I first heard whispers of Avidity Arms in 2016 and excited to see it come to fruition. Not just a new pistol, but a new company with a new pistol. As you'll see in the press release Avidity Arms has taken a different approach to making a gun and incorporated a LOT of shooter experience and feedback into what Avidity Arms presents as a personal defense weapon. I'm sure many will look at a "single-stack 9mm" and wonder why. The press release outlines that why.
UPDATED 4FEB23 with Tabletop Video at end of post.
We're fortunate enough to have one in for review, so check back with us as we'll have our standard in-depth tabletop and shooting reviews up soon.
St Augustine, FL Avidity Arms is proud to launch the first pistol designed by a defensive shooting instructor. Veteran instructor Rob Pincus started the concept of the PD10 (“Personal Defense”) after decades of working with students that have ranged in experience from new shooters to experienced armed professionals.
Those teaching experiences offer unequaled insight on the ergonomics, size, and quality issues that real shooters face with defensive pistols. Some students bring guns that are perfect for them, but sometimes they just brought what may have been right for their agency, their previous instructor, a family member or the person at the gun counter, but proved an imperfect pairing for the student’s hands and/or needs. Avidity Arms has taken a different approach than other manufacturers. The Development of the PD10 has happened largely in the public eye over the past 8 years, with many early prototypes put in the hands of students, with valuable feedback being noted. With hundreds of instructors certified to teach his programs, Pincus was also able to get their input and opinions on the PD10’s design and feel. The final result is a pistol reflecting the needs of people who actually carry guns for defensive use and the insights of those who teach them.
Ergonomics: Proper hand fitment is far more important than following the latest texture trend or popular grip style. Human hands can vary greatly in shape and size. Natural alignment of fingers with controls, a reasonable trigger reach, maximizing surface areas in contact with the hand, comfort for the purpose of controllability… these are the goals of the PD10’s grip shape, which accommodates larger hands and longer fingers, while fitting those with relatively small hands very well.
Carryability: To a point, it can be said that “Smaller is easier to carry, larger is easier to shoot”. Smaller guns can also be harder to get a grip on from deep concealment. Pincus has long said “Carrying a gun is a balance of compromises.” The PD10 sought the middle ground in defensive firearms size. Built around a metal 10-round, single-stack magazine lead to a surprisingly thin grip that will fill most hands and carry very comfortably inside the waistband. Despite recent trends for shorter barrels, a 4” barrel is rarely harder to conceal, offers a longer sight radius for increased deviation control and offers more weight out in front of the shooters hand to aid in recoil management for fast follow up shots. Most modern defensive handgun ammunition is also engineered to perform best from a 4-5” barrel.
Shootability: The PD10 features a Smooth Strike™ Trigger, which offers a uniquely consistent pressure first trigger press for a striker fired pistol. Trigger reset is short and crisp, allowing for fast consistent follow-up shots. The angled polymer trigger shoe breaks at about 90 degrees and holds a metal tab safety that impinges trigger movement against a metal frame insert if the trigger is not properly engaged by the shooter. The PD10 ships with high quality AmeriGlo™ Claw Sights, also designed by Pincus about a decade ago, featuring a wide rear notch and a bright front square with tritium insert… a combination which has proven to be optimized for defensive shooting situations.
American Manufactured Quality: In today’s economy many people shop by price point, but with the cost of manufacturing ever-increasing that can unfortunately lead to lower-grade components being used to meet a pricing goal. The PD10 is a defensive tool intended to perform and last. Completely manufactured and assembled in the USA, not a single MIM part is used. The barrel is made from 416-R Stainless Steel sought after for rifle barrels. Also strengthening the PD10 is a cam block with front rails made from tool steel and a disconnector from Carbon Steel. Keeping everything in place are pins made in house with 20-times tighter tolerances than standard roll pins; ensuring trigger function and feel is consistent and predictable.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-automatic/striker-fired
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 4"
• Frame: Gray Polymer
• Sights: Steel, wide rear notch w/ front square
• Safety: Integrated trigger, firing pin block
• Overall Length: 6.94"
• Width at widest: 1"
• Overall Weight: 18.8 oz.
• ISONITE QPQ Coating
• MSRP: $624: PD10-OC $599: PD10
Features:
• Deep Tang
• Aggressive Grip Pattern
• Accessory Rail
• Safety Index Point
• Contoured Slide Stop
• Aggressive Slide Serrations
• Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Captured Recoil Spring
• Magazine Extraction Relief Cut
• Flared Magazine Well
• Undercut Trigger Guard
• Oversized Magazine Release
• Steel Trigger-Tab Safety
• Striker Blocking Drop Safety
• Low Variance Trigger with Short Reset.
• Slide Cut for Red Dot Sight (PD10-OC Model Only)
Avidity Arms has made the PD10 for carry, not just to be another gun in your safe or to take to the range. As part of their commitment, Avidity Arms has partnered with some of the Nation’s premier holster makers. G-Code, Tacrig and JM4 Tactical have all committed to have holsters available for the PD10 when it launches at SHOT 2023.
The PD10 will be available with both a standard slide and optic cut (Holosun 507K/EPS Carry, Shield RMSc footprint). The pistol will be featured at Galleryofguns.com and displayed at the Davidson’s Booth at SHOT Show 2023 (72317). Visit AvidityArms.com for more information about the pistol and Avidity Arms, LLC or email info@avidityarms.com.
Tabletop Video: