Shot Show 2018: Hudson H9 pistol

[greentips]

I got the chance to shoot the Hudson H9 on the range day. Here are my thoughts.

The gun is basically a striker gun that wants to look like a 1911, with 1911ish trigger and 1911 grip angle. My guess is that it is trying to appeal to the 1911 crowd in a striker format. The weight is 1911ish, because the lower is either aluminium or steel, depending on the model.

The interesting part is the recoil spring is lower than a typical pistol, and therefore it has a much lower dust cover. It is a design to lower the bore axis and also to put the recoil more in line with the wrist line.

Does it work? Yes, the pistol is easily controllable, due to its design and weight. There is a short video on CGN Facebook feed.

Where does it fit? This is definitely not a "tactical" type of gun in my opinion. Like the Silencerco Maxim, the dust cover is too low to be compatible with any light / light laser module currently in the market. I don't see how someone can manipulate the light switch of what it is in the market right now,

On the other hand, I see its potential as a comp. gun in the Production Division. We will see how it works out.

 

[tobaman45]

does it use single or double stack mags or does it depend on which model/calibre ?

 

[RL1]

i shot these as well...there is quite a bit of weight difference between the steel and aluminum versions...i still prefer traditional 1911s

RL

 

[greentips]

does it use single or double stack mags or does it depend on which model/calibre ?

It is a 9mm double stack 15+1

 

[Strader1234]

I feel this may be the new hipster pistol. I don't see the 1911 crowd jumping on this nor anyone who likes their striker fired pistols due to it's size and weight. So it seems to me its market is people who want a unique and expensive gun.

The unique recoil spring design would be interesting if it was offered in larger/hotter calibers but for 9mm it seems like a bit of a novel feature.

All in all it isn't necessarily a bad thing; the H9 a product that tried something different and isn't a complete and utter mess, but there isn't a huge amount of appeal.

 

[EDX2308]

Quite a few reliability issues with it from youtube vids that I've seen. Maybe they ironed out the problems with this batch?

 

[Suther]

The guy who does Forgotten Weapons seems to like this particular gun quite a bit. I think he may have called it the best new gun of 2017 in fact (or something along those lines).

 

[Bartok5]

The guy who does Forgotten Weapons seems to like this particular gun quite a bit. I think he may have called it the best new gun of 2017 in fact (or something along those lines).

So, what makes his opinion any more valuable than those of us saying that it's an over-priced and unreliable "gimmick gun"? The Hudson is anot unreliable and fugly boutique pistol with a 1950s throw-back name reminiscent of the Edsel. There, now you have my "opinion" as well. And yes, I have handled but admittedly not fired the pistol, as the lineups at last year's SHOT range day were long and the Hudson staff were short-loading the jammo-matic demo guns in an effort to reduce stoppages. My time was better spent elsewhere, as is yours in all likelihood.....

 

[Freedom Ventures]

I shot both the "A" (Aluminum) and regular model at SHOT Range day this year - both worked perfectly and I was impressed at how both guns shot pretty flat.
20 rounds is hardly enough to determine reliability, but it worked every time for me and I was at the table for about 15 minutes and didn't see any malfunctions around me.
I'd guess they've worked the kinks out.

FYI - the name Hudson is just the family name of the company owner. No different than Colt, Remington, Smith and Wesson, Glock, etc.

 

[brybenn]

What's the price on these and who would be dealing them in Canada?

 

[Brordo]

What's the price on these and who would be dealing them in Canada?

IRG has them listed at $1275 USD for Feb delivery

 

[jacotsmith]

Thanks for the review. I have been interested in these since I first saw them promoted before last year's show. Looking forward to picking one up and trying it out!

 

[Fisselig]

I feel this may be the new hipster pistol. I don't see the 1911 crowd jumping on this nor anyone who likes their striker fired pistols due to it's size and weight. So it seems to me its market is people who want a unique and expensive gun.

The unique recoil spring design would be interesting if it was offered in larger/hotter calibers but for 9mm it seems like a bit of a novel feature.

All in all it isn't necessarily a bad thing; the H9 a product that tried something different and isn't a complete and utter mess, but there isn't a huge amount of appeal.

Completely agree. I can sympathize with the creator who wanted to make something new and interesting, but honestly I don't see the point of it. It's heavy, expensive and who the hell wants a striker-fired 1911-style gun? And this is coming from a guy who has a gucci glock (for 3 gun, I swear!).
Plus, I don't see a huge difference in recoil mitigation from the H9 design compared to just putting a comp on the end of a glock or a 1911 or any other handgun.