As we look at the new guns being introduced this year, some trends seem to be emerging. While micro 9 mm carry guns are still being introduced, some established manufacturers of such pistols are making versions just a little longer for improved ergonomics. “Optic-ready” or “optic-equipped” pistols continue to increase in number. Also, enhanced-capacity pistols chambered in the new 30 Super Carry are already hitting the market, but these are just the tip of what is predicted to be an iceberg. Here's a look at what are sure to be some of the hottest-selling defensive pistols in 2022.
Beretta | 92X RDO Compact
Building on the 92X improvements, the RDO variant allows a red-dot optic to be attached to Beretta’s iconic model 92. The Compact model is well suited for concealed carry and offers excellent capacity.
▶ Vertec frame
▶ Short-reset trigger
▶ 92X-style thin grips
▶ Dovetail sights
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.8 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
MSRP: $729
(301) 283-2191 beretta.com
Beretta | APX A1 Carry
The smallest member of Beretta’s polymer-frame APX family, the A1 Carry, now comes with an RMS-footprint optics cut should a red-dot sight be desired on this subcompact single-stack pistol.
▶ Optics-ready slide
▶ Extended 8-round magazine available
▶ Removable fire-control group
▶ Oversize trigger guard
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 2.9 inches
Overall Length: 5.8 inches
Weight: 20 ounces
MSRP: $449
(301) 283-2191 beretta.com
CZ USA | P-10 M
Built exclusively for concealed carry, the P-10 M’s frame is sculpted for excellent ergonomics despite the pistol’s small size. Other than the magazine release, there are no controls protruding from either the slide or the frame, thus assuring a smooth draw.
▶ Three-dot sights
▶ Cold-hammer-forged barrel
▶ Bladed trigger safety
▶ Front and rear cocking serrations
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.19 inches
Overall Length: 6.31 inches
Weight: 20.01 ounces
MSRP: $499
(800) 955-4486 cz-usa.com
FK Brno | PSD-C
Last year’s Handgun of the Year is now available in a model designed for concealed carry. The incredible performance of the 7.5 FK round combined with the more compact dimensions of the PSD-C make carrying a concealed pistol capable of solid accuracy at 100 yards a reality.
▶ Optics-ready, narrower slide
▶ Recoil-attenuation system
▶ Richly textured grip stippling
▶ Optional barrel in 10 mm/.40 S&W available
Specifications
Caliber: 7.5 FK
Magazine Capacity: 14 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 8.1 inches
Weight: 33.8 ounces
MSRP: $1,750
(352) 745-7002 fkbrnous.com
Mossberg | MC2sc
Mossberg adds an optics-capable pistol to its growing MC line of handguns with the MC2sc. This also adds a micro-9 mm double-stack pistol to the line-up, with 11+1 rounds in a pistol the same size as the MC1sc.
▶ White-dot front and rear sights
▶ Crossbolt safety model available
▶ Optics ready for RMS footprint
▶ Glass-reinforced polymer frame
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 11 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.4 inches
Overall Length: 6.25 inches
Weight: 19.5 ounces
MSRP: $556
(203) 230-5300 mossberg.com
SAR-USA | SAR9 Compact
The SAR9 Compact is designed to be the perfect balance between a micro and full-size pistol. It’s small and light enough to be easily concealed and comfortably carried, yet has the capacity of a full-size pistol. The lightweight, polymer-frame, striker-fired SAR9 Compact points naturally, and is a pleasure to carry.
▶ Interchangeable backstrap and side plates
▶ Hammer-forged barrel
▶ 20-degree grip angle
▶ Black-oxide slide
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.2 inches
Weight: 26.8 ounces
MSRP: $399
(833) 727-4867 sarusa.com
Savage | Stance
Available with either a black, gray or FDE grip frame, this first handgun to be offered by Savage in more than a century boasts a completely ambidextrous design, interchangeable backstraps and optional night sights as well as a manual safety.
▶ Matte-black melonite slide
▶ Three-dot sights
▶ Ambidextrous slide stop
▶ Textured grip
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Overall Length: 6.2 inches
Weight: 22 ounces
MSRP: $479
(800) 370-0708 savagearms.com
SCCY | CPX-1 G3
Newly redesigned, the Generation 3 frame eschews finger grooves and incorporates a rail section. A new trigger is made of aluminum and the manual thumb safety has been reduced in size. Moreover, the propriety sight cut has been replaced with a G43-compatible cut. The CPX-2 G3 includes the same enhancements, but does not include a manual thumb safety.
▶ Smooth frontstrap
▶ Aluminum trigger
▶ Rail section
▶ Smaller safety lever
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
MSRP: $329; $359 (optics-ready)
(386) 322-6336 sccy.com
SCCY | DVG-1RDR
The DVG-1RDR radically expands the versatility of the DVG line. The G43-compatible rear sight cut opens up numerous possibilities in iron sights, while the Shield-footprint slide cut does the same for the choice micro red-dot sights. Ten frame colors and two slide finishes are available.
▶ Lightweight, polymer frame
▶ Flat trigger
▶ G43-compatible sight cut
▶ Front and rear cocking serrations
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6.01 inches
Weight: 15.5 ounces
MSRP: $399
(386) 322-6336 sccy.com
SIG Sauer | P320 Spectre Comp
Building on SIG Sauer’s popular X-series, the P320 Spectre Comp adds a built-in compensator, enhanced trigger and TiN-gold-finish barrel to the mix, along with a slotted, optics-ready slide.
▶ Built-in compensator
▶ Two magazines
▶ Gold barrel and trigger
▶ Extended magazine well
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.6 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 41.8 ounces
MSRP: $1,399
(603) 610-3000 sigsauer.com
Smith & Wesson | CSX
Smith & Wesson upped the ante on the 1911-style, micro-9 mm pistol with the CSX, an aluminum-frame, double-stack offering the same size and capacity (in 9 mm) as its polymer-frame Shield Plus.
▶ Bladed safety trigger
▶ Ambidextrous thumb safety
▶ Interchangeable backstraps
▶ Ships with 10- and 12-round magazines
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 19.5 ounces
MSRP: $609
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson | Shield EZ 30 SC
Harnessing the reduced recoil of the new 30 Super Carry round from Federal, the Shield EZ offers 11-round capacity in a pistol that most should find extremely easy to both operate and shoot effectively.
▶ Grip safety
▶ Tactile loaded-chamber indicator
▶ Easy-to-load magazines
▶ Adjustable rear sights
Specifications
Caliber: 30 Super Carry
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.675 inches
Overall Length: 6.8 inches
Weight: 21.6 ounces
MSRP: $521
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson | Shield Plus 30 SC
With the smaller overall size of the new 30 Super Carry round, the capacity of the Shield Plus has been increased by three rounds from the 9 mm version. With the extended magazine, 17 rounds of 30 Super Carry are available.
▶ Extended magazine holds 16 rounds
▶ Dovetail front and rear sights
▶ Optics ready
▶ Manual thumb safety
Specifications
Caliber: 30 Super Carry
Magazine Capacity: 13 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 19.3 ounces
MSRP: $595
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Springfield Armory | Hellcat Pro
Springfield Armory’s Hellcat experiences some growth—literally—with the new Hellcat Pro, bringing a longer slide and barrel and more capacious flush-fit magazine to the popular handgun.
▶ Dual captive recoil springs
▶ Tactical-rack rear sight
▶ Accessory rail
▶ Optics ready
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.7 inches
Overall Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 21 ounces
MSRP: $634
(800) 680-6866 springfield-armory.com
Springfield Armory | XD-S Mod.2 OSP 3.3 .45 ACP
Springfield Armory extends the OSP—Optic Sight Pistol—line of XD-S handguns to include the .45 ACP version. With an optic cut for the RMS footprint, even the big-bore XD-S can wear a red-dot sight.
▶ Extended magazine holds six rounds
▶ Full-length guide rod
▶ Melonite finish
▶ Enhanced grip texture
Specifications
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
Overall Length: 6.3 inches
Weight: 23 ounces
MSRP: $465
(800) 680-6866 springfield-armory.com
Stoeger | STR-9C Compact Optic-Ready
Stoeger is expanding the STR line at a rapid pace, with multiple new models for 2022, including the Compact Optic-Ready. This variant features a slide with an optics cut for those looking to mount an MRDS to their concealed-carry pistol.
▶ Three-dot sights
▶ Ships with four optic-mounting plates
▶ Nitride-finished slide
▶ Optic not included
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 13 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.8 inches
Overall Length: 6.9 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
MSRP: $399
(800) 264-4962 stoegerindustries.com
ZEV Technologies | O.Z-9 Combat
Designed with flawless reliability in mind, the latest version of the O.Z-9 platform features less “bling,” but the same outstanding accuracy and shootability as the original version of this modular system. It accepts all O.Z-9 accessories and Glock magazines.
▶ ZEV Citadel slide
▶ ZEV Pro Barrel
▶ ZEV Pro curved-face trigger
▶ Magpul PMag-17 GL9 magazine
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.49 inches
Overall Length: 8.03 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
MSRP: $1,499
(805) 486-5800 zevtechnologies.com
