Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Rideout Arsenal recently launched the Dragon pistol, a lever-delayed, modular 9mm with an ultra-low bore axis and fixed barrel aimed squarely at competition shooters.
This pistol is what I imagined could be produced if you went to an engineer who had never seen a modern handgun and asked them to design one. And I mean this in the best way.
A New Approach to Competition Pistols
Rideout Arsenal doesn’t frame the Dragon as a duty gun or casual range toy. The company built it to go fast. The pistol uses a lever-delayed blowback system instead of gas operation, which reduces reciprocating mass and keeps muzzle movement down. What appears to be the “slide” up top is actually the bolt carrier group due to this unique design.
The Dragon also runs a fixed bull barrel and a non-reciprocating optic. The slide cycles, but the optic stays still. That setup helps shooters track the dot during fast strings. The bore axis sits 3.3 mm below the backstrap (a pivot point), which limits muzzle rise.
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Even though the optic doesn’t reciprocate, shooters can still rack the slide using the optic if they are used to training that way. Rideout Arsenal kept that motion familiar on purpose. The company focused on performance without forcing users to relearn basic handling.
Modularity and Ergonomics
Modularity drives the Dragon’s design. The pistol breaks down without tools. Shooters can swap nose pieces, install a threaded or tri-lug adapter, and configure grip modules quickly, and much more.
The grip angle sits at 18 degrees which is the same as a 1911. Backstraps come in thin or thick options. Grip modules offer fine or coarse textures, with or without finger grooves. Ambidextrous controls come standard, including mirrored thumb rests that function as gas pedals.
The Dragon feeds from Springfield Echelon magazines, not proprietary mags. That choice simplifies logistics for competition shooters.
Dragon Features and Specifications
- Caliber: 9x19mm
- Operation: Lever-delayed blowback
- Barrel: 5-inch fixed bull barrel, 11-degree crown
- Bore axis: -3.3 mm
- Trigger: Straight pull, sub-3 lb
- Sight radius: 8.75 inches
- Optic cut: N-ROC (RMR footprint)
- Materials: 7075-T651 aluminum chassis/FCG, 4140 steel internals
- Lever: S7 shock-resistant tool steel
- Finish: Type III hardcoat anodize, DLC on steel
- Weight: 33.9 ounces
- Length: 9.1 inches
- Rail: 4-slot 1913 Picatinny
- Width: 1.4 inches at thumb rests, 1.1 inches at grip
- Magazines: 17- and 20-round Echelon mags
- Controls: Full ambidextrous, external extractor
Pricing and Availability
The Dragon is available for preorder now. The base pistol lists at $3,600. The Ultimate Package runs $5,600 and adds a race holster, hard case, compensator, adapter options, magazines, and accessories.
Rideout Arsenal builds the Dragon in Virginia. Buyers can configure pistols online with a 3D viewer. A modular suppressor is planned for release later this year, and many other unique options will be rolled out for the Dragon in the future.
This pistol doesn’t chase mass appeal. It targets shooters who want speed, low recoil, and aggressive modularity right out of the box. I can’t emphasize how unique and thoughtfully designed this pistol is in the short article, so watch for a full review on GunsAmerica in the future.
Please, go on to learn more about the Rideout Arsenal Dragon here; there’s a lot more to this system yet.
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Riley Baxter is a seasoned hunter, outdoorsman, and competitive shooter with deep roots in the backcountry. He has guided professionally for bears, bighorn sheep, and other big game across rugged terrain, bringing firsthand knowledge of what gear actually works in the field. When he’s not chasing game or running drills on the range, Riley is likely in the garage customizing his rifles, pistols, or backcountry kit.
A competitive pistol shooter and lifelong firearms enthusiast, Riley brings both precision and creativity to every piece of equipment he touches. Outside of the gun world, he works as a perfusionist in Montana, a vital role in heart surgery that demands attention to detail, critical thinking, and mental fortitude.
Experience:
– Professional Hunting Guide – Guided for bears, bighorn sheep, and more in some of the West’s toughest country.
– Competitive Shooter – Skilled USPSA pistol shooter with a passion for precision and performance under pressure.
– Custom Builder – Enjoys building and tuning firearms and equipment to meet the exact demands of the hunt or the range.
– Experienced Marksman – Experienced in long-range hunting and precision rifles to meet the demands of the terrain of the West.
– Montana-Based Perfusionist – Medical professional accustomed to making critical decisions in high-stakes environments.
Is this a well established company that we can trust completely will be around to deliver and support the product or mostly just exciting ideas but questionable foundations ?
I enjoy seeing the innovation but alas I am but one of the poors who could only dream of such loftily priced weapons of the royalty.
A Hard NO!
That’s a Dodge Truck Ugly Hell No!
Very similar to the Laugo Arms Alien.
I’d rather have the Alien ,and cheaper too.
I hate to be the guy to tell you this, but you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s similar to the Alien in the way that a jet airplane is to a Bugatti because they both have wheels. This is incredibly modular and not gas operated, to name a few differences.
Interesting design. I’d like to have a more compact version for carry, without the thumb rests. BTW, is there two different pistols in the pics, or am I just not seeing things right?
Sharp eye! This is the exact same pistol in every picture, only some show the compensator attached, and others show the non-compensated nose (yes, that’s what they call it). This isn’t a thread on attachment, but is a modified tri-lug that allows swaps in literal seconds.