Opinion
2026 SHOT Show, Second Day:
Vicki and I were participants in several interviews today, but I did get to several more booths.
Of interest:
At the Daniel Defense booth, I examined their H9 Pistol (as I did last year). The H9 did not receive a great deal of emphasis at the DD booth this year. The H9 is the size of the G17, but all steel, so it is heavy, and at $1k/copy, on the pricy side.
The Turkish-made Girsan MC9 Pistol, at $450.00/copy, is yet another Glock-like carry pistol. I haven’t seen any in courses, but the copies I examined are very well done.
The Turkish-made Canik Pistol (the one you want is the METE MC SL) we have seen in Courses, and they enjoy my recommendation. All have run fine. For a $500.00 carry-pistol, they’re hard to beat!
Diamondback’s 6-shot, 38Spl snubby revolver, the SDA-A (internal hammer, trigger-cocking only), which I shot during Range Day on Monday is very satisfactory as a carry-gun and carries a pricetag of $600.00. In my Quip of 19 Jan 26, I incorrectly reported a price of $1.6k
Charter Arms makes a similar snubby, albeit a five-shot, called the “Off Duty,” that retails for $400.00/copy
Ruger’s RXM retails for $400.00. Looks well put-together and very functional to me!
Yesterday, I talked about “premium” pistols. Today, I stopped by the Les Baer Customs booth and looked at their 1911 pistols in 45ACP and 10mm. They are truly wonderful, and range in price from $4k to $5k!
You can equip yourself with a perfectly satisfactory defensive pistol (revolver or Glock-pattern autoloader) for $400.00-$800.00. You can surely spend more, much more, but when I’m asked by students for advice with regard to “what pistol should I buy?” my first response is always:
What is it for?
Do you want it to impress your friends or impress your enemies?
When the reply is the later, then my suggestion to my student is that he spend $400.00-$800.00 on a good, plain-vanilla service pistol (and there are many excellent choices, some of which I’m mentioned in this and the last two Quips), and then spend all the money saved as a result of not buying a “premium” pistol on ammunition and competent training, maybe optics!
More tomorrow!
/John
Live Inventory Price Checker
|
Ruger RXM 9mm Luger Pistol 4" Barrel 10+1 Round Black Slide Stealth Gray Grip Stealth Gray Frame | MidwayUSA | $ 399.99 |
|
|
|
Ruger RXM 9mm 4" 15rd Pistol w/ Magpul Enhanced Grip, Gray/Black - 19400 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 549.99 $ 414.99 |
|
|
Ruger RXM 9mm Luger Pistol 4" Barrel 15+1 Round Black Slide Stealth Gray Grip Stealth Gray Frame | MidwayUSA | $ 385.99 |
|
|
Ruger RXM 9mm Luger Pistol 4" Threaded Barrel 15+1 Round Black | MidwayUSA | $ 449.00 |
|
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
How come the article doesn’t match the headline? You declared the RXM to be a standout, and then barely a word about it.
It is just one more Glock clone.
Only differences are cosmetic
Nothing more can be said.
Yawn!