Combat Handguns May/June 2023: SHOT Show Highlights

This year’s SHOT Show was on fire with all manner of new guns, gear, gadgets, optics, and ammo. For the May/June issue of Combat Handguns, we gathered up about 32 of our favorite new items, including more than a dozen new holsters from the event, and put together a full “must haves” list for our readers.

Combat Handguns May/June 2023: Bringing the Heat

If you’ve never had a chance to shoot a firearm made by Wilson Combat, put it on your bucket list. Best known for their top-quality 1911 pistols, the folks from Berryville, Arkansas, always take things to the next level. Their pistols and AR-style rifles are truly works of art, as well as quality firearms.

I was fortunate enough to use one of their rifles on a hog and deer hunt a few years back. The hardest part of the hunt was keeping the guys in camp from sneaking the rifle out of the cabin.

Wilson Combat and Sig Sauer

That brings us to our cover feature. The recent collaboration between Wilson Combat and Sig Sauer has produced what just might be the best P365 ever made. Our editorial staff first got their mitts on this hot CCW at our annual Rendezvous in fall 2022. Check out Garrett Lucas’ in-depth review of Wilson’s WCP365 starting on page 14. Then start saving for one of your very own.

Of course, Athlon Outdoors contributors got a ton of other sneak peeks at Rendezvous ’22. And they have since performed extensive testing on many new guns and accessories. Aside from the WCP365, this issue’s coverage of two great suppressors—SilencerCo’s Osprey 45 2.0 and Silencer Central’s Banish—began back at that annual event. Another gun previewed at Rendezvous and since then tested to feature in this issue is the Wilson Combat AR9-X.

And for all you folks fixing to send us a persnickety email, yes, we know that the pistol-caliber carbine from Wilson is not a combat handgun. The AR9-X is, however, an extremely nice 9mm carbine that would make a great addition to any collection.

Plus, with the way the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is redefining different firearms these days—braced pistols are now legally considered short-barreled rifles (SBRs)—you just never know when a PCC might be reclassified as a handgun!

SHOT Show

Want more heat? This year’s SHOT Show was on fire with all manner of new guns, gear, gadgets, optics and ammo. Read about 32 of our favorite new items starting on page 84. Not to mention more than a dozen new holsters launched at SHOT in Mike Detty’s “Righteous Rigs” report.

Terminal List and Taran Tactical

Last but not least, for our Jack Carr/Terminal List fans out there (and if you’re not, you should be), check out our coverage of the tricked-out Glock 19 (page 40) designed specifically for book and movie protagonist James Reece. Taran Tactical’s sweet TLG19 brings that silver screen gun to the masses. And you’ll likely be putting one on your wish list.

We know that without our loyal readers—some who have been with us for 44 years!—we would be irrelevant, and we hope you enjoy this issue of CH as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. Until next time, stay safe and shoot straight.

—Mark Chesnut

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up your copy today!