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Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

At first blush, you might think this gun looks a lot like another compact from Staccato, but we assure you, it’s not. The Staccato CS seems much like its older sibling, the C2, but it’s a completely different gun, and some would say it’s the better mousetrap, for several reasons. First, let’s get up to speed on the background of this pistol’s maker by watching the Gun Of The Week video above.

GUN OF THE WEEK video title screen hands holding black staccato cs pistol compact hybrid m1911 double-stack handgun point to right side text on image title

Formerly known as STI, today, Staccato is a Texas-based gunmaker focused on creating double-stack, 2011-style handguns. The hybrid design of the 2011 features a wide-body synthetic grip frame for double-stack magazines and separate steel receiver with an M1911-style slide and single-action operation. Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

With well-thought ergonomics, smartly designed recoil management and increased capacity over the seminal M1911, the company was off to the races. Competitors around the country flocked to the 2011 platform and now today, under the Staccato banner, consumers will be excited to know that the company has invested heavily in the concealed carry market.

Staccato pistol stack row guns ghosted rear images accentuating STACCATO CS model at bottom 9 mm pistols hybrid m1911 polymer grip black guns

The Staccato CS, as you see here, is the smallest, lightest and most concealable option available from the company, and it is an optic-ready, single-action pistol that comes chambered for the ubiquitous 9 mm Luger cartridge. Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

It’s important to note that Staccato, while not a full custom shop, offers options most companies don’t in its factory offerings. So, if you’re looking for a different style trigger, sights, or a model without an optic-plate cut, they’ve got you covered.

Staccato CS handgun pistol nine image mosaic man shooting gun left right detail images semi-automatic 9 mm compact hybrid m1911 double stack

Staccato equips its CS pistol with a newly designed wide-body grip frame that makes use of an entirely different magazine than its 2011-series handguns. Fortunately, Staccato ships three 16-round units with the gun, so time on the range is a lot more fun. The biggest change here is that the grip of the CS is actually narrower than other models in the line-up, which will accommodate more shooters, especially those dedicated to personal defense and concealed carry. Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

The CS also features an all-new recoil system from Dawson Precision. It is toolless, captive and effective. On the range, our testers enjoyed the CS experience. The gun’s 3.5″ barrel is plenty accurate for defensive work. It points like an M1911 should, and the updated grip of the CS is even handier than before, allowing smaller-frame shooters get a full grasp of the controls. We particularly enjoyed Staccato’s inclusion of left- and right-side safety levers, as well as the accessory slot along the dust cover. Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

Staccato CS pistol handgun quartering view on white background black gun 9 mm pistol

At 7.1″ long, 5.6″ tall and 1.2″ wide, we found that the CS is perfectly concealable. The sights are easy to acquire and well-lit, and the provision for an optic added to the overall positive range experience. From the frame’s contours, to creature comforts like the enlarged grip safety, new recoil system, 4-pound trigger and classic M1911 functionality, the CS is a top contender in the hybrid M1911 space. Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

Staccato CS Specifications
Manufacturer: Staccato
Action Type: recoil-operated, single-action, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Frame: 7075 aluminum
Slide: 4140 steel
Barrel: 3.5″ stainless steel
Grip: removable black polymer, laser-etched texture
Sights: raised, square-notch rear, Dawson Precision fiber-optic front post
Magazine: 16-round detachable box
Overall Length: 7.1″
Height: 5.6″
Width: 1.45″ (safeties), 1.2″ (grip)
Weight: 22.7 ozs. (empty)
MSRP: $2,499 (base)

New For 2023: Taurus USA TX22 Compact. Buy Now

Taurus USA expanded its semi-automatic rimfire handgun lineup in 2023 with the addition of the Taurus TX22 Compact. The new compact models now bring the total number of TX22 offerings from the company to 16, encompassing everything from compact, carry-ready versions to full-size, competition-ready options. New For 2023: Taurus USA TX22 Compact. Buy Now

The Taurus TX22 Compact is shorter in both length and height compared to its full-size sibling, measuring in at 6.7″ and 4.9″, respectively. Barrel length measures 3.6″ and is threaded for suppressor use. Despite these compact dimensions, the TX22 Compact still provides an impressive capacity of 13 rounds in its stagger-stack magazine. Unloaded, the pistol weighs in at just 16.5 ozs. Overall, the small size and light weight make it another option for shooters with smaller hands, and it’s also sized right for carry, for those who are comfortable relying on a semi-automatic rimfire handgun for personal defense.

One of the other stand-out features of the Taurus TX22 Compact is the inclusion of a milled slide, which accommodates micro red-dots (MRDs) of the Holosun K footprint. Two models of the TX22 Compact are available with an included Riton Optics MRD. Additionally, the pistol ships with a set of Glock-pattern sights included, with a serrated, drift-adjustable, blacked-out rear sight and a white-dot front sight. The sights cannot be co-witnessed with a mounted MRD.

Additionally, the Taurus TX22 Compact is outfitted with a bilateral manual thumb safety, as well as a single-sided, push-button magazine release. The pistol also includes Taurus’ Performance Trigger System, which provides a clean break without any stacking. A Picatinny accessory rail is located on the forward portion of the frame, and the gun includes slide serrations forward and aft. New For 2023: Taurus USA TX22 Compact. Buy Now

Each Taurus TX22 Compact ships with two magazines, and 10-round magazines are available for those living in capacity-restricted states. New For 2023: Taurus USA TX22 Compact. Buy Now

5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

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With SHOT Show 2023 comes another round of new handgun introductions, and with those, it’s possible to get a glance at where the industry stands in terms of its general priorities and direction. Buy Handguns For Sale

For this year, there are a few notable qualities, some of which reflect ongoing, longer-term trends, while others signify a newer direction in the handgun market. Of course, concealed-carry continues to be hot, and manufacturers continue to cater to CCW holders with compact, capacity-rich designs. But what’s interesting is that, while capacity still seems to be the main goal, we’re starting to see firearm designs that are more macro in size, rather than micro. Of course, there are also some retro homages to popular designs of the past. Here are five highlights from the SHOT Show 2023 floor:

European American Armory Corp. Girsan Witness 2311
The concept of a double-stack M1911 handgun is not a new one, with companies like Para Ordnance and Staccato, formerly STI International, offering such designs for decades. However, in the last year, the market of such designs has grown significantly. European American Armory Corp. Buy Handguns For Sale

is the latest company to enter the market with its Girsan Witness 2311. Able to accept standard Staccato double-stack magazines, the gun is available in 9 mm Luger, .45 ACP and 10 mm Auto and has a magazine capacity of 17 rounds, 11 rounds and 15 rounds, respectively. What really makes the Witness 2311 stand out, though, is its price point. Buy Handguns For Sale

Ruger Security-380
Concealed-carry and capacity don’t always go hand-in-hand, but with the new Ruger Security-380, consumers get a capacity-rich platform that’s easy-to-shoot and easy-to-handle. With styling and ergonomics similar to Ruger’s other Security handguns, it’s easy for folks to get used to the manual of arms. Buy Handguns For Sale

What eases handling even more, though, is the lightened recoil spring and pronounced cocking ears that enable users to get the pistol into battery more quickly. Chambered in .380 ACP, magazine capacity is 15 rounds in a flush-fit configuration, while capacity-restricted states will have a 10-round model available. Best of all, this accessible self-defense platform is affordable, too. Buy Handguns For Sale

Smith & Wesson M&P5.7
One of the surprises from SHOT ’23 was Smith & Wesson’s introduction of its 5.7×28 mm FN pistol, which provides 22+1 rounds on board in an easy-to-shoot platform. S&W is squeezing out every ounce of capability from the 5.7×28 mm round, thanks to the company’s rotating Tempo Barrel System, which makes the M&P5.7 a gas-operated, locked-breech handgun. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

Two models are available, one with a thumb safety and one without. The pistol also feature ambidextrous controls in the form of a mirrored slide stop and a reversible magazine release. The 5.7 mm handgun is also cut to accept a micro red-dot optic and also features a flat-face trigger, Picatinny accessory rail, threaded barrel and three-dot sights. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

Taurus TX22 Compact
Early iterations of Taurus’ TX22 were sized more like today’s crop of full-size, polymer-frame handguns and was initially intended to be a training tool. However, the lineup has expanded significantly over the years and now includes dedicated competition models, optics-ready options and more. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

One salient point that’s become clear over the years is that the TX22 is one of the most reliable rimfire handguns available today, and Taurus is reinforcing that point with its TX22 Compact. The gun is sized right for CCW use, despite the issues inherent in relying on rimfire ammunition for self-defense, but it’s available for those who are comfortable with such a concept. More importantly, the design is easily handled and, despite its compact dimensions, has an impressive magazine capacity of 13 rounds. What’s more, it’s also capable of hosting a micro red-dot sight. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

Walther P99 AS Final Edition
Rounding out our round-up is what seems like a fitting farewell note. Walther’s P99 came out in an entirely different market and world when it was first rolled out in 1997, and the gun served as the basis for Walther’s later designs, including the PPQ and PDP. For its time, it was an innovative design, with a unique double-action/single-action trigger system, a slide-mounted decocker, striker-status indicator and an ambidextrous, paddle-style magazine release. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

After 26 years in production, Walther is saying goodbye to its P99, but it’s going out with a bang, thanks to the P99 AS Final Edition. Made with the desirable olive-drab polymer frame, the gun makes for a fitting homage to a firearm that once was the choice of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond. 5 Hot New Handguns For 2023

8 Smallest Handguns You Can Own

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One of the very first handguns that I ever saw up close was my dad’s Belgian Baby Browning chambered in .25 ACP. I was fascinated by the fact that it was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand, and yet it was still a fully functional pistol. Once I was old enough to start buying handguns of my own, my enthusiasm for the smallest-of-the-small didn’t waver. Buy Handguns Near Me

In pursing this littlest handgun hobby of mine, I’ve enjoyed opportunities to evaluate a variety petite pistols ranging from 9 mm defensive-carry models to unique, rimfire “utility” guns. Whether you are looking for a more compact daily-carry pistol or something spiffy to add to your collection, here are a few of the smallest handguns currently on the market:

8. Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O.: Double-Stack Micro Nine
Although sub-subcompact, double-stack magazine 9 mm pistols have been available since 1995, it was the launch of the SIG Sauer P365 in 2018 that triggered the latest concealed-carry trend colloquially known as “micro nine pistols.” 8 Smallest Handguns You Can Own

These handguns are intended to fill the niche between the double-stack subcompact and single-stack 9 mm pocket pistols. Over the last few years, these semi-automatic guns have become a new standard in the concealed-carry market. In addition to their slim frames and 10- to 13-round magazine capacities, the micro nines are about as small as you can get while still retaining the option to configure the slide for a red-dot optic. Buy Handguns Near Me

Taurus GX4 micro nine pistol red=dot optic smallest handguns pistols 9 mm
The GX4 sports useful upgrades often reserved for more expensive pistols, including metallic sights, front and rear cocking serrations and interchangeable grip backstraps.

Several micro nines are the right size for this slot, but I opted for a Taurus USA model that I’ve worked with more than some other guns. The Taurus GX4 is shown here with the T.O.R.O. optics-ready slide. While the SIG P365 set the standard for this category, the GX4 is sized to match, accepts 11-round flush-fit, or 13-round extended magazine, and it provides a useful set of features at a lower price point than most of its competition. Buy Handguns Near Me

7. Diamondback DB9: Single-Stack 9 mm Pocket Pistol
No matter how you slice it, modern single-stack 9 mm pistols designed for pocket carry are slimmer and lighter than the micro nines. Buy Handguns Near Me

Diamondback Firearms offers one of the smallest currently available. When I worked with the DB9 for the first time more than a decade ago, I was surprised to handle a 9 mm semi-auto pistol that was dimensionally similar to subcompact pistols chambered for the more diminutive .380 ACP cartridge. Buy Handguns Near Me

The fact that the DB9 could handle the more potent 9 mm cartridge in such a small package meant that had to purchase it when the evaluation timeframe was complete. Buy Handguns Near Me

diamondback firearms db9 pistol
The DB9’s small size makes it easy to carry but more challenging to master.

Today, single-stack 9 mm pocket pistols are fairly common in a variety of configurations and price points, but the DB9 remains as one of the smallest available. The pistol I have on hand tips the scale at 12.8 ozs., and that includes an empty magazine. Buy Handguns Near Me

The tradeoff for DB9’s feathery effect is a stiff level of recoil when using standard-pressure 9 mm ammunition. It is manageable, though not exactly enjoyable. Recently, Diamondback released the Gen 4 version of the DB9 with updates to the slide’s cosmetics and the grip’s texturing. Buy Handguns Near Me

6. Bond Arms Stinger Series: Double-Barrel Pocket Protection
Bond Arms’ claim to fame is offering some of the smallest and most powerful handguns available. The company’s stainless-steel, standard-frame guns live up to this boast with dual barrels chambered for cartridges including .357 Mag., 10 mm Auto, .44 Spl., .45 Colt and .410 bore shotshells. As small and potent as they are, the all-steel construction and big-bore, swing-up barrels can make these pistols a bit chunky for pocket carry. 8 Smallest Handguns You Can Own

stainless steel bond arms singer derringers on wood log
The Stingers were developed in answer to customer requests for a slimmer, lighter pistol.

The company has answered customer requests for a slimmer, lighter version of these tough little guns, 12 ozs., with the double-barrel Stinger series. Shown here are the new Stinger RS (Top) and the original aluminum-frame Stinger (Bottom) released in 2021. Fitted with a 3” barrel assembly, the Stinger RS, which stands for Rough Series, features stainless-steel construction but at about half the frame width of the standard version. Buy Handguns Near Me

This shaves the weight down to 16 ozs. Barrels are interchangeable, too, and Bond Arms offers versions in .380 ACP, 9 mm Luger and .38 Spl., and apparently a .327 Fed. Mag. option is coming. The pistols ship with a set of rubber grips, as well as ultra-thin polymer grips. MSRP starts at $279. BondArms.com

5. Ruger LCP Max: Double-Stack .380 ACP
In 2008, the launch of Ruger’s Light Carry Pistol, or LCP, sparked an American sub-compact arms race, which set the standard for .380 ACP pocket pistols for years to come. But with a single-stack magazine and a capacity of six or seven rounds, some folks wanted a boost in performance. In 2011, the company launched the LC9, an upsized version of its LCP chambered for 9 mm Luger with more capacity. Though it was slightly larger and heavier, the LC9 retained a slim and trim profile for everyday carry. Buy Handguns Near Me

That wasn’t enough, as folks always want more if they can get it. So, in 2021, Ruger presented the Max-9, a micro nine that accepts double-stack magazines.

Ruger LCP Max pistol handgun in hand left side view black gun
This version of the LCP can hold nearly double the rounds of the original version.

The company could have left off there, but it made sure that the LCP would not be left behind in the trend of double-stack upgrades. As such, 2021 also marked the arrival of the LCP Max chambered for .380 ACP. Just like its micro-nine compatriot, the most noteworthy change to the new LCP came in the form of a new frame for increased ammunition capacity with only a nominal change to the grip’s width. It accepts a 10-round flush-fit, or 12-round extended magazine, which makes for a significant increase. The LCP Max sports a night sight with tritium and has a smooth and light trigger pull. MSRP is $479. Ruger.com

4. KelTec P32: Single-Stack .32 ACP Micro
Prior to the .380 ACP pocket-pistol rush of the late 2000s, there was the petite .32 ACP dust-up of the late 1990s. Buy Handguns Near Me

The .32-cal. contenders for American holster space at the time included the Seecamp LWS-32, Berretta 3032 Tomcat, North American Arms Guardian and the KelTec P32. At the time, the P32 was the odd man out. It had one of those “newfangled” lightweight, injection-molded polymer frames with an internal aluminum chassis instead of an all-stainless-steel or aluminum frame. With an unloaded weight of 6.6 ozs., it was the lightest and least-expensive model in the running.

Keltec P32 small black pistol handgun right side view
The P32 may be part of a dying breed, but it still offers a balance of size and performance that’s tough to beat.

Still in production more than two decades later, the P32 fits right in with the today’s defensive semi-automatic pistols with polymer frames. There’s no question that the .380s are more powerful, but the P32 is surprisingly comfortable to shoot for its size. And when compared to the Ruger LCP II chambered in .22 LR, the P32 is slightly shorter, a bit thinner and weighs a noticeable, 4.2 ozs. lighter while also packing centerfire cartridges. Although the .32 ACP is no longer a hot topic, the P32 still comfortably fills a niche between the .380s and .22s. Who knows? The cartridge just might make a comeback. MSRP is $360. Keltec.com

3. Trailblazer Lifecard: Folding Single-Shot .22 WMR
Trailblazer Firearms offers what I would consider one of the smallest guns available today. The single-action LifeCard is a folding, single-shot utility pistol. Its unusual form factor makes it one of the easiest pistols to carry that I’ve worked with so far. The flat, squared-off folded profile is comparable in size to a tin of mints or a credit card holder. It can be tucked into just about any pocket, including the watch pocket of a pair of jeans.

LIfecard folding pistol 22 MAG WMR gun in hand outdoors grass background
When folded, the Lifecard will fit comfortably in just about any pocket.

lifecard .22 WMR pistol on wood

The .22 WMR (magnum) version of the Lifecard, with its steel and aluminum construction, weighs in at just 6.4 ozs., features a simple trench-sight system, a three-round ammunition compartment in the grip and is available in a variety of colors. The company also offers a .22 LR version with a polymer grip, which reduces the pistol’s weight and cost. MSRP starts at $299. TrailblazerFirearms.com

2. Ruger LCP II: Single-Stack .22 LR
A few years ago, I penned a respectful eulogy for the small-caliber pocket pistols sometimes referred to as ‘mouse guns’. However, in 2021, Ruger chose to breathe new life into the rimfire pocket pistol market. The LCP II Lite Rack chambered in .22 LR is based on the popular LCP II chambered in .380 ACP. It has the same external dimensions and trigger pull. But the slide is configured for ease of use. The magazine holds 10 rounds of .22 LR ,and this version of the LCP has a thumb safety lever on the left side.

Ruger LCP II LIte Rack pistol with ammunition magazine art
The LCP II is a modern, polymer-framed take on the classic ‘mouse gun’ pocket pistol.

A close contender for this slot is the Beretta 21A Bobcat, which is a well-made and reliable rimfire pocket pistol. The LCP is about 0.25″ taller and 0.25″ longer than the Beretta. However, the LCP weighs less, 10.9 ozs., has a thinner grip, 0.92″ at the widest point, and holds up to 11 rounds of ammunition instead of 7+1. The LCP II also has a suggested retail price that is $40 less than the 21A Bobcat. For those who wish to shoot this pistol with a sound suppressor, Ruger offers a drop-in threaded barrel and recoil spring kit on the shopruger.com website. MSRP is $439. Ruger.com

1. North American Arms Mini Short: Single-Action .22 Short Revolver
North American Arms’ (NAA) diverse series of mini single-action revolvers has represented the smallest multi-shot handguns available for quite some time. These delightfully tiny, stainless-steel revolvers are well-made with an attention to detail that shows this is a company that takes its products seriously. I’ve seen these revolvers put together at the factory in Provo, Utah, and I have to say, the process seems more like watchmaking than gun assembly.

North American Arms revolver on lifecard folding handgun pistol guns wood table outdoors
The Trailblazer Lifecard may be the size of a tin of mints, but the NAA Short can almost fit inside that tin.

The NAAs are available in three frame sizes, with the version chambered in .22 Short (NAA-22S) being the smallest of all. This revolver weighs in at 4.2 ozs. and has a profile that comfortably fits on top of a Trailblazer Lifecard. With its small grip, tiny controls and the mild recoil produced by the pill-sized .22 Short cartridges, this diminutive revolver provides an utterly unique shooting experience. However, the .22 Short-chambered Mini should be respected for what it is, a proof-of-concept handgun of which pushes the limits of size and shootability right to the edge of practicality.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0

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Before this latest introduction, if you wanted a Smith & Wesson 10 mm handgun, you had to hunt for one of Smith’s third-gen semi-automatics, like the 1006 or its variants. Buy Smith & Wesson Handguns Online

The S&W 1000 series of guns is most famous for being the gun the FBI chose to adopt in a short-lived attempt to move to the 10 mm Auto cartridge as a duty round. The FBI, infamously, ultimately chose the .40 S&W instead, but the S&W 1006 and its brethren live on as one of the strongest 10 mm semi-auto handguns ever built. Now, the Smith & Wesson 10 mm is back in the form of a beefed-up M&P. Watch the video above to see this latest M&P 10 mm in use on the NRA Tech Range. Buy Smith & Wesson Handguns Online

Gun Of The Week title screen text on image gun black left-side view smith & wesson m&p 2.0 10 mm auto gun

Smith & Wesson didn’t have to go back to the drawing board entirely for its new M&P M2.0 10mm. Buy Smith & Wesson Handguns Online

The company already produced a powerful, hard-hitting, polymer-frame handgun in the form of its M&P45, and that’s largely what we’re seeing in this platform, which is the M&P45 with some necessary changes to accommodate the 10 mm Auto cartridge. At the core of the M2.0 10mm is a stainless-steel chassis embedded into the polymer frame, which gives the frame enough strength and rigidity to prevent excess flex and torque during firing. Buy Smith & Wesson Handguns Online

right-side view quartering angle of black pistol handgun smith & wesson m&p 2.0 10mm auto gun optic-ready on white background

Size-wise, the M&P 10mm is the same as the M&P45, but users will get an extra edge with the 10 mm version in a couple ways. First, naturally, because of the smaller diameter of 10 mm, magazine capacity is bumped up significantly.

The M&P 10 mm holds 15 rounds in its flush-fit magazine compared to 10 rounds in the .45. Also, the 10 mm weighs slightly less than the .45, although not enough to make a noticeable difference in any practical sense. Buy Smith & Wesson Handguns Online

mosaic tiles images stack rows columns black gun smith&wesson m&p 2.0 10mm auto handgun optic-ready pistol man shooting indoors detail photography lineup

Some of the biggest upgrades incorporated into M&P handguns over the last few years are also present on the M&P 10 mm. One of the most noticeable changes is to the trigger. Gone is the hinged trigger of yesteryear, replaced by a blade-in-shoe safety that’s more in line with what we see in other parts of the market.

The trigger has a flatter face and breaks more cleanly with a shorter arc of travel than we’ve seen in past S&W triggers. Additionally, at the top of the slide, Smith & Wesson provides a mounting space for optics of the Trijicon RMR footprint. A polymer cover plate is installed from the factory. The steel, drift-adjustable sights are also taller to co-witness with a mounted optic.

left-side quartering view of smith&wesson m&p 2.0 10mm auto pistol handgun black gun on white background

When it comes to active use, Smith & Wesson’s classic 1006 may have been durable, but one spot where users paid for that durability was in weight. Unloaded, the steel-framed behemoth weighed in at more than 40 ozs, whereas the new M&P 10 mm weighs in at just over 29 ozs. It might seem like that’d make it a handful on the range, but thanks to the M2.0’s aggressive frame texturing and the comfortable 18-degree grip angle, this pistol was a great shooter on the range, despite its powerful chambering. We also appreciated the easily accessible thumb safety, though S&W does offer models without the safety.

Gun Of The Week: Staccato CS. Buy Now

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