As an old guy, I REALLY like what is out there. Choices. When I got into handguns in a big way it was 1978. Not a lot of choices. Today? Night vs day and getting better. Seriously, if you cannot find quality, reliability to suit you, just look around. There is a new one all the time. I hope 2025 is your year to find the "just right" carry gun for you, if you do not already have it right now. Happy New Year to everyone here and stay safe in 2025.
Thank you for all the honest reviews over the last year the high light of last year always helped me make a good decision about a purchase and have not been disappointed with a decision thanks to you and your daughter with out the great camera work and keeping you in line it wouldn’t be possible god bless you and your family and friends and please keep us updated on all the new things out there
I own both a SA Hellcat Pro and Echelon and love them both. I have put roughly 1,500 rounds thru my HCP and I couldn’t be more happy with the feel and ability of this gun inside 25 yards. I added a Talon Grip pro grip to fill in my larger hands and it improved the feel even more. I just picked up my echelon post Christmas and have about 150 rounds thru it so far. I am upgrading to the larger grip module. With a viridian Rfx-15 I am able to get 1.5” groups at around 50 yards. The balance is incredible and ambi features straight out of the box as a lefty means the world to me. I had to get used to the trigger but once you figure that out the gun is incredible.
The bodyguard 2.0 is a great offering from S&W. I've had comparable in size 380 pistols that were too snappy to shoot. This new bodyguard is a crazy flat shooting gun with that high cut grip. It's became my favorite edc/deep concealment gun. My fiancé loves it as well.
Happy New Year sootch00 family and all fellow enthusiasts! Here's to another year of safe shooting, exciting content, and growing this amazing community. Keep your aim steady and your spirits high in 2025!
I usually only cc da/sa guns but the manual safety on mine is so positive that I am comfortable cc with one in the chamber. Btw- Walther made a sa/da striker fired gun that you can decock it to put it in da mode- was called the p99
I broke my rule twice: Sig 356 and M&P 9c 2.0 (4" barrel) both new additions to the Commiefornia roster. The 365 was underwhelming in is factory configuration BUT the M&P, dear God that thing is impressive. The trigger is great and the texture is aggressive without being rough. It's a straight shooter, I highly recommend it.
Great Top 10 , There ALL Great 👍❤ #8 Kimber Beautiful ❤, the little Beretta's Beautiful, Love My 92 XI SAO VIETNAM CAMO, & 84-BB . The Echelon 4.0 AWESOME 👍 , BULL ARMORY EXCELLENT 👍 . 2024 Turned out some great equipment ❤ Thank you so much Sootch00 ❤ your the best Buddy ❤
I have owned every generation of the LCP as far as size goes it’s perfect. The down sides are it takes a lot of practice to shoot well enough, it’s snappy when the max version came out thought it’s as good as a pocket 380 can be…. Then Smith and Wesson made the Bodyguard 2.0 wow it set the bar as far as pocket 380s go. And it works well in my DeSantis pocket holster I carried me LCP in.
Big Dog Sootch always great when you drop another list or review of the great firearms available today.I,'m looking for subcompact to keep under 7 in as I have full size canik.I am hitting all the gun shows in Tucson handling all my choices then renting each one at Diamondback indoor range to get the best for me. Price, quality, accuracy and dependable all important to purchase.Thank you as I trust all your range and table talks. With so many you tube reviewers out here I put alot of faith in your honest opinions thanks again happy safe new year.We are all happy with MAGA back in Whitehouse Tim Perry
I have a 1000 rds thru the Bodyguard 2.0...just a amazing feat of engineering. Zero issues period. Tons of fun. Love my SW Compact 9 but this BG 2 takes the cake.
My top three choices on this list are: M&P Shield Body guard 2.0, Canik TTI combat and the Springfield Echelon compact. Those are on my need to have list.
You did some great reviews for 2024, so I am very disappointed that all the firearms that made YOUR list were not worthy of your list. The get home firearm or pistol could have been left off and replaced with the Grand Power P-1 or Q1 mk23 edition which improved upon the rotating barrel breach design, making the whole series easier to disassemble and reassemble as well as improving the accuracy of a design that was already more accurate than 90% of the pistols on your list? You tested both the Mk-12 and the Mk-23 Grand Power P-1 and the Q-1, yet you did not stand behind your evaluation, done earlier in the year 2024! Why not ?
Tell ya what I’m very impressed with the TISAS 1911s! Kinda bought it as. A joke but it’s far from that! Better quality then many 1911s for 3x the price. Wilson combat mags and she feeds HST and Gold Dot. The fit and finish is unbelievable! 2025 after my experiences I’ll be staying away from PSA…unfortunate but their QC is horrible and a headache
Thanks for the video and your opinion. Glad that you put the sw bodyguard 2.0 on your list. Love my lcp max but the sw feels more refined and the option of a thumb safety was a home run . Two Kimber on the list, I have no problem with that but maybe the aos springfield 1911’s could have replaced one??
Nice video and you had a nice variety of pistols and calibers. Hopefully beretta fixed the cracked frame problem on the Tomcats (my old one had it and beretta said they wouldn’t fix it so I got rid if it). Does it still come with ammo restrictions?
Stoeger STR-9F. Just paid $250 plus costs from PSA. This, and there is a $75 rebate from Stoeger. In my hand, haven't fired it yet, feels like a pistol at least double that price.
@@jebstuart3 What models in particular? Only Taurus I have is the PT99AF, and I've heard that only that (as well as the PT92, same thing really) and the PT1911 are Tauruses worth owning
Happy New Year to you. I’m sure we will see many more great reviews in 2025. By the way, I had to add the new Ruger RXM to my collection. What a great pistol it is.
I got the Walther p99 final addition this year and I love it. I had the sw9 version when I was a cop but I sold it ahhhhhhh. Depends on what I’m wearing it’s that or the first gen bodyguard
On the Springfield Echelon....say if I wanted to Buy The New 4.5 Compensated Echelon, can you buy the New Compact Frame and then have a Compact and Compensated Echelon???
For the overall win in that list - and Sootch I know your preference is for concealability, the iconic, superb quality , WALTHER PP gets my vote. Happy New Year 🎆💥🎯🇺🇸⚖️🗽✌️ ps, my second choice of this group would be the Kimber CD 9. Very elegant .
I didn't do much in terms of handgun acquisition in 2024. All I did was trade a Sig SP2022 for a Glock 47. Nothing wrong with the SP2022 but the Glock has more features and capabilities. In spite of it being a full sized handgun, I still use it as my EDC. I'm 6'4" so I can generally carry full sized handguns with little trouble.
there are only a few guntubers i watch..... ill say 5 main ones..... sootch is one of them..... the bodyguard 2.0 has been my go to pocket pistol since i bought it..... the way it shoots does not feel like a very small pocket firearm..... it shoots like a bigger gun which is great and feels great in my hand..... and of course 380 makes the recoil nonexistent
genuinely not sure I understood.. ain't the CDS9 a Browning barrel mechanism? Doesn't that make it a major enough difference to define it other than a 1911\2011 style?
Thank you and Happy New years 🎉 Anytime I watch your videos. You are quite the salesman. I always have said you should’ve sold cars and that’s going back years ago. I recently had the chance to hold a 380 bodyguard in my hand from Smith the one you are referring to .. I’ve always said why would you have a 380 if you can have a 9 ? After holding it, I realized , what a fantastic little gun to ensure I always have something on me, size wise . It fit in my pocket as good as a small wallet or less would.. talk myself out of it again because it’s 380 , and once again, watched your video and ended up buying it .. I’m familiar enough with guns that even a 380 even a 22 is better than no gun at all .
Love the Tomcat. Only gripe is that there is no extractor. When you need it most Murphy will strike. It would be great if beretta would offer that as an option, no tip up barrel & an extractor. 2ndly, could you do a review of the LCR in 327?
I really wanted to love the Bodyguard 2. It's a great gun, when it works. I've had several issues with mine. 1) The recoil spring would unseat itself at the barrel end and you have to ensure the tip of the spring is seated below the flange. Otherwise, it's impossible to reassemble the firearm. 2) The magazine, particularly the 12 round magazine, has too much material at the bottom portion of the chaser, making it difficult to load past the 3rd round. You can fix this by taking a nail clipper and clipping off the extra material. 3) Finally, the most problematic is the feed ramp. The rounds are inconsistently chambered and often get stuck half-way in the chamber. You can tap the upper receiver to fully seat the round. The "two part" feed ramp is an issue and I"m disappointed with S&W's quality control with the Bodyguard 2. Ultimately, I had to send my Bodyguard 2 back to S&W and waiting to get it back in my hands. Once again, when it works, it's a great gun and love the ergonomics and will be perfect for pocket carry or deep conceal carry. If your Bodyguard 2 is working without an issue, you're lucky. Thanks for your reviews Sootch and happy new year!
I have a Walther PP i bought from a retired cop when i was a DA in 1980. Says “Made in West Germany” - never had a malfunction in all those years, BTW, the decocker is a safety as well.
OUTSTANDING video!!! 🫵🏻🇺🇸
Sootch thanks for the great videos. Happy New year
Best 2024 list ive seen so far
Thanks for all you do happy new year buddy really like your videos
As an old guy, I REALLY like what is out there. Choices. When I got into handguns in a big way it was 1978. Not a lot of choices. Today? Night vs day and getting better. Seriously, if you cannot find quality, reliability to suit you, just look around. There is a new one all the time. I hope 2025 is your year to find the "just right" carry gun for you, if you do not already have it right now. Happy New Year to everyone here and stay safe in 2025.
Well said! I think the day of seeing optics ready, as an option, is over. I wouldn’t be surprised if all new models are optics ready!
@@robertoleme3173 The market is giving in to it, and starting to add it. Even Glock is giving in.
Thank you for all the honest reviews over the last year the high light of last year always helped me make a good decision about a purchase and have not been disappointed with a decision thanks to you and your daughter with out the great camera work and keeping you in line it wouldn’t be possible god bless you and your family and friends and please keep us updated on all the new things out there
Happy new year, Sootch! Thanks for your outstanding videos and greetings from Germany!
I purchased a walther pdp in 2024. 7000 or so rounds through it. Love it.
I have an original release of PDP (5”) and it’s my most favorite gun. That new Echelon comp may dethrone it though 😂
@@AndrewFloridaManall the more reason to get a PDP pro lol
Outstanding video. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year, Sootch. Keep up the good work.
CZ for Life 🤘🎉
Happy New Year Mr Sootch
Happy New Year Sootch! Bodyguard 2.0 is one of my all time favorite of 2024 as well
That Bodyguard 2.0👊👊👊
@ it’s so good
It’s shoots well for such a little thing
It is the pistol of the year.
If we’re talking introduced in 24…. HK CC9…. Or the new HK VP9K A1. Not much else moved the needle for me!
Enjoyed totally, thank you safe and happy new year .
Happy New Year Sir!!!
Been rocking w/ you for years for the no non sense reviews and straight upTX no bs basic break downs of what your shooting! HNY Scootch!
New Ruger is great❤!
I own both a SA Hellcat Pro and Echelon and love them both. I have put roughly 1,500 rounds thru my HCP and I couldn’t be more happy with the feel and ability of this gun inside 25 yards. I added a Talon Grip pro grip to fill in my larger hands and it improved the feel even more. I just picked up my echelon post Christmas and have about 150 rounds thru it so far. I am upgrading to the larger grip module. With a viridian Rfx-15 I am able to get 1.5” groups at around 50 yards. The balance is incredible and ambi features straight out of the box as a lefty means the world to me. I had to get used to the trigger but once you figure that out the gun is incredible.
The bodyguard 2.0 is a great offering from S&W. I've had comparable in size 380 pistols that were too snappy to shoot. This new bodyguard is a crazy flat shooting gun with that high cut grip. It's became my favorite edc/deep concealment gun. My fiancé loves it as well.
Great work!
Happy new year, sootch.
Love Beretta and Ruger! Great video 👍
Really enjoyed the reviews, keep up the good work. Really liking that new Bodyguard.
Great video . Glad to see the TTI getting some love .
I had high hopes for the TTI and enjoyed mine until I had issues as many others did. Ended up dumping it and went to the Staccato.
Thanks Sootch! So cool and great choices! Looking forward to 2025.
Just love your reviews Sootch. Looking forward to your 2025 reviews.
Just happy to watch 😊
Happy New Year sootch00 family and all fellow enthusiasts! Here's to another year of safe shooting, exciting content, and growing this amazing community. Keep your aim steady and your spirits high in 2025!
Thanks for the great video. The Sheild Plus Performance Center is my everyday carry and I absolutely love that handgun.
Bul Armory keeps finding its way into this TOP lists videos, and I have watched about 20 of them, take that for what it is worth.
I can't decide ,oh well just buy em all.
"If" I ever broke My Own Rule of, (No Striker-Fired Pistol), it would be the S&W Bodyguard 2.0
I usually only cc da/sa guns but the manual safety on mine is so positive that I am comfortable cc with one in the chamber.
Btw- Walther made a sa/da striker fired gun that you can decock it to put it in da mode- was called the p99
I broke my rule twice: Sig 356 and M&P 9c 2.0 (4" barrel) both new additions to the Commiefornia roster. The 365 was underwhelming in is factory configuration BUT the M&P, dear God that thing is impressive. The trigger is great and the texture is aggressive without being rough. It's a straight shooter, I highly recommend it.
Thanks Sootch!!! Love your videos!!! Especially the bloopers 😂 God bless and Happy New Year 🎆
Great Top 10 , There ALL Great 👍❤ #8 Kimber Beautiful ❤, the little Beretta's Beautiful, Love My 92 XI SAO VIETNAM CAMO, & 84-BB . The Echelon 4.0 AWESOME 👍 , BULL ARMORY EXCELLENT 👍 . 2024 Turned out some great equipment ❤ Thank you so much Sootch00 ❤ your the best Buddy ❤
I have owned every generation of the LCP as far as size goes it’s perfect. The down sides are it takes a lot of practice to shoot well enough, it’s snappy when the max version came out thought it’s as good as a pocket 380 can be…. Then Smith and Wesson made the Bodyguard 2.0 wow it set the bar as far as pocket 380s go. And it works well in my DeSantis pocket holster I carried me LCP in.
💪🇺🇸💪 Happy New Year
Which do you prefer, Echelon Compact or Ruger RXM?
Big Dog Sootch always great when you drop another list or review of the great firearms available today.I,'m looking for subcompact to keep under 7 in as I have full size canik.I am hitting all the gun shows in Tucson handling all my choices then renting each one at Diamondback indoor range to get the best for me. Price, quality, accuracy and dependable all important to purchase.Thank you as I trust all your range and table talks. With so many you tube reviewers out here I put alot of faith in your honest opinions thanks again happy safe new year.We are all happy with MAGA back in Whitehouse Tim Perry
Great review!
Looking hard at the BG2 as my first handgun.
I have a 1000 rds thru the Bodyguard 2.0...just a amazing feat of engineering. Zero issues period. Tons of fun. Love my SW Compact 9 but this BG 2 takes the cake.
Great video nice gun my favorite I'd ruger magpul rxm thanks for sharing sootch00
My top three choices on this list are: M&P Shield Body guard 2.0, Canik TTI combat and the Springfield Echelon compact. Those are on my need to have list.
Bought the original Echelon and the TTI this year. Both are awesome guns. Next gun will be my first foray into 10mm
Sootch I started watching you as a kid when I was 11. Finally got back into shooting and at 25 I am happy to be back!
Same here.
You did some great reviews for 2024, so I am very disappointed that all the firearms that made YOUR list were not worthy of your list.
The get home firearm or pistol could have been left off and replaced with the Grand Power P-1 or Q1 mk23 edition which improved upon the rotating barrel breach design, making the whole series easier to disassemble and reassemble as well as improving the accuracy of a design that was already more accurate than 90% of the pistols on your list? You tested both the Mk-12 and the Mk-23 Grand Power P-1 and the Q-1, yet you did not stand behind your evaluation, done earlier in the year 2024! Why not ?
Great video! I don't like the extra long magazine in the Kimber. Happy New Year!
Tell ya what I’m very impressed with the TISAS 1911s! Kinda bought it as. A joke but it’s far from that! Better quality then many 1911s for 3x the price. Wilson combat mags and she feeds HST and Gold Dot. The fit and finish is unbelievable! 2025 after my experiences I’ll be staying away from PSA…unfortunate but their QC is horrible and a headache
I agree I handled a Tissas the other day and it was a great buy at 499 beans
Good luck
@ k
Please let me know the exact model of the bull Armory Gun that you showed on this video?
If you can, please provide a link to it.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the video and your opinion. Glad that you put the sw bodyguard 2.0 on your list. Love my lcp max but the sw feels more refined and the option of a thumb safety was a home run . Two Kimber on the list, I have no problem with that but maybe the aos springfield 1911’s could have replaced one??
We doubt about a really nice selection guns. Good video.
Hey Sootch happy new year and God bless. I'd love to hear a top 5 favorite long gun and shotgun list. Thanks!!
Nice video and you had a nice variety of pistols and calibers. Hopefully beretta fixed the cracked frame problem on the Tomcats (my old one had it and beretta said they wouldn’t fix it so I got rid if it). Does it still come with ammo restrictions?
You need to fit a wrist-check into your videos. Love the watch selections.
This pp is Perfect for a gift . I got but Manurhin from 60s
Stoeger STR-9F. Just paid $250 plus costs from PSA. This, and there is a $75 rebate from Stoeger.
In my hand, haven't fired it yet, feels like a pistol at least double that price.
Shoutout sir idol. From 🇵🇭
I'm surprised the Ruger didn't come with the optional thumb safety. Like a majority of there other hand guns have
Where hand guns?
A great way to kick off 2025
Cool list!
Mighty fine choices there, Sootch. Something for just about anyone.
This small S&W looks great❤.
Happy new year 🎉
I can't believe TAURUS didn't make the list anywhere. TAURUS has done really, REALLY well lately.
@@jebstuart3 What models in particular? Only Taurus I have is the PT99AF, and I've heard that only that (as well as the PT92, same thing really) and the PT1911 are Tauruses worth owning
I've got an Echelon Comp on the way. Love your reviews...
Feliz año nuevo y viva mexico🔥🫡
Happy New Year to you. I’m sure we will see many more great reviews in 2025. By the way, I had to add the new Ruger RXM to my collection. What a great pistol it is.
Kimber has come a long ways!!!
What happens when move from NY to Troy, Al.
I got the Walther p99 final addition this year and I love it. I had the sw9 version when I was a cop but I sold it ahhhhhhh. Depends on what I’m wearing it’s that or the first gen bodyguard
Quick Question... do you need a booster for the can on that 32?
On the Springfield Echelon....say if I wanted to Buy The New 4.5 Compensated Echelon, can you buy the New Compact Frame and then have a Compact and Compensated Echelon???
Happy New Year, blessings in 2025, and Love the videos!
My Glock and Ruger p95 are 2 gun's I'll never get rid of
I missed the release of that lil DS Kimber. I really like that. Cheaper than I expected too.
Nice reviews. I love my 92XI. And I'm going to order the echelon compact from my LGS tomorrow. How does it shoot compared to the PDP?
I'm glad your PP made the list.
A classic never gets old.
My PP is strong
❤ love your videos are excellent CANIK METE & SF & SFT & MC9 & TTI ❤
For the overall win in that list - and Sootch I know your preference is for concealability, the iconic, superb quality , WALTHER PP gets my vote.
Happy New Year 🎆💥🎯🇺🇸⚖️🗽✌️
ps, my second choice of this group would be the Kimber CD 9. Very elegant .
I didn't do much in terms of handgun acquisition in 2024. All I did was trade a Sig SP2022 for a Glock 47. Nothing wrong with the SP2022 but the Glock has more features and capabilities. In spite of it being a full sized handgun, I still use it as my EDC. I'm 6'4" so I can generally carry full sized handguns with little trouble.
Sootch you’re quickly coming to the point of your ability to spend my money quicker than Cindy. Great reviews bud!
what's going on with Kimber lately?? so many beautiful new pieces
SOOTCH, Will you be reviewing the new HK CC9 in the near future?
Some of those top 10 are $$$$. I wish I had your deep pockets. YT must pay well.
Would love to see a full video on your Watch collection ⌚
Or maybe a purse collection...
Stop it.
Completely agree...would like to see his collection
there are only a few guntubers i watch..... ill say 5 main ones..... sootch is one of them..... the bodyguard 2.0 has been my go to pocket pistol since i bought it..... the way it shoots does not feel like a very small pocket firearm..... it shoots like a bigger gun which is great and feels great in my hand..... and of course 380 makes the recoil nonexistent
All good choices for different uses. The best of times. Not a wheel gun in sight.
Congratulations from Brazil
genuinely not sure I understood.. ain't the CDS9 a Browning barrel mechanism? Doesn't that make it a major enough difference to define it other than a 1911\2011 style?
Don,if they had made the Tomcat in the 30 Super Carry, something that might have put both on the map
Nice video, but the Model PP was never previously made in the US.
Thank you and Happy New years 🎉 Anytime I watch your videos. You are quite the salesman. I always have said you should’ve sold cars and that’s going back years ago.
I recently had the chance to hold a 380 bodyguard in my hand from Smith the one you are referring to .. I’ve always said why would you have a 380 if you can have a 9 ?
After holding it, I realized , what a fantastic little gun to ensure I always have something on me, size wise . It fit in my pocket as good as a small wallet or less would..
talk myself out of it again because it’s 380 , and once again, watched your video and ended up buying it .. I’m familiar enough with guns that even a 380 even a 22 is better than no gun at all .
Love the Tomcat. Only gripe is that there is no extractor. When you need it most Murphy will strike. It would be great if beretta would offer that as an option, no tip up barrel & an extractor.
2ndly, could you do a review of the LCR in 327?
1. S&W Bodyguard 2.0
2. Ruger RXM
3. Walther PP
4. Kimber 2k11
5. Beretta Tomcat 30X
6. Canik TTI Combat
7. Bul Armory SASII EDC
8. Kimber CDS9
9. Beretta 92X1 SAO
10. Springfield Armory Echelon Compact
If you like that Walther PP, check out the Bersa Thunder, and save yourself a lot of $$!
That's what I did and I fullheartedly recommend it. I got it for $185 used and really can't go wrong for that price.
Echelon on top!
Happy New Year Sootch, Please review the Stance XR and the Taurus Gx2. Thanks Dwight
What hearing protection are you using? I need something like those.
Walther PDP steel frame has to be on here
I really wanted to love the Bodyguard 2. It's a great gun, when it works. I've had several issues with mine. 1) The recoil spring would unseat itself at the barrel end and you have to ensure the tip of the spring is seated below the flange. Otherwise, it's impossible to reassemble the firearm. 2) The magazine, particularly the 12 round magazine, has too much material at the bottom portion of the chaser, making it difficult to load past the 3rd round. You can fix this by taking a nail clipper and clipping off the extra material. 3) Finally, the most problematic is the feed ramp. The rounds are inconsistently chambered and often get stuck half-way in the chamber. You can tap the upper receiver to fully seat the round. The "two part" feed ramp is an issue and I"m disappointed with S&W's quality control with the Bodyguard 2. Ultimately, I had to send my Bodyguard 2 back to S&W and waiting to get it back in my hands. Once again, when it works, it's a great gun and love the ergonomics and will be perfect for pocket carry or deep conceal carry. If your Bodyguard 2 is working without an issue, you're lucky. Thanks for your reviews Sootch and happy new year!
Nice job Sootch 😎👍
I have a Walther PP i bought from a retired cop when i was a DA in 1980. Says “Made in West Germany” - never had a malfunction in all those years, BTW, the decocker is a safety as well.
1. S&W Bodyguard 2.0
2. Ruger RXM
3. Walther PP
4. Kimber 2k11
5. Beretta Tomcat 30X
6. Canik TTI Combat
7. Bul Armory SASII EDC
8. Kimber CDS9
9. Beretta 92 X1 SAO
10. Springfield Armory Echelon Compact
That Kimber looks SUH-WEEET 😍😍