The Hellcat was already well-liked on the micro-compact market and has been a solid choice for those looking for an EDC gun that splits the Venn Diagram of being both concealable and practical. The 380 version of the gun doubles down on that while providing a more subtle felt recoil impulse without sacrificing reliability or accuracy.
When it comes to rocks, the only thing we can find to throw at the gun is the fact that the short slide, coupled with its stout recoil spring, is a bit tough to rack, especially for those with compromised hand strength. On the upside of that, when mounting an optic, it allows more real estate to perform the task. We racked the pistol probably 100 times in testing from the optic and never felt it loosen or observed it shifting point of aim/impact.
The standout feature of the Hellcat in 380 is the size. It is a very slim gun, with the slide running 0.85 inches and the widest part of the grip just breaking an inch. Note the loaded chamber indicator.
Sans optic and with its flush-fit mag installed, you are looking at a pistol that is right at 4 inches tall, which puts it just under the cutoff for a pocket carry piece.
Speaking of magazines, the Hellcat uses stainless steel-bodied mags with rear witness holes and black base pads and followers.
You see the 11+1, left, with its pinky extension installed, and the 13+1, right. Note the grip texture extends to the base pads.
That allows 12 rounds on tap in one of the most compact .380s on the market. Federal Hydra Shok Deep 99-grain JHP shown.
And the ability to EDC with the shorter mag inserted to aid in concealment, with the longer mag easily carried as a backup.
The Hellcat .380 has a super short one-slot accessory rail. While it runs just inches long, Streamlight’s flush-fit TLR-6 and TLR-7 Sub are made specifically for the 3-inch Hellcat models, as well is the TLR-8 light/laser combo, so there are options out there.
The surface controls are on the left side of the gun for right-handed shooters, including a slide catch, push-button magazine release (which is reversible), and take-down lever that rotates skyward.
Disassembly on an unloaded Hellcat is simple via said take-down lever. Note the dual spring guiderod assembly.
When it comes to ergos, you have textured memory pads forward of the trigger that are instinctual, as well as short but usable forward slide serrations.
The high beavertail and undercut rear trigger guard allow for a corresponding high grip on the Hellcat, just under the slide. This helps mitigate recoil impulse.
Only one model of the Hellcat .380 is available at launch, but it has excellent dovetail-mounted steel sights with a tritium/luminescent front and a Tactical Rack U-notch rear. It uses the common Shield RMSc optics pattern, and our test gun shipped with a Shield OMSsc sight installed. A compact and sleek design, the OMSc features a translucent panoramic roof over a T6 6082 aluminum body. It runs a 4 MOA dot with automatic adjustments and boasts a 9,000-hour battery life.
The pistol ships in a cardboard box that includes a branded double-zipper case with room for the Hellcat and both of its mags.
Of course, I have carried a Hellcat Pro for the past few years every day, so I may be a bit biased. But at least I am biased for a good reason.
Staccato this week took the features from its well-liked HD line and packed them into a more nimble and concealable package– the new HD C3.6.
The “C” in the Staccato HD C3.6 stands for compact, and they ship with 15-round Mec-Gar G19-pattern mags, much like the P4 HD ships with 18-round G17-pattern mags. The new gun also saves a bit of weight, running an alloy (7075-T6 aluminum) rather than a steel frame.
Other than that, you have the same HD features, such as ambi controls, Staccato’s HD HOST optic mounting system with decent backup sights, a crisp 4.5-pound single-action-only trigger, and a drop-safe active firing-pin block.
With an overall length of just over 7 inches due to its 3.6-inch bull barrel, coupled with its shorter grip, which gives it a 4.8-inch height, the new HD C3.6 is billed as easier to carry and bring into more spaces for more users. (Photos: Staccato)
Weight of the standard base model Staccato HD C3.6 with its alloy frame is 24 ounces unloaded. Compare this to the 32-ounce base weight of the only slightly larger P4 HD, and you realize a half-pound weight savings while offering much the same performance.
Note the 3.6-inch bull barrel and forward-set rear sight, which practically guarantees a lower-third co-witness with optics. Staccato will be offering these in both a more basic Ameriglo blacked-out front sight variant or one with a Trijicon tritium front.
“We built the HD line to deliver the most technologically advanced and thoroughly tested version of the 2011 platform to date,” said Paul Smith, VP of Product for Staccato. “After introducing full-sized models earlier this year, we set out to create a compact option that preserves duty-grade performance while expanding carrying options and user confidence. The HD C3.6 is the result.”
Staccato plans to offer the HD C3.6 series in three different grades, starting at $2,299. Because Staccato.
Taurus took its flagship micro 9mm pistol and added a chassis engineered with Strike Industries for seamless brace integration to create something truly interesting.
The Taurus GX4 debuted in 2021 and has been a favorite with consumers. An easy on the wallet micro compact double-stack 9mm that reviewed well and came in at about $300– a good bit less than its competition– Taurus followed up on the hit by introducing optics-ready TORO models, which are direct milled for the Holosun K, as well as larger format Carry series guns with flush-fit 15 round mags.
The original GX4
Now, with the new GX4 Strike Bravo, Taurus takes the GX4 Carry TORO and puts it inside a new chassis and modular grip system co-developed with Strike Industries, specifically engineered to accept the latter’s side-folding FSA Single Stabilizer. Added to the package is a reversible charging handle, a suppressor-ready 3.7-inch extended barrel, and a long MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail for lights and lasers.
Thus:
The GX4 Strike Bravo falls into PDW territory but is NFA-compliant. (Photos: Taurus)
The overall length of the pistol with its Strike Industries FSA extended and locked into place is 18.38 inches.
The weight, unloaded and sans optics or accessories, is 34.9 ounces.
The reversible charging handle comes in handy when it comes to racking the slide due to the rear of the chassis.
It compacts down to about 10 inches, which makes it a tough but not impossible concealed carry piece, and more likely a bag gun.
Shipping with two GX4 Carry-sized magazines (15 rounds or 10 rounds, depending on state restrictions) the Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo has an MSRP of $795.99.
If you already have a brace with a rear Picatinny interface, the GX4 Strike Bravo is sold without one, with an ask of $606.99.
The Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo, in its less spendy but brace-less format.
Compare that cost to the SIG P365 Legion Flux, which has a $1,199 MAP in its cheapest format, and the $2,500 B&T USW-A1, and you see the value.
In short, Taurus is now offering what could be termed “the USW/Flux we have at home” for a fraction of the price.
Austria-based Steyr last week debuted a NEW (!) series of pistols designed for both competition (ATc) and defense (ATd) with a familiar feel to them.
As reported by the European gun sites All 4 Shooters andMilitaerAktuell, Steyr made the public debut of the new all-metal, optics-ready, hammer-fired pistols at a media event in Slovenia at the beginning of the month.
As such, these are the first hammer-fired pistols branded by Steyr since the old Gasbremse (GB) gas guns of the 1970s and 80s.
You remember the old Steyr GB, ja?
And the first all-metal pistols since the M.12 went out of production in 1945.
And who can forget the Steyr 1912?
The all-stainless ATc is pitched to competition users and features tuned 3-pound SAO triggers and heavy match barrels with options for 5- and 6-inch lengths.
Meanwhile, the three ATd model 6-pound DA/SA guns, geared more for defensive use, will have alloy frames in three barrel sizes (4, 5, and 6 inches). These use 18-shot double-stack 9mm magazines, with extended magazines available up to 25 rounds. The guns will have modular recoil spring and hammer spring options to allow easy user-level tuning.
The competition-oriented Steyr ATc. (Photos: Steyr via Militaer Aktuell)
The more defensive-minded Steyr ATd. (Photos: Steyr via Militaer Aktuell)
The new guns appear to be rebranded and upgraded Arex Rex Alphas, a pistol teased in 2017 and delivered to the market in small numbers since 2018. These have typically been imported to the States by the FIME Group.
The Arex Rex Alpha is a more competition-oriented version of the company’s Zero 1 and Zero 2 series pistols, which were essentially updated SIG P226 clones. (Photos: Arex)
Arex, based in Slovenia, has been owned by the Czech Republic-based RSBC Investment Group since 2017. RSBC purchased Steyr last year, making it all make sense. It will be interesting to see whether the guns’ production line will be in Austria or Slovenia.
Price is reported to start at €999, which translates to about $1,170, not counting tariffs. As for the likelihood of these guns making it to America, Steyr has a much more robust in-house Alabama-based importing ability over Arex, so the logic on the branding would seem to point towards the U.S. market.
On this side of the pond, the ATc could be a good competitor against SIG’s P226 X5, while the ATd could take on assorted DA/SA P226 SKUs, if the price were right.
Alabama-based Kimber looks to mine more gold from its popular new 2K11 double-stack series pistols by debuting five new, and more carry-oriented, Pro models.
The company debuted the 2K11 line in three models and two calibers (9mm and .45 ACP) last November with an aluminum alloy grip module over an SST steel sub-frame. The slide is made of stainless steel, featuring an external extractor, front and rear slide serrations, and a factory optics cut in the RMR footprint.
Running TAG Precision FiberLok 2 front sights with a suppressor-height serrated rear sight, under the hood is a beast of a deep-crowned, fluted bull barrel. Buyers also got a great GT aluminum trigger, ambi safety levers, an innovative tool-less guide rod/spring assembly, and common (2011 pattern) magazine compatibility.
The standard 2K11 is an elegant, if full-sized, tack driver that is slicker than an oyster with a head cold. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Since then, Kimber has added a Stainless model featuring the Carbon Fiber/Kevlar-infused grip module from MJD Solutions, the 2K11 Independence, and the Eclipse.
Now, the company has answered demand for a more compact entry to the 2K11 line in a big way with five new 9mm models, all sporting a 4.25-inch fluted and crowned barrel while offering 19+1 round Checkmate UHD magazines. Two of the new models will also be available in .45 ACP format, shipping with one flush 11+1 round mag and one extended 13+1.
All share many of the more top-shelf 2K11 features, such as its toolless guide rod, external extractor, disconnector ramp, and zero-creep GT Trigger that has a 3 to 4-pound break. All are optics-ready and ship with an RMR plate with RMSc, DPP, ACRO, and 509T available. As with the rest of the line, these guns are constructed, not assembled, by a single technician, from the ground up.
Let’s talk models.
These five finishes available are Coyote, Eclipse, Minotaur, Royal, and Stainless. Of these, the Coyote and Minotaur feature aluminum grip modules, while the other three use MJD carbon fiber and Kevlar molded grips, with the latter shaving off about 6 ounces in weight.
The Coyote. Note its Stan Chen magwell and Kevlar carbon fiber grips on an aluminum grip module. Hitting the scales at 40.9 ounces empty, it is available in 9mm ($2,699) and .45ACP ($2,799). Note the Coyote PVD slide and black DLC barrel
The Eclipse with its stainless slide and black DLC barrel. Offered only in 9mm, it is lighter at 35 ounces due to its MJD carbon fiber grip module. Price is $2,345.
The Minotaur features a distressed Sandstone Cerakote finish over its stainless slide and frame with a black DLC finished barrel. Available in 9mm, it has an ask of $2,575.
The aristocratic Royal has a bronze PVD finish and an MJD composite grip module and magwell. It is available in 9mm for $2,499 or .45ACP for $2,599.
Finally, the aptly named Stainless has a Kimpro Granite finish and Kevlar carbon fiber grips. In effect, it is the most attainable 2K11 Pro, priced at $2,245. It is only offered in 9mm.
We have one of these inbound for a review, so expect to see more on these beautiful – and functional – new pistols in the coming weeks.
Springfield Armory has debuted its new and improved Saint Victor series for 2025, and we have been testing a Coyote Brown 16-inch model for the past few months to give you guys the full review.
Springfield has been in the AR game for a minute and introduced its Saint series in 2016, followed by the more high-end Saint Victor series in 2019. In September 2025, the revamp of the Victor line brought a ton of new features and enhancements to the series that customers have been asking for, now in 16 new models.
As the gun gives you 7 QD points and 56 M-LOK slots, you have a lot of room to accessorize.
We added a Streamlight Pro-Tac HP-X 800 lumen light, an Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic 2 MOA red dot reflex sight on a QRP2 mount, and a BFG sling. A SilencerCo Omega 36M, a modular multi-caliber suppressor rated up to .338 LPM and .350 Legend, rode along for most of the 500 rounds sent downrange.
The new standard includes a Radian Raptor LT charging handle, nitride-finished 4150 CMV barrels with a continuous tapered profile, crowned muzzles, and low-profile gas blocks; aluminum handguards with a full-length top Picatinny rail, M-LOK slots, and lots of QD sling points; four-prong flash hiders on threaded muzzles, and an enhanced bolt carrier group. Furniture includes B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD stocks, Type 23 P-Grip pistol grips, and polymer trigger guards. Other features include 45-degree ambidextrous safety levers, low-profile aluminum flip-up sights, and flat-faced nickel boron-coated triggers.
There are tons of ARs out there, folks. If you are looking for a budget gun in the $400 range with lots of “mil spec” parts, this isn’t it. If you are looking for a Gucci-level $3K gun from a West Coast maker that specializes in cool tunes and vibes on Insta, this isn’t it. What the Saint Victor is, in its newest configuration, is one that splits the difference between the two bookends and provides some very nice features that genuinely enhance the gun’s performance without crossing into bespoke artisanal territory.
It’s meant for work but still looks good on the wall.
The Beretta 92 is an icon, some 50 years in the making, first hitting the market around 1975. It has evolved numerous times since then, and in 1990, the first Inox models– short for “Inoxidizable,” Italian for “stainless” hit the market. While the company had offered nickel models previously, the move to stainless was a first for Beretta and at the time was an obvious competitor to the brace of stainless S&W “Wondernines” then in production.
The Inox soon became familiar on screens large and small, appearing in the hands of everyone from Chuck Norris, Christopher Walken, and Sam Rockwell to Jean Reno, Pierce Brosnan, and Chow Yun-Fat. Both Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson used an Inox 92 in at least two different movies!
And for good reason– the guns just look great.
The new Beretta 92X RDO Inox. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
While Beretta has put Inox guns in and out of production in the past 35 years, they are back and still look sharp. These new guns are made in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Compare the new 92X RDO Inox to a circa 2017 92FS Inox made in Italy. The X-series update is easy to spot on the newer gun as it has a slimmer, straight Vertec-style grip, an accessory rail, front and rear slide serrations, and a round trigger guard.
And to be sure, the 92X RDO Inox sports both a stainless-steel slide and barrel on an alloy frame.
Alabama-based Kimber on Friday debuted the Next Generation 1911 series in both 9mm and .45 ACP, and we have one on hand for a closer look.
While in the 1911 biz for generations– my first “nice” 1911 was a Grand Raptor more than 25 years ago– Kimber has made a serious effort to update the design in the past couple of years. We’ve already covered the excellent Kimber 2K11 double stack from the company, and many of the features from that design are appearing in the more traditional Next Gen series. We’ll get into that below.
At launch, the company plans to offer these pistols in four models, all with full-length (Government) sized slides and 5-inch flush-fit deep-crowned stainless steel barrels. They also sport a nice GT match-grade trigger, black walnut grips with a G10 inlay for added texture and a rounded fastback-style heel. External extractors are the norm, as are front and rear slide serrations, ambi safeties, a round commander-style hammer spur, and an optics cut.
Where the differences between the four models lie is in caliber (9mm or 45ACP, shipping with two stainless 9+1 or 7+1 round mags each) and in the finish, with an option for either a two-tone with a Matte KimPro II black slide over a stainless frame, or all-stainless.
Best yet, the MSRP is $999 across the board, allowing for a classic American-made (in a pro-2A state) 1911-series pistol with a much more modern feature set.
The Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The overall length of our review pistol is a very 1911 standard 8.6 inches from the flush-fit muzzle crown to the extended beavertail sweep.
Kimber uses forged slides, frames, and barrels with these guns, which give a standard weight of 36.2 ounces, unloaded.
Taking a look at the inside, the Kimber Next Generation 1911 field strips like standard models, using a GI-style recoil assembly. It was very tight, and Kimber includes a bushing wrench, but we didn’t have to use it. Splitting the difference between the 17-pound recoil spring weight (for more reliability) and the 15-pound weight for smooth shooting/easy recoil, Kimber went with a 16 on the .45ACP. Of note, the 9mm variant uses a 12-pound spring.
Check out the polishing on the feed ramp and the barrel fitment. We found the barrel to have a rock-hard lock-up when in battery with no wiggle or rattle.
External extractors significantly up the reliability of a pistol without the same iffy tensioning problem that internal extractors have. Staccato’s revised C and HD series have external extractors, as does Kimber’s 2K11. Also, note the greatly lowered and flared ejection port in the image below.
Kimber’s GT match trigger is advertised as having a break between 4 and 5 pounds. We found our test gun to break right at 4 pounds.
Glock released the slimline G48 a few years back, and I kind of passed on it, but when equipped with the new Aimpoint COA series enclosed red dot, it has changed my mind.
In all honesty, the G48 was a snoozer for me when it first came out. Don’t get me wrong, I had a chance to shoot one on several occasions, but I never felt a spark.
However, the new COA-equipped model, being optic-ready with decent steel sights, and sold with an installed American Aimpoint enclosed red dot on an interesting direct cut footprint, I felt the spark. Plus, the price point balances out to less than a G48 MOS with an aftermarket Chinese Holosun that uses a plate.
The COA has a wide field of view, and an exceptionally low deck that proves quick to “scoop in” the dot. The A-cut is simple in execution with fewer things to break than in other mounting systems.
When it comes to throwing rocks, the worst thing I can point out on the G48 COA combo is that the footprint and sights are limited to what you get in the box. Currently, there is no other optic that uses the A-cut footprint, and you cannot change out the rear sight for anything else. That may change but for right now you are painted into a corner.
Going past that, I think I may have a new EDC. Let me run some more rounds through it and circle back to you on that.
Rossi has trimmed down its R95 Triple Black lever-action rifle into a much more packable pistol variant for 2025.
The company debuted its new R95 Triple Black Pistol, or TBP, to the recent NRA Annual Meeting at Atlanta, and we were able to lay hands on it for a closer look. Much like its rifle-length older brother, the TBP is clad in a black Cerakote-coated finish with matching black furniture. A paracord-wrapped medium loop lever and a top-mounted Picatinny optics rail are also features that are carried over from the original.
Specific to the TBP is its abbreviation, shipping with suppressor-ready 13.25-inch barrels and a pistol grip, allowing the lever-action mare’s leg an overall length of just under two feet. Weight is 5.5 pounds, unloaded. While Rossi had the .357 Magnum variant on hand in Atlanta, the TBP will also be offered in .454 Casull, .45-70 Govt, and .44 Mag for those looking for something a little spicier.
The side-loading Rossi TBP has a paracord-wrapped medium lever, which splits the difference between big loops and standard rectangular slot-style levers. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The pistols have threaded muzzles with the .357 at NRAAM fitted with a JK Armament can. All four caliber options run a four-round underbarrel magazine tube. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Note the top-mounted Picatinny optics rail. Other features include a cross-bolt manual safety and two sling swivel studs. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
With an overall length of just 23.5 inches, the Rossi TBP line is more easily stowed than a full-length carbine or rifle. (Photos: Rossi)
