Part of the Eagle Imports umbrella, Avidity Arms has introduced its first firearm, the PD10. A purpose-built, striker-fired 9mm built in America, the PD10 was designed by renowned defensive shooting instructor Rob Pincus as his answer to what he saw was lacking in the options available to someone looking for a personal-defense firearm. It comes standard with a 10-round Chip McCormick magazine. The single-stack magazine helps keep the width of the pistol stay below an inch for a full-sized feel without sacrificing any concealability. The rear sight is designed so it can be used to rack the slide one-handed in the case of one hand or arm becoming incapacitated. Rob’s goal was to offer the complete package at a reasonable price while still offering a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. When the PD10 becomes available in the next couple of months, the MSRP is expected to be under $500.
After a long hiatus, one of Colt’s famous “Snake” series revolvers returns for 2017. The Colt Cobra double action is back in .38 Special. This matte stainless steel, 2.1-inch-barreled, six-round, small-frame revolver should ignite a renewed interest among those who love snubbies. Weighing in at 25 ounces unloaded, the Cobra sports Colt-branded Hogue grips that have been moved rearward to help tame recoil, and the revolver incorporates Colt’s LL2 (Linear Leaf) trigger system for a smooth trigger pull.
While the FNS-9 Compact was debuted last year, FN is now offering a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) version. This short 3.6-inch-barreled pistol was designed to be snag-free to facilitate quick draws from concealment. The three-dot sights allow for faster target acquisitions. It has a 12+1 or 17+1 capacity depending upon the magazine used. Weighing 23.4 ounces unloaded, the black and FDE versions should be at home with any shooters looking for a compact striker-fired handgun.
While Heckler & Koch did not introduce a new version of the P30SK at SHOT, in speaking with folks in the booth there was an indication that this compact pistol would be available in a larger caliber later in the year. The current model is a 9mm with a 3.2-inch barrel. It also comes with extra side and backstrap panels so users can customize the grip to fit their needs, as well as a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. Of course, no details were available on the new caliber at this time, so stand by if you like the P30SK but want a carry gun with more punch.
Kahr Arms recently introduced four upgraded models to its line that all feature tungsten Cerakote slides, triggers and slide stops; white three-dot sights; Pachmayr Tactical Grip Gloves and Pearce finger rest extensions on their magazines for added control. The new models include the 9mm CM9093TU3, the .380 ACP CW3833TU3 and CT3833TU3, and the largest of the bunch, the .45 ACP CM4543TU3, which does not come with a magazine extension.
Kimber showed several Micro 9 models to include the Stainless Raptor, Sapphire CDP, Bel Air and CDP (LG). They all have 3.15-inch barrels, 6+1 capacities and Kimber “carry melt” treatments for smooth edges to reduce snags upon drawing. Each has its own personality like the Raptor, with its scale accents and tritium night sights, or the Bel Air, with its polished slide and special turquoise color. Also new are a couple of .380s that are quite eye-catching. The Micro Amethyst sports a satin frame with a deep purple slide and controls and some engraved scrollwork on the slide, and the Micro Desert Night features a matte black slide and a desert tan frame. Both have 2.75-inch barrels and 6+1 capacities, and tritium night sights complete the package on the Amethyst.
After a less-than-successful rollout of the R51 a while back, the company worked hard to recover and relaunch a new, improved R51 this year. This 9mm subcompact has a newly enhanced trigger design that is light and crisp, a lower bore axis and tighter tolerances all around. More enhancements include a new grip angle and a slide that requires less effort for racking. The match-grade barrel is 3.4 inches long, and the pistol includes an ambidextrous magazine release, a grip safety and rounded edges.
Ruger has updated its striker-fired American Pistol line to include the American Compact series pistols in 9mm or .45 ACP. The Pro models only feature trigger safeties, but models with manual thumb safeties are also available. These pistols feature Novak LoMount Carry three-dot sights and black nitride-finished slides. The 9mm models sport 3.55-inch barrels and come with one 12-round magazine and one 17-round mag while the .45 ACP comes with seven- and 10-round magazines.
Along with the new LCP II, Ruger has unveiled the LCRx revolver in .357 Magnum. This compact revolver carries five rounds in its extensively fluted 400 series stainless steel cylinder. That fluting, combined with the polymer fire control housing, helps reduce its overall weight. An exposed hammer allows for single-action shooting, which is enhanced by the next-generation friction-reducing cam for a smoother trigger pull. It sports a Hogue Tamer overmolded grip and a pinned front sight.
SCCY introduced its new CPX-3 pistols this year. This is the company’s third generation of 100-percent American-made DAO pistols. These .380s feature the “Roebuck Quad Lock” to lock the barrel and slide in four places for enhanced accuracy. The barrel length is 2.96 inches, and the capacity is a pleasantly surprising 10 rounds. Black and two-tone versions are available, and each gun comes with a “perpetual warranty,” meaning the lifetime warranty accompanies the gun, not the original owner.
The Model 642 from the S&W Performance Center is a five-shot, aluminum-framed .38 Special with a 1.88-inch barrel. A DAO revolver with a shrouded hammer, the 642’s action has been tuned and certain areas are highly polished. The cylinder is cut so full-moon clips can be used, and the grip is synthetic with wood inserts. The 642 only weighs 15 ounces unloaded.
Along with the new EMP Concealed Carry Contour, Springfield has unveiled a 4-inch-barreled XD Mod.2 Service Model in .45 ACP. Thanks to its redesigned “GripZone” frame, this pistol is much easier to carry for those who prefer larger calibers. This pistol comes with two 13-round, stainless steel magazines, a fiber-optic front sight, a two-dot rear sight and a dramatically redesigned slide that makes for easy racking in any condition.
An unusual pistol was shown at this year’s SHOT Show that fits into this category: the S-333 Volleyfire. It holds six .25 ACP rounds in a non-rotating barrel assembly, and upon each long pull of the large slab trigger, two rounds discharge simultaneously. It will be available later in the year in several different colors. Of course, there is lots of controversy about the .25 ACP’s effectiveness for self-defense, but the S-333 is new and unique, so we’ll see how it is received in the marketplace.
STI recently released its HEX Tactical 3.0, a shorter, more compact version of the popular HEX Tactical 4.0 and 5.0. This 3.7-inch-barreled version sports a Cerakote finish and unique Hex serrations on the slide for easy racking from any angle. Both single-stack (SS) and double-stack (DS) versions in 9mm are available, and the latter offers a whopping 15+1 capacity.
The .380 ACP Spectrum is considered by Taurus to be a groundbreaking new micro pistol designed, engineered and built in the U.S. The pistol is touted to deliver better comfort and control in this platform through its ergonomics and proprietary “soft-touch” polymers for sure grasping surfaces, even wet. The pistol is a DAO with a 2.8-inch barrel, a long 7- to 9-pound trigger pull and an unloaded weight of only 10 ounces. Six- and seven-round magazines come with the gun. For those who prefer a little flair, there will be more than 70 color options available.
New this year from Walther is the CCP (Concealed Carry Pistol) with Softcoil technology. The new technology in this delayed-blowback 9mm bleeds off some gas to push on a piston under the barrel, resulting in less felt recoil. The barrel is 3.54 inches long, and the pistol has a 5.5-pound trigger pull. The CCP has an 8+1 capacity, an ambidextrous magazine release and a 22.3-ounce weight unloaded. It also sports a black Cerakote or brushed stainless slide.
The 39th annual Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is now in the history books. It seemed to be a strong and upbeat event, in no small part due to the results of the election. Even though there was political uncertainty, the firearms industry marched on, spending time and money to get new products developed and ready for the marketplace. Here we’ve gathered a number of those advances in the realm of small firearms. Check out the photo gallery to see 16 new handguns from SHOT Show 2017.
