The year 2023 was a great year for the concealed carry and home defense market. In alphabetical order, I’ll recap the new handguns offered by the major manufacturers. In addition to the guns listed here, numerous boutique manufacturers were turning out custom guns, among them models of what is being called the 2011, which is basically a double stack 1911.
ATI Moxie Commander
American Tactical has added a Commander model to its Moxie .45 ACP 1911 line. The Moxie Commander utilizes a polymer frame with metal inserts and finger grooves on the grip. The weight is 25.5 ounces, capacity is 8+1, and it carries an MSRP of $460.
Beretta 92Xi
Beretta was engaged in upgrading and revising products from its existing and past product line. The Beretta 92Xi features a frame-mounted safety, plus some egonomic enhancements that bring new life to the Model 92 line. The 92Xi has a Cerakote finish, flat-face trigger, extended magazine release, and skeletonized hammer. It’s a 9mm that weighs in at 33.3 ounces, with an 18-round magazine, and MSRP of $949.
Beretta 21A Bobcat
This is a nice bring-back of Beretta’s legendary tip-up barrel .22 LR. The 21A Bobcat is now offered in several different finishes. It’s a small, 7-round, 14.5 ounce beauty with a threaded barrel. The little gun features the easy-to-load tip-up barrel that made these guns popular with those that have hand-strength issues. I’m glad to see it back. MSRP on this one is $649.
Beretta 80X Cheetah
This version of the former Beretta (of the same name) features a new design and enhanced features. It has a smaller grip and easy-to-rack slide all envisioned for concealed carry. It’s a 13-round, mini red dot sight ready .380, weighing in at 25 ounces and carrying an MSRP of $999.
Bersa BAR15 MFT
Bersa is another South American company that now has a new manufacturing facility in Georgia. The BAR15 is an AR pistol sporting Mission First Tactical furniture. This is just one of Bersa’s new BAR lineup of carbines and large-format pistols. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it comes with a 30-round magazine and has an MSRP of $795.
Bond Arms Stinger RS .22 LR
The way to make a derringer fun and easy-to-shoot is to make it a .22 LR, and that’s exactly what Bond Arms has done with this Stinger RS model. The RS is a rough-finish stainless-steel model that weighs a mere 16 ounces and sports a $269 MSRP.
CMMG Dissent MK57
This large-format pistol feeds from FN Five-seveN magazines and utilizes CMMG’s Compact Action along with the company’s Radial Delayed Blowback operating system to create a versatile 6.5-inch barrel 5.7x28mm, 20-round package. MSRP on this one will lighten your wallet by about $2,199.
Colt Anaconda 4-inch
Colt continues its remake of the highly sought after ‘snake’ line with this .44 Mag with a shorter barrel than the original and a 6-shot cylinder. It has adjustable target sights and Hogue Overmolded grip. Weight is 42 ounces and the MSRP sits at $1,499.
Canik SFx Rival-S
Canik released several handguns this year that were tweaks on existing designs. The SFx Rival-S is a steel-frame, competition-ready pistol that comes loaded with accessories in a water-resistant hard case containing two magazines, five optics plates, three palmswells, a flared magazine well, toolkit, cleaning kit, and loading tool. The SFx features a fiber-optic front sight, lightening cuts in the slide, optics cuts for micro red dots (MRDS), and a flat-face trigger. It weighs in at 42.7 ounces and has a $949 MSRP.
CZ A01-SD OR
This optics-ready pistol has night sights installed, but also features an optics cut with adaptors for the Trijicon RMR and the DeltaPoint Pro. It has a match-grade barrel and a CZ85 combat trigger with a single-action pull of around 3–3.5 pounds and a double-action pull of 8–8.5 pounds. It sports a 19+1 capacity and weighs in at 47 ounces. The MSRP for the CZ A01-SD OR is $2,699.
CZ P-10 F OR SR
This version of the P-10 is both optics- and suppressor-ready with a pre-cut slide, threaded barrel, and front and rear suppressor-height sights. A compact version is available as well as the full-size F model. The capacity is 21 rounds, weight is 29.4 ounces, and MSRP is $599.
Diamondback Sidekick Birdshead
The Diamondback Sidekick line is joined with a new birdshead edition available with both .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders. This Sidekick features a 9-round swing-out cylinder, weighs 24.5 ounces, and is priced with a humble MSRP of $327.
EAA MC P35 PI
The MC P35 PI (Private Investigator) is another clone of the classic Hi-Power attributed to John M Browning and Dieudonné Saive. This one has enhancements and is sized to be an EDC gun with a 3.9-inch barrel, three dot sights, ambidextrous thumb safety, Rowel hammer, and smooth-faced trigger. It has a 15+1 capacity and weighs 25.6 ounces with an MSRP of $630.
EAA Witness 2311
Although the EAA Witness has long been associated with a CZ 75 clone, this year the ‘Witness’ name is associated with a double-stack 1911 compatible handgun. It utilizes a polymer frame, front and rear slide serrations, skeletonized hammer and trigger, checkered front strap, and is available in 9mm, 10mm, and .45 ACP. MSRP on this one is $999.
FN America FN 510 Tactical
The FN 510 Tactical is designed to put 22 rounds of 10mm ammo on target from an optics-ready handgun featuring FN’s Low-Profile Optics-Mounting system compatible with all common MRDS footprints. The FN 510 Tactical features Tritium co-witnessing sights, target-grade trigger, ambidextrous magazine release, and a threaded barrel. The gun weighs 32 ounces and has an MSRP of $1,139.
FN America Reflex
The 9mm FN Reflex is designed for everyday carry, with an 11-round flush-fit magazine and an extended 15-round magazine shipping with the gun. The Reflex features an internal hammer-fired system with a 4.5-pound trigger and Tritium front sight. The Reflex weighs 18.5 ounces and has an MSRP of $599. This is one of my current EDC guns and I really like it. I wear it with a RoundedGear IWB holster in the appendix position.
Glock G47 MOS
The G47 is similar to the Gen 4 G17 MOS, but it has a different dustcover that allows it’s slide and frame to interchange with the G19 Gen 5 to create a G45 or G19L MOS. It was originally issued to the United States Customs and Border Protection, but is now available commercially. It has an optics-cut slide and shorter dustcover. It weighs 25.9 ounces and has an MSRP of $620.
Heckler & Koch VP9SK
HK has enhanced its popular VP9 with a direct-mounted Holosun solar-charging red dot sight and redesigned magazines with increased capacity. In addition to the SK version, the same package is offered for the full-sized VP9 pistol as well. Weighing 23.9 ounces, the MSRP on this HK gun is $1,269.
Iver Johnson Eagle XL19TT
Here’s an old-line manufacturer with a stoutly-built 10mm 1911 with adjustable sights, 8-round capacity, satin chrome slide, G10 grips, and a 6-inch barrel. It weighs 46 ounces and features an MSRP of $1,133.
Kimber Micro 9 ESV Two Tone (MC) (TP)
Kimber’s Micro 9 ESV Two Tone has lightening cuts, night sights, and a mini-compensator to reduce felt recoil. It also features TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights. A magazine pinky extension further helps reduce recoil. The capacity is 7+1 rounds, weight is 19.2 ounces, and it carries a $1,005 MSRP.
Kimber Rapide (Dawn)
The Rapide Dawn is one of Kimber’s most striking products, with a silver KimPro II finish and TiN-coated barrel. It comes chambered in .45 ACP, 9mm, and 10mm. Adding to its looks and its versatility are the stepped cocking serrations, lightening cuts in the slide, and front strap stippling. The Rapide (Dawn) tips the scales at 38 ounces with an MSRP of $1,816.
Korth Silver Mongoose
This .357 Magnum/.38 Special double-action revolver is offered with an optional interchangeable 9mm cylinder. It’s available in barrel lengths include 4, 5.25, and 6 inches. The silver DLC finish is complemented with Turkish walnut grips, a 14k gold bead front sight, and a Korth medallion logo. It weighs 33.6 ounces and has a healthy MSRP of $4,999.
Rock Island RIA 5.0
The RIA 5.0 features a modular, two-piece aluminum-alloy frame that adds the rigidity of metal, while its low bore axis and RVS recoil system are designed to maximize barrel mass and linear movement for super-soft recoil. Features include front and rear cocking serrations, bladed trigger safety, and a finely textured grip. The weight comes in at 39.5 ounces, while the MSRP is $998.
Rossi RM66
Rossi is back in the revolver business with two .357 Magnum offerings. The RM66 is a 6-inch-barreled revolver. Notable features include adjustable sights, full underlug barrel, comfortable rubber grips, and a smooth, double-action trigger pull. For enhanced accuracy, pull the hammer back into single-action mode for a sub 3-pound, crisp pull. It weighs 34.4 ounces and the MSRP is $620.
Rossi RP63
The RP63 .357 Magnum has a 3-inch barrel and a six-round cylinder. The RP63 has snag-free fixed sights for a quick draw, and the same outstanding trigger as its bigger brother, the RM66. Weight is 27.3 ounces and the MSRP is $460.
Ruger Security 380
The Security 380 is the same size as Ruger’s Security 9, which makes it good for all-day carry. The .380 caliber, Lite-racking slide, slide lightening cuts, generous cocking serrations, pronounced cocking ears, and lighter recoil spring allow for easier operation and handling. The Security 380 weighs in at a scant 19.7 ounces and features a lightweight MSRP of $369.
SAR .357 SR
SAR entered the revolver market this year with a magnum-powered, double-action revolver available with either a 4- or 6-inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, and ramp-style front sight. The revolver weighs 41.4 ounces and has an MSRP of $650.
SAR 9 Subcompact OR
The newest SAR 9 is a compact pistol engineered and tested for special forces around the world. This version is optics-ready with co-witnessing night sights and a choice of Cerakote finishes. Magazine capacity is 12 rounds. It weighs in at 22.2 ounces and has a $450 MSRP.
Savage Government 1911
More than 100 years after Savage lost to Colt in the competition that brought us the 1911, Savage has its own 1911. We can all agree that it is a well-built beauty. Parts throughout have been machined from billet stock for added reliability and longevity. The pistol features Novak Lo-Mount tritium sights, a lowered and flared ejection port, ambidextrous thumb safety, and VZ G10 grips. Available in .45 ACP, the Savage 1911 weighs 37.8 ounces and has an MSRP of $1,350.
SIG Sauer P365 Rose XL Comp
SIG Sauer introduced this P365 XL Comp as part of its new Rose series of handguns for the female shooting enthusiast. The Rose XL Comp features a two-port compensator to help minimize muzzle flip, an optics-ready slide, laser-engraved grip, rose gold-accented controls, and SIG XRAY3 night sights. This 12-round, 9mm pistol weighs in at 20.7 ounces and carries an MSRP of $899.
Smith & Wesson Equalizer
This is another pistol in the Shield EZ line. It has double-stack 9mm magazines, an optics cut, and fore and aft cocking serrations. In addition to an easy-to-rack slide, the Equalizer has a grip safety. It comes with 10-, 13- and 15-round magazines. Weighing 22.8 ounces, the Equalizer’s MSRP is $599.
Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7
Smith & Wesson joined the ranks of the 5.7×28 suppliers with a gas-operated, locked-breech addition to its M&P line. It has a 22-round magazine, is internal hammer-fired, and has a threaded barrel and optics-ready slide. Tipping the scales at 26.7 ounces, the M&P 5.7’s MSRP runs $699.
Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm M2.0 Metal
S&W is now offering the 9mm M&P in an aluminum-frame version. Other than the body material, the gun dimensions are the same as the popular polymer M&P. It sure is fun to shoot! Capacity is 17 rounds, weight is 30 ounces, and the MSRP drops in at $899.
Springfield Echelon
The Echelon represents something new for Springfield. It’s is a modular gun, one in which the operating system, known as the Central Operating Group by Springfield, is a removable pod that can be moved from one size frame to another. The Echelon also features an optics mounting system that can easily be configured to fit over 30 optic footprints. The original Echelon is a duty-sized pistol with 17- and 20-round magazines, aggressive slide serrations front and rear, and a choice of sight patterns — luminescent front with U-shaped rear or standard three dot. The standard Echelon weighs 23.9 ounces and has an MSRP of $679.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro
Following on the heels of its popular Hellcat 9mm, Springfield Armory issued the Hellcat Pro with a longer barrel and grip with increased capacity. Available in Black and FDE, the Hellcat Pro is optics-ready and has an accessory rail. Additionally, it has a luminescent front sight and U-notch rear sight. The Hellcat Pro features a capacity of 15+1 rounds, 21-ounces weight, and an MSRP of $692.
2023 was quite a year for new guns, especially in the concealed carry department. Can’t wait to see what 2024 and the future brings. Manufacturers have two choices — stay with and push the products they have or roll out new innovative products to keep repeat buyers coming back.
