Handguns have always been popular for personal protection, and they sell very well today, even though the gun market has slowed a bit in the last year. The brisk sales are partly explained by a Pew Research Center study in which the majority of male and female respondents said they own guns for protection rather than hunting or other sports.
And it’s also due to a 30-year increase in the number of states that have “shall-issue” concealed-carry laws. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this year has seen a number of semi-automatic pistols and revolvers designed to meet the evolving tastes and needs of a strong market. There have been some entirely new handguns unveiled, as well as many newly released variations of already popular models.
Check out 39 new handguns to get excited about for summer 2018.
Archon Type B
Loaded with features like advanced locking technology; a low bore axis; a flat short-reset trigger; a polymer frame with an integral beavertail; a Picatinny rail; and aggressive grip frame texturing, the innovative 9mm Type B pistol from Archon Firearms could reshape industry standards. This pistol handles extremely well in rapid fire and has a 4.29-inch barrel while measuring 7.59 inches long and weighing 29.6 ounces unloaded. Uniquely, the gun comes with four 15-round magazines. (archonfirearms.com)
Beretta APX FDE
A service-grade pistol, the polymer-framed, striker-fired APX debuted last year. For 2018, Beretta has added a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) version in 9mm to its lineup. The modular frame allows you to customize the pistol to fit your hands, and the slide has wide cocking grooves along its entire length. Its 6-pound trigger provides both an audible and tactile short reset. The barrel is 4.6 inches long while the gun has an overall length of 8.5 inches and an unloaded weight of 33.3 ounces. (beretta.com)
Bond/TALO Snake Slayer
Talo Distributors has commissioned a special edition of the .45 Colt/.410 Snake Slayer derringer from Bond Arms. This small, two-shot, single-action handgun is only 5.5 inches long and has 3.5-inch barrels. It only weighs 22 ounces and can fire either deep-penetrating .45 Colt ammo or any 3-inch .410 load, including the newer buckshot loads that are very popular for personal defense. It has a matte stainless steel finish and fixed sights. (taloinc.com)
Canik TP9 Elite Combat
Used by military and police units, Turkey’s Canik pistols have garnered a good reputation. The newest version is this TP9 Elite Combat, which is suppressor-ready with elevated sights and a threaded barrel. It’s also designed to accept a miniature reflex sight. The striker-fired TP9 has a 4.9-inch barrel, a 7.28-inch overall length and an unloaded weight of 28.32 ounces. The gun also comes with an FDE finish, ambidextrous controls and interchangeable backstraps. (canikusa.com)
Caracal Enhanced F (Suppressor Ready)
Caracal is now offering American-made Enhanced F 9mm pistols with threaded 4.64-inch barrels, elevated three-dot sights and durable polymer frames. Each pistol is 7.5 inches long, and the slide as a QPQ nitride finish for enhanced corrosion resistance. Finally, the ergonomically designed polymer grip frame allows for smooth handling and lower felt recoil. (caracalusa.com)
Chiappa Rhino 30DS
Chiappa is now offering its Rhino 30DS with an olive green frame and barrel shroud. This six-shot, 3-inch-barreled, .357 Magnum revolver has a fiber-optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight. Like all Rhino revolvers, it has a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) firing mechanism and fires from the bottom chamber in the cylinder, which causes it to have much less muzzle rise. (chiappafirearms.com)
Colt Night Cobra
Colt has introduced a new version of its innovative Cobra snub-nose revolver. The new pistol, the Night Cobra, and has a matte black finish and a Trijicon tritium insert in its fixed front sight. The rear sight is the traditional notch in the top of the frame. The Night Cobra is designed for pocket carry with a spurless bobbed hammer and a smooth, low-friction polymer grip. However, this six-shooter is also more than suitable for belt or IWB carry as well. The pistol is 7.2 inches long, 4.9 inches tall and 1.4 inches wide. It weighs about 25 ounces unloaded, which helps it absorb the extra recoil of +P ammunition. (colt.com)
Coonan MOT 10
Renowned for its .357 Magnum 1911s, Coonan Arms has adapted its design to create a stainless steel pistol to take the popular 10mm Auto cartridge. It comes with a 5-inch barrel, a unique full-length dust cover, black walnut grips, Novak sights, a skeletonized Commander-style hammer, an extended manual safety and slide stop, and an 8+1 capacity. The MOT 10 is 8.6 inches long and weighs 39.2 ounces unloaded. (coonaninc.com)
CZ AccuShadow 2
Crafted by the CZ Custom Shop, this new version of the CZ-75-based Shadow 2 ups the accuracy level with a 1911-style “AccuBushing” that anchors the barrel to the slide. The custom skeletonized hammer makes the DA/SA trigger lighter and smoother with a hand-fitted disconnector providing a short reset. The pistol also has a 4.89-inch barrel, a fiber-optic front sight, a HAJO rear sight and an ambidextrous safety. (cz-usa.com)
EAA Witness Polymer 1911 Commander
If you want a Commander-sized 1911 that weighs less, consider EAA’s Witness Polymer 1911 series. The company is now offering 4.25-inch-barreled versions with polymer frames in 9mm and .45 ACP. You’ll also notice an accessory rail, a flat mainspring housing, an extended beavertail, a conical barrel and a windage-adjustable rear sight. An Officer’s-sized model is also in the works. (eaacorp.com)
Eagle Grand Power Q100
From Slovakia comes a service-sized, polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol with a 4.3-inch rotary-locking barrel for reduced recoil and muzzle flip, front and rear slide serrations, an ergonomic polymer frame with interchangeable backstraps, a Picatinny rail and ambidextrous controls. This 9mm has a 15+1 capacity, an overall length of 8 inches and an unloaded weight of 26.1 ounces. (eagleimportsinc.com)
FN FNX-45 FDE/BK
For 2018, FN has unveiled limited-edition pistols with Flat Dark Earth frames and black slides and other components. The model shown, the FNX-45 FDE/BLK, offers a 15+1 capacity in .45 ACP and comes with a 4.5-inch barrel, a DA/SA action, ambidextrous controls and fixed three-dot sights. The pistol is 7.4 inches long overall and weighs 33.2 ounces unloaded. (fnamerica.com)
Glock 19X
After unveiling its new Gen5 models, Glock recently released the Glock 19X, essentially the pistol the company submitted for the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System trials. Basically, Glock took a full-sized Glock 17 Gen5 frame and mated it to a compact Glock 19 slide for better handling without sacrificing any capacity. It also features a Glock Marksman barrel, an ambidextrous slide stop, an “nPVD” slide finish and a smoother 5.8-pound trigger pull. (glock.com)
Hudson H9A
While Hudson Manufacturing unveiled the all-steel 9mm H9 in 2017, the company has now introduced the H9A, an aluminum-framed version with polymer grip panels and a matching backstrap for reduced weight—only 26 ounces unloaded. Like the H9, this pistol has a 1911-style grip frame and straight-back trigger pull paired with a striker-fired mechanism, a unique barrel-camming system and an exceptionally low bore axis. (hudsonmfg.com)
Kahr CM9 Kryptek Camo
This variation of the value-priced CM9 from Kahr is distinguished by its Kyrptek camo polymer frame and Cerakote Armor black slide. Like all other CM9s, it is very small and lightweight. It’s 5.42 inches long, 4 inches tall, 0.9 inches thick and has a 3-inch barrel. It weighs only 15.9 ounces unloaded and has a 6+1 capacity. (kahr.com)
Kahr CW380 Kryptek Camo
This variation of Kahr’s ultra-compact CW380 also has a Kryptek camo polymer frame and a Cerakote Armor black slide. It is both smaller and lighter than the “CM” series gun with the same color scheme. In addition, it is 4.96 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and 0.75 inches wide. It weighs a little less than 12 ounces with an unloaded magazine but it still holds 6+1 rounds of .380 ACP ammunition for a fighting chance. (kahr.com)
Kahr S9
The striker-fired S9 is one of the first models in Kahr’s new “S” series of compact semi-autos. It features a redesigned magazine basepad and grip. It also has a rail on the dust cover to attach lights, lasers or light/laser combination units. The pistol has a 3.6-inch barrel with conventional rifling and holds 7+1 rounds of 9mm ammunition. It is 5.9 inches long, 4.5 inches tall, 0.9 inches wide and weighs 17.7 ounces with an unloaded magazine. (kahr.com)
Kimber Aegis Elite Pro (OI)
Reflex sights are becoming more and more common on handguns destined for defensive and law enforcement use. If you’re a 1911 devotee and want a red-dot-equipped .45 ACP pistol ready to go right out of the box, the Aegis Elite Pro (OI) is a great option. Its milled slide carries a Vortex 6-MOA Venom reflex sight, elevated iron sights, Aegis-pattern serrations and textured Glock 10 grip panels. With a 4-inch barrel, it’s only 7.7 inches long and weighs 38 ounces. (kimberamerica.com)
Kimber K6s 3″
Kimber has introduced a new version of its six-shot, double-action-only, .357 Magnum K6s with a 3-inch barrel. The extra barrel length gives this revolver a longer sight radius for easier shot placement at distances beyond 10 yards. The longer barrel also generates greater velocities with magnum loads, increasing the power of every shot, which helps promote expansion of hollow points. This particular K6s is 7.62 inches long, 4.46 inches tall and 1.39 inches wide. This stainless steel handgun also weighs 25.1 ounces. (kimberamerica.com)
Kimber K6s CDP
The K6s is the smallest, lightest, six-shot .357 Magnum revolver on the market at 23 ounces unloaded. This new CDP (Custom Defense Package) version features a DLC-finished frame, a brushed stainless 2-inch barrel and cylinder, three-dot tritium night sights and one of the smoothest factory DAO triggers you’ll ever experience. It also has laminate grips and Kimber’s “carry melt” treatment for added concealability. (kimberamerica.com)
Kimber Micro 9 CDP (DN)
Kimber’s new Micro 9 CDP (DN) is a scaled-down 9mm 1911 with a Hogue Wraparound grip and TruGlo Pro TFX day/night sights. It also has a “carry melt” treatment so there are no sharp edges to cut hands or abrade clothing—a very desirable feature for a concealed-carry gun. The CDP (DN) also has an aluminum frame and a matte stainless steel slide. and it’s 6.1 inches long, 4.07 inches tall and 1.08 inches wide. Even so, it has a 3.15-inch barrel and holds 7+1. Unloaded, it weighs 15.6 ounces. (kimberamerica.com)
Nighthawk Agent 2
A top-shelf 1911, the new Agent 2 is meticulously crafted to provide match-grade form and function. It’s chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP with a match-grade, 5-inch barrel; a faceted slide with windows, front and rear slide serrations; an accessory rail; a Heinie Ledge rear sight; a fiber-optic front sight; RailScales Glock 10 grips; a one-piece magazine well/mainspring housing; and a smoke Cerakote finish. (nighthawkcustom.com)
Ruger EC9s
The EC9s is Ruger’s new value-priced, subcompact, striker-fired 9mm. Ruger engineers developed new machining techniques that allowed them to reduce the complexity involved in manufacturing the slide, and they’ve passed the savings on to the customer. This new pistol is just 6 inches long, 4.5 inches tall and 0.9 inches wide. It weighs only 17.2 ounces unloaded and has a through-hardened steel slide, a polymer frame and a matte black oxide finish. It only costs $299. (ruger.com)
Ruger LCRx
Four new Ruger LCRx revolvers are now available: .22 WMR, .327 Federal Magnum and 9mm models with 1.87-inch barrels as well as a 3-inch-barreled .22 WMR. All four feature Hogue Tamer Monogrips, aluminum frames and stainless steel cylinders with black PVD finishes. The front sights are replaceable, and the snubbies have U-notch rear sights while the 3-inch-barreled .22 WMR has an adjustable rear sight. All four models have hammer spurs that allows you to choose between single- and double-action shooting. (ruger.com)
Ruger GP100
Ruger is now offering standard production versions of the GP100 in .357 Magnum with seven-shot cylinders. Available with a 2.5-, 4.2- or 6-inch full-underlug barrel, they each weigh between 36 and 43.5 ounces unloaded and measure from 8 to 10.38 inches long overall. Standard features include fully adjustable rear sights, fiber-optic front sights and cushioned rubber grips with hardwood side inserts. (ruger.com)
Ruger Security-9
Alluding back to the Ruger Security-Six, a .357 Magnum service revolver introduced in 1972, the new Security-9 will appeal to budget-conscious police officers and legally armed citizens. With a 4-inch barrel, an overall length of 7.24 inches and an unloaded weight of 23.7 ounces, it’s compact but has a 15+1 capacity of 9mm ammunition. Ruggedly built with a glass-filled nylon frame and hardened steel slide, it has front and rear serrations, fixed sights, an accessory rail and a textured grip frame. (ruger.com)
Ruger SP101
Ruger is now offering the SP101 revolver in .327 Federal Magnum and 9mm. The former has a 3-inch barrel, fixed sights and holds six rounds of ammo. It can also be used with .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum ammo. It is 8 inches long and weighs 27 ounces unloaded, which gives this handgun enough heft for excellent recoil control with magnum loads. The 9mm version has a 2.25-inch barrel and a five-shot cylinder. It is 7.2 inches long and weighs 25 ounces unloaded. (ruger.com)
Ruger SR1911 Officer-Style
Ruger has come out with a smaller version of its popular 9mm SR1911 pistol. This “Officer-Style” version weighs just 27.2 ounces unloaded. It’s also 7.25 inches long, 5 inches tall and 1.34 inches wide. It holds 7+1 rounds and comes with drift-adjustable Novak three-dot sights. Finally, this attractive pistol has a matte stainless steel slide, a matte black aluminum frame and checkered Glock 10 grip panels for a sure hold. (ruger.com)
SAR USA SR9
Rigorously tested before production, the Turkish-made 9mm SR9 has withstood over 200,000 rounds and extreme environmental trials. It is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol that has proven tough and reliable. It has a 4.4-inch barrel, is 7.5 inches in overall length, weighs 27.1 ounces empty and has a 17+1 cartridge capacity. The grip frame has an integral accessory rail and textured side panels, and the slide boasts front and rear serrations as well as fixed three-dot sights. (sarusa.com)
Sig Sauer P365
Sig’s new P365 is a very small 9mm carry pistol with a very large 10+1 capacity. At SHOT, a factory representative attributed the increase in capacity to the P365’s “stack and a half” magazine design. In addition, there’s an optional extended 12-round magazine that can be purchased from the factory. This pistol comes fully equipped with X-Ray day/night sights, a polymer frame and a Nitron-coated stainless steel slide. It is striker-fired, +P rated and weighs only 17.8 ounces unloaded while being 5.8 inches long, 4.3 inches tall and 1-inch wide. (sigsauer.com)
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0
Smith & Wesson’s popular M&P Shield pistols in 9mm and .40 S&W are now available with the company’s M2.0 series upgrades, including new grip texturing as well as an improved trigger with an upgraded pull and reset. S&W is also offering these M2.0 pistols with built-in Crimson Trace lasers that are activated by pressing a button on the dust cover. Both the 9mm and .40 S&W versions are 6.1 inches long and have matte black Armornite finishes on their slides. (smith-wesson.com)
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 686/686 Plus
For 2018, the S&W Performance Center is offering two stainless.357 Magnum L-Frame revolvers: one with a 4-inch barrel and six-shot cylinder, and the other with a 5-inch barrel with seven-shot cylinder that takes moon clips. Both have competition-ready features such as vent-ribbed barrels, unfluted cylinders, chromed teardrop hammer spurs, speed-release thumbpieces, adjustable rear sights, interchangeable orange front sights and Hogue grips. (smith-wesson.com)
Springfield 911
Springfield’s new 911 is a 1911-style .380 ACP semi-auto that is just 5.5 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and weighs only 12.6 ounces unloaded. The 911’s slide is 416 stainless steel, which can be had with a stainless or black nitride finish, and the frame is 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum frame. The 911 comes with both a flush-fitting six-round magazine and an extended seven-round magazine. It also has Glock 10 grips that provide excellent control. Finally, the 911 comes with Pro-Glo front and rear tritium sights, and Springfield will soon offer a version with a Viridian green laser. (springfield-armory.com)
Springfield RO Elite Operator
The Range Officer (RO) Elite Operator comes in 9mm and .45 ACP with a 5-inch, stainless steel, match-grade barrel, a crisp Gen 2 trigger and a GI recoil system. Its thin textured Glock 10 grips provide a comfortable and secure hold, and Springfield includes a fiber-optic front sight and a white-dot rear sight. The slide has front and rear serrations, and the entire gun has a “Black-T” finish. Finally, a rail is built into the dust cover for accessories. (springfieldarmory.com)
Springfield XD-E .45 ACP
This January, Springfield introduced a new 3.3-inch-barreled .45 ACP version of its hammer-fired XD-E. This DA/SA pistol is 6.75 inches long, 5 inches tall, 1-inch wide and weighs 23 ounces unloaded. It comes with a six-round magazine as well as a seven-round magazine with a Mag X-Tension. The slide has a Melonite finish, and the frame is made from textured polymer. The fiber-optic front sight is paired with a low-profile, two-dot rear sight. Finally, the XD-E has a manual thumb safety/decocker. (springfield-armory.com)
Springfield XD-S Mod.2
For those who prefer striker-fired pistols, Springfield also introduced a new Mod.2 version of the .45 ACP XD-S. This single- stack pistol is 6.5 inches long, 4.4 inches tall and 0.98 inches wide. It weighs 21.5 ounces unloaded, and the barrel is 3.3 inches long. It comes with both five- and six-round magazines. The frame is black polymer with an enhanced gripping surface, and the slide is forged steel with a Melonite finish. The red fiber-optic front sight is paired with a two-dot rear sight. (springfield-armory.com)
Taurus Model 692
An exciting addition for 2018, this is a seven-shot, medium-frame .357 Magnum revolver in stainless or matte black that, with a simple cylinder change, can be converted to fire 9mm rounds using Taurus’ Stellar clips. It’s a traditional DA/SA design with a fixed ramp front sight, an adjustable rear sight and a black “Ribber” grip. Taurus offers the revolver with either a 3- or 6.5-inch barrel. (taurususa.com)
Taurus Model 856
Taurus’ new Model 856 revolver is available in both matte blued carbon-steel and matte stainless steel variants. This six-shot DA/DA revolver has a 2-inch barrel with a fixed front sight. The rear sight is a U-shaped notch in the top of the frame. It’s 6.55 inches overall, 4.8 inches tall, 1.41 inches wide and 22 ounces unloaded, making it well suited for concealed carry. (taurususa.com)
Walther PPQ SC
Walther is now offering a Sub-Compact (SC) version of the striker-fired PPQ 9mm. The pistol comes with polymer three-dot sights, and the rear unit is adjustable for windage. (Metal self-illuminating sights are available as an option.) The PPQ SC holds 10+1 rounds, and it comes with a dust- cover rail for mounting a light or laser. This is a fast-handling pistol with a 5.6-pound trigger pull. It also has two drop safeties and a firing pin block for safe carry. The grip has non-slip, cross-directional texturing, and two interchangeable backstraps are included. (waltherarms.com)
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