Choosing a handgun for concealed carry is an exercise in compromise. What do you look for in a carry gun? Size and stopping power sit atop most concealed carry preference lists. Weight and ergonomics are also strong considerations.
Size and stopping power are often opposed to each other. Bigger calibers and higher capacities result in bulkier designs. Having 20 rounds on board is great, but it comes at a cost. When selecting a carry gun, you really need to look at the design and select the features that mean the most to your concealed carry goals.
The Avidity Arms PD10 (a·vid·i·ty noun: extreme eagerness or enthusiasm) was designed with one primary mission in mind — concealed carry. That’s not very surprising since its primary designer was Rob Pincus. To some, Rob is a household name. His firearms resume includes self-defense author, Personal Defense Network, and USCCA, but most notably he runs one of the best firearms training networks in the country.
In fact, the last time we shot together Rob noted that many of my skills showed more than a little patina. It was more of a case of gun handling than shooting accuracy. Rob easily pointed to the ‘era’ I served in the military (by my movements and shooting style) and how many techniques have changed over the years. It was a strong case for continued training. He gently recommended a few instructors to get me back in shape.
Avidity Arms PD10: Features
When it comes to concealed carry, size matters. Less bulk makes concealment easier and more comfortable. However, unlike most handguns designed with a minimal size in mind, the PD10 offers a full grip, familiar ergonomics, and a generous sight picture. What the Avidity PD10 does not offer is extra weight. The PD10 tips the scales at a mere 18.8 ounces.
As the name hints, the PD10 features a 10+1 capacity. Based on some popular CCW offerings, this may seem low. Then again, when was the last time you heard of a concealed carry engagement where the defender needed more than 10 rounds…
Increased capacity means more bulk and more weight. It’s that simple. Two of the most common reasons people leave their CCW behind are comfort and weight. The PD10’s profile was designed to tackle both concerns.
Although no longer made, the PD10 features 10-round magazines that will look familiar to fans of the old Chip McCormick mags. A little harder to load, a pain to unload by hand, but reliability that matches or bests any other mag on the market is the hallmark of the design. At the front of the baseplate, you’ll note a claw-like protrusion that makes removing a stuck magazine a snap.
Avidity Arms recommends these magazines for concealed carry, and I second that recommendation. Since the PD10 ships with two mags, you should be set for concealed carry. I recommend a spare magazine not for the additional rounds, but as insurance against a magazine failure. However, for those wanting additional mags for the range, there are several options in single-stack 10-round mags that will serve.
Sights
Most concealed carry encounters are close range affairs where the sights are not a deciding factor. This makes the type of sight less important. The PD10’s rear sight is a black notch sight that is cut to assist racking the slide one handed using the pocket of your jeans, tactical vest, a boot etc. A tritium vial encased by a large, Day-Glo yellow dot marks the front. Both sights are drift-adjustable.
Specifications
Calibers: 9mm, .30 Super Carry
Action: Striker-fired
Capacity: 10+1 (9mm), 12 +1 (30 Super Carry)
Barrel length: 4 inches
Frame: Polymer, gray or black
Overall length: 6.94 inches
Width at widest point: 1 inch; Slide is .9 inch
Weight: 18.8 ounces
Coating: Isonite on most metal parts
MSRP: $625
Features
- Optic-cut slide for slim optics (RMSc / 407k footprint)
- Ergonomic slim grip
- Deep tang
- Aggressive grip pattern
- Accessory rail
- Safety index point
- Contoured slide stop
- Slide stop standoff
- Aggressive slide serrations
- Loaded chamber indicator
- Captured recoil spring
- Large, square front sight
- Magazine extraction relief cut
- Flared magazine well
- Drop free metal magazine
- Claw feature on magazine baseplate
- Claw emergency manipulation rear sight
- Gray frame decreases chances of accidental exposure
- Oversized magazine release
- Undercut trigger guard
- Steel trigger-tab safety
- Striker blocking drop safety
- Angled trigger face
- Low-variance trigger with short reset
In the Hand
Picking up the Avidity Arms PD10, the first thing you’ll notice is the thin profile of the gun and grip. Most of the gun tapes out at about 0.90-inch thick. The magazine and slide lock push out the overall width to one inch.
That eliminates the bulk issue, but the PD10 is not the first “slim” 9mm. The difference the PD10 offers is in the hand. While other slim 9mm guns are diminutive in the hand, the PD10 is not. The PD10’s size is similar to that of a 1911 with a 4-inch barrel. While thin, the grip still fills the hand.
The slide is cut with rear cocking serrations that provide plenty of hand purchase. The texture on the grip frame holds tight to the hand, without being so aggressive that it feels like 60-grit sandpaper.
The design of the magazine release is unlike any I can recall. The release is a normal button-style release, but the grip frame (behind the button) is beveled to prevent the shooter from accidentally dropping a mag. It also guides the thumb to the release button.
The grip and magazine are just a couple examples of the thought that went into the PD10’s design. Both sides of the frame feature textured pads for the index finger, the slide stop is slightly proud of the frame, and the trigger guard has an undercut that promotes a high grip. The slide is beveled at the muzzle for easy reholstering. The dust cover has a Picatinny rail for a rail light or laser. There is a (tactile) loaded chamber indicator on the top of the slide.
Field Stripping
The PD10’s takedown is familiar to many striker-fired designs. Field stripping is easy. Pull the takedown levers and remove the slide — you do not have to pull the trigger. In truth, I have never heard a reason for the design to require the user to pull the trigger to field strip a striker-fired gun.
On the Range: Field Notes
Avidity’s PD10 is a no nonsense pistol — everything you’d expect from a defensive pistol without the frills. Using a Lyman Electronic Trigger Gauge, the PD10’s trigger broke at 5.4 pounds. As for the trigger, there’s a bit of take-up before you’ll meet resistance. Then, you’ll have a longish pull before the trigger breaks. Remember, the PD10 was designed for defense not as a target pistol. When the adrenaline is flowing, the last thing you’ll want is a negligent discharge from a light, short trigger pull. However, if you practice riding the trigger reset (as soon as the sight settle on the target), you’ll have a fast follow-up shot.
The recoil spring is rather stout. Racking the slide to chamber a round takes some effort. The long, flat grip shape makes for an easy to carry and easy to grip pistol. Even those with paws for hands should be able to get all fingers on the grip. The design promotes a high grip that makes for a fast first shot and helps to mitigate recoil.
I test guns regularly, so I figured the best test of a gun is to take along new shooter and let them have a crack at it. As with any semi-auto, if you don’t grip the gun properly, you can cause a failure. The PD10 is no different. However, grip issues were quickly rectified and no other failures to feed, fire, or eject were noted.
Accuracy was more than acceptable for a defensive handgun, but remember what I said about the trigger. It is a long pull and stiff for true target accuracy, but at 5+ pounds it wasn’t bad. At about four yards, it wasn’t hard to create one ragged hole from 5 shots.
I shot the PD10 out to 10 yards offhand and kept the shots well within a fist-sized group in deliberate fire. At multiple distances, during movement drills, drawing and getting off the X, and double taps, all shots would have easily scored hits on a torso-sized target.
The magazines dropped easily from the pistol. Reloads were quick for those who train. The magwell has a bevel, but it is not flared. So, you will need to be deliberate when inserting a magazine under stressful conditions.
The slide stop is angled. This makes it easy to engage, but harder to use the slide stop to release the slide. Typically, I would not recommend chambering a cartridge that way. Instead, grab the slide, pull it back, and let it slingshot it forward.
On the range, we shot a selection of 9mm ammunition from Remington, Federal, Hornady, and Winchester. Bullet weights were 115, 124, and 147 grains. I also had an ammo can full of remanufactured training rounds. Whether it was reman or premium 147-grain self-defense Hydra-Shok loads, the PD10 performed like a champ and ate everything we fed it. By the end of three range days with the Avidity Arms PD10, we fired over 450 rounds without a hiccup.
Conclusion
The gun you choose for self-defense is a personal choice. Shooters seem to travel like a school of fish toward the latest and greatest, trendy guns. Today, Glocks, the SIG P365 and Springfield Hellcat top many lists. It’s true that a micro compact double-stack pistol is hard to beat. But, when you are looking for a slim package with a bit longer sight radius, that also serves great as a home defense pistol the Avidity Arms is hard to beat.
Have you fired an Avidity Arms handgun? How do you think the Avidity Arms PD10 compares to your favorite handgun? Share your answers in the Comment section.
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The PD10 was a bit snappy with 147-grain Hydra-shok loads, but recovered quickly for follow-up shots. -
If you want to test a new gun’s reliability, put it in the hands of a new shooter. Their form will show weaknesses in the design, and you’ll introduce a new person to the shooting sports. -
The PD10 showed excellent accuracy at typical self-defense ranges. -
The PD10 is shipped in a cardboard box with two magazines, two test fired cases, and a security lock. -
On the left is an Avidity Arms magazine next to a McCormick magazine. -
The magazine and grip are somewhat unique, The grip ramps to the release button to decrease the chance of snagging or accidental activation, and serves as a tactile guide to the button. -
The magazine ‘claw’ and grip design ensure you will have multiple ways to remove a stuck magazine. -
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Rob Pincus designed the rear sight. The curved design aids in racking the slide one-handed using your pocket, belt, boot, vest etc.
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