The Shadow Systems CR920 Elite is a micro-compact striker-fired 9mm built for concealed carry. Shadow Systems lists it without an MSRP, so the price a buyer sees comes from a dealer. Its slide carries a patented multi-footprint optic cut for direct mounting of common micro red dots, with the Shield RMS and Holosun 507K named as fits, so no adapter plate goes under the sight.

Two magazines come in a zippered pistol rug, a flush-fit holding 10 rounds and an extended holding 13, and the extended baseplate adds a contact point for the little finger. The sights are steel, a blacked-out serrated rear behind a bright green tritium front. The trigger is a drop-safe flat-faced aluminum unit at 4.5 lbs, the guide rod is stainless, and there is no manual safety.

If you're cross-shopping, the Glock G43X MOS weighs 18.55 oz behind the same 3.41-inch barrel, runs 6.5 inches overall on a 5.04-inch grip, and its optic cut needs plates that are not in the box. Shadow Systems says the CR920 tucks into G43X MOS and G48 MOS holsters, so the two share a holster shelf. The Sig Sauer P365 X-Macro holds 17 rounds at 21.5 oz with a 3.1-inch barrel and a factory cut, so the Sig brings capacity where the CR920 brings 3.7 oz less weight.