Of course, the modern sporting rifle, nominally represented by the hugely popular AR-15, is one of the largest segments of today's firearm industry. However, in recent years, the modern sporting rifle has given way to what we'll term the "modern sporting pistol." Built on the same receivers as their rifle-length brethren, these compact designs take advantage of the explosion in pistol-stabilizing braces. Now, firearm designs similar to those that would otherwise fall under the NFA-regulated short-barreled rifle category can be had without the cumbersome, expensive ATF approval process, so long as they're equipped with braces rather than rifle stocks. Here are nine recent introductions to the growing category of modern sporting pistols:
Century International Arms C39v2 Pistol with Shockwave Brace Now available from the factory with the Shockwave Blade arm brace, this 100-percent American-made AK sports a side-rail scope mount that has a return-to-zero capability.
Caliber:7.62x39 mm Magazine Capacity:30 rounds Barrel Length:10.6 inches Overall Length:28.75 to 31.25 inches Weight:121.6 ounces MSRP:$949.99 (800) 527-1252 centuryarms.com
Century International Arms Draco NAK9 An AK-style pistol that takes Glock magazines? That’s the new Draco NAK9. This Romanian-made handgun is also compatible with AKM furniture, making replacing the handguards or grip easy.
CMMG Inc. Banshee The Banshee is equipped with the shortest barrel ever offered by CMMG on any platform, making it an ultra-compact arm for close-quarters maneuverability, whether for home defense or competition.
CZ-USA Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol with Flash Can and Folding Brace By installing an SB Tactical brace at the factory, CZ-USA offers a complete braced-pistol package right off the shelf. The popular Scorpion pistol features an extended carbine handguard and flash can muzzle device.
Caliber:9 mm Magazine Capacity:20 rounds Barrel Length:7.72 inches Overall Length:21 to 29.4 inches Weight:104 ounces MSRP:$999 (800)-955-4486 cz-usa.com
Daniel Defense DDM4V7 P Daniel Defense’s latest pistol ships with SB Tactical’s SOB Stabilizing Brace and is also available in a variant sporting Law Tactical’s folding stock adapter for $1,942.
FN America FN 15 Pistol Checking a ton of boxes for popular features—from the .300 BLK chambering to the suppressor-ready muzzle device—this AR-style pistol also ships with the increasingly popular SB Tactical Pistol Stabilizing Brace, allowing for added versatility.
Grand Power Stribog With dynamic blowback operation and a dual-mass bolt to mitigate felt recoil, the Stribog is a serious piece of ordnance. It utilizes an aluminum frame paired with a polymer grip, and includes an ambidextrous safety. The barrel is threaded to be suppressor ready.
PTR Industries 9CT While it may not be made in Germany, this semi-automatic clone of the iconic submachine gun ships with a hard case, a single-point sling and two 30-round magazines, getting a whole lot of 9 mm ready to send downrange.
Springfield Armory Saint Pistol The popular Saint line gets a pistol added for 2018, complete with an M-Lok-compatible fore-end and handstop. A proprietary muzzle device keeps the Saint Pistol on target while helping ensure proper operation.