Archon Type B
- Price: $849.95
- Barrel: 4.29 inch
- Total: 7.59 inch
- Weight: 1.85lb
Movie buffs will have seen an unusual 9mm pop up in some of the most firearms-focused films of our time. The Arsenal Firearms Type B has become the Archon Firearms Type B 9mm in the US after patent issues with the Arsenal name, but it’s the same basic gun.
An Archon appeared in the hands of Cassian in John Wick 2, although that was actually an earlier Arsenal Firearms Strike One. It also appeared in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the hands of Grant Ward.
What is the Archon Type B 9mm?
It’s a basic 9mm pistol that comes in a variety of flavors, from full polymer plastic fantastic Glock rival through to something altogether more sophisticated.
An Ergal Aluminum frame is a more expensive option, but technically elevates this beyond the common-or-garden plastic 9mm.
We’ve got lots of other compact 9mm pistols if you want to see the options and the latest Gen 5 Glocks are seriously good guns. The Glock G43x is currently our favorite EDC too.
That makes the Archon’s job that little bit tougher. But then it does have selling points.
Low Bore Axis is a Solid Start
The gun also comes with a 12mm bore axis, one of the lowest in the industry according to the Russian and Italian design team that combined to create this refined striker-fired pistol.
That’s a good thing when it comes to felt recoil and muzzle climb and it’s all down to the AF-Speedlock system that is patented and the gun’s real USP. That and the way that the barrel does not tilt to unlock, but moves forward in a line.
Recoil Reduction Beats the Glock 19
It’s all about the recoil, as well as forcing the shooter to take a high grip while forcing the bore axis down.
The company reckons this gun shoots flatter and truer than most of them right now. It also comes with a 2.5mm trigger reset, while the grip is a chunky set of FN-style blocks, the slide is fully serrated and you even get a rail underneath.
It’s compatible with Glock sights and it looks a good gun. Good enough for serious consideration, anyway, if you don’t mind paying a premium for a striker-fired pistol with a difference then this could be worth a look.
Salient Arms Stryk a Deal
In the US, the company has a deal in place with Salient Arms, which makes a living tuning Glocks and charging serious money for the fruits of their labor. Together they have produced the high-end PMG Stryk based on a steel monocoque. That’s proper money, but it’s also a Hudson MFG H9 rival. It addresses the same issues of recoil and accuracy.
The double-barrel 1911 that is the Arsenal Firearms AF2011 is another thing entirely. That’s two pipes loaded with 45 ACP. It kicks like a mule, it’s massively impractical and really it’s two separate 1911s mounted together. So twice as many things to go wrong.
But the Stryk B is potentially an interesting handgun. Interesting enough to justify its $779.95 asking price? That bit we’re not sure about, but the free market will decide.
There are plenty of options in this class and if you’re looking for a 9mm Glock alternative then you can start with this list.
If you want even more to consider, then we have a list of the best full-size pistols that include striker and hammer-fired options. It will have to be one of the best handguns in the world to feature on these lists and we just don’t see it yet.
We’re ready to be proved wrong though.
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