Americans Are Quietly Replacing 9mm With THIS in 2026

This review of the Smith & Wesson M&P Carry Comp 9mm highlights its versatility for concealed carry and combat. The pistol features a 4.2-inch barrel, aluminum frame, and a robust optics mounting system. Notably, it demonstrated exceptional reliability by firing 2000 consecutive rounds without a single malfunction, making it a strong contender in its price range.

This expert review of the Glock 45 Gen 6, based on 630 rounds fired, finds it performs similarly to previous generations but with notable improvements. The grip texture, forward serrations, and trigger guard undercut enhance control, while the flat-faced trigger offers a slight, though not revolutionary, improvement. The presenter, a seasoned firearms instructor, highlights the pistol's reliability with various ammunition types and anticipates strong aftermarket support, while also recommending legal coverage for gun owners.

This review provides an expert overview of the GForce Arms GF9 Rapture, highlighting its significant compatibility with Glock 26 parts, a key feature for budget-conscious buyers. The firearm demonstrates 100% reliability during range testing and boasts an attractive price point of approximately $250. The instructor notes its ergonomic differences from standard Glocks, including a more upright grip angle and a solid factory trigger, making it a compelling option for concealed carry or as a reliable range tool.

This video addresses the question of the best beginner pistol for women, recommending the Sig Sauer P365 XMACRO in 9mm and the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Comp in .380 ACP. The instructor highlights the compact and slim nature of the P365 XMACRO, noting its popularity among female carriers, and discusses the Bodyguard's capacity and a minor ammunition issue encountered during testing. Both are presented as solid choices for new firearm owners.

The 9mm caliber, once dominant, is seeing a quiet shift in popularity towards higher-powered options like the 10mm and the faster 5.7x28mm. This trend is driven by a renewed interest in firearm power and availability, with manufacturers now offering compact 10mm options and a growing list of brands producing 5.7x28mm firearms. While 9mm remains prevalent, these two calibers are experiencing significant growth.

Roger Barrera provides an in-depth review of the ZEV Technologies and Magpul Folding Defensive Platform (FDP), a 9mm firearm with a unique folding design. He details its 18-year development, purchase price of approximately $1,700, and performance during range testing. Barrera highlights the FDP's smooth recoil, impressive deployment speed (sub-3-second Bill Drills), and surprising 100-yard accuracy despite its integrated sights and mechanical offset. Critiques include the high price point and potential ergonomic challenges with the manual safety.

This review highlights five top 9mm pistols for 2024, focusing on their features and suitability for personal defense and competition. The Walther PDP Match 5-Inch offers a full-sized option with a 5-inch barrel and 18-round capacity. The Shadow Systems XR920 provides a premium Glock-style clone with a compact slide and duty grip. Sig Sauer's P365 XMacro leads in capacity for its size with 17+1 rounds. The Beretta 92X Performance is a competition-ready evolution of the classic 92, featuring an all-steel frame. Finally, the Staccato 2011 C2 offers a high-performance, carry-focused 2011 platform known for accuracy.

This video reviews five handguns that offer compelling alternatives to Glock pistols, focusing on areas where they may excel. The CZ Shadow 2 Compact, Taurus GX4XL TORO, Springfield Echelon, FN 509 CC Edge, and Sig P365 XMacro Comp are presented with their unique features, including improved ergonomics, trigger systems, modularity, and optic-ready slides. Each firearm is compared against Glock models in terms of performance, capacity, and price point.

This video reviews five pistols renowned for their accuracy: the CZ Shadow 2, Walther PPQ Q5 Match, Glock 34, Springfield Armory DS Prodigy, and Sig P210 Carry. It highlights features like match-grade barrels, precise triggers, and ergonomic designs that contribute to superior shooting performance, catering to competitive shooters and those seeking reliable self-defense options.

This video delves into the often-overlooked aspects of .22 LR rifles, revealing surprising truths about their performance. It highlights that optimal barrel length is 16-18 inches, with longer barrels offering diminishing returns. The discussion also covers how barrel twist rate impacts different bullet weights and velocities, the inherent rimfire ignition inconsistencies, and the sensitivity of semi-automatic .22s to ammunition types. Finally, it addresses the significant bullet drop and wind drift issues beyond 100 yards.