9mm Luger. The new pistol features a 4.25-inch match barrel, a forged Commander frame with lightened Recon Rail, Agency front and rear slide grasping grooves, a one-piece mainspring housing/magwell, Cerakote Smoke finish, RailScales G10 grips, and a Nighthawk/Agency trigger. The rear sight is a solid black Heinie Ledge, and the front sight is a Nighthawk fiber-optic sight.
MSRP: $4,499
nighthawkcustom.com
Remington 700 CP with Arm Brace For 2020, Remington’s 700 CP bolt-action pistol is being offered with a factory-installed SBA3 adjustable arm brace. The new version is available in three chamberings: .300 BLK (10.5-inch barrel), 6.5 Creedmoor (12.5-inch barrel), and .308 Winchester (12.5-inch barrel). All versions feature a Magpul grip, M-LOK adaptable free-float handguard, and Remington’s proven X Mark Pro trigger.
MSRP: $1,169
remington.com
Rock Island Armory AL3.1 In addition to new 1911s, Rock Island Armory is offering three new revolvers. Made in the Czech Republic, the AL3.0 (blue) and AL3.1 (stainless) models are chambered for .357 Magnum and have 2.0-inch barrels, six-round cylinders, fixed sights, and rubber finger-groove grips. The blued AL9.0 is chambered for 9mm Luger and has a 3.0-inch barrel, a six-shot cylinder, and a fully adjustable rear sight. It comes with full-moon clips.
MSRP: $599
armscor.com
Rock River Arms LAR-22 Offered with a polymer upper/lower or an aluminum upper/lower, Rock River’s new LAR-22 .22 LR pistol features a 7.0-inch barrel and an SB Tactical SBX-K arm brace. The pistol utilizes RRA’s excellent two-stage trigger; a standard A2 flash hider; an A2 grip; and a lightweight, extended, free-float M-LOK-compatible rail. The overall length is just over 24 inches, and the weight is about 4 pounds. It comes with one magazine.
MSRP: $570 (polymer upper/lower), $660 (aluminum upper/lower)
rockriverarms.com
Ruger 57 The new Ruger-57 is touted as “Fun to shoot! Cool to own!” It is a full-size, delayed-blowback pistol with a 4.94-inch barrel chambered for the 5.7x28mm centerfire cartridge. It has a glass-filled nylon frame with an integral accessory rail and a black nitride-coated alloy steel barrel and slide. The rear sight is fully adjustable, and the front sight has a fiber-optic front insert. The slide is drilled and tapped to accept an optional optics adapter plate. The pistol comes with two double-stack steel magazines that hold 20 rounds each.
MSRP: $799
ruger.com
SCCY DVG-1 SCCY has a new 9mm, striker-fired pistol for 2020. The new DVG-1 incorporates the Roebuck Quad Lock barrel system that ensures consistent, repeatable lockup, and the new pistol’s trigger pull is much lighter (rated at 5.5 pounds) than the company’s hammer-fired models. The DVG-1 features forward slide grasping grooves, textured grip, and fixed sights. The DVG-1RD model comes with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red-dot sight installed.
MSRP: $289 (DVG-1), $389 (DVG-1RD)
sccy.com
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ The latest extension in the M&P Shield lineup is the 9mm M&P9 Shield EZ hammer-fired pistol. For anyone who doesn’t know, EZ stands for easy to rack, easy to load, and easy to clean. The new model comes with two eight-round magazines, a 3.68-inch barrel, and low-profile white-dot sights. It has a loaded-chamber indicator and a reversible magazine release. For an additional cost, it can be had with an ambidextrous thumb safety and with a factory-installed Crimson Trace Laserguard.
MSRP: $479 (basic model)
smith-wesson.com
Springfield Armory SAINT Pistols Springfield’s new-for-2020 handguns include three new SAINT AR-15-style pistols. The SAINT Edge EVAC 5.56 NATO model features a 5.5-inch barrel; an in-house-developed, ratchet barrel takedown system; a GHW Tailhook MOD 1 side-folding arm brace; and a Law Tactical Gen 3-M adapter. The SAINT Edge PDW (shown in the photograph) is also a 5.5-inch-barreled 5.56 NATO model, and it is designed specifically for personal defense. It features a Maxim Defense SCW brace, a Reptilia CQG grip, and a Magpul 20-round PMAG. Overall length is 18.75 inches. The SAINT Victor pistol is chambered for .308 Winchester and has a 10.3-inch barrel, an SB Tactical SBA3 five-position arm brace, a BCM Gunfighter Mod 3 grip, an M-LOK handguard, and Springfield’s blast diverter device.
MSRP: Not available at presstime
springfield-armory.com
Taurus G3 Taurus’s new G3 is a full-size, polymer frame, striker-fired 9mm pistol. The G3 has a conventional thumb safety in addition to the trigger blade safety, and the firing mechanism provides restrike capability. The fixed front and drift-adjustable rear sights have three white dots, and the pistol comes with two 10-round magazines or two 15-rounders, or one 15-rounder and one 17-round extended magazine.
MSRP: $345 (matte black carbon steel slide), $361 (matte stainless slide)
taurususa.com
Walther Q4 Steel Frame Optics Ready In addition to the new CCP M2 .380 pistol featured in the gun review by Jake Edmondson beginning on page 52 of this magazine, Walther is offering the new 9mm Q4 Steel Frame Optics Ready striker-fired pistol for 2020. Providing the flexibility of using iron sights or installing an optic, the Q4 SF OR features a black, adjustable, duty rear sight with striated face that can be removed for the installation of a red-dot optic. The pistol’s barrel is 4.0 inches long, and magazine capacity is 15 rounds. The pistol also features Walther’s tetrahedron-design Performance Duty Texture on the grip, Walther’s Quick Defense Trigger, and Walther’s Duty Optimized Beavertail. It comes with an oversize magazine release button and an ambidextrous slide release.
MSRP: $1,499
waltherarms.com
Dan Wesson DWX Because Dan Wesson is recognized as a premier 1911 manufacturer and CZ-USA owns Dan Wesson, it’s understandable the 1911 and CZ75 platforms have been integrated into a new pistol called the DWX. Internally, the DWX incorporates the 1911’s single-action fire control group. Externally, it adopts the CZ75’s grip angle and contour with a double-stack magazine and a 1913 Picatinny rail. A simpler locked-breech barrel scheme replaces the 1911’s barrel link and bushing. The DWX is offered in 9mm and .40 S&W full-size and compact models.
MSRP: $1,799
danwessonfirearms.com