Every recommendation on this site follows the same process. This page explains it so you can judge our work.
1. Specifications from the source
Dimensions, weights, capacities and prices come from each manufacturer’s own product page or spec sheet. We record the date we checked them and link the source on every gun card. When a maker’s own pages disagree (it happens), we note the discrepancy. Glock does not publish MSRPs, so for Glock we show a typical retail price and label it.
2. Selection criteria
- Reliability record — time on the market, recalls and safety notices
- Concealability — width, height, length and weight
- Capacity — flush and extended magazines
- Shootability — grip length, sight radius, trigger, slide effort
- Support — holsters, magazines, sights and parts
- Price and availability in the U.S.
3. Independent cross-checks
We compare our shortlist against established independent reviews, instructor recommendations and long-running owner discussions, looking for consistent praise or consistent problems — not single anecdotes.
4. Hands-on testing
When our author completes range sessions with a gun, we add a clearly labeled “Hands-on notes” section with the date, round count and conditions. If a page has no such section, its recommendations are based on the research above, not on our own shooting — and we say so.
5. Updates
We re-check specifications, prices, recalls and availability at least every quarter and whenever a major model changes. Each guide shows its last-updated date and an update log.
Original graphics and photos
Charts, spec cards and size diagrams are created by us from manufacturer data. Product photos are either our own or used under Creative Commons licenses with credit — see image credits.