2019 is only seven days old, but that hasn't stopped some of the biggest names in the gun world from flooding us with fresh eye candy and promises of the latest and greatest innovations in handguns already in stores or set to be released just around the corner.
Let's take a quick look at what's been introduced in the last week from Mossberg, FN, Glock and ZEV.
Mossberg hit the ground running in 2019 by introducing its MC1sc handgun.
Mossberg's new handgun boasts "optimal shootability with superior ergonomics" and says it gets there with optimized ergonomics on the grip and a flat trigger face. Mossberg is also touting a safer way to disassemble the gun by incorporating an "exclusive Safe Takedown System': a design that does not require the user to pull the trigger during the disassembly process."
The Mossberg MC1sc weighs in at 22 ounces FULLY LOADED and will ship with one six-round magazine and one seven-round extended mag.
MSRP on the MOssberg MC1sc is $425.
The latest and greatest from FN comes in the form of an update/upgrade/downgrade(?) of their current flagship 509 handgun. As of 2018 the FN 509 had two variants: the standard 509 with its crowned, CHF barrel and seventeen round capacity and the 509 Tactical with all of that PLUS 24 Round super duper operator magazines, raised sights and a threaded barrel that makes a suppressor almost obligatory.
This week FN made the 509 Midsize official. Offering all the featured of the standard 509 but coupled with a slimmer frame that FN says help the gun retain "full-sized pistol performance in an easily-concealed package." But with the up comes the down; the FN 509 Midsize lowers your magazine capacity by two full rounds from 17 to 15. However, FN is pushing out sleeves to accommodate existing 17 round mags and promises the other polished features like "improved controls...and texturing" will make manipulation and handling much better and that the 509 Midsize will deliver "a new, flatter faced trigger...for more controllable trigger press and cleaner break."
The trigger on the 509 Midsize is an absolute improvement on what was already a pretty solid out-of-the-box trigger on the 509 full size. If you handle the two side-by-side, you will be able to tell a clear difference.
It's safe to say FN is hoping you will consider making the 509MID your EDC go-to, but with an MSRP of $649, it's hard to say how many everyday concealers will be ready to dish out that much dough to replace what it likely an already trusted pistol in their collection.
Technically Glock just announced two new guns, the Glock 43X and the Glock 48 collectively known as the Silver Slimline Series. If Glock nomenclature makes you scratch your head, try to remember that Glock names their pistols in order of patent. This means that the higher the number, the newer the model and that's about it until you commit to memory which model is calibered in what.
The Glock 43X seems to be Glock's attempt to answer the biggest complaint about the 43: low mag capacity. The Glock 43 arrived under what could safely be described as "strained excitement" as a single-stack 9MM had been anticipated by Glock fans for some time only to be undercut by the release of a single-stack .380ACP and a hand-cannon 10MM Glock 40 offering. Safe to say that if you were a Glock fan waiting on a single-stack 9mm, a more opposite pistol would be hard to find. So Glock rolled out the Glock 43, a single-stack 9MM offering a mere six round mag capacity at the same time that Smith & Wesson and Springfield Armory were fighting for the top rung of the single-stack ladder between the Shield and the XDS, respectively. Both the Shield and the XDS were able to handle eight round magazines while also carrying a price tag nearly $200 below the Glock 43's. Less money and more capacity can make for a winning combination in the handgun market, so the 43 may not have been quite the sales generator Glock was hoping for. Not to say they didn't go quickly when they first arrived, but the hype was not exactly what it could have been for Glock.
With the 43X and the 48, Glock is looking to make up for a missed opportunity. Both the 43X and the 48 are single-stack 9MM pistols, and Glock says outright that the 48 is designed to be a skinnier version of the Glock 19, one of its most popular pistols.
"The G48 in caliber 9mm Luger is of similar length and height as the G19 but the width of the pistol is reduced for increased concealability and high carrying comfort. The magazine capacity of the slim 01 magazine of the G48 is 10 rounds. It comes with a silver colored nPVD coated slide with front serrations."
The 43X is also in 9MM and built like the 43 but with a pistol grip made to accommodate a 10 Round magazine rather than the original 6.
Time will tell if the latest from Glock captures the collective attention.
Speaking of Glock, California based ZEV has introduced its first offering in the gun market, and it's called the OZ9.
ZEV is best known for making high-end Glock accessories like slides, triggers and disconnectors as well as offering stippling services to help create a truly custom feel for your store-bought Glock.
With the OZ9, ZEV looks to provide a truly custom gun built around a steel receiver that is currently patent pending.
ZEV says the "solid steel frame runs the length of the entire pistol allowing the locking block to be fully integrated. The extended rails in the steel receiver help provide more than double the surface area of contact to the slide. Additional benefits include channels that clear out debris while also acting as lubricating reservoirs for high friction areas."
The OZ9's reputation will be decided on how well it delivers on its promise to provide flatter shooting with less felt recoil.
If ZEV's overall reputation is allowed to precede it, the OZ9 can be expected to deliver on all counts.
MSRP on the OZ9 = $1,679
YOUR THOUGHTS
We hope this guide is helpful in getting you hyped for what's to come in 2019. We'd love to hear what you think of what's listed hear, or products you've heard are coming that you're excited to see. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
 | About Kris VermillionKris Vermillion is a lifelong shooter who focuses his training on defensive shooting techniques and the shooter's mindset. Kris works for Palmetto State Armory, contributing to both Ecommerce and Marketing. |