Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a massive resurgence of the pistol caliber carbine, most notably the 9mm carbine. Stability is the most significant advantage of the pistol caliber carbine over any sidearm.
You’ve probably also seen some crack shots at the local shooting range who can shoot the wings off a fly at 25 yards with their sidearm. However, for the majority of shooters, handgun accuracy tends to begin dropping off around 15 yards, especially in kinetic situations where the adrenaline is surging and stress levels are through the roof.
The pistol caliber carbine gives you added stability to hit your mid-range targets more accurately and consistently. Maxim Defense recognized this demand in the industry and answered with the MD9 9mm pistol caliber carbine. The Maxim Defense MD9 offers a PDX-like platform chambered in 9mm.
Maxim Defense MD9 Pistol Caliber Carbine
When you’re looking for Maxim Defense ingenuity in a new standard AR-9, the MD-9 is your answer. The MD-9 was engineered to fit the growing demand for cutting-edge AR9-style rifles for today’s Military and commercial market.
Every MD9 features Maxim’s free-floating barrel and custom handguard for increased comfort and versatility. These handguards provide a monolithic-like upper receiver platform and M-Slot compatibility.
The package weighs in at just over six pounds unloaded, and 20 inches collapsed, adding to the small footprint. The MD9 also boasts an ambidextrous magazine release, Radian charging handle, and selector. It accepts all Glock 9mm pattern magazines, G19 or longer. Rounding out the set-up is a modified Maxim Defense HATEBRAKE muzzle booster and ALG Combat trigger.
An issue seen in previous pistol caliber carbine designs is that the shooter would use the magwell for their support grip, which would cause the magazine to move just enough to cause failure to feed malfunctions. Maxim Defense recognized this issue and mitigated it by extending the length of the magwell, giving the shooter a full support hand grip without interfering with the function of the magazine.
The Modified HATEBRAKE emulates the back pressure of a suppressor. So not only is it directing the blast forward and away from the shooter and those around the shooter, but it regulates the cyclic rate. The advantage of this is whether you’re running the included HATEBRAKE or a 9mm suppressor, the cyclic rate will be consistent and not over-gassed.
Maxim Defense went with a barrel length of 5.8″ to maximize the velocity and hence accuracy of this PCC. The optimal barrel length for the 9mm cartridge is roughly 6″, so with the MD9, you’re getting optimal performance out of the 5.8″ barrel. In addition, the MD9 was tested with 124gr FMJ, which resulted in a muzzle velocity of 1,150 feet per second.
When it comes down to defending your home and keeping your family safe, stack the odds in your favor with the Maxim Defense MD9 pistol caliber carbine.
Faxon Firearms’ recently partnered with RE Tactical to write up what they refer to as the definitive guide to finding the best AR-10 barrel. Buying after-market barrels can be a hassle; maybe this might help. We figured you might be interested in a little less suck in your life.
A Definitive Guide To Finding The Best AR-10 Barrel
The purpose of the AR-10 platform is to get more power and long-range precision out of the AR platform. Who doesn’t want more power and precision?
To capitalize on that power and precision, it makes sense to get the best AR-10 barrel you can find. The right barrel will allow you to maximize the benefits of using the larger 308 round in a semi-automatic AR-10 battle rifle.
Faxon Firearms’ high-quality, affordably priced AR-10 barrels are all manufactured in the United States and ready for reliable and accurate long-range shooting. So whether you’re shooting 308 WIN, 6.5 Creedmoor, or the new 8.6 BLK, Faxon has the right barrel for you.
Their stock of AR-10 barrels are available in various lengths up to 24″, Salt Bath Nitride outside finish, gas systems (carbine, mid-length, and rifle-length), and barrel fluting.
Faxon AR-10 barrels are also available in Big Gunner, Heavy Fluted, and Pencil profiles. They are made with the finest 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium or 416R Stainless Steel and rifled for the best possible velocity and accuracy.
Before we get into finding the best AR-10 barrel, let’s answer some of the most common questions about AR-10 barrel selection.
Lifestyle photo of an assembled AR-10
AR-10 Barrel Length Considerations
There is more to consider about the barrel length than its effect on velocity and accuracy. For example, your barrel length will dictate your choice of accessories, such as handguards. Do you want something that just goes past the gas block or something that runs the full length out to the muzzle?
This can be important for aesthetic or practical reasons, such as ensuring that a suppressor or other muzzle device has enough clearance between the end of the muzzle and the handguard. In addition, a longer handguard provides more real estate for accessories like optics, sling mounts, and bipods. Finally, keep in mind that the length of the barrel will play a major part in the rifle’s overall weight, which is something to consider if this is a hunting setup.
What is the optimal barrel length for 308?
Barrels lengths for AR-10 calibers range from 16″ up to 24″. Although 20″ seems to be the sweet spot for the 308, with the right barrel, you can get away with using a 16″ barrel.
How accurate is a 308 16-inch barrel?
A 16″ barrel will do you just fine until you get out to and past 600 yards. Unfortunately, the 308 round will drop significantly past 600 yards, so if you’re going to be engaging targets at distances past 600 yards, you’d be better off with a 20″ barrel.
Is an 18-inch barrel good for an AR-10?
Most 308 WIN loads get full powder burn at roughly 18 inches of barrel length. So for a general-purpose AR-10 build, an 18-inch barrel will do you just fine.
However, even in 18-inch barrels, the profile and gas system length can determine weight. 18-inch barrels can range from a Faxon pencil to a thicker Big Gunner profile and come in both mid and rifle-length types.
What is the most Accurate AR-10 Barrel?
The Faxon Match Series AR-10 barrels take renowned performance and value up a notch.
Manufactured in-house from gun-barrel-quality bar-stock, the Match Series barrels start with 416-R in 5R rifling. 5R is a hybrid rifling with lands opposite grooves and reduced sharp angles that reduce jacket deformation, increasing velocity, and easy cleaning. After rigorous testing, the barrels are Nitride treated inside and out, locking in the bore, extending barrel life, and keeping the elements at bay.
The extension is coated in a Nickel Teflon coating that maintains incredible dry lubricity and corrosion resistance. The Nickel Teflon coating also tightens up the fit between the extension and receiver, further improving accuracy. As a result, the Faxon AR-10 Match Series barrels are ready for when duty calls with unrivaled performance.
Best AR-10 Barrel | Faxon Firearms
Below you’ll find a list of AR-10 barrels available for your next AR-10 build or upgrade.
The AR-10 is an excellent platform for reaching out with larger calibers.
Choosing the right barrel is a significant decision, one that is based on your needs as a shooter. Long-range competition shooting, close-quarters shooting, and hunting all have different needs, so choose wisely.
Faxon Firearms barrels are some of the best barrels for the money on the market right now. They’re well-designed, and the performance is hard to beat. That’s why the Faxon Firearms 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor Big Gunner Profile Barrels are some of the best AR-10 barrels on the market.
GunMag Warehouse is proud to announce the exclusive availability of AR15 Lancer Advanced Warfighter Magazines in Olive Drab Green (ODG). Available in 10-, 20-, and 30-round versions, these Lancer OD Green mags feature:
• Hardened steel feed lips
• Impact resistant polymer body
• Steel-topped magazine catch
• Non-tilt follower
• Constant curve internal geometry
• a Stainless Steel spring
• Aggressive texturing on the body for a positive grip
• Slim body design
The Lancer OD Green Advanced Warfighter Magazine may be purchased in:
Lancer Advanced Warfighter Magazines come in 3 different capacities; 10, 20, and 30 round.
In addition to Lancer OD Greenmags, many of these magazines can be purchased in other colors: black, smoke, flat dark earth, translucent red, blaze orange, and translucent dark earth are all options, though it is increasingly difficult to keep them in stock. Availability will vary with demand.
Lancer Advanced Warfighter Magazines in various colors.Darker shaded colors of the Lancer Advanced Warfighter Magazines.
About GunMag Warehouse
Founded in 2012, GunMag Warehouse has become the predominant gun magazine and accessory destination for new and veteran gun enthusiasts alike. We provide nearly every magazine that is currently in production, in stock, and ready to ship. Accessories too! We can take care of you. GunMag Warehouse has the largest selection of commercial gun magazinesanywhere. Follow us: @gunmagwarehouse on Twitter; /gunmagwarehouse/ on Facebook. Connect on IG, @gunmagwarehouse. Be sure to follow our blog,The Mag Life.
Mounting lights on pump-action shotguns is a real hassle. Working the pump back and forth makes most lights and remote switches tricky to use without proper planning. In the past, the best options always seemed to come from Surefire in the form of replacing the pump with a dedicated light. Now that’s it’s 2022, Surefire has competitors, and one that came out of nowhere was the Nightstick SFL or Shotgun Forend Light.
This particular Nightstick WML isn’t completely out of nowhere. I first saw it at SHOT and was fairly impressed. The fine folks at Nightstick gave me a card and promised to send one when available. They made good on that promise, and my Mossberg 590 now wears a Nightstick SFL. I’ve been kicking it around for a little over a month now, and I’ve got the full run down.
Before we dive in, let’s cover the logistics. The Nightstick SFL works with the Mossberg 500/590/Maverick 88 series and the Remington 870 series. Benelli fans like me are left out to dry, but the two biggest shotguns in North America are covered. The 590 model comes equipped to function on both the short and long tube, so it will fit on the Shockwave versions. On full-sized Mossberg shotguns, you’ll use the equipped spacer.
The Mossberg variant comes ready for the Shockwave and full-sized fighting shotguns.
Installation took no time, and Nightstick includes the batteries, the tube wrench, and an optional strap. It’s all in one package that makes everything quick and easy to install.
Nightstick Shotgun Forend Light: Specifications
The Nightstick Shotgun Forend Light (SFL) comes with not just a light but a laser as well. Visible laser might serve a dubious nature in the age of red dots, but on a pistol grip firearm like the Shockwave, they make close range aiming easy and a ton of fun. We’ll talk about that a little later. Let’s look at the specifications of this thing.
dThe SFL is rather large and in charge.Lumens – 1200
Candela – 10,315
Length – 7.1 inches
Weight – 17.5 ounces
Width – 2 inches
Drop Rating – 2 meters
Waterproof Rating – IPX7
Specs-wise it’s fairly impressive. 1,200 lumens is a fair bit of light, and a 10,315 candela isn’t too bad. It’s fairly standard as far as lights go but packs more power than most shotgun lights. It’s not the smallest light and is a little heavy. The durability ratings might not make it ship to shore ready, but for bumps in the night, it can bump back.
Ergonomics, Controls, and More
The big problem with these shotgun forend lights is the weight. The longer the shotgun, the more noticeable it became. At 17.5 ounces, the Nightstick SFL is fairly heavy and will make a big 590A1 feel a little off balance. That’s not especially heavy for a shotgun forend light, but it’s not impressively light.
The tactile buttons are a nice touch and provide ambidextrous controls.
Most of the light is made from high-impact polymer and features a fair degree of texture. This gives you a non-slip grip, but more importantly, it gives you leverage for that push/pull recoil mitigation technique. That no-slip grip makes it possible for me to really push forward on the pump to better control the gun.
The controls are a cross between the Streamlight TL Racker and the Surefire DSF. The Nightstick SFL comes equipped with an ambidextrous button system to control the light and laser. The buttons are big but not massive, and they are easy to engage. Nightstick positioned the buttons to be easy to reach with my pointer finger or thumb.
The buttons are easy to avoid if you don’t want alight ND.
If you want a tactile action, you get it with the Nightstick SFL. Those buttons are clicky and audible. You know when they get pressed. With the buttons, you can use a constant or momentary mode. A long press and then release gives you the momentary mode, and a short, single press turns it to constant. Simple and easy to remember and implement.
The Power!
Swapping between laser only, light only, and laser and light are easy and requires holding one button while pressing the other. In-person, that big bright light is impressive and capable. Indoors the light is huge and fills a room with bright white light that sits in the middle of the cool and warm spectrum. A bright white hot spot sits at the center that will cut through most normal photonic barriers.
See the bad guy, shining a flashlight at me?
Indoors, you won’t have issues establishing positive identification with the Nightstick SLF. Outdoors the light works fairly well for shotgun ranges. It’s no Cloud Defensive OWL, but it’s damn sure bright enough to toss light out to 50 yards and fully illuminate a threat. Back to 100 yards, you can spot a person, but it might be tough to see if they are armed or not.
Well, mine beats his.
The light is certainly more tuned to close range with a wide beam than a super tightly focused one. That makes a lot of sense for a shotgun. Barrel shadow isn’t a huge issue because it’s mostly upwards and out of your normal cone of vision.
Laser It Up
My Nightstick SFL came with a green laser, and holy crap, is it big and bright. It’s an impressively capable beam. It’s also a ton of fun for blasting clays from the hip. Clays on a berm, not in the air. Most lasers get lost fairly easily in the bright sun of Florida, but this one can be seen from 25 yards away on a target in the sun.
Manipulating the SFL is quick and easy with minimal fuss. The SFL provides a solid grip for manipulations.
Sure, it takes some looking, but it can be seen. At super close range, a laser can act as a secondary aiming point, especially indoors. They make steering stockless shotguns on target a fair bit easier as well. The problem is that there is a fair bit of slop with a shotgun pump, especially on the Mossberg 500 series.
Zeroing it and having it move an inch from pump slop isn’t inspiring. I prefer a good red dot over a laser anyways. That being said, when combined with birdshot, it can be fun. Also, various models of the Nightstick SFL can be purchased without a laser to save a few bucks.
On the Range with the shotgun forend light
The shape and design of the Nightstick SFL lend themselves well to modern, action shooting. You can run the pump rapidly and easily without your hand slipping as you work the action. The non-slip grip keeps your hand in place as you run the gun and work the action.
The texture encourages a good push/pull technique.
It’s easy to hold onto and launch all the buckshot, birdshot, and even slugs you could ever want. The Nightstick SFL provides shotgunner an affordable, easy handling, bright, and capable shotgun forend light. It doesn’t fail in being a pump or a weapon light. When it comes time for home defense, the Nightstick SFL offers you a mighty good option without costing Surefire money.
About the Author:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor. is the world’s Okayest firearm instructor, and a simplicisist when it comes to talking about himself in the 3rd person. Hit him up on Instagram, @travis.l.pike, with story ideas.
Hard Head Veterans is excited to showcase their Micro Lattice Pads – helmet accessories that are an excellent and affordable upgrade for tactical or ballistic helmets. Developed in association with Carbon, using their Digital Light Synthesis manufacturing process, the Micro Lattice assembly is a superb energy-absorbing structure.
This substantially improves the protective capabilities of a helmet by mitigating and even preventing head trauma.
A helmet that has the Micro Lattice Pads from Hard Head Veterans inside of it.
The Micro Lattice Pads average single-digit deformation numbers when tested to 1400 fps with 9mm projectiles on our ATE ballistic helmet. Regardless of whether they are at -60 degrees or 160 degrees they still perform the same.
This cannot be said for standard foam pads.
A close-up of the Micro Lattice Pads from Hard Head Veterans.
HHV Micro Lattice Helmet Accessories
Up to a 66% decrease in ballistic transient deformation over standard foam pads
Up to a 21.70% decrease in blunt impact accelerations over standard foam pads
Lattice construction allows unrestricted airflow keeping helmets an average of 14 degrees cooler
Pads do not absorb sweat or water making them quick drying, positively buoyant, and easily washable.
Comfort lattice conforms evenly to the user’s head
Available in 1” and ¾” sizes
Shock Absorption
The Carbon DLS process enables lattice structures that absorb and dissipate energy through the precise tuning of strut thickness and cell size.
A visual aid to show were the Micro Lattice Pads would be in the helmet.A diagram showing how much the pads protect your head.
This lattice structure facilitates the absorption and dissipation of energy by aligning internal damping struts against the directions of impact. With over 28,000 individual struts, the lattice is built so each strut is specially tuned at every point on the helmet. Increases or decreases in the stiffness of the lattice structure are enabled through precise adjustments to the thickness of each strut, allowing the lattice to absorb and disperse energy from various impacts.
How the pads protect your head.The inside look of the pads in a helmet.
The Micro Lattice Helmet Pads are compatible helmet accessories for ACH, MICH, LWH, ECH, Crye Precision, Ops-Core, MTEK, Revision/Galvion, Gentex, Team Wendy, United Shield, and most other helmets that utilize Velcro attachment.
The Micro Lattice Pads from Hard Head Veterans laid out.A top view of the Micro Lattice Pads from Hard Head Veterans laid out.
You can find documentation of the ballistic testing online here; read a more in-depth explanation on the Hard Head Blog.
Night Fision’s Optics Ready Stealth Series (ORS) tritium sights are engineered to offer a lower ⅓ co-witness. Still, with the new blade heights, a wider array of optics and handgun combinations will see what is regarded as the best position for backup irons on a handgun with a slide-mounted optic.
ORS sights are designed from the dovetail up to work as backup sights for optics yet obscuring less of the optic window while still allowing three-dot sight as an alternative to repurposing Suppressor Height sights alignment if needed.
Night Fision Optics Ready Stealth Pistol Sights
Night Fision is pleased to announce new blade height offerings for three manufacturers in their Optics Ready Stealth Series product line; Glock, SIG SAUER, and Heckler & Koch.
Comparison between the new Holosun 507C and the new Leupold DPP.
Optics Ready Stealth Glock Sights
Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready Glock sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare, so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.
Optics Ready Stealth SIG Sauer Sights
Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready SIG SAUER sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare, so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.
Comparison between their new Glock 17 MOSs.
Optics Ready Stealth HK VP9 Sights
Designed to work with pistol optics, these Optics Ready HK VP9 sights offer the perfect 1/3 co-witness tailored to the shooter’s preference. Additionally, they are serrated for low glare, so you’ll never know they’re there until you need them.
Optics Ready Stealth Series FEATURES
Green Tritium Vials in front and rear sights are housed in a ballistic-grade polymer.
Thin ring size on front sight balances visibility without distraction
Perfect Dot front sights have a domed lens to focus glow for crisp sight picture, and fluorescent rings guaranteed not to chip, crack, or break.
Rear sight available in blank or with black polymer ringed Tritium.
Serrated heavy-duty steel sight body complimented by a tough Nitride Coating.
Blade heights allow for various co-witness possibilities with different optic, plate, and milling-depth combinations.
Built-in the USA with Swiss Tritium
Comparison between their new SIG Sauer P320 RXPs.
These new sights are designed so that they are just high enough to clear the optic. In the past, many shooters have used suppressor height sights to co-witness with an optic. The problem is that it clutters the optic sight window and can become distracting to the shooter. With many pistol optic manufacturers making larger sight windows, why would we want to impede that with tall irons?
The new Optics Ready Stealth tritium sights are designed to sit right at the bottom of the pistol optic sight window, allowing you to take full advantage of the sight picture but still have co-witnessed irons as a backup.
“These additions to our most popular product line affirm that they truly are designed with our customers in mind,” said Rachel Maloney, Marketing Director for Night Fision, “that we can help our customers create their perfect sight picture and remove any barriers to both having the brightest night sights on the market mounted on their gun, yet avoid crowding their optic window when they aren’t needed.”
For more information on these products or other Night Fision offerings, visit the Night Fision website.
An Aero Precision AR15 has successfully completed a series of rigorous testing procedures required to meet National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards for law enforcement. Following that process, the rifle was evaluated with a 10,000-round endurance test.
The weapon experienced zero malfunctions during the 10,040 round NIJ assessment, even in extreme conditions that fall outside normal use.
Evaluation to NIJ Standard
The evaluation process was conducted by a West Coast law enforcement agency and included the following phases:
• Initial 60-round test fire sequence
• 12 hour Freezer period with subsequent 30-round test fire
• 12 hour Oven period (120° Fahrenheit) with subsequent 30-round test fire
• Water submersion with subsequent 30-round test fire
• Sand submersion with subsequent 30-round test fire
• Six (6) position drop test with five (5) rounds fired after each drop.1
• Initial zero with optic and iron sights2
• Final zero conducted with 3-round zeroing shots near the end of the endurance test with an acceptable zero of 2.75 in.
Endurance Test
• The test consisted of 10,000 rounds fired in 1,000 round increments.
• The rifle was cleaned and lubricated prior to the beginning of the test.
• It was subsequently lubricated in 1000-round intervals.
• The firing schedule for this rifle consisted of 150-180-round increments from various shooting positions and firing rates.
• There was an 8-12 round cooldown period between firing cycles utilizing a 4’x4′ industrial fan.
• The gas rings of the rifle were replaced at 6,040 rounds.
• A final zeroing test was conducted at around 9,960.
The Aero Precision rifle completed both the NIJ Standards and Endurance Test with zero (0) operational problems.
Aero Precision AR15 lower receivers are among the most sought-after in the industry.
1The charging handle lever on the port side broke during the drop testing sequence and the flash-hider and pistol group came loose. None of these issues impacted how the rifle functioned. Loosened parts were re-tightened.
2The T&E optic failed during the drop test; no effect on the rifle test. A second T&E optic also failed. A third T&E optic was used during the endurance firing sequence.
More from Aero Precision
In addition to complete rifles, Aero Precision is known for offering a range of AR 15 kits for people who want to build (or upgrade) their own rifle.Every AR15 upper from Aero Precision, stripped or complete, is engineered, built, and inspected to the highest possible standards.Aero Precision provides a highly skilled crew with state of art technology to build extraordinarily reliable weapon systems.
Push Reliability and Accuracy to new heights with Ruger 10/22 barrels From Faxon Firearms. Faxon Firearms is proud to announce the availability of new rimfire barrels for the ever-iconic Ruger 10/22 rifle.
Why Should You Upgrade your Rimfire Barrels?
There is no doubt that the Ruger 10/22 is a good rifle out of the box with all factory components. Ruger has a reputation for building a dependable, durable, and accurate gun ready to shoot straight from the factory. Because of its popularity and reputation, the Ruger 10/22 has created one of any rifle’s largest aftermarket parts industries.
One of the top benefits of owning a Ruger 10/22 is that you can customize it without going broke. This alone makes the 10/22 rifle an excellent choice for those looking to tinker with their gun or get into the skill of gunsmithing.
With so many upgrades available, though, most owners overlook one of the essential components of their Ruger 10/22; the barrel. Ruger puts decent Rimfire barrels on their factory 10/22 rifles; however, If you want to enhance the accuracy and performance, you must consider upgrading the barrel.
“Faxon believes that firearms bring people together and create generational memories. Faxon Firearms looks to expand on this legacy with the Faxon Rimfire line. Faxon Rimfire Barrels are made from 416-R stainless steel, given six groove rifling at a 1:16 twist, and a Recessed Target Crown. Barrels are Magnetic Particle Inspected and are finished in either Salt Bath Nitride or PVD. Both Tapered and Bull Barrel options are available.” – Faxon Firearms.
New “Shorty” 10/22 Rimfire Barrels (6.0″, 8.5″, and 10.5″)
The newest expansion of the Faxon Firearms Rimfire line includes three new short barrel offerings for the Ruger 10/22 platform. These new “shorty” barrels all have fluted designs and threaded muzzles and are made from 416R stainless steel.
These new 10/22 barrels are being manufactured alongside the other Faxon rimfire barrels in their Cincinnati facility. Like the additional barrels, they are manufactured from raw bar stock. In addition, they will undergo the same Magnetic Particle Inspection testing and quality assurance measures that all their rifle and pistol barrels go through.
These three new Rimfire barrels will feature 6-groove rifling with a 1:16 barrel twist rate and recessed target crown and will be finished in either a Salt Bath Nitride or PVD coating. In addition, the 6″ and 10.5″ 10/22 barrels will come with the same straight fluting design.
The short 8.5″ 10/22 barrel will feature a Flame fluted design.
If you’re going to install any one of these barrels on a standard 10/22 receiver, you’ll need to go through the NFA registration process of applying for a tax stamp since it will be classified as an SBR.
For a long time, SIG seemed stuck on the P320 and P365 as far as handguns go, so the release of the P322 was a pleasant surprise. They could have just released some quasi variant of the P320 or P365 but chose to go a different route. Going all original allows them to break from an established pistols design. In my SIG P322 review, I determined that the P322 can be many things and occupies a very versatile position in the world of handguns.
These are all the goodies you get with the P322.
To me, it’s an excellent weapon for training. You can save some cash and train with .22 LR and have a gun that resembles and functions like a modern semi-auto handgun. The SIG P322 certainly looks and feels like a modern striker-fired handgun. It will be a fun plinker and a great way to introduce new shooters to firearms for others. To others, it might be a practical choice for the woods and dealing with pests or hunting small game.
Everyone needs a good .22LR pistol, and the P322 offers you a thoroughly modern example at a reasonably low price.
The P322 Under the Hood
Barrel Length – 4 inches
Overall Length – 7 inches
Height – 5.5 inches
Width – 1.4 inches
Weight – 17.1 ounces
The specs show that the P322 swings into the realm of compact pistols like the P320C and Glock 19. It’s not tiny, but not large either. It’s that just-right size for many of us. My hand fits nicely on the grip, and I have plenty of room. My fingers aren’t stuffed together, and I can get that excellent high grip I want on a handgun.
20 rounds in a flash-fitting magazine? Yes, please.
The SIG P322 comes with two 20-round magazines and a magazine load-assist device. It latches onto two little attachment points and helps you pull down the spring and follower for easy loading. Without the device loading, 20 rounds into the magazine get tiresome, and the device is a great addition.
The magazine loader makes life oh so much easier.
We also got a curved trigger shoe and a flat trigger shoe. Then to round it all out, you get a thread adapter to make tossing on a can easy to do should you so choose. The gun has a Picatinny rail and is optics ready with a Shield RSMc footprint optic like the Holosun 507K.
The rear sight can be removed and replaced with an optic.
SIG used the tried and true straight blowback action for the P322. It makes a lot of sense for a little gun like this. The barrel remains fixed for increased accuracy, and the blowback design doesn’t have the typical downfalls for a .22LR. The weapon uses an internal SAO hammer to fire the gun.
Tossing Lead
SIG releasing the P322 at this time must mean they read my LiveJournal. I’ve been in the market for a more modern and traditional semi-auto .22LR. I was leaning heavily towards the FN 502 and Taurus TX22, but, for this SIG P322 review, the P322 slid in right under the wire and hit me with the features I wanted at a price point I wasn’t offended by.
The P322 has no recoil to it.
With pricing only going up, I’ve invested heavily into .22 LR and I have a pile of various brands and figured running a few different brands would be the best way to test its reliability. So I fired Winchester bulk pack, Winchester Super-X, Federal AutoMatch, CCI Mini-Mag, Remington Golden Bullet, and Aguila Super Extra hollow points.
The P322 is an easy shooting gun for all ages.
After a few magazines of each, the P322 proved it eats almost everything. My Remington ammo provided the most malfunctions, with six in three magazines. However, it should be noted this ammunition is pretty old and came out of the .22 LR drought we had years back. Everything else ran well without any noticeable problems beyond the occasional failure to fire. That’s relatively common with .22LR ammo.
Ringing Steel
For this SIG P322 review I am glad to announce that I want a gun that hits where I aim, and the SIG P322 does that well. The high visibility sights are exceptional and very easy to see and orient. SIG gives us a fully adjustable rear sight, and out of the box, mine was firing a little high. I made a minor adjustment, and bam, I was dead on.
It’s a fixed barrel, blowback design, and works exceptionally well.
The gun’s accurate, and the sights are incredible, but the trigger leaves something to be desired. The pull is quite stiff, and the trigger is spongy. Luckily the pull is short, and the reset is quick as well. It’s not a great trigger, but it’s good enough.
Optics ready, rail equipped, and with a 20-round magazine… it’s a tough-to-beat rimfire pistol.
At 10 yards, I ran a 10-10-10 drill in 6.38 seconds with every round in the black. At 15 yards, I ran my gong rack and went from large to small on a series of gongs. The smallest being 4 inches, the middle being 6 inches, and the largest being 8 inches. I scored all three hits in under 2.5 seconds. The lack of recoil makes it easy to achieve those fast follow-up shots.
The P322 is incredibly reliable and easy to handle.
At 25 yards, I landed easy shots on the six and 8-inch gong, but the four proved problematic. It’s tough to see beyond the sights, but a red dot will fix that. So my first addition to this gun will be a red dot, likely a Holosun 407K.
The SIG P322 In Hand
The P322 feels excellent in hand and provides a solid experience ergonomically. The grip is right size-wise and has the same texture on the P365. The magazine release is a bit triangle like the P320 and reversible. The manual safety and slide lock/release gives right and lefties a choice when it comes time to go bang.
It’s a compact-sized weapon in the size range of the Glock 19. Not too much to handle at all.
This is one of the few times my big thumbs don’t pin down the slide lock is with the P322. The slide locks back, placed a little further forward to accommodate the safety. That safety mounts to the frame and is easily activated or deactivated by the thumb.
Firing the thing is an absolute joy. It doesn’t move. Recoil is nil as you’d expect, and it’s so much fun to shoot. After 50 rounds of 9mm, you’ll feel fatigued. After 500 rounds of 22LR, you’ll still feel fresh. Keeping it on target is super easy, making it a solid first gun or trainer for a new shooter.
The sights are very nice and easy to see.
Drills like the failure to stop, box drill, and even the El Pres are easy. The two magazines mean you can practice those reloads, and I did just that. The SIG P322 has a built-in magwell that makes those mag swaps speedy.
The .22 LR For All
It is clear to see from my SIG P322 review that this gun gives the world a .22 LR pistol that everyone can use. It’s great for plinking, training, instructing, or competing in steel challenges. The little gun can do it all. In terms of holsters, SIG has one, but it also fits the Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator, so you have an affordable and available option.
I think SIG has a real winner with the P322. It’s reliable, accurate, ergonomic, and a fair bit of fun. For 400 bucks, it’s a lot of gun.
About the Author:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor. is the world’s Okayest firearm instructor, and a simplicisist when it comes to talking about himself in the 3rd person. Hit him up on Instagram, @travis.l.pike, with story ideas.
The DSX-D Duty Suppressor System from Maxim Defense was built to optimize quiet performance in a suppressed weapon system. It provides superior direct thread suppression to weapons chambered in 5.56, 7.62, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Closer look at the DSX-D Duty Suppressor.
Duty is built for the world’s most rigorous demands; this suppressor is designed to be the most robust and strongest suppressor in the category. It has been repeatedly tested with SOCOM tables across various calibers and barrel lengths, down to 8.5″ 5.56 NATO with M855 ball ammunition. It has survived with no damage or significant changes in sound reduction.
DSX-D: Duty Suppressor System
The DSX-D Duty Suppressor was explicitly designed to minimize the violent cyclic rate and gas blowback of a suppressed weapon system like the AR15.
The suppressor consists of a three-piece MonoKore design that adds 7.25″ to the muzzle of your rifle. It is rated for full-auto (with an 8.5″ barrel restriction) in the following calibers:
► 5.56mm
► 7.62mm
► 6.5 Creedmoor
The DSX-D Duty Suppressor looks great on any rifle.
Increase reliability and longevity with host firearms due to low gas blowback and low gain in host weapon cyclic rate compared to other more traditional suppressor designs.
Drops sound to well below hearing safe levels. The specific reduction amount is based on weapon configuration, ammunition, barrel length, and atmospheric conditions.¹
