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As the year wraps up we've got a good chance to take a look back at the best of 2024. The problem is, what makes something the best? I've decided this year to give you three lists:
Reader's Choice: The most read articles of 2024
Most Popular on YouTube*
Graham's Favorites
All three lists are different. The differntiation is an interesting one as we can only begin to theorize why the lists are different. In the case of difference between readers and viewers, is the YouTube algorithm's fault? Is there a difference between those who seek a video for research versus those who want to read for research? Are GBGuns Depot readers those who understand there is often more depth and retrospection in the article that the videos do not show as they are filmed unscripted?
Take a look at the lists below and let us know which were your favorites and if you bought or tried any of the guns GBGuns reviewed in 2024.
Each firearm is linked to the complete review for your convenience.
Descriptions duplicated for firearms appearing on more than one list.
2024 GBGuns Depot Reader's Choice Top 5
While we don't always rank in Google search results, there are sometimes waves of readers when articles are shared on Reddit and other forums. Also, as our long-time supports know, it is not uncommon for GBGuns to be the first source of 3rd-party review for a firearm excluding "influencer" advertisements. Ranked by read count as of 13DEC24.
Rock Island / Derya Arms DY9 A surprisingly affordable double import (made in Turkiye, imported to the US by Rock Island of the Philipines), this Glock-based gun was initially available under $200. The fiber optic sights are huge, and trigger a bit on the heavy side, but that combination also lead to the some of the best performance in my Glock Multiverse comparison series as the sights were undeniable and I could really hammer on the trigger.
Prices around the web as of date original article was written.
Click links for current pricing:
Canik TTI Combat This comes as no surprise as the Canik fanbase has grown from the early days of being mocked as an inexpensive Walther-based design to Canik's current standing as an established and respected brand among both everyday and competition shooters. Along with texture upgrades over other Canik models, the TTI Combat uses a ported barrel and muzzle weight to make for a flatter-shooting experience. Initial demand was so high for this pistol that for months it sold well above MSRP. See the Canik Guide HERE.
Pricing as of original article, click links for current pricing
Walther PDP Match Polymer Walther's "TEQ" of Trigger, Ergonomics, and Quality is world-renowned, and their competition models are indeed sweet to shoot. The PDP Match Polymer offering lowers the price with the use of a regular PDP polymer frame instead of CNCd steel.
Prices as of original article date.
Click links for current pricing
Rock Island / Derya Arms Melik As a veteran who remembers abused Beretta 92 M9 pistols I had to fight an unwarranted negative opinion about the platform. I've reviewed other Turkish clones and found them to be acceptable, but the Derya Arms Melik imported by Rock Island is a nice pistol out of the box. I did have one roll pin walk a little, but drove it right back in with a hammer and punch.
Prices Around the Web as of original article date.
Click links to check current pricing
Including other trims, from $315.99 at Bud's Gun Shop
Including other trims, from $324.80 at Firearms Depot
Including other trims, from $309.99 at GrabaGun
Base model $411.99 at Guns.com
Sig P365 FUSE I believe the P365 FUSE represents what many were waiting for; the slimness of the "micro compact" but the proper barrel length for defensive ammunition to perform and a grip long enough for the entire hand. Barrel length and capacity make the P365 FUSE sound like a "duty gun" or "full size" but the slimness and low weight make it a great carry option.
Pricing as of original article date
Click links for current pricing
Price w/o optic:
Price w/ optic:
2024 GBGuns YouTube Viewer Top 5*
This list is skewed partially by the unpredictable nature of YouTube's algorithm. We know that even subscribers who click the notification bell aren't always notified or even able to find videos (one of the reasons this website was created). The "*" is because YouTube's recent attack on journalism deleted 60 videos from the channel, some of which were popular videos of 2024. The list had to be made of the surviving videos. I have made a reconcentrated effort on Rumble and will likely pull these numbers from there in 2025. Ranked by view count
Franklin Armory G-S173 After long being a critic of binary triggers the G-S173 from Franklin Armory changed my mind. In the right hands, and with practice, this is a very controllable setup to permit rapid ventilation of threats. Many viewers gaffed at the the price, but seem to not consider the development time as well as production of a complex trigger mechanism as well as the slide to interact with it.
Beretta APX A1 Compact Tabletop The only Beretta on the channel to date proved to be an excellent performer. While the size combination is not my personal idea, the pistol is excellent. We hope to review other sizes of this platform and that the aftermarket will support this very affordable and excellent pistol.
Sig P365 FUSE Tabletop I believe the P365 FUSE represents what many were waiting for; the slimness of the "micro compact" but the proper barrel length for defensive ammunition to perform and a grip long enough for the entire hand. Barrel length and capacity make the P365 FUSE sound like a "duty gun" or "full size" but the slimness and low weight make it a great carry option.
Pricing as of original article date
Click links for current pricing
Price w/o optic:
Price w/ optic:
Derya Arms Melik Shooting Impressions As a veteran who remembers abused Beretta 92 M9 pistols I have to fight an unwarranted negative opinion about the platform. I've reviewed other Turkish clones and found them to be acceptable, but the Derya Arms Melik imported by Rock Island is a nice pistol out of the box. I did have one roll pin walk a little, but drove it right back in with a hammer and punch.
Prices Around the Web as of original article date.
Click links to check current pricing
Including other trims, from $315.99 at Bud's Gun Shop
Including other trims, from $324.80 at Firearms Depot
Including other trims, from $309.99 at GrabaGun
Base model $411.99 at Guns.com
Derya Arms DY9 Tabletop A surprisingly affordable double import (made in Turkiye, imported to the US by Rock Island of the Philipines), this Glock-based gun was initially available under $200. The fiber optic sights are huge, and trigger a bit on the heavy side, but that combination also lead to the some of the best performance in my Glock Multiverse comparison series as the sights were undeniable and I could really hammer on the trigger.
Prices around the web as of date original article was written.
Click links for current pricing:
2024 Graham's Picks
Reviewing roughly 50 firearms per year for almost a decade plus all the firearms I'm afforded to try at events makes this list ever-more difficult to create. I wasn't able to narrow it down to just five, and they each impressed me in a different way based on my own personal journey in the shooting world and of course my own personal interest. This list is alphabetized and not in any order of preference as each firearm impressed me differently.
Beretta APX A1 Compact he only Beretta on the channel to date proved to be an excellent performer. While the size combination is not my personal idea, the pistol is excellent. We hope to review other sizes of this platform and that the aftermarket will support this very affordable and excellent pistol.
BUL Armory TAC BUL Armory has continued to impress me model after model. The EDC and Ultralight have become my winter and summer carry options for their stellar performance and capacities. The TAC model's steel frame and full-length dust cover adds a bit of weight to make this a very easy shooter and the closest I've come to experiencing on of BUL Armory's competition models. It might be heavier than I want to carry, but for a range session it's pure smiles.
Derya Arms Melik As a veteran who remembers abused Beretta 92 M9 pistols I have to fight an unwarranted negative opinion about the platform. I've reviewed other Turkish clones and found them to be acceptable, but the Derya Arms Melik imported by Rock Island is a nice pistol out of the box. I did have one roll pin walk a little, but drove it right back in with a hammer and punch.
Prices Around the Web as of original article date.
Click links to check current pricing
Including other trims, from $315.99 at Bud's Gun Shop
Including other trims, from $324.80 at Firearms Depot
Including other trims, from $309.99 at GrabaGun
Base model $411.99 at Guns.com
Grand Power Q100 Mk23 As a long-time fan of Grand Power pistols I was anxious to see how the new action system of the Mk23 generation would change perceived recoil. Of course I should hav expected that the engineers at Grand Power would do a great job, but what I was not expecting was this unique trigger system.
Price as of date written (click link for current pricing): $592.99 from importer Global Ordnance
Ranger Arms RA9 This unexpected gem may have missed some American consumer trend points, but proved to be a very well-made gun that is a joy on the range and although, like so many other budget pistols, only included one magazine, the use of a common magazine pattern made solving that very easy. I have been told that updates will be coming to this model and look forward to seeing them.
Pricing as of original article date
Click links for current pricing and availability
Sarsilmaz SAR 9C Gen 3 The US arms of Sarsilmaz may be a bit of a mess, but the products do not disappoint. The original SAR 9C I reviewed for a magazine article greatly impressed me with a stout build. The Gen 3 model brings in some style and features that American civilians demand. For me this was also one of the few guns I've tried that simply worked perfectly with my hands and natural shooting; Like the Grand Poawer and BUL Armory it simply works as an extension of my mind.
Pricing as of original article date
Check links for current pricing
Sig P365 FUSE I believe the P365 FUSE represents what many were waiting for; the slimness of the "micro compact" but the proper barrel length for defensive ammunition to perform and a grip long enough for the entire hand. Barrel length and capacity make the P365 FUSE sound like a "duty gun" or "full size" but the slimness and low weight make it a great carry option.
Pricing as of original article date
Click links for current pricing
Price w/o optic:
Price w/ optic:
So now we have what reader's sought the most, what viewers watched the most, and my personal picks. Did any of them surprise you? Have you tried any of them? What were your favorites of 2024?