ArmaLite recently introduced their first handgun, the AR-24; these high-capacity 9mm double-action, short-recoil-operated handguns combine classic lines and proven reliability with the finest modern production equipment. The result is a beautiful and well made pistol that shoots as well as it looks.

Offered in both full-sized 15 shot and compact 13 shot steel-framed models, the AR-24 is poised between the inexpensive investment cast guns from the Czech Republic and Italy at one end, and at the other end guns like the Sphinx, a Swiss made copy of the CZ 75 that is milled from billets and several thousand dollars. Ideally suited to military, police, and security uses as well as to the civilian market, the AR-24 is tough, accurate, reliable, and a pleasure to shoot.

For this article we obtained a full-size featuring adjustable sights as well as a compact model with fixed sights. The full-size pistol, graciously donated by ArmaLite will be raffled off to raise funds for charity once this review is complete. Conducted in two parts, this review will consist of:

• Part I - feature initial impressions and results of a 500-rd break-in
• Part II - test the accuracy and reliability of these pistols