Handguns

The Beretta M9A1 is the Marine Corps version of the M9 with an accessory rail, checkered straps and a beveled magazine well. We shot 700 rounds through a 15-round JS92M9A1M, sorted out the three SKUs and compared it with the M9, 92FS, M9A4 and Taurus 92 on price.

The SAR USA SAR9 Gen 3 is a 17+1 striker-fired 9mm from Sarsilmaz with tritium night sights, an optics cut and a modular grip. We shot 800 rounds through a full-size and a compact gun, sorted out the six-model lineup and the SAR USA and Sarsilmaz names, and priced it against the Canik METE SFT, PSA Dagger, Glock 17 Gen 6 and Walther PDP.

The Taurus G2S is a 7+1 single-stack 9mm that sells for about $240 with two magazines. We shot 700 rounds through a black gun and a stainless gun, tested the restrike trigger, and compared it with the GX2 that replaced it, the Ruger EC9s, the Taurus G3c and the Smith & Wesson Shield Plus.

The Charter Arms Mag Pug is a 21 ounce, five-shot .357 Magnum with a full rubber grip. We shot 800 rounds through a ported 2.2 inch gun and an unported 3 inch gun, measured the triggers, sorted out which models are ported and priced it against the Taurus 605, Ruger SP101 and Smith & Wesson 640.

The Bond Arms Texas Defender is a 20 ounce, two-shot stainless derringer in .45 Colt/.410 or .357 Magnum. We shot 400 rounds through two of them, measured how far apart the barrels print, read Bond’s ammunition and warranty rules and compared it with the Roughneck, Snake Slayer, Rustic Defender and the five-shot Judge.

The Kel-Tec P15 is a 16 ounce striker-fired 9mm that holds 15+1 and ships with tritium sights. We shot 1,200 rounds through a polymer P15 and a P15 Metal, read the manual’s selector switch and brass-only ammunition rules, weighed it loaded and priced it against the Springfield Hellcat Pro, Canik METE MC9, Shield Plus and Glock 43X.

The Henry Mare’s Leg is a lever action sold as a pistol, in .22 rimfire or brass-framed .357, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. We shot 850 rounds through two of them, checked the capacity retailers get wrong, priced every model and compared it with the Heritage Settler, Henry’s own Bear’s Leg and Axe, and the Chiappa 1892.

The Charter Arms Off Duty is a 14 ounce, five shot .38 Special with a fully enclosed hammer. We shot 800 rounds through two of them, measured the trigger, priced every model and finish, and lined it up against the Smith & Wesson 642 and 442, the 856 Ultra-Lite and the Ruger LCR.