Tag Archives: 9mm pistol

CZ P-10 C Ported: Best Budget Compensated 9mm?

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The big takeaway on this model is that it takes a well-liked gun that has been around for almost a decade and gives it a series of small updates, as well as an integrated single-port compensator.

The compact, semi-automatic, striker-fired P-10 C 9mm was first introduced in 2017 and has continued to evolve over the past decade. Featuring a 15+1 magazine capacity, its 4-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, in addition to its new compensator, now sports a heavier profile to help keep the gun flat. The sights have been brought over from the new Nocturne P-09 series. The optics footprint uses a plate system.

CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
The P-10 C Ported has an overall length of 7.3 inches. Note the large port on the 4-inch heavy barrel, directed out the top of the slide, which creates a setback on the front sight. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
The unloaded weight is 26.8 ounces.
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
The pistol is roughly the same size as the G19. 
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
And compared to the company’s recently introduced P-09C Nocturne. 

The short answer to this one is that the CZ P-10 C Ported is one of the most reliable pistols we have evaluated. Over the course of about 800 mixed rounds across several ammo types and loads, we did not have a single stoppage.

We didn’t even suffer from a slide failing to lock back on an empty mag. And that is on a gun right out of the box with no additional lube or prep.

CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
The P-10 series has a reputation as one of the most durable and reliable pistols on the market. One of our favorite exports from Czechia. We feel Jan Zizka would approve. 
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
The majority of what we fed the P-10 C was Remington 115-grain FMJ Range 1,145 fps bulk pack (500 rounds loose-packed inside a bag in a cardboard box). 
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
Swapping it up, other loads included Federal’s red-tipped 150-grain Syntech Action Pistol flat-nosed rounds, CCI Blazer 115-grain FMJ, Winchester 124-grain NATO ball, and Federal’s 147-grain Gold Medal Action Pistol.
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
After chugging through about 700 rounds of range loads, we switched to self-defense rounds and found the P-10 C to run Speer 124-grain Gold Dot, Federal 124-grain Punch, and 135-grain Hydra Shok Deep JHPs without issue. 
CZ P-10 C Ported Optics-Ready Compensated 9mm Pistol
Besides enduring use with the Czech military and others, the German Army recently tapped CZ to provide as many as 186,000 P-10Cs to replace that country’s P8 (Heckler & Koch USP) series pistol. 

The full review is in my column at Guns.com.

Don’t Worry About the Gluger, the Gluger Can’t Hurt You (But the Gluger is Real)

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The new Ruger RMX. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Ruger and Magpul have teamed up to produce a new 9mm handgun complete with a modular stainless-steel chassis system, which could be a universal adapter.

Dubbed the RXM, the new pistol is striker-fired and familiar, having the same general dimensions as many popular carry guns of the past few decades.

Compared to popular carry guns such as the Glock 19, S&W M&P9 Compact M2.0, and CZ P09 Nocturne, the Ruger RXM seems very familiar.

Diving deeper, it has a serialized Fire Control Insert that is independent of its grip frame, which gives it the flexibility to be easily swapped into different grips – which are developed and produced by Magpul. Optics-ready with a Tritium front sight, it runs popular 15-round G19-pattern mags.

Can you say, “chassis system?”

American-made, the RXM has an MSRP of $499. For that, you get a G19 Gen 3 feeling pistol, made in the U.S. (not in Brazil or Turkey), with probably the most popular double-stack 9mm magazine pattern, complete with steel night sights and an optics cut. Plus, the removable chassis system, backed up with grip modules from Magpul, gives it some serious modularity.

Ruger has long had problems bringing a 9mm pistol to market that people really, really liked. RXM could see that change.

I’ve been shooting one for the past few months, and the full review is after the jump.

SIG Hits Both Retro and Ultra Vibes with new P226 models

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I recently attended SIG’s Next event in New Hampshire last week and thought it was interesting that, among the boatload of new products introduced, the company debuted two very different models of the same pistol– the P226.

The P226 was designed in 1984 – before SIG had even established a presence in the U.S. – to compete for the coveted XM9 Service Pistol Trials to replace the much-loved but aging M1911A1. While the P226 was only narrowly edged out by the Beretta 92 over an issue of cost per unit, the U.S. Navy SEALs would soon adopt the pistol and use it for decades. Well beyond this employment by the country’s frogmen, the P226 rapidly became the sidearm of choice for law enforcement customers and savvy consumers – not to mention hundreds of movies, games, and TV shows.

With their smooth dust covers (sans accessory rail) and pebbled grips, for instance in this specimen from the Vault, the old-school P226 is instantly recognizable.

As the standard P226s cataloged by SIG today have evolved into something that outwardly looks a good bit different from the pistols of the 1980s and 90s, the company has gone retro for a limited run of 40th-anniversary guns that share all the same feature set of those original handguns to include an alloy frame, double-stack 15+1 round magazines, a double-action/single-action trigger system, and a 4.4-inch barrel.

The P226 40th Anniversary Model. Rather than plastic like the originals, the grips are special aluminum models supplied by Hogue. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The P226 XFive Reserve

The new P226 XFive Reserve carries many of the top-tier features of the all-steel American XFive line including an extended beavertail grip, undercut trigger guard, extended magwell, and a factory Delta Point Pro/RMR footprint while still keeping suppressor height XRay3 day/night sights. It also has an SAO system with a three-position AX3 trigger installed that is fully adjustable for pull weight and overtravel while the trigger shoe is removable and adjustable for length of pull.

However, while the standard P226 XFive is all matte-brushed stainless, the new Reserve variant carries a high-polish DLC coating on its stainless slide and frame, a look complemented by a blacked-out set of intricate GridLOK grip panels. Further, to help tame recoil on this 48-ounce (!) 9mm, the slide is fitted with an integral compensator/expansion chamber akin to that seen on the P320 XTen Comp.

The P226 XFive Reserve, with a high polish DLC coating rather than SIG’s more pedestrian nitron finish, is stunning. (Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Like the HK MP5 SD, but smaller

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The integrally suppressed HK MP5 SD– the full-time suppressed variant of the MP5 submachine gun that even made full-house spicy ammo quiet– was probably the coolest SMG of the 1980s and 1990s. The thing is it isn’t small due to the large size of its efficient can. 

The shortest MP5SD, fitted with the A3 stock, is 26.4 inches long with the stock retracted, growing to 32 when it is fully extended. 

However, there is now something kinda cooler out there.

Based on the submission to the Army’s Sub Compact Weapon trials, B&T is releasing a small run of very cool little room brooms. 

The company said the release of 160 integrally suppressed APC9K SD2 models complete with its scalable suppressor system comes to satisfy “continual requests by those familiar with the project.”

The gun was originally submitted as part of B&T’s swing at the Army’s SCW contract in 2018. Guns proposed for the program had to be “highly concealable” and “capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal and accurate fires at close range with minimal collateral damage.”

The military originally courted a baker’s dozen gun makers to submit designs, including Angstadt, Colt, CMMG, CZ, Heckler & Koch, Lewis Machine & Tool, Noveske, PTR, SIG Sauer, Quarter Circle, and Zenith Firearms — the literal A-to-Z in compact gun makers. Ultimately, B&T beat out the field of big names for the tender.

The Army went with an unsuppressed model, opting for the B&T APC9K, sans can. The final $2.5 million award was for 350 SCWs, with an option for up to 1,000 of the weapons. The Air Force later piggybacked on that for some SCWs of their own, and the company released a semi-auto commercial APC9K PRO variant as well.

Spc. Michael Richardson, an Army Intelligence Analyst with the 733rd Military Police Battalion (CID), fires the APC9K submachine gun at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (Photo/Caption: U.S. Army)

However, those who want something much more compact than the HK MP5SD (but, alas, not select fire due to the Hughes Amendment – thanks, Ronald Reagan!) can now grab an APC9K SD2 of their own, although it is a two-stamp gun (suppressor and SBR). 

The SD2 is an integrally suppressed variant of the APC9K that features a scalable suppressor system and M-LOK compatible SD handguard. In its shortest configuration, the APC9K SD2 features a 3-inch ported barrel combined with an advanced over-the-barrel suppressor that is fully contained within the handguard.

In this configuration, the platform measures only 15 inches overall. Weight is 5.9 pounds, and the platform is modular, able to use standard B&T, Glock, and SIG P320 magazines via a swappable non-serialized lower receiver replacement. (Photo: B&T)

Army’s New SMG spotted in the Wild

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B&T USA in 2018 was one of six companies that submitted designs to the Army for what the service termed “Sub Compact Weapons.” These guns, “capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal and accurate fires at close range with minimal collateral damage,” were to be used by the special teams tasked with protecting high-value officers and dignitaries such as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, as well as units like CID.

In the end, B&T’s APC9K won, giving it big time bragging rights, and the USAF doubled down on a shipment for their own specialized uses.

The B&T APC9K will almost fit in the palm of your hand– if you have really big hands. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The B&T APC9K will almost fit in the palm of your hand– if you have really big hands. (Photos: Chris Eger)

And, the APC9K has been spotted in use by CID types in New Jersey recently.

Spc. Michael Richardson, an Army Intelligence Analyst with the 733rd Military Police Battalion (CID), fires the APC9K submachine gun at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. (Photo/Caption: U.S. Army)

More in my column at Guns.com.

For those Special times, when you don’t want to Wake the neighbors

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The Swiss firm of Brugger & Thomet, today just known by the catchier B&T, has long specialized in fairly unique gear for Mil/LE use, primarily in Europe.

Well, as B&T is now a thing in the U.S, based in Tampa, Florida (within spitting distance of USSOCOM headquarters at MacDill AFB), they have been bringing lots of their designs to American shores with a bit of success. For instance, the Army recently chose B&T USA’s APC9K for its small-batch Sub Compact Weapon (SCW) program, which the USAF has doubled down on.

This brings us to the Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) 300, a compact SBR with a 10-inch barrel and integral suppressor that has a folding stock and can be stowed in a backpack.

Chambered in .300 Whisper, it has reportedly been a hit (see what I did there) with European counter-terror units.

Updated for the U.S. market, the new SPR300 PRO, in .300 Blackout, has a Timney trigger and, in true American fashion, now accepts AR mags.

More in my column at Guns.com.

USAF Goes B&T

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Last Spring, the U.S. Army announced they would be buying a small quantity (~350) of Sub Compact Weapons, ultra-compact 9mm SMGs for use by the special teams tasked with protecting high-value officers and dignitaries. The first decent sub-gun contract by the Pentagon this century, there were lots of bragging rights on the line and 10 different companies both foreign and domestic threw their hats in the ring, with Swiss-based B&T coming out the winner with their downright tiny APC9K.

Well, the USAF just jumped on the same train last month, ordering a smaller quantity, likely for similar uses.

After all, could you blame them?

More in my column at Guns.com.

That looks like a fun toy

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The Swiss firm of Brugger & Thomet a few years ago coughed up a neat little SMG termed the Advanced Police Carbine, or APC. Nominally a pistol-caliber burp gun that can top 1,080 rounds-per-minute the company beat out a Baker’s Dozen of big-name gun makers last year with a shortened version, the APC9K, to win an Army contract to replace the HK MP5K in use with Personal Security Details guarding key command staff like SACEUR and UNC/CFC/USFK.

The HK MP5K, perfect for close protection, but an aging design that takes proprietary mags. (Photo: U.S. Army)

The new B&T APC9K is trim and, importantly, can take Sig P320 mags– which are used by the Army’s new M17/M18 pistols.

I got to handle one lately.

The APC9K, in what is dubbed a PRO series, is a semi-auto and is seeing some success on the law enforcement market for specialized services, such as when suppressed in the hands of an entry team in a meth lab.

Miami Beach just selected the B&T APC9K PRO this month. More on that in my column at Guns.com.