From full-sized duty guns to concealed-carry firearms to competition and plinking pistols, the handgun market is loaded with options. Competition for customer dollars is stiff, and manufacturers continue to step up their game. At the same time, you need to know what’s available and what’s selling, and it’s Tactical Retailer’s mission to bring you all the details so you know what to stock. Our hands-on gun reviews are designed to provide you the information you can pass on to shoppers that will help them make a better buying decision. To that end, here are three of our favorite pistols we’ve reviewed in the past year.

 

Ruger Magpul RXM

Last year, Ruger and Magpul teamed up to drop what was essentially a Glock 19 clone — the RXM. Our reviewer, Max Archer, took it to the range to run the gun through its paces and see how it stacks up. He writes:

“In addition to the Magpul EHG RG9 grip, the RXM beveled and quad serrated slide is finished with a black FNC nitride coating for durability and corrosion resistance. Designed for direct optic mounting, the slide supports popular red-dot footprints, including Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro (DPP), and RMSc-pattern optics.

“For those preferring iron sights, the RXM features co-witness-height steel sights with a tritium front night sight, ensuring a clear sight picture in any lighting condition. The sights worked will with our tested suppressors and co-witnessed with the Primary Arms Classic red-dot used for testing. Front cocking serrations and a precision-rifled barrel complete the premium slide assembly.

“In essence, Ruger and Magpul have delivered a tricked-out Glock 19 with all the extras Glock-o-philes have demanded, including improved slide release, suppressor and optics-friendly sights. A very unique low direct, no-adapter-plate required, optics-mounting-cut slide includes all the cool artistic cuts plus Magpul’s EHG custom grip — all for the target MSRP of $499, which is significantly less than a comparable Glock.

“For 90% of shooters, the out-of-the-box RXM will be enough, but for customizers, the Ruger RXM opens the door to the near-unlimited Glock Gen 3 parts catalog. Add in that shooters now have the option to swap out grips and play around with laser engraving, Cerakote and grip customization for only $39.99, it’s a high quality, fun and affordable platform to own.”

You can read all about his experiences with the RXM here.

 

FN Reflex XL MRD

FN’s popular Reflex came out in 2023, but in 2025, the company debuted a higher-capacity version that still maintains a sleek, slim profile. It’s a microcompact 9mm designed for concealed carry. Archer writes:

“FN’s Reflex 9mm remains unique in a market dominated by striker-fired guns. Its internal hammer design, concealed within the slide, enables a crisp trigger without the heavier spring demands and mushy trigger feels of striker systems. From a testing perspective, this is an exceptional trigger that definitely supports a higher level of accuracy, confidence and control — a feat many micro-compact striker-fired competitors struggle with. In this size of firearm, the shooter needs as many ergonomic and trigger control advantages as possible, and the Reflex XL delivers that. A smoother pull and surprisingly easier slide manipulation set it apart.

“The very light slide cocking effort is going to sell this model to new and lower-hand-strength shooters — with a recent shoulder injury, I appreciated it as well. Another simplified function and improved safety feature is that the take-down process only requires a slide lock back and take-down switch flip without a trigger pull. I would rank the Reflex MRD very high on ease of manipulation and disassembly.

“The XL adds just half an inch to both barrel length and grip height dimensions, creating more space for a full-fisted grip and better recoil management. Typically micro-compacts are not guns for large hands; however, the large backstrap does provide a comfortable option. It also upgrades the capacity from the original’s 10+1 to a flush 15+1 or an extended 18+1, making it one of the highest-capacity compacts in its class.”

You can read the full review here.

 

Browning Buck Mark Contour Pro

The legendary Buck Mark has been around for decades, and Browning continues to update the line, including with the sporty little Contour Pro. This optics-ready competition gun “delivers much more than just a dressed-up Buck Mark,” Archer writes in his review. He continues:

“Today’s Contour Pro represents the latest update with threaded vertical block fluted barrel, removable compensator, optics-ready top and underlug rails, premium grip panels and modern sighting hardware.

“Other extras include deluxe G10 multi-color grips, pro-target sights with white outline adjustable rear and TRUGLO/Marble Arms fiber optic front sight. The Buck Mark trigger has always been exceptional; however, aftermarket upgrades options from TandemKross can improve the trigger even further for the competitive-minded shooter. Browning offers both 4-inch and 5-inch Pro Contour models, both with a $799 MSRP.

“I have owned many Buck Marks over the years, and the Contour Pro fits its purpose as a highly refined target and competition pistol. In many ways, it feels like a more modernized International Type II. The more I handle these side by side, the more I feel that the focus and overall design intent is very similar. Though it is fun to shoot the legacy models, the modern conveniences, design and features are noticed and appreciated when fast reloads, lights, lasers, red-dot optics, and suppressors are added to the mix.

“The Contour Pro offers a lot of adaptability we wanted to test that spanned open sights, competition and hunting applications. The TRUGLO/Marble irons sights were exceptional and lacked nothing, and weights can be attached to the lower Picatinny rail for the competitor purists. With the Primary Sem GLX MD-21s red-dot mounted, speed and accuracy really come together. For hunting, an offset-mounted Infitac Mini Thermal sight and an Olight laser/light combo was used for critter night hunting. This allowed illuminated shots to be taken via open sights, laser or thermal. As it turns out, the Infitac thermal sight is spectacular for night rat hunts; offers 1X-2X magnification, multi color/reticle options and a variety of thermal colors; and can be easily moved between handguns and rifles with any RMS footprint mount. There is a lot of quick adaptable versatility in this design.”

Check out the full review here.