#StrikeOne

At the IWA 2024, a European company based in the Czech Republic, Archon Firearms showcased the new version of their handgun – Archon A. Previously, I wrote about the fascinating history of this pistol which started with STRIKE One and continued with Archon B, a compact 9 mm handgun with a unique locking system.

Is 2017 the Year of the Low Bore Axis? It seems like it just might be! Amid a sea of other pistols advertised as having low bore axes ( some of which do deliver on that claim), the Jablunka-based Czech Small Arms has introduced a new pistol with about as low a bore axis as is possible on a gun with the magazine feeding through the grip. The new handgun was introduced at IWA 2017, and is called the vz.15. CzechPoint posted photos of the new gun on their Facebook page:

When I was searching for a holster to fit my Arsenal Firearms Strike One in I was left with one option, the Texas-based holster company Comp-Tac. Since the holster was going to be used to shoot in competitions, I decided that the Comp-Tac International was probably the right holster for my needs. After placing the order, the holster showed up in my mailbox about a week and a half after clicking the submit button.

I have edited the article to correct a misquote, the Strike one will continue to be produced in Italy and Arsenal Firearms is seeking to add a second production line in Germany. – Patrick R.

The Arsenal Strike One is a Russian with an Italian accent. That is to say, this unique pistol was designed in Russia but is produced in Italy and exported to the USA from Europe’s boot. The pistol features a remarkably low bore axis thanks to its unique (or rather, uncommon) locking system and a myriad of other very nice features that provide the triggerman with a very enjoyable experience.

A while back I made a comment in one of the Disqus threads about wanting to test the Strike One pistol, much to my surprise a few weeks ago Lorri from Sooner State Arsenal contacted me and asked if I would like to review the Strike One. I jumped at the chance, I would have been foolish to say no. I have been drooling over the chance to get behind one of these guns as soon as I saw a photo of one. I seem to have a thing for strange looking pistols, the Arsenal Firearms Strike One certainly fits the bill, it is rather unconventional looking.

Showcasing a new introduction and plenty of slow-motion action shots, Vickers Tactical has a full run-down on the Strike One. Rather than be a static review, Larry has one-on-one interviews with the owners of the company. Further, it breaks down the manufacturing process of the entire handgun.

Sooner State Arsenal sent out an e-mail with updated information on the Strike One pistols. According to the e-mail, the .40 S&W version of the Strike One handguns should ship to customers in the next two weeks. The .357 SIG version is expected in the fall of 2015.

InRange TV has tackled the Arsenal Strike One in a new shooting review available on Full30. The relatively new, and certainly unique polymer framed double stack full-size handgun impressed Ian and Karl, despite some early issues. While Full30 does not apparently allow embedding, Ian has posted a “trailer” for the review on the ForgottenWeapons YouTube page:

LifeSizePotato is the YouTube channel of a collector of rare, antique, unusual, and high quality handguns, which hosts video reviews of the weapons he collects. This week, he stepped outside of his box a little bit to review the Strike One handgun, a modern polymer commercial grade handgun unlike his regular features.

Arsenal Firearms (officially: Arsenal Firearms Group of Companies) is expecting approval from the ATF this year, of the AF-1 Strike One pistol. However, this doesn’t mean it will be available on the US market in 2014. The lucky honor will first go to Italy, where Arsenal has one of their companies, with a rough estimated price of $4,000 for the Ergal models (frames made of aluminum 7075). Sales in Italy are expected in Q4. From the link:

Before this years SHOT show my list of questions was fairly short and at the top of that list was, will the Arsenal AF-1 Strike One be imported into the United States? They had a decent display at the show, so optimism is high.

I am very jealous. Max Popenker got some trigger time with the prototype select-fire carbine conversion of the new Arsenal Strike One pistol. The carbine features a quad rail with full length top rail, side folding stock and muzzle brake. The machine pistol can fire semi-automatic, fully automatic or in bursts.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has announced that the Russian Armed Forces will be replacing the Makarov pistol with the Strizh Pistol chambered in 9x19mm.