In January, the firearms industry was occupied with SHOT Show 2024 in Las Vegas, Nev., where several companies took the opportunity to display their latest products. After walking the showroom floor(s), here are seven of the best pistols on display this year.
Beretta 92XI Squalo. Building on the base 92X series, the optics-ready 92XI Squalo singleaction 9 mm is built to race with a 4.7-inch barrel, flat-faced trigger, DLC-coated trigger components, lightweight skeletonized hammer, Toni System flared magazine well, fiber-optic front sight, extended takedown lever, ambidextrous safety and adjustable mag release. Three Mec-Gar 18+4 round magazines are also included for 22-round capacity. Overall length is 8½ inches and weight (unloaded) is 33.3 ounces. MSRP: $1,299, beretta.com
Walther PDP Match Steel Frame. This full-sized, semi-automatic striker-fired 9 mm pistol has a precision-machined steel frame and five-inch barrel with 1:9-inch twist. Optics-ready, the Walther PDP Match Steel Frame’s ported slide also incorporates SuperTerrain serrations, an enhanced magazine well, dynamic performance trigger and ambidextrous magazine release. Weight of the PDP Match Steel Frame is 41 ounces, sans magazine. Two 20-round magazines and one 18-round magazine are included. MSRP: $1,899, waltherarms.com
Colt Blued Python. On display at the Colt booth during SHOT Show 2024 was a new six-inch Python that not only features upgrades improving on the original classic revolver, but also a forged carbon-steel frame with an eye-catching blued finish. Colt also redesigned the target rear sight and the new Python has a recessed target crown, interchangeable ramp front sight and walnut grips adorned with a gold Colt medallion. Chambered for .357 Mag., this blued Python revolver can accommodate .38 Spl. cartridges as well. MSRP: $1,599, colt.com
Canik TTI Combat. This collaboration between Taran Tactical and Canik sent a ripple of excitement throughout SHOT Show 2024. The TTI 9 mm sports a polymer frame with aggressive grip texturing and slide serrations, ported and fluted barrel, diamond cut flat-faced 90-degree break trigger and Canik’s first compensator. It also features a new slide release, HIVIZ fiber-optic front sight, TTI +3 magazine base pads and a low optics cut. Weight is 29.3 ounces (unloaded) and the length is 7.85 inches. MSRP: $949, canikarms.com
Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet. A big, beefy stainless steel revolver intended for powerful handgun cartridges, Ruger’s Super Redhawk is an excellent choice for the .22 Hornet, which shooters generally consider to be a mild rifle cartridge. The four-pound mass of the Super Redhawk permits boring eight .22 Hornet chambers in the cylinder, and Field Editor Art Merrill found in shooting the revolver the hefty 9½-inch barrel helps much to tame recoil and minimize muzzle flip. On an overcast and damp Industry Day at the Range, the fiber-optic front and rear sights still lit up like it was sunny and the Ruger easily clanged steel at 50 yards. (Watch the Ruger Super Redhawk .22 Hornet in action on Range Day.) MSRP: $1,499, ruger.com
SAR USA SAR9 SOCOM. This semi-automatic, single-action striker-fired 9 mm pistol is equipped with a polymer grip module and a 5.2-inch barrel made from forged steel that is threaded for use with suppressors. Channels on the slide allow the barrel to cool quickly. In addition, the slide is cut for optics, and suppressor-height tritium iron sights provide for low-light capability. With 17+1 capacity, the SAR9 SOCOM 9 mm pistol comes with two magazines, one 17-round and the other 21-round. MSRP: $499.99, sarusa.com
Diamondback SDR. This revolver, essentially the Smith & Wesson J-Frame revisited in .357 Magnum, is really more than that. As a Smith & Wesson M&P Armorer, Field Editor Art Merrill is frequently handed Smith & Wesson revolvers for minor repair or upgrading, and the first feature on Diamondback’s stainless steel SDR (Self Defense Revolver) to grab his attention was the push button release for the crane and cylinder assembly. Diamondback has replaced the cylinder/crane assembly screw with a push button on its SDR, along with other improvements over the standard J-Frame, including a shrouded ejector rod, target crown, low profile fiber-optic sights and a cylinder that holds six .357 Magnum cartridges. At the range, he was handed .38 Special cartridges to try out the SDR, which the little revolver smoothly digested with the expected bark but without bite. MSRP: $777, diamondbackfirearms.com
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