Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel

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Derya Arms Island Barrel

This is an interesting one. The same "new to us" company, Derya Arms, that impressed us with the affordable DY9 last fall, then began US production this spring, has now hit us with what must be the most affordable island barrel kit on the market.

Derya Arms Island Barrel with Osight X mounted

What Is it? The Derya Arms Island Barrel kit is available both as a complete slide compatible with 4th Gen Glock 19 pistols, and as a complete pistol. The concept of an island barrel isn't new, but previously it's been reserved for very high end custom builds like those from Zev, STI, and Stacatto. For comparison's sake, the Zev equivalent for Glock pistols has an MSRP of $999 (slide only) and is not in stock at the time this article was written.

Derya Arms Island barrel slide with Osight X weight vs standard DY9 slide weight.

What's So Special? You may be wondering what the big deal is between an island barrel and standard, especially if it's ported. The magic trick that island barrels pull off is a decent weight reduction in reciprocating mass, as well as adding weight to the relatively-still barrel. This helps enough in recoil that even gun makers like STI used to offer non-ported island barrel builds. For a Gen4 Glock 19-pattern slide Derya's island barrel slide weighs almost an ounce less than the standard slide, even with the big Osight X mounted! That means less reciprocating mass, a quicker cycle, and less energy being imparted into your hand. Not just less "perceived" recoil, but truly less recoil. Combine that with ports negating muzzle rise and you have the recipe for a very flat-shooting compact pistol.

Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel rapid fire demonstration

For this review I was sent a complete pistol from Derya US. In case you missed the coverage of my visit to Derya in Florida, they are now making firearms in the US.

Get a look at the complete Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel pistol in the tabletop video below, it comes with quite a kit. Rumble Link.

Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel Tabletop Video

As you saw, the DY9 Island Barrel comes with quite a complete kit, again bumping our expectations for value.

• Ammo Can

• Two-section range bag

• Four backstraps

• Three 15-round magazines

• Chamber flag

• Bore brush

• Cleaning Rod

Specs effectively follow the standard DY9, aside from the slight difference in slide and barrel weight.

Model Name: DY9 Island Barrel

Front Sight: Black steel

Caliber: 9MM

Rear Sight: Truglo Green; Optic Plate

Capacity: 10 or 15 rds

Grip Type: Polymer with changeable back straps

Weight: 1.81 lbs

Action Type: Stiker Fired

Barrel Length: 3.86"

Finish: Melonite

Overall Length: 6.9"

MSRP: $599 for complete pistol, $299 for complete slide

Osight X on the Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel

Graham doesn't review modified guns? Because the Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel comes with a black steel front sight I opted to mount an optic. The closest on-hand optic I had that fit direct mount was the Osight X. I'd had a positive experience with the Osight X so far, and although the window is a bit large for handgun use I figured I'd give it a go. At the time I installed it I had no idea that the Osight X would bottom out before aiming low enough for a good zero.

Aside from that changeup, the Derya Arms DY9 Island barrel was reviewed with the standard GBGuns range protocol including:

• Cold Shots: This time not my absolute first shots as I had attempted to film the DY9 Island Barrel on AccuShoot a few weeks prior.

• 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.

• Multi-Mag: Because the DY9 accepts Glock-pattern magazines a pile of potential aftermarket options were gathered including:

  

  Mult-Mag lineup for the Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel

  • UltiMag

  • Bul Armory

  • MagPul

  • MecGar

  • ETS

  • Extar

  • Glock

  • Torkmag

  • AC Unity

• What's For Dinner™: 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

90gr Underwood Xtreme Defender $27.85 / 20 at Widener's

95gr Magtech JSP $21.85 / 50 at Widener's

100gr Blazer Reduced Recoil $17.89 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory

115gr Sig 365 JHP $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig

115gr Hornady American Gunner $22.85 / 25 from Widener's

124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's

124gr PMC SFX JHP $24.85 / 50 from Widener's

135gr Hornady Critical Duty $29.85 / 25 from Widener's

147gr Winchester Defense JHP $25.85 / 50 at Widener's

165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports

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 Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link

Derya Arms DY9 Island Barrel Shooting Impressions Video

On the Range I had a couple of challenges that aren't normally encountered in a typical range session. To start, I had learned that the Osight X could not be zeroed low enough for a good point of aim. Then, on the "first day of summer" it was 53 degrees and raining. That rain caused yet another challenge that most red-dot fans tell me "never happens". A rain drop landed on the emitter while I was firing and instead of just a blury sight picture through a wet optic I was looking at a constellation. None of this was the gun's fault, but they are factors worth noting.

The pistol itself ran flawlessly, and although ported, the unscientific spinner target still showed plenty of energy on target. Just like when I reviewed the original DY9, the trigger feels heavier and clunkier than I like when dry firing or attempting slow and controlled fire, at speed the trigger seems to help by providing a definitive wall that won't be bumped into a surprise. It fires when you want it to, not before.

Magazine well and backstrap of the Derya Arms DY9

Just like with the original DY9, I also appreciated the magazine well and four grip pannels, even more in the rain. While the grip texture doesn't attempt to exfoliate your hand, it is functional, and the design on the front and back strap prevents lateral movement, but more importantly vertical shifts as the gun cycles. The magazine well gave my pinky a place to apply pressure and also meant I could insert magazines without fear of pinching my finger.

When I bought the original DY9 it was because the price has me questioning, "why not?". The Island Barrel kit inspires that same question, but much louder. How else does one get to experience an island barrel for less than what other companies ask for just a bare slide?

Derya Arms DY9 Made in Florida

One more time, for those who missed my visit to Derya Arms US in Florida, Derya firearms is now producing in the United States.