For many, the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo kicks off their fiscal year and welcomes them back to the showroom floors for yet another season of showcasing their goods. Cooler weather sends outdoors folks to the range and into the woods. Meanwhile, a plethora of new products hit the market, months ahead of the coveted NSSF Shot Show. While some companies keep play their cards close to the chest, many manufacturers choose NASGW to give the public their first view of the latest and greatest. So here are 5 new pistols for 2023 that caught my eye.
5 New Pistols 2023
Bond Arms Stinger RS .22 LR
Released just a short time before the show, this is the largest group of folks to see this new slimline derringer-style pistol in person, and for the first time in .22 LR. The rimfire is starting to catch on as a defensive round. Improvements in ammunition have made it potent enough for backup gun consideration, particularly since it’s inherently quiet. The all-steel Bond Arms Stinger hails from the Rough Series. It features the same quality you expect from a Bond pistol without all of the aesthetic polishing. By cutting down on the looks, it hits the market at a paltry $279 MSRP. Safety features like retracting firing pins, a rebounding hammer, and a cross-bolt hammer block are still present on this 3” workhorse, as well as two pairs of interchangeable grips. (bondarms.com)
Mossberg MC2c Optics Ready
Mossberg continued its big year at NASGW, furthering the MC pistol line by offering its hit compact, now with an optics cut. As only the second pistol family in Mossberg’s history, the company certainly held out and made it great. A whopping 16+1 capacity feels like a tight squeeze in this slimline CCW-themed handgun, yet at the same time, it fills the hand for an utterly seamless purchase. New for this year, the MC2c Optics Ready now comes ready to accept optics featuring the Shield RMS footprint without using any adapter plates. This leaves it with a dot height that isn’t too far above the iron sights, making for an effortless transition if you are new to running an optic. Optional features include a cross-bolt safety and Tritium night sights. (mossberg.com)
Charter Arms Target Pathfinder .22 LR
Between the hurting economy and the surge in new shooters, it’s no surprise that we are seeing more and more rimfire options come to the market. Affordable handgun manufacturer Charter Arms owns a reputation for making high-quality defensive revolvers that don’t break the bank. It now welcomes a beefy stainless trainer to its rank, the Target Pathfinder .22 LR. This hefty target pistol launched recently and features a polished rosewood grip, adjustable target sights, and an increased eight-shot capacity. I like that although not destined for a waistband, the pistol still features a recessed ejector rod to stay consistent with the company’s centerfire. It also eliminates a snagging point that causes many new shooters to fumble. I also appreciate the deep texturing on the hammer spur that allows for easy cocking and uncocking in those early learning years. (charterfirearms.com)
Canik Creations
While some entries on the list are all about value, this one keeps things affordable without sacrificing any flair. The Canik METE SFT starts off as a great deal with its match-grade ergonomics, double undercut trigger guard, and one unbelievable reset. This leaves enough room in the budget to add a little pop for realistically just the price of a few boxes of 9mm ammo. By partnering with Cerakote, Canik worked out a few different patterns that begin as a single, solid-color coat of this award-winning finish. After being applied, a laser alters the colors through a heating process that is outrageously definitive and yields a final product that is more resistant to flaking than the traditional multi-coat process. Coincidently, this new method is also more cost-effective and barely increases production time. Initial pattern offerings are Distressed White, Modern Digicam, Bomber, and Cyber. (canikusa.com)
EAA Girsan MC P35 PI
The phrase “what’s old is new again” might just best sum up recent years in the firearms industry. It is a fact, though, and I’m not entirely opposed to it. As we welcome younger shooters into the fold, it’s nice to know that companies like EAA ensure they have a chance to do some work with the classics, even if they are reproductions. The MC P35 “PI” is a derivative of the 9mm Hi-Power Detective compact handgun. It features a reduced-length slide and a barrel that measures 3.88 inches for easy concealed carry. It only differs from the original by offering three-dot style sights and an ambidextrous safety. A solid 4140 steel frame gives it that classic feel, and it is simply another shining example of how good Turkish manufacturing has become. (eaacorp.com)
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