Handguns

From micro-PDWs to thermal-fusion dots and fast-access safes, these are the 2025 picks we’d unwrap first, shoot hard, and brag about later.

Beretta finally gives the Bobcat a real modernization with the 20X, and it shows. We shot both side by side to see if the new gun truly fixes the 21A’s quirks or just dresses them up.

Smith & Wesson brought the 940 back and gave it real sights and real grips. We shot it across loads and distances to see if this 9mm snub can outpace your pocket semi.

Lipsey’s honors John Taffin with a Ruger Blackhawk Flattop Bisley in .45 Colt with a .45 ACP cylinder. We shot real .45 Colt and .45 ACP loads, checked chrono and groups, ran leather, and asked if this tribute truly earns the title Perfect Packin’ Pistol.

Compact double-stack 1911 with a 3.4 inch barrel, 17+1 on board, and a crisp trigger. We ran the optics-ready BRAT with Shield’s OMSsc to see if this RMS-cut carry gun really delivers.

With the 2011 platform being the hottest thing going in handguns, it’s not surprising how many companies are getting in on the action, including Bersa Firearms with their M2XI pistol. It is a 5-inch 9mm 1911 double stack, also known as a 2011 handgun.

The concealed carry revolver might seem outdated, but we can see it still has potency and a place in the concealed carry conversation.

In the 1971 film, Clint Eastwood played a renegade San Francisco PD Inspector out to make a bad guy’s day! Now, almost 55 years later, the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum is alive and well.

The jump from revolvers to Wonder Nines was certainly a broad one, and we aren’t going back to revolvers or even single stacks anytime soon.