Have you ever been pleasantly surprised, even honored, when asked to do something by someone you respect and enjoy working with? You don’t hesitate to accept the task. Then, it begins to sink in what exactly you’ve agreed to, along with the high standards set by those who came before you. That explains the ebb and flow of my conversations with my editor, this past July, when he asked me to participate in the Ballistic’s Best effort. My category was the Full-Size Handguns Category.
I have known and worked with this editor for nearly 20 years and have been invited yearly to the Athlon Rendezvous Events. Therefore, I fully understand the significance of Ballistic’s Best and the effort behind it. While I am proud to be part of this year’s Fu-Size Handguns, I can’t get the “Looks Like We Made It” melody out of my head. I will admit to a little anxiety about not letting the team down. It turned out to be one of the most challenging, extensive, and rewarding article projects I’ve experienced.
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Full-Size Handguns Logistics
Following my good friend Fred Mastison’s advice, a veteran Ballistic’s Best contributor, I began working on the logistics soon after accepting the assignment. This involved creating a list of full-sized handgun candidates for editorial approval, which required a few rounds of emails back and forth. The next step was contacting various manufacturers for the items. This is like trying to herd cats, as everyone is very busy and November seemed far away—Not! Then, you have to feed the guns during the range evaluation. This meant reaching out to my trusted ammunition suppliers, with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working over the years, including Black Hills Ammunition, Hornady, Wilson Combat, Winchester Ammunition, and Sig Sauer.
Range & The Evaluators
Speaking of range evaluation, this needed to be coordinated with my local establishment, which is a big reason why I have been able to work on so many articles over the past 20+ years—Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). EVTC owner C.R. Newlin and his son, Dane (frequent Origin Shooting Steel Match winner), would be two of the five evaluators. CR’s passion for firearms is reflected not only in his business interests but also in his frequent participation in training opportunities that happen at EVTC. Dane is developing into a handgun prodigy thanks to his early exposure to firearms, while benefiting from interaction with the various personalities that visit EVTC.
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Zac Meade, a frequent presence at EVTC and who also can be found behind the counter at CR’s other firearm-based entity, Stonewall Arms (where all the handguns were shipped), is another evaluator. Zac participates in matches and is hardcore about gaining proficiency by attending training at EVTC and other locales numerous times a year.
Another evaluator would be my son Ethan, who has been involved with my article work for his entire life. He has often served as my sounding board for evaluations, as he speaks the truth with no preconceived notions, supported by being around all types of firearms longer than most grey-haired individuals. This is supported by training with a wide variety of my contacts, stretching from FBI HRT, Federal LE, and local firearm academy instructors. He also regularly participates in the monthly matches held at EVTC, when he can get away from his college baseball team, often winning and disappointed if he places outside the top competitors.
Off We Go
Our full-size handguns’ candidates span the gamut from a myriad of manufacturers. Polymer striker-fired predominates, with DA/SA and single-action only hammer-fired steel frame handguns also present, reminding us they are still worthy. One thing remained constant: all were 9mm, making evaluation of recoil control easier for comparison purposes.
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Lists are always problematic. Like the NCAA football playoffs, the argument can be made that no matter if four, eight, or even sixteen are chosen, someone deserving is always left out. With that said, the goal for this article was to offer excellent examples of newer model full-sized handguns on the market. Inevitably, multiple worthy candidates were contemplated but had to be left off. Hopefully, this Ballistic’s Best category will generate thought on what full-sized handguns you would include on your own list, along with providing solid information with our scoring scale and feedback.
Ballistic’s Best Full-Size Handguns Candidates
So, without further ado, here are the 2025 Ballistic’s Best Full-Size pistol participants/candidates: G17L Gen5 MOS, Shadow Systems XR920P, SIG SAUER P226-X Legion, Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp, S&W M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp, HK VP9A1, CZ PO9F Nocturn, FN Reflex XL MRD, and SAR SOCOM Fullsize. We can see certain traits among the selections—most are striker-fired, the majority are polymer frames, all are red dot compatible, and compensators are becoming a more common/desired trait on duty/carry weapons.
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GLOCK 17L Gen5 MOS
The GLOCK 17L Gen5 MOS is definitely a full-size handgun with a 6.02-inch barrel, contributing to an overall slide length of 8.85 inches. This is an instance where size does matter. The longer barrel generates more velocity for the 9MM, especially with +P or +P+ loads. GLOCK’s legendary ruggedness enables the use of the higher-pressure 9mm rounds without giving pause for the durability of the weapon.
What sets the GLOCK 17L Gen 5 MOS (G17L MOS) apart dimensionally and internally from other GLOCK handguns? GLOCK equips it with a 4.5-pound trigger connector, giving the G17L MOS a 5 to 5.5-pound trigger pull with only .5-inch travel. Other GLOCKs come with a 5.5-pound trigger connector for trigger pulls measuring 6 pounds or more. The G17L MOS is also equipped with ambidextrous extended slide release levers and a raised/enlarged magazine release button. These are all features that aid in increasing manipulation speeds during reloads.
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The Gen5 GLOCKs, including the G17L MOS, benefit from the upgraded GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB) with more aggressive polygonal rifling, target-style crown, and tighter chamber specs for enhanced accuracy. GLOCK ergonomics combined with the G17L MOS slide’s long track during recoil, mass, and manageable 9mm muzzle signature allow for a very stable sight picture, no matter how many or how rapid rounds are fired.
Editor’s Note: The Glock 17L Gen5 MOS has been discontinues. Please check secondary markets. Also you can check out the Rotten Gun Reviews on the G17L Gen5 MOS here.
SAR USA SOCOM Fullsize
SAR USA is the exclusive U.S. importer of firearms produced by Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi (SAR) of Turkey. Sarsilmaz is one of the world’s largest firearms manufacturers, with over 1 million square feet of state-of-the-art production facilities. The SAR9 SOCOM Fullsize is another obvious candidate for our category. After all, it is in the name. The SOCOM Fullsize leads the way for SAR USA’s product catalog.
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Well-thought-out ergonomics provide for natural and instinctive aiming. Three interchangeable grip panels allow end users to find what fits them best. A superior flat-faced aluminum trigger that feels like an aftermarket upgrade compared to most other striker-fired handguns. Meprolight tritium night sights and a 1/2×28 threaded barrel mated to a distinctive-looking slide that comes ready to mount red dot sights with an RMSc optic cut. The SOCOM Fullsize is a personal defense/service weapon, not a competition piece.
The broad, flat face of the trigger allows a uniquely self-correcting, straight rearward press. Pre-travel has been reduced without compromising safety, resulting in a clean, crisp break and reduced over-travel. The trigger pull is clean with no crunching or grinding. The reset length is minimal with a positive tactile feel. This translates into a handgun that can send rounds downrange rapidly and accurately.
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The key point with the SAR9 SOCOM Fullsize is that it is eminently adaptable, no matter the mission or budgetary concerns. Everything from the everyday day carry, vehicle-based, or homeowner nightstand with a light/laser will find the SAR9 worthy of consideration.
Shadow Systems XR920P
Shadow Systems, based in Plano, TX, burst onto the polymer striker-fired handgun scene in 2016. They quickly gained a reputation as an upgrade over other polymer-framed striker-fired weapons on the market. Not only talking about the Austrian variation, but all offerings. The Shadow Systems XR920P is the epitome of this statement. A Shadow Systems handgun is created from scratch. Shadow Systems manufactures its own slides, barrels, triggers, and internals. The XR920P benefits from Shadow Systems’ quality control and experienced gunsmiths pulling it all together.
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The XR920P is a great example of Shadow Systems’ innovation and ability to respond quickly to emerging weapon technology/trends. While Shadow Systems dances around direct GLOCK terminology, we will use it to better convey what we are dealing with in the form of the XR920P. Shadow Systems XR-series utilizes the compact slide dimensions of a G19 mated to a G17 lower. This makes the XR quicker out of the holster, while a full-size frame offers better shootability/control. The 17-round magazines fit flush.
The 4-inch barrel of the XR920P comes with another Shadow Systems surprise—a compensator that does not need a threaded barrel to be mounted. The P stands for performance in the Shadow Systems universe for those curious.
Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp
Springfield Armory made a noteworthy introduction to their product lineup recently with the Echelon 9mm. Not resting on their laurels, the Echelon 4.0C Comp is a fresh addition to the Echelon models. The Echelon will attract admirers thanks to its ergonomics. For example, its grip angle offers a natural point of aim, with or without a pistol optic mounted.
With the Echelon, Springfield focused on enhancing the handgun’s interaction with the user via Adaptive Grip Texture, an oversized trigger guard that is undercut at the frame, ambidextrous slide stops and magazine releases, plus textured indexing points on both sides of the frame. The Echelon arrives with the medium grip module, with small and large available for purchase separately. This is further accentuated by three different backstrap contour options.
The Echelon slide’s mass/shape is engineered to aid in increased muzzle control and manipulation. The integral compensator that arrives standard on the 4.0C Comp enhances this further. The Echelon offers a repeatable 5-pound trigger pull with a minimal reset. Short tactile reset allows for rapid multiple shots placed on target. The Echelon’s trigger is proof that Springfield engineers listened to customer feedback, as well as one of the greatest ever competition shooters, Rob Leatham.
To my way of thinking, the “secret” to striker-fired handgun success is minimal operating controls, high cartridge capacity to size ratio, relentless reliability, and to paraphrase an infamous political advertisement, “it is the trigger, stupid…” The Springfield Armory Echelon follows this formula and improves upon what was previously thought possible with striker-fired handgun triggers.
SIG SAUER P226-X Legion SAO
The preponderance of double-stack 9mm 2011s arriving from various manufacturers appears to be heralding a new era of handguns. What was previously thought of as a competition-only application is now going mainstream. Single-action trigger mated to a heap of 9mm sitting in a magazine seems like a match made in heaven. SIG SAUER has been offering discerning consumers this ability since the early 2000s, with a proven design with no need for tweaking or magazine tuning that the early 2011s were known for.
SIG SAUER made the decision circa 2006 to offer a single-action-only (SAO) trigger option to shooters with certain models of the P226/229 family. The latest is the P226-X Legion SAO. The user gets the benefit of P226 design excellence with single-action-only trigger capability. Don’t worry, traditional P226 users, DA/SA P226-X Legions, are also offered.
What sets the P226-X Legion SAO apart from its other stablemates? First, there is the Cerakote Elite Legion gray coating covering the stainless-steel slide and alloy frame. This is not merely idle window dressing; the coating improves durability. Custom G-10 grips with Legion medallion are also present. The icing on the cake is the P226-X Legion SAO featuring a flat-style trigger shoe versus a curved one. This offers a 90-degree break for better geometry and is less likely to pull sights to the right or left. Speaking of sights, the superior SIG XRay3 day/night irons arrive on the P226-X LEGION SAO. Don’t worry, the slide is factory milled if the user wants to mount a red dot. Ambidextrous manual safety levers are present instead of de-cocking lever usually found on the P226 DA/SA models.
CZ P-09F Nocturne
The P-09F Nocturne is another one of the few hammer-fired examples in this year’s full-sized category. While it is a polymer frame, the P-09 is a DA/SA hammer-fired design. Think if a GLOCK 17 met a CZ 75 at a bar and then had a handgun offspring. It would be the CZ P-09F Nocturne.
The CZ P-09F Nocturne is the full-size version of the CZ P-07. CZ’s unique Omega DA/SA trigger mechanism is present, allowing the end user to stay with the decocking lever or turn the lever into a safety lever, enabling “cocked and locked carry.” The P-09F arrives with luminescent or tritium sights. It is optics-ready with a removable plate accessing RMSc/Holosun K footprint optics cut in the slide.
Texturing on the grip and other strategic areas provides high traction where you need it most. As with many CZ pistols, the slide rides inside the frame. This means that there is less real estate to grab onto when racking the pistol; however, the excellent slide serrations help overcome that issue.
The biggest upgrade from the previous P-09 to the P-09F Nocturne series is the additional feature of the optics cut from the factory. The P-09F optics-ready cut features a direct mount system for the RMSc footprint, also known as the Holosun K footprint, which omits the need for plate mounts. This direct optic mount lowers the red dot sight window to co-witness the pistol’s iron sights through the window of a mounted pistol optic.
S&W Performance Center M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp
What if there were ways to maximize the potency of your personal defense handgun? S&W is here to help with their M&P Performance Center 2.0 Metal Carry Comp. Slide optic cut, compensator, and Performance Center trigger out of the box. The Metal Carry Comp goes about its compensator business differently than most, with an integrated comp milled into the slide and barrel, thus requiring no threaded barrel. Not only does itreduce muzzle flip by nearly 30% it can never come loose and requires no extra steps for field stripping due to its integrated construction with the slide.
S&W touts their ClearSight cut technique at the breach helps divert muzzle gasesaway from your optic, keeping it free from obstruction. A S&W Performance Center flat trigger design allows for consistent trigger finger placement, giving you more accurate and repeatable shooting.
Heckler & Koch VP9A1 K
Heckler & Koch originally introduced its VP9 in 2014. The recently introduced A1 is a total redo in terms of ergonomics, as well as offering an optics cut from the factory. HK even offers a factory-installed Holosun SCS red-dot optic option. The VP9A1 K allows for changing out the backstrap AND side panels. No excuse if the VP9A1 K does not fit you.
Ambidextrous controls are present along with paddle-style magazine release levers at the rear of the trigger guard. HK just has to be HK. Speaking of HK, the charging supports, two polymer ears at the rear of the slide, are unique, but a welcome addition, giving the user extra space to grab when racking the slide manually.
The VP9A1’s trigger has been improved, with a shorter, lighter take-up, single-action break, and short, positive reset. The firing mechanism uses a nickel-Teflon-coated trigger bar.
Editor’s Note: Check out Heckler & Koch VP9A1 K’s Rotten Gun Reviews here.
FN Reflex XL MRD
The FN Reflex XL returns to the hammer-fired methodology—albeit internal. FN engineers took their experience with the Five-seveN and applied it to the Reflex XL. The hammer is internal, not hanging off the back of the slide, moving within a slot in the frame/slide. The hammer-fired dividend was two-fold. The Reflex XL’s frame is only an inch wide, and less strength is required from the user to rack the slide.
The FN has sought the ideal blend of carryability and performance with the Reflex XL. The Reflex XL increases the effectiveness of a compact concealed carry handgun beyond what most thought capable, especially when a red dot is also mounted. The Reflex XL arrives with an optics-ready slide compatible with micro red dot optics that share the Shield RMSc or Holosun 507K footprint. Don’t fret if you haven’t joined the red dot revolution. High-visibility tritium front night sight with orange-painted ring paired with all-black, squared U-notch rear sights arrive installed on the Reflex XL.
The FN Reflex XL MRD’s ergonomics and handling characteristics were appreciated. The grip frame with enhanced texturing and overall balance of the handgun minimized felt recoil. The key point with the FN Reflex XL is that it is eminently adaptable to individual carry needs thanks to ammunition capacity and ability to mount a red dot. The FN Reflex XL MRD arrives ready to go right out of the box. Kudos to FN for including the right features for maximizing performance.
Hammering It Out
EVTC resources were put to good use, providing far more than merely a place to shoot towards a berm through a paper target. EVTC Ranges #4 was booked for the Ballistic’s Best workout. The covered shooting area provided space to arrange the various pistols with magazines and ammo nearby. The large shooting bay allowed all evaluators to visit the firing line at their own pace and within their own space. EVTC plate racks and other steel targets, such as spinners and dueling trees, supplemented cardboard IPSC targets.
The Ballistic’s Best scale is set at 0-5, with the starting point being “3” before firing the first round. Scoring is kept in .25 increments. Evaluators could assign any point value, up or down, they felt was appropriate for the nine judging categories—aesthetics, ergonomics, sights, trigger, recoil control, reloading ease, accuracy, reliability, and value/price point. The whole process is subjective, thus why we call it an evaluation, and not testing.
Evaluators were asked to perform certain mandatory drills with each handgun before going off on their own “free fire” adventures. These drills were the IDPA 5×5 classifier, Bill Drill, and Mozambique. Structured runs on the six-plate rack consisted of six plates from low ready, two plates reload, two plates, reload, two plates. Impromptu dueling tree challenges and how effectively you can run the spinner were also encouraged. A free flow of information and impressions was encouraged. A written evaluation form recorded scores and any noteworthy observations/comments.
Passing Judgment
All the handguns were functionally sound out of the package. None were prepped besides opening the box. This could be seen as harsh and unreasonable, but I thought it would help separate top performers. It did not. With that said, individual shooters did have interactions with magazine releases, slide lock levers, sights, and trigger manipulations that provided feedback for scoring purposes.
The sights category is one I need to address before proceeding. This is because a few handguns arrived from the manufacturers with red dots mounted. I instructed the evaluators that only iron sight characteristics mattered for judging purposes. The red dots were turned off, with only the co-witnessing iron sights utilized. Yes, I believe red dots are advantageous. Considering all the handguns that arrived were red dot compatible, yet did not sport red dots, I wanted a level playing field. Traits such as luminescent, tritium, steel versus plastic, overall design of sights, and/or adjustable were used as scoring input.
Comps & Triggers
Just as with red dot sights on handguns, compensators are expanding beyond competition applications, becoming more prominent with personal defense weapons. This drives the impulse to reduce compensator size while still retaining effectiveness. Why? Part of the challenge of using a handgun involves controlling muzzle flip. No one is saying a 9mm needs a brake. Do not confuse a muzzle brake with a compensator. However, controlling muzzle rise is a valid goal. Here, I urged more subjectivity by the evaluators.
The same thought process was followed with triggers. Hammer-fired single-action only “cocked and locked” handguns have not faded quietly into the sunset. In fact, the case can be made that this format is actually flourishing. Why? The mystique of a well put-together single-action semi-automatic handgun is hard to deny in our current polymer striker-fired age. Not saying striker-fired triggers are deficient. It would be foolhardy to think no purpose is served with striker-fired triggers, nor is the type going anywhere. However, a trigger with minimal to no creep, limited travel/reset, and breaks like the proverbial “glass rod” is hard to resist and is a boon to performance.
And The Winner Is…
This is a good segue to announce our Ballistic’s Best Full-Size Handguns winner, the SIG Sauer P226-X Legion SAO. In one evaluator’s words, “… the P226-X Legion definitely stole the show. Though one of the more expensive handguns assessed, you are truly getting the performance quality for which you are paying.” Another comment written on the evaluation sheet, “Trigger is phenomenal and the gun shoots super flat. Grips have enough texture to hold onto, without tearing up your hands or clothing.”
The entire 2025 Ballistic’s Best Full-Size represents the best of the marketplace. Only 2.15 points separated the first-place SIG P226-X Legion from the Shadow Systems XR920. Comments on the XR920P consisted of, “Good texturing on grip, double undercut trigger guard, and better slide serrations to load with. Trigger one of the best non-competition styles on the market, important for a personal defense pistol to not be finicky.”
With the preponderance of striker-fired handguns represented, readers may ask what is being offered compared to other polymer-framed striker-fired handguns already on the market. The answer lies more with refining the striker-fired concept started over 40 years ago than anything revolutionary. All benefit from lessons learned, combined with manufacturers intimately familiar with what it takes to create quality weapons.
Food For Thought
Here is some more food for thought. Three of the top 4 in this year’s Full-Size Handguns were comped striker-fired pistols. Feedback such as “comp extremely effective” for the S&W Performance Center M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp and “Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp shoots super flat and I like the 4.0C Comp better than the full-size Echelon shot previously.”
More comments offer readers an insight into how the evaluators went about their work. The CZ P09-F Nocturne, “…. though do not care for the DA/SA trigger, it definitely scores high for getting a lot of gun for the price. Super low bore axis and superior capacity magazines are definite pluses.” The SAR SOCOM Full-Size also made points with its value: “Nice to have adjustable backstraps, threaded barrel, mag well, and extended magazine at this price point.”
With only 9.05 points separating 1st from 9th, details definitely mattered to the five evaluators. Often, it was the Value/Price Point category that made the difference, as well as setting the overall expectation for the handgun being evaluated. Personal preference reigns supreme for the end users who would be doing fine with any of the pistols in our lineup.
Full-Size Handguns’ Specifications
Ballistic’s Best Full-Size Handguns Scoring
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