BRG USA BRG 9 Elite Gen 2
- Graham Baates
- May 3
- 5 min read
*Some of the external links found on this website are affiliate links. Those links use cookies to generate revenue and fund continuation of this website. By clicking an external link you are consenting to a temporary cookie, by purchasing from that link you are supporting this website. To opt out of cookies do not click external links.
In 2022 we took a look at the original BRG 9 Elite and were generally impressed. Robustly built based on the familiar Croatian deisgn (known in the US as the Springfield XD line). YouTube has unfortunately deleted the original videos, but Bergu Metal (BRG) didn't simply clone the original design, they enhanced it by using stronger steel and beefing up critical areas. This turned the already trusted and reliable HS Produkt design into a dauntless beast of a service pistol, but the aesthetics and feature set did not match current US market trends and so despite the value the pistol didn't go very far.
At either SHOT 2023 or 2024 (I forget) the previous US importer showed off a Generation 2 of the BRG 9 Elite and even let a few of us shoot it. The traction was greatly enhanced, slide slightly redesigned, and most importantly for the US market it was red-dot ready. Now, in 2025 we finally have it thanks to Blue Wolf Arms.
What Is It? The BRG9 Elite Gen 2 is a duty-grade pistol with above average capacity, but a barrel length appropriate for carry. The design is based on the wildly-successful HS Produkt HS2000 platform (sold in the US as the Springfield XD), but incorporates enhancements and updates.
Who's It For? Conventional wisdom would say a 4" 9mm is a carry gun, but the 18-round capacity is more than some "duty" guns and makes for a long stock to conceal. At first I took this as a miss in design, but later realized that I think the market taste for barrel length has evolved. Those coming from 5" (the minimum barrel length for proper performance of the caliber with conventional ammunition) 45acp decades ago felt better with 4.5" or 4.25" 9mm. Barrels were longer, and before the red-dot addiction the extra sight radius helped too. However most 9mm ammunition is loaded for a 4" barrel, so the extra barrel, while providing more velocity, isn't needed. So maybe a 4" 9mm "duty" pistol makes sense.
Tangent over, I could see this as a great range, house, or pack gun. It's going to last, has plenty of capacity, but might be a bit long-stocked for carry.
Take a Look at the BRG 9 Elite Gen 2 in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link
Specifications and Contents
General Features:
Ambidextrous slide and magazine releases
Ergonomic grip with aggressive serrations
Forged steel barrel and slide
Hl-visibility sights with a rear optic cut(4 different removable mounting plates)
Safety indicators / loaded chamber & charged striker
Firing pin block, trigger safety and grip safety
3 size changeable back straps
Durable advanced polymer frame with accessory rail
No Trigger Pull Necessary [While] Disassembling (Patented design)
Bag contents:
BRG9 Elite Gen2 pistols come with a plastic hard case, 2x (18+1)
magazines, 3 size changeable back straps, a speed loader, a
cleaning kit, and an user’s manual.
Caliber: 9x19 mm
Magazine: capacity 18
Height: 6.1"
Width: 1.38"
Length: 7.28
Barrel Length: 4.09"
Weight without magazine: 25.9oz
Retail Price: $425.99 direct from Blue Wolf Arms
Already familiar with the BRG9 Elite, it was time to see how the Gen 2 model did in the standard GBGuns range protocol consisting of:
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinnerâ„¢: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
100gr Fiocchi Frangible $35.29 / 50 at Optics Planet
115gr Hornady American Gunner JHP $18.99 / 20 at Bud's Gun Shop
115gr Specialty Cartridge Elite Defense From Atlanta Arms (unavailable)
124gr Federal HST $25.99 / 20 from KYGunCo
124gr Sig Elite Defense $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr PMC SFX $22.07 / 50 at Target Sports USA
130gr Federal Syntech PCC $29.99 / 50 direct from Federal
135gr+p Hornady Critical Duty $30.49 / 25 at Optics Planet
147gr Fiocchi Defense Dynamics $20.36 / 50 at Global Ordnance
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $30.69 / 50 at Ammunition Depot
Standard range ammunition was PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ $249.99 / 1000 at True Shot
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See the process yourself from my very first shot as I explore the BRG9 Elite Gen 2 in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
Ammunition seen in Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
On the range the BRG9 Elite Gen2 was very comfrotable to shoot. Soft-recoiling and plenty of traction, this is a great gun to spend a day on the range with. All of the shooting felt like it was on easy mode. I believe that comes from the two-stage recoil assembly, heft in the frame, and excellent traction.
I realize this pistol is a bit longer in the grip and wider than many seek for concealed carry, but as a general-use handgun I can't see a reason why anyone wouldn't enjoy the BRG9 Elite Gen 2. The original was a good gun, this updated model is even better. With an optic on it I could also see this pistol serving well to teach new shooters.
