The Top 5 Underrated Pistols

Intro and Criteria for Underrated Pistols

The host outlines a personal list of the top five underrated pistols for 2025, emphasizing that it is subjective and limited to models actually used on the range. The focus is on handguns that are reliable yet rarely discussed, rather than the most popular or heavily promoted options. Every pistol on the list has proven dependable enough that it would not be included if reliability were in doubt. Price is considered, but only after reliability. Viewers are encouraged to share their own underrated pistol choices for 2025 in the comments.

No. 5: Arex Delta Gen 2

The fifth spot goes to the Arex Delta Gen 2, described as a very light pistol with a noticeably snappy recoil impulse, though still manageable. Its standout trait is value, with street prices mentioned as under about $250. Made in Slovenia, it is characterized as tough, reliable, and comfortable in the hand. The pistol uses an FCU-style modular fire control unit that can be removed by pushing out pins and installed into different frames. It has a Glock-like trigger with a clear wall and positive reset, along with solid factory sights. The combination of modularity, reliability, and low price is presented as the reason it deserves more attention.

No. 4: Walther PDP F-Series

Number four is the Walther PDP F-Series, compared directly with a standard full-size PDP. The F-Series is noted for excellent ergonomics, a slim grip, and refined slide feel. It is mentioned around a $600 price point, more expensive than the Arex Delta but in a different class. The recoil spring and slide are highlighted as very easy to rack, which has made it popular with female students in training classes. Although the F designation was aimed at female shooters, the host argues that the slimmer grip and overall feel also suit many shooters with smaller hands, regardless of gender, and make it a strong concealed carry option. The pistol is optics-ready, has good sights, and features a crisp trigger with a defined wall and audible reset, yet is rarely discussed compared with other Walther models.

No. 3: Archon Type B Features

The third pistol is the Archon Firearms Type B, visually distinctive and descended from earlier low bore axis striker-fired designs. Its extremely low bore axis is emphasized as a major advantage for recoil control and overall shooting comfort. The pistol is mentioned at roughly $775, positioned as a higher-end but still underappreciated option. It ships with quality factory sights and a modular grip system: sections at the rear of the frame can be removed or added to shift between a more compact and a fuller-size configuration. The magazine release can be reversed by inserting an empty magazine from the opposite side, pressing to access an internal screw, and then swapping the catch to the other side. The Type B has a good trigger shoe, a clean break, and a solid reset. A Type D variant with a more traditional appearance is also referenced for those who prefer a different look.

No. 2: Tisas 1911 and Raider Line

Second place goes to the Tisas Raider, a 1911-style pistol patterned after the Marine Corps Colt M45. Although the Raider itself is not on hand, the discussion uses the Tisas Nightstalker as an example of the company’s metal-framed 1911 offerings. The Nightstalker is a 9mm 1911 platform with a threaded barrel, quality sights, a smooth slide, and a good trigger. Tisas is described as particularly strong in metal guns, including single-stack and double-stack 1911-style pistols, with many models in the roughly $600–$700 range and some M1911 A1 copies around the mid-$200 range online. Concerns that low prices might mean weak internal parts are addressed by noting that Tisas uses milled components rather than metal injection molding and imports high-grade steel from Italy. Their 1911 and 2011-style double-stack pistols are presented as reliable, well-made, and still not discussed as often as they deserve.

Honorable Mention: Ruger RXM Modular Pistol

Before revealing the top pick, the host adds an honorable mention: the Ruger RXM, a modular striker-fired pistol developed in collaboration with Magpul. It is jokingly referred to as a “Glock clone” and compared to a hypothetical Glock Gen 6, but the focus is on its actual features. The RXM uses Glock-pattern magazines, including Magpul PMAGs, and is described as combining Ruger and Magpul reliability. The pistol has its own slide cut pattern to accommodate multiple red dot optics and comes with solid factory sights. The MSRP is mentioned around $499, with some examples reportedly available under $400. The host notes that interest seemed high at launch but has since quieted, and asks viewers whether it is still being discussed or is truly underrated.

No. 1: FN 510 and FN 545 Performance

The top spot is shared by the FN 510 and FN 545. FN as a brand is not portrayed as underrated, but these specific models in 10mm and .45 ACP are. The FN 510, a 10mm striker-fired pistol, is highlighted for shooting much softer than expected. In earlier testing against several other 10mm handguns, it stood out for recoil control, feeling closer to a .40 caliber and in some cases even similar to a 9mm in perceived recoil. The Arex Delta 9mm is used as a reference point, with the FN 510 described as comparable in felt recoil despite the larger caliber. The FN 510 offers 15-round capacity in 10mm, a threaded barrel, optics cut with an optic installed in the example shown, and suppressor-height sights. Its trigger is considered a clear improvement over the FN 509, with a crisp break and positive reset. The FN 545 in .45 ACP is said to mirror these qualities. The FNX-45, a hammer-fired .45, is mentioned as a well-known benchmark, while the 510 and 545 are framed as newer striker-fired alternatives priced just under about $1,000 that deserve more discussion.