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There’s no shortage of micro-compact, striker-fired, optics-ready, 9mms out there, so we didn’t know what to expect when Kimber jumped into this competitive field with the R7 Mako. On the one hand, Kimber has built their reputation on creating feature-rich 1911s that offer shooters the custom touches they crave. On the other, it can be difficult and painful for gun makers to try to break into new markets, especially those that are saturated with established players. But Kimber hit it out of the park with the R7 Mako and so impressed the judges that it earned an impressive, and uncommon, double win as both the Editor’s Choice and Great Buy in the micro-sized handgun category.

When the Sig p365 first came out, it was a game-changer and I had to get my hands on it. They squeezed a double stack’s capacity into a single-sized gun. The P365 is small and light, so it’s easy to carry and comfortable for most shooters of all sizes. The P365 is a purpose-built concealed carry gun that comes in capacities of 10, 12, and even a 15-round extended magazine. I personally love the combination of the size and feel of the gun. If you are interested in other versions of the p365, they also have the p365 xl which has a larger capacity, and the Sig p365 SAS which has been slimmed and smoothed so as to not snag. The P365 is a great gun but is still a subcompact pistol, so it can be challenging to shoot compared to the more massive firearms on this list. With proper self-defense ammunition, the weapon can be a little snappy, so practice makes perfect.

No segment of the firearms industry is more competitive than the market for handguns. Each year shooters are inundated with new offerings. This Darwinian environment is a blessing for those looking to acquire a new blaster. To stand out from the crowd, gun makers have taken to producing feature-rich handguns with good ergonomics at reasonable prices. For instance, accessory rails are nearly ubiquitous. Most handguns can be modified by interchanging backstraps, switching mag releases from one side to the other, or both. Magazine designs that maximize capacity while maintaining overall dimensions for comfortable concealed carry are the norm. Then there are thoughtful touches, such as slightly flared mag wells, patches of stippling for the support-hand thumb, slide cuts, upgraded sights and other tweaks that are included in many of the best handguns builds.

The Mossberg MC2c sits in a unique zone. It’s slightly smaller than the G19-sized pistols and slightly larger than the sub- and micro-compact offerings from most manufacturers. Its ergonomic and stylized grip houses what is a product improved Glock operating system that does not require the trigger to be pulled to disassemble the pistol. It also utilizes metal 14- or 16-round magazines, giving it a noticeably slimmer and more comfortable grip than most of the other pistols in the category. If the pistol was any smaller, it would sacrifice shootability. But, as is, it’s a great size for most hands. A very good flat-faced trigger also helps new shooters wring the accuracy potential out of the pistol. The MC2c is a bit of a sleeper and is usually available optic-ready for around $500. The MC2c has survived numerous torture tests in the industry and represents a great combination of value, size and quality. Read more info on Ballachy.