-
1 week ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP (MSRP: $649)We’re going back to a familiar handgun for today’s kit: The Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP. The standard Hellcat was one of the original offerings at the start of the recent micro 9 mm double-stack boom along with the SIG Sauer P365. These pistols brought near-full-size capacity to a pistol size that had really only been known for revolver-like numbers in single-stack guise.
-
2 weeks ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Girsan MC9 Disruptor (MSRP: $399)Girsan’s MC9 Disruptor pistol (imported by EAA Corp.) is designed to be a well-equipped pistol with an entry level price, and with its impressive list of features, it’s pretty easy to say it hits that mark.
-
1 month ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Springfield Armory TRP 1911 AOS 9 mm (MSRP: $1,999)Springfield Armory added several 9 mm chamberings to the TRP line in 2025, and we’ve chosen the 4.25-inch barrel, AOS-equipped version for today’s kit. This is a marked departure for Springfield Armory, as all previous TRP pistols have been chambered in .45 ACP, providing yet another data point toward the ubiquity of 9 mm. Fear not, those who prefer their 1911s in .45 ACP, there are plenty of TRP variants in the old standard.
-
1 month ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Rost Martin RM1S (MSRP: $469)Rost Martin released its first pistol ever, the RM1C, in 2024, bringing an entirely new company to the market in addition to its compact-size pistol. This year brings the RM1S, a smaller version of the RM1C designed for an even easier concealed carry experience.
-
1 month ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Taurus GX2 (MSRP: $309.99)Taurus released its new GX2 9 mm pistol as an entry-level option, but it shouldn’t be viewed as just an inexpensive handgun. Think of it as the concealed-carry handgun boiled down to the essentials: striker-fired operation, 13-round magazine, workable sights, accessory rail and bladed-safety trigger to prevent discharge if dropped. It’s simple to take down for cleaning, has moderate texture for excellent purchase and comes with a manual thumb safety.
-
1 month ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: FN Reflex XL MRD (MSRP: $719)FN America made a pretty bold move with the release of its carry oriented Reflex in 2023, adding another handgun aimed squarely at the American concealed-carry market (after its single-stack FN503). It only took a short while before the Reflex grew into the pistol we have for today’s kit, the Reflex XL MRD.
-
2 months ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger SP101 Revolver in .327 Fed. Mag. (MSRP: $919)We’ve opted for Ruger’s SP101 revolver chambered in .327 Federal Magnum for today’s kit for a number of reasons. First, the chambering allows for an extra round over the .357 Magnum/.38 Special round in which the SP101 is traditionally offered. With the .327 Fed. at a power level somewhere between .38 Special +P and .357 Mag., it’s basically a free extra round—there’s no tradeoff in power.
-
2 months ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Kimber 2K11 (MSRP: $2,125)Double-stack, 1911-style pistols are certainly popular right now, and presented as exhibit number – well, I lost count, but it’s a lot – is the Kimber 2K11. The company, long known for its traditional 1911-style handguns, has branched out recently, with micro-9 mm pistols in both 1911-style and double-stack, striker-fired, polymer-frame variants.
-
2 months ago | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact (MSRP: $1,549)One of the many new firearms Springfield Armory released for 2025 is the new 1911 DS Prodigy Compact, a shortened version of the company’s popular double-stack 1911 Prodigy. The Compact takes an inch and a half off the barrel and .4 inch off the grip, reducing capacity from 17 rounds in the full size to 15 rounds in the compact. Hey, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
-
Feb 28, 2025 | 
shootingillustrated.com | Jay Grazio
Firearm: Heckler & Koch CC9 (MSRP: $699)Taken out of context, the gun we’ve chosen for today’s “I Carry” episode might not seem all that earth-shattering. Micro-compact, double-stack 9 mm pistols have been a staple for quite a while now; the SIG Sauer P365 hit the scene some seven years ago, and many other models have been introduced with comparable specs. While Heckler & Koch’s CC9 is the latest entry in this marketspace, it’s more than just another micro-compact pistol.
