Smith & Wesson 9mm – The best-selling handgun at Charlottesville’s Mountain River Outdoors Inc., the Smith & Wesson 9mm is marketed as the perfect sidearm for law-enforcement types or civilians interested in personal protection. The 5606TSW model’s clip holds 10 rounds, plus one in the chamber. (Suggested retail: $995)
Smith & Wesson 9mm
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Sig Sauer P220 Compact – This Swiss semi-auto only holds six rounds in the clip, but it’s a .45-caliber pistol with considerably more stopping power. It’s also a longer gun than 9mm handguns coming in at just under eight inches. It’s marketed as the perfect gun to carry concealed, due to its slim profile and short slide. The P220 was originally developed for the Swiss Army; the compact version was developed to address the P220’s fuller frame, which made it difficult to conceal. (Suggested retail: $920)
Desert Eagle Pistol – If you’ve watched a movie in which more than two vehicles exploded, you’ve probably seen the Isreali-made Desert Eagle. Its dramatic size (the standard barrel is 6 inches, but also available in 8, 10 and 14 inches) makes it a Hollywood favorite, though it’s rarely used in tactical combat by professionals because the damn thing is just so big. Not to mention powerful—it fires a .50-caliber bullet. (Suggested retail: $1,369)
Glock 19
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Glock 19 – Easily recognized by its square-shaped frame around the barrel, the Glock 19 can be found on the hips of security personnel around the world. Just shy of 30 ounces when loaded, this gun comes with a standard magazine that holds 15 rounds. It’s the pistol made famous by the Notorious B.I.G. song “Every Struggle,” in which he rhymes “Packed up my tools for my raw power moves / Glock 19 for casket and flower moves.” The song follows the speaker as he heads south where he discovers fertile ground for drug dealing. (Suggested retail: $511)
Ruger P95 – This 9mm pistol is designed for military, police and civilian self defense. The 27-ounce handgun has a 10-round capacity and is considered to be rugged and reliable despite its relatively light weight. This is thanks in part to its design. Its polymer frame shaved about 4 ounces off earlier models. (Suggested retail: $480)
