With a backstory that sounds more avant-garde art show than iron and steel, the Eagle model of the Elysien pistol has flown across the Atlantic.
At the 2024 IWA Outdoor Classics show in Germany, the Guns.com crew sat down with inventor and gunmaker Jan Lysak, who spent almost a decade of blood, sweat, and tears crafting something a bit different. Lysak’s company, Brno-based Creapeiron, introduced its first product at IWA: the Elysien pistol.
While sitting down and drinking plum brandy with Lysak, he spoke about his gun in a way that seemed a cross between Werner Herzog and the Riddler (Gorshin, not Dano).
Lysak only had seven €10,000 ($10,850) chrome DLC Elysien Genesis “Ment for Gods” (not a misprint) models – all named after gods from Ancient Greek mythology – and 99 €5,000 plainer black DLC Elysien Soul models on the schedule, with only vague notions about sending guns to America– one day.
What made it across to the States, brought in by the Arizona-based CZ Custom Shop, is the new Eagle model of the Elysien, which looks more like the chrome DLC Ment for Gods model but with a serial number 1 to 50, as in one for each state.
Engineered for balance and control, the Elysien features a sleek, sculpted profile that reflects both elegance and authority. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
How about that bore axis? The Elysien uses a hammer-forged heavy barrel with a triangular profile inside a ported slide that allows a faster lockup.
Every contour is purpose-driven, delivering a natural grip, smooth handling, and confident ergonomics.
The Creapeiron Elysien Eagle Pistol is serial numbered 1 of 50.
Price? $11,999– and that is only until they sell out, which is likely as, first announced on Monday during SHOT Show, something like half were spoken for by Thursday.
Alabama-based Kimber has made a big move to dominate the double-stack 1911 pistol space by offering the new DS Warrior series.
Debuting at SHOT Show in Las Vegas last week, the Kimber DS 1911 Warrior–borrowing from the company’s classic old Warrior line– is offered in not just 9mm but also .45 ACP, 10mm, and .38 Super chamberings.
Further, besides the standard 5-inch Government barrel format, they are also producing a 6-inch longslide hunter style Warrior in 10mm.
The standard format Warrior is optics-ready, uses an RMR optics footprint, and runs a 5-inch barrel. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com.)
The slides are tastefully blank, sans any huge rollmarks. (Thank you, Kimber)
The longslide is a beast, and will surely be a hit with backcountry folks and handgun hunters.
A conceptual design using custom Cerakote and a TLR-9, which looks small on the massive accessory rail of the 10mm longslide 1911 DS Warrior.
All models are optics-ready for RMR-pattern mounts under a TAG cover plate with a fixed rear sight. The pistols use Kimber’s internal 1911-style extractor, a bushing system barrel, mil-spec guide rod, and a match-grade trigger.
They use stainless Checkmate 2011-pattern mags with the 9mm and .38 Super variant shipping with a 17+1 flush and 20+1 extended, while the 10mm goes 11+1/13+1 and the .45 ACP 15+1/18+1
Best yet, they are made in Alabama– not imported– and have an MSRP that starts at $1,099 and tops out at $1,350 for the 6-inch 10mm model. That’s a good bit less than even the Springfield Prodigy and on par with Turkish-made guns without the baggage and QC issues.
Kimber also had the new compensated Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation DS 1911 Warrior on display, with a tasteful alpine motif. “Coming soon.”
As we have covered before, the current firearms works known and loved by collectors, hipsters, and savvy users alike dates to 1936 when its new factory was established to produce machine guns for the Czech Air Force. However, it became iconic in the West for its CZ 75 double-stack 9mm pistol.
We were fortunate enough to hold CZ 75 Serial Number 00001 when we visited the CZ factory in 2024, the gun that made the company a household name on this side of the pond.
Now, the new Legend repeats the same slab-sided Iron Curtain aesthetic while keeping the pistol’s internals and features modern, including a 16+1 round magazine, making it essentially a “post-B” gun in a “pre-B” body.
The new CZ Legend. Note the slab-sided frame and slide as well as the pebble-style grips. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The new Legend compared to SN 00001, which we saw in 2024 in the Czech Republic.
MSRP on the new CZ 75 Legend will be $1,399.
Bundeswehr Pistole 13
One of the big stories from late last year was that the German military (Bundeswehr) had selected the CZ P-10 pistol after it beat out a number of contenders to become the country’s new P13 sidearm.
Among the finalists bested were the Arex Delta and Glock G17 Gen5 for what could be an order of as many as 180,000 units. It will replace the HK-made P8A1, a version of the USP
CZ had the new P13 on hand at their booth last week.
In another shift from previous German service handguns, the new striker-fired P13 will arrive wearing an FDE finish instead of the traditional black.
CZ will work directly with its authorized German partner, POL-TEC GmbH & Co., to fulfill the order and provide the Bundeswehr with support for the new platform.
CZ 457 Target
CZ 457 rifles are known for their superb accuracy, but the new 457 Target, a fully adjustable, ISSF 3-Position competition-ready aluminum chassis co-developed with four-time American Olympic shooter Matt Emmons, raises that bar.
It includes a three-axis-adjustable pistol grip available in three different sizes, a side-tiltable buttstock with a five-axis-adjustable buttpad, along with a three-axis-adjustable, two-sided cheekpiece; and a forehand riser can be adjusted in three different axes. A 26-inch 12-groove .22 cold hammer-forged match barrel equipped with a diffuser is standard as is an adjustable 2-stage Flyweight trigger.
The MSRP for the CZ 457 Target rifle is expected to be around $3,600, which is still less than many European-made alternatives in the same class from folks like Anschutz and Walther.
I’ll fight to the death that the pinnacle of Browning Hi-Power production was the C-series guns made for the post-war commercial market between 1969 to 75.
Ditching the “thumbprint” slide and tangent sights while using an external extractor, ring hammer, and finely checkered wood (not plastic grips) on a finely fit pistol with a polished blue finish, the C-series is BHP royalty.
In my opinion, everything that came after was money saving move that cheapened the end product.
Oh, baby.
When the Springfield Armory SA-35 came out four years ago, we were among the first to break the story and loved the gun, despite its hiccups. However, I just wish it came with a better finish.
Now that is a pretty gun, and Springfield says it is made in America. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Well, I came across the new SA-35 at SHOT this week and am in love. Best yet, the price is in the $700s.
Springfield Armory and Croatian firearms maker HS Produkt have been working together in the polymer-framed striker-fired handgun space for a quarter century, first on the divisive XD series, then the well-liked Hellcat, and, since 2023, the modular Echelon. We’ve reviewed the full-sized 4.5F, the 4.0C Compact, and the 4.0C Comp since then and have found few issues to complain about.
They run.
Going beyond that, Springfield has had some notable success with the Echelon on the LE market, as witnessed by the December 2024 adoption by the St. Louis County Police Department—with nearly 1,000 officers—as the agency’s duty pistol in a $2.1 million contract, adding some fire to the company’s smoke about the new pistol’s reliability and performance. There have been other significant LE contract awards as well.
Now, the newest addition to Springfield’s Echelon catalog is the 4.0FC. It is the same length and general specs as the Echelon 4.0C, save for the fact that the grip is more full-sized, which bumps the height up just 0.385 inches while providing better ergos and a higher magazine capacity (17+1 rounds flush fit and 20+ extended fit vs 15+1 and 18+1). It is also an ounce heavier.
The new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC. Note the Compact length slide assembly with a Full-sized grip frame that uses a shorter dust cover to match the slide without an odd underbite. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The pistol uses a 4-inch barrel, which gives it an overall length of 7.25 inches. Its longer grip allows it to use a 17+1 round flush fit or a 20+1 round extended magazine.
Note how it stacks up to the G19X, which is fundamentally just a peanut butter G45. The specs are remarkably close to each other. Of note, the G19X and G45 have won numerous LE/mil contracts over the past several years.
Also see how the new Echelon 4.0FC compares to a 15+1 shot Hellcat Pro micro 9, a cousin to the pistol. The Echelon, slightly larger, has a better optics mounting system and superior ergonomics, not to mention a higher magazine capacity. Note the pistols share the same style of the U-Notch rear sight system and grip texture.
Then came the company’s Next Generation of 1911s, which have all the features that modern Colt 45 lovers want, but for a price that doesn’t break a potential new buyer out in cold sweats.
Now this week, they debuted the DS 1911 Warrior line with options in 9mm, 10mm, .45ACP, and .38 Super, including a long slide variant, with prices starting at $1,099.
For an American made (no offshoring) double stack 1911. That’s even giving the Turkish guns a run for their money, much less Springfield.
Featuring a built-in forward barrel port and matching compensated slide, the newKimber 2K11 Comp series offers a significant reduction in felt recoil while keeping the same popular features as the rest of the series.
Alabama-based Kimber went double-stack 1911 in 2024 after at least a 30-year run in the field of making single stacks. We have reviewed a couple of these excellent pistols since then, and are past the 3K round mark on our original test gun with no hiccups to report, leaving us more than happy to report on the new Comp series.
The guns, launching just in time for the upcoming SHOT Show, will all be chambered in 9mm and available in both 5-inch full-sized (Government) and 4.25-inch Pro (Commander) sizes, shipping with flush-fit 20 and 19-round magazines, respectively.
Each will also be offered in either a black DLC or matte stainless variant, giving Kimber four new 2K11 Comp models for 2026: 5-inch black (669278350783) and stainless (669278350806) and 4.25-inch black (669278350738) and stainless (669278350752) with an MSRP running between $2,345 and $2,499, with the DLC guns hitting the higher end, because of DLC.
A sampling, showing that big ol’ comp. (Photo: Kimber)
“The 2K11 Comp is the culmination of years of preparation and hundreds of thousands of rounds of testing to deliver the most fully featured comprehensive handgun we have ever produced,” said Pedi Gega, Director of product development, assembly, and finishing. “The new 2K11 family of compensated models creates the highest class of firearms for the discerning enthusiast and competitive shooter.”
Kimber sent us an SST (stainless) 2K11 Pro Comp model for testing.
The pistol looks great, which is no surprise as the 2K11 series is crafted with superb attention to detail, one at a time, by skilled technicians, not just slapped together. Being a Pro model, its 4.25-inch barrel gives an overall length of 7.79 inches. (All photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Note the external extractor, ambidextrous thumb safety, and bumped grip safety, which are standard across the line.
Weight is 33.4 ounces, even with a full-length rail on the dustcover of the frame. Note the lightening cuts to the slide, seen previously on Kimber’s top-shelf Rapide series, which provide faster lock-up.
The most noticeable enhancement to these guns over the standard 2K11 series is the massive 0.16 square inch integrated compensator forward of the front sight. This feature noticeably reduces muzzle rise and felt recoil, plus it creates an incredibly fun and controllable shooting experience.
The integral comp is big enough to double as an ashtray if needed.
The four new compensated models also feature Kimber’s brand-new carbon fiber grip infused grip module that is compatible with corresponding Stan Chen Magwells. We found the grip to be aggressive but not overly.
The Comp guns also share the current 2K11 features, such as Kimber’s in-house toolless guide rod, an external extractor, a bushing-less, crowned, and fluted barrel, a GT trigger, and more.
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST 4.25 compared to the standard full-sized Black DLC 2K11.
And compared with the non-comped Kimber 2K11 Pro SST, which sports a Kimpro Granite finish and Kevlar carbon fiber grips. Released last August, this gun hinted at what the Pro Comp would become.
Note the top ends of the Kimber 2K11 Pro SST and Pro Comp SST
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp features a cover plate with an adjustable rear sight. A TAG Precision FiberLok 2 front sight with additional red and black fiber-optic inserts is included. All models ship with a TAG Precision RMR adapter plate that takes the place of the rear sight.
Our test gun shipped with two 19+1-round Checkmate Double Stack Ultra-Hi Capacity 126mm mags. Full-length models ship with a flush 17+1, and two extended 20+1 round mags. The mags, reverse 2011-compatible, are all metal, including an aluminum base pad and steel retainer for maximum made-in-the-USA durability and longevity. Word of caution: they are a beast to fully load.
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp has an easy takedown without tools due to its toolless guide rod system, a feature it shares with the rest of the series.
The aluminum match-grade skeletonized GT trigger has an advertised 3-to-4-pound pull. We found it broke at 3.6, with a short take-up to the wall and a crisp break. Reset is similarly short and is both audible and tactile. Kimber advises that the shoe length has been reduced by 3/32 of an inch, making for a more comfortable overall length. IMHO, the GT is the best production factory 1911 trigger on the market.
Check out the trigger pull and reset here:
How’s it shoot?
Well, we’ve only had the gun for a couple of weeks and have about 200 rounds through it thus far, so it is a little early to say, but we have experienced no jams and smooth shooting, with less recoil.
Stay tuned for more feedback as we up the round count.
We traveled to the GlockMothership in Georgia to get the scoop on the company’s new Sixth Generation guns and have all the juicy information.
Summary: The new Gen 6 Glocks look much like the previous five generations (even fitting most existing holsters), but address a lot of issues that people have asked for on an upgrade. The guns are direct-milled optics-ready, have a new flat-faced trigger while keeping many of the same internals, the ergos are much improved, and they still accept legacy magazines and sights. All for the same asking price as Gen 5 MOS models. Rumors of a modular fire control system are false.
Now let’s get into it
The new Gen 6s at first will be all 9mm, with the G19, G17, and G45 at launch and the G49 available overseas. We are advised that other models are inbound.
The Gen 6 Glock G19, G45, and G17. The additions to the ergos are obvious, including the trigger shoe, palmswell, texturing, and thumb pad/gas pedal. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
A closer look at the production Gen 6 G17. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
And note the ambi slide catch lever. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The Glock generations from 1 through 6 look very (very) similar when stacked side-by-side, and there is a reason for that: consistency. Anyone who had a Gen 1 in 1986 could be transported to 2026 and pick up a brand-new Gen 6 and figure it out in about three seconds.
The Six Glock generations side-by-side (Photo: Glock)
The Glock Gen 5 G19 compared to a Glock Gen 6 G17. Note that the legacy model has less texture, a curved trigger, and a dual spring recoil assembly. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
A look at the slides compared. The extractor channel is now sealed to prevent folks from oozing excess thread lock into their slide internals when mounting optics. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The frames are compared at the action, with the Gen 6 on the left and Gen 5 on the right. The layout is the same, but the geometry is a little bit different. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Backplates compared. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The Gen6 may look remarkably like previous generations, by design, but it is quite different when it comes to ergonomics, optics mounting, and parts. For instance, it has a new trigger, a new slide, and mostly new internals.
Legacy parts that will work besides the magazines, backstraps, and sights are the locking block, mag release, firing pin and spring, slide lock/spring, trigger pin/housing, trigger bar, recoil spring assembly, and connector. Almost everything else is Gen 6 only.
The differences are so substantial that Glock’s Training division told us that, moving forward, the traditional Glock Armorer’s Course, which has long been one day covering all generations, will now just cover the Gen 5s and 6s, with a separate course dedicated to “Classic” Glocks.
The downsized extractor package (extractor pressure piece, extractor frame, extractor package spring) is completely different but can still be removed with just the standard Glock armorer tool. It was redesigned to allow more space for the Optics Ready System, and the extractor channel is now sealed off. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
On the topic of user comfort, the new palmswell comes from scanning hundreds of Glock users to produce a cross median that provides a more optimal fit. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The new RTF6 grip texture combines the old-school RTF2 substrate with the RTF 4 polymids to create something altogether different. Further, the grip texture has been expanded to reach higher on the frame and onto the thumb rest to give the user more grip purchase opportunities. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The enlarged, frame-mounted beaver tail encourages a higher grip while still avoiding slide bite. It ships with two interchangeable backstraps (2mm and 3mm) and is compatible with Gen 5 straps. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The flat-face trigger has an advertised pull weight of 5.5 pounds, and we noted it to have a good reset. It keeps the traditional trio of Glock “Safe Action” internal safeties, including the trigger shoe pivot, firing pin safety, and drop safety. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
All standard frame Gen6 Glocks will be optics-ready, and it isn’t the old MOS system (which is gone) or the new A-Cut COA system. It uses a plate system on a slide that has been redesigned so that the optic bed sits deeper into the slide for a lower height over the bore axis.
The 3mm plate is polymer and is advertised as working as something of a shock-absorber/crush washer that fits in a 3mm recess, while the optic screws directly into the slide, which has four screw holes, sort of a direct-mount with a twist, if you will. (Photo: Glock)
The result is that the optics sit flat while having the benefit of a polymer buffer of sorts. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The ambi slide stop lever has been redesigned and now has a larger border around it molded on the frame to prevent accidental activation. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The undercut trigger guard (finally, Glock) helps with a higher grip while keeping enough “beef” so that you don’t risk frame cracking on duty holsters. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
It has deeper slide serrations, including front slide serrations, which have not been standard on legacy models. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
It uses a gently flared magwell and accepts Gen 5 magazines. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Glock has finally added a thumb rest/gas pedal/thumb pad on each side of the gun. To make sure it would still fit legacy holsters, the frame internals on this section have been redesigned to allow the extra texture without making the pistol wider at this point. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Looking at reliability, Glock— which has been working on the Gen 6 since 2022— has had test guns survive 40,000 rounds of mixed ammo, aced salt fog/mud/sand tests, and met all its other standard testing protocols. We fired all three production models on the range for a few hundred rounds and experienced no issues. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The Gen 6s will start shipping to be “on dealer shelves” for a Jan. 20, 2026, official launch, with three magazines and three optics plates, as well as all the standard Glock stuff. (Photo: Glock)
The MSRP on the new Gen 6 Glock models is $745, which is the same cataloged price as the Gen 5 MOS models.
We have review models inbound, so expect more details in the coming weeks.
It uses a longer-barreled P365 (P365XL, TACOPS, and P365 FUSE) and 17- or 21-round magazines to give the user a holsterable and arguably concealable option that is 3 inches shorter and significantly lighter than an MP5K.
Plus, it only costs $499, a price that, when coupled with extra mags and a compatible longslide P365, puts you in the game for about $1,200.
Key Performance Features and Specifications Include:
Patented Speedload System: Facilitates faster reloads than traditional pistols or other PDWs, ensuring operators maintain an advantage.
Enhanced Capacity: Supports up to 50 rounds on the gun with optional magazine extensions, providing extended engagement capability.
Superior Control: A built-in shroud ensures a secure C-clamp grip and promotes flatter shooting, significantly improving accuracy and follow-up shots.
Lightweight, Durable Construction: Crafted from military-grade glass-filled nylon and S7 steel, featuring a Type 3 hard anodized shroud for exceptional resilience without added bulk.
Optimal Velocity Option: Features an optional 6-inch barrel to increase velocity, surpassing the performance of an MP5K.
Included 2.0 Adjustable Holster: Ships with the new 2.0 holster, designed for ultimate flexibility. It can be hard-mounted in the vehicle for quick access or carried with you, supporting both inside (IWB) and outside the waistband (OWB) configurations.
Compact & Extendable Design:
Collapsed: 9.75″ L x 4″ W x 1.375″ H
Extended: 18.5″ L x 4″ W x 1.25″ H
Ergonomic Length of Pull: 13.5″ for comfortable and stable handling.
I could see these being useful for personal protection details, high-value couriers, long-distance truckers, individuals who spend a lot of time in their vehicles in remote areas, and, well, anyone who wants to be the most well-armed person in the produce section.
The Ruger Mark IV, the modern evolution of the original circa-1949 Ruger Standard (Mark I) pistol, was introduced in 2016. This updated model features a more user-friendly design, highlighted by a tool-free, one-button takedown mechanism that makes fieldstripping and cleaning significantly easier for users.
Following the release of the Mark IV, Ruger introduced the Mark IV 22/45 variant. The name “22/45” refers to the grip angle and surface controls, which closely emulate those of the famed M1911 Government pistol. Despite this design innovation, the initial 22/45 variant did not include a threaded muzzle or a top Picatinny rail. These features were reserved for the more expensive Mark IV 22/45 Tactical model, which carried a suggested retail price of $669.
Ruger has since released a bull-barreled version of the Mark IV 22/45 equipped with both a Picatinny rail and a threaded muzzle– as featured in this review. This model is offered at a suggested price of $449, with even lower prices often available through retailers. Additional aesthetic improvements include color-matched details; the trigger and Picatinny rail both feature a stainless finish, resulting in a distinct two-toned appearance.
Thus:
Our review Mark IV 22/45. It has a very 1911-ish overall length of 8.5 inches with an unloaded weight of 33.3 ounces. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
As teased earlier, it is both suppressor and optics-ready right out of the box. It is equipped with a Holosun 507C sight on a Picatinny base, and a SilencerCo Switchback modular suppressor in its long format. The as-shown weight is 41 ounces.
The Mark IV 22/45 in this format is close to being perfect when it comes to an all-around rimfire semi-auto pistol. It feels and looks good, is dependable and accurate, and just about every component has a dozen aftermarket upgrades available.
We ran it with a few different cans and several different ammo loads and found it to run almost 100 percent of the time. The worst thing we can say is that it gets seriously dirty, something no 22 is immune to, and you must stay on top of that every few hundred rounds to keep it running.
Compared to the rest of the market, this Mark IV 22/45, as reviewed, is priced right, especially for the big Pic rail on top, the threaded bull barrel, and American manufacture. Sure, guns like the SIG P322 have a significantly larger magazine capacity for about the same price, but its optics interface isn’t as luxurious, you get a pencil barrel, and the aftermarket support doesn’t come close to what is available for the Ruger. The closest Buckmark in features would be the Micro Bull SR, which runs significantly more than the Mark IV.
The only problem we foresee in having one of these neat little Rugers is how often you need to buy ammo.
