Honor Defense is seemingly going through a fairly rapid expansion of its line of Honor Guard pistols. These 9mm compact handguns were introduced in 2015, and as of May 2017, the company now offers 16 different variations of the gun. This would certainly suggest the guns have enjoyed some commercial success.

Right now, the company offers two basic models: a compact and a sub-compact pistol. The subcompact Honor Guard pistol has a 3.2″ barrel and has been frequently compared to general size of the extremely popular Smith & Wesson Shield. A larger version of the pistol, the compact model, has a 3.8″ barrel. Both guns are available with or without a manual safety.

The compact models have an accessory rail while the sub-compact models do not. However, the sub-compact model can be had with the company’s F. I. S. T. frame. F. I. S. T. stands for Firearm with Integrated Standoff. The frame adds a small extension that protrudes beyond the muzzle of the gun. The idea is to prevent the slide from being pushed backward and out of battery should you need to shove it into an attacker’s ribs and pull the trigger.

In addition to these basic differences, the guns can also be hand in a number of different colors. Both the compact and sub-compact Honor Guard models can be had with FDE, OD green and mahogany colored frames in addition to the basic black.

I know a lot of readers have expressed dismay at the size of the lettering on the slide, but other than that – what experiences have you had with the guns? If you own one or have shot one, please share your experiences in the comments section.