Miller Precision Ranger 9C

The Ranger 9C is the compact model in Miller Precision's Ranger 9 family. It comes in a 4.4-inch compact size, with a functional grip safety, a tactical magwell and night sights. It's meant to be a practical everyday pistol that still keeps the features of the full-size guns.

The Ranger 9 line is built around a linkless barrel, which makes takedown and cleaning easier and lets you swap to a ported or threaded barrel without a gunsmith. The company's patent-pending ambidextrous magazine release sits on the grip, and a patent-pending ambidextrous slide stop works from either side. There's also an easy-adjust trigger that lets you change take-up and overtravel without taking the pistol apart.

The 9C also has ambidextrous safeties, so the whole control set works for left-handed shooters. Night sights come standard, and Miller Precision's optic plate system lets you add a red dot while keeping those irons for co-witness use. An RMR/SRO plate is in the box.

You can choose a black DLC or silver PVD finish, several grip textures, and a standard, threaded or V-ported barrel. The trigger comes curved or flat, in black or blue. You choose the finish and barrel when you order.

Miller Precision includes two Atlas Gunworks magazines, a soft case, Lucas Oil, takedown tools, a punch and 1911 tool drivers. It's a thoughtful kit that lets you look after the pistol yourself.

If you want a 1911-style 9mm that's easier to carry than a full-size gun, with ambidextrous controls and the option to change barrels later, the Ranger 9C fits that role well. It's a smaller maker's take on a modern carry 1911, with plenty of room to set it up your way.