The scores then translate to the grades on the report cards for each firearm. The nine categories are handling, accuracy, workmanship, aesthetics, ergonomics, meets purpose, versatility, reliability, and value. We average the scores for each category and use that to determine the ranking and awards. How We GradeĮach handgun is evaluated in nine categories and given a score of 1 to 5 from each judge, except for the accuracy score, which is based on the data from the groups shot. We’re fortunate to be able to conduct our test this way, and to share the results with you. The opportunity to shoot these pistols side by side offers a perspective that you just can’t get when evaluating them individually. We go over the guns with a critical eye, noting their sterling qualities as well as their shortcomings. Ergonomics, shootability, handling, reliability, aesthetics and so on. This gives us the ability to assess the guns on a variety of qualities. That entails a variety of drills on paper and steel-everything from Gunsite’s iconic paper target to poppers to plate racks to spinners. Once that chore is done (and after shooting 399 groups for accuracy, believe me when I say it is a chore) we switch to the fun trigger pulling. We then take the average of the 10 best groups and use that figure to determine the accuracy score. We shoot multiple 5-shot groups with a set selection of ammo spanning a variety of bullet types and weights. To determine handgun accuracy we shoot at 15 yards supported on a tripod with a shooting bag. We divide the shooting into two main categories: shooting for accuracy and practical field handling. That’s why we didn’t give out a Great Buy this year in the field of full-sized handguns.
One thing that’s unique about our test is that if we don’t feel the top-scoring gun merits an award, we will forego the winner in that category. From time to time, we’ll give a special innovation award if a handgun, rifle, or shotgun merits it. The guns with the highest overall scores earn our Editor’s Choice, while those that score highest on value get the Great Buy award. Once we’re finished with the shooting, we tabulate the results to calculate who won. We have a panel of judges who score the guns independently. (Perhaps you’ve never come across our annual roundups of new guns before or maybe you’re one of those jaded readers who needs a reminder that not all gun reviews are influenced by the need to appease advertisers.)Īs always, we gather a broad selection of the year’s new guns and pit them against each other in a head-to-head shootout. I’ve described our testing protocol countless times over the years, but it bears repeating. How We Test OL staff writer, Tyler Freel, shoots a Bill Drill. For more information on the winners listed here and the others, read on. We had plenty of other interesting handguns in the field this year too. After reading that, would it shock you to learn that it is this year’s Editor’s Choice in the full-sized handgun category? It points like a dream, shoots flat, has great ergonomics, and is blessed with drop-dead looks. The Dan Wesson DWX instantly makes you a better shooter. In addition to compact defensive pistols, we shot some impressive full-sized handguns. Read Next: The Best 1911s, Tested and Reviewed You can read Tyler Freel’s in-depth review of the P365 XMacro Tacops if you want to learn more. Edged out by the Staccato as the Editor’s Choice and by the Taurus as a Great Buy, it is nonetheless a fabulous middle-of-the-road option. It was the consummate bridesmaid of this year’s test. Though it didn’t take home an award, it is still an outstanding handgun at $785. Sandwiched between the two was another excellent compact 9mm-the Sig P365 XMacro Tacops. From left: The Dan Wesson DWX, Staccato CS, Taurus GX4XL, and Sig P365 XMacro Tacops were the top performing handguns in the test. And that’s why it earned the Editor’s Choice award as the compact pistol of the year. Though not everyone has that kind of money to spend on a pistol, we can say with absolute confidence that it is worth every penny. It’s a screaming deal for anyone looking for an inexpensive compact 9mm-which is why it won our Great Buy award for the category.īut at the upper end of concealed-carry 9mms we had the Staccato CS, a double-stack 2011, which ran as well as you’d expect a gun with a $2,499 price tag to perform. Some years we seem to get clusters of new firearms at certain price points, but this year we had great options with the handgun introductions ranging from budget to high end.Īt $430, the Taurus GX4XL was one of the best values we’ve seen this year.
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