Handguns were never meant to chase rifle energy, yet a stubborn corner of the firearms world keeps trying. The idea is simple: shrink a long gun into something you can hold with two hands, keep the cartridge, and accept the consequences. Those consequences are real, including blast, recoil, and shorter barrels that waste powder. Still, the results are fascinating. Few designs divide opinion quite like them. The eight models below span 1963 to today, from bolt-action hunters to compact semi-autos with 30-round magazines. Muzzle velocities range from roughly 1,900 to 2,700 feet per second, and barrels run from 5.5 to 15 inches. Here is what each one offers, and what it asks of you.
1. Remington XP-100: Where the Idea Began
Introduced in 1963, the Remington XP-100 started the whole rifle-pistol conversation. It is a bolt-action single-shot with a 14.5-inch barrel, chambered originally for the .221 Remington Fireball, which sends a 50-grain bullet out near 2,650 feet per second. That is genuine varmint-rifle speed from something you hold with two hands. The brown nylon stock was radical for its day, and the whole gun weighs just over 4 pounds. Accuracy is the real prize, with sub-inch groups at 100 yards common in careful hands. Blast is sharp, so ear protection matters. Silhouette competitors later embraced the design, and clean used examples often change hands for roughly $700 to $1,500.
2. Thompson/Center Contender: The Swap-Barrel Classic
Thompson/Center’s Contender, launched in 1967, is a break-open single shot that lets you swap barrels in minutes. Pistol barrels run from 10 to 14 inches, and chamberings include .30-30 Winchester, .223 Remington, and .308 Winchester. A 150-grain .30-30 load leaves a 14-inch barrel near 2,000 feet per second, enough for deer inside 100 yards. The hammer is hand-cocked, the trigger breaks cleanly, and a complete gun weighs about 4 pounds. Recoil in .308 is stout, so a firm two-hand hold helps. Because swapping barrels is so easy, one frame can cover varmints, deer, and plinking. Used frames commonly sell between $450 and $800, and extra barrels cost more.
3. FN Five-seveN: The Lightweight Speedster
FN’s Five-seveN arrived in 1998 with a cartridge that looks more like a tiny rifle round than a pistol load. The 5.7x28mm launches a 40-grain bullet at roughly 1,650 to 2,000 feet per second, depending on barrel and load. The Mk2 carries a 4.8-inch barrel, holds 20 rounds, and weighs near 1.3 pounds unloaded, which is featherweight for the output. Recoil is mild, so fast follow-up shots feel natural. The round grew out of a military personal-defense-weapon project, and that heritage shows in its flat trajectory out to 50 yards. Ammunition is the catch, often costing 40 to 60 cents per round, so practice gets pricey. Street prices usually sit between $1,200 and $1,600.
4. SIG MCX Rattler: Compact Suppressor-Ready Brawler
SIG Sauer’s MCX Rattler packs a rifle-style operating system into a package small enough to ride in a backpack. Chambered in .300 Blackout, it drives a 125-grain bullet near 1,900 feet per second from a 5.5-inch barrel. A short-stroke gas piston keeps the action running smoothly, the magazine holds 30 rounds, and the folding brace shrinks its storage size dramatically. Expect a weight near 5.5 pounds and a noticeable muzzle blast. Subsonic loads turn surprisingly quiet when paired with a suppressor. Recoil is gentle compared with a 5.56 carbine of similar size. Prices commonly run from about $2,500 to $3,300, which makes it one of the pricier compact options here.
5. Ruger AR-556 Pistol: The Everyman AR
Ruger’s AR-556 Pistol takes the most familiar rifle platform in America and trims it into a brace-equipped handgun. It fires 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington from a 10.5-inch barrel, where a 55-grain bullet typically travels around 2,400 to 2,600 feet per second. The standard magazine holds 30 rounds, the gun weighs close to 5.5 pounds, and accessories are everywhere thanks to the AR ecosystem. Muzzle flash and noise are considerable at this barrel length. Accuracy of about 2 inches at 100 yards is realistic with decent ammunition. Spare magazines cost about $15 each. Street prices commonly fall between $700 and $900, which makes it one of the most affordable entries on this list.
6. Zastava PAP M92PV: The Kalashnikov Brute
Zastava’s PAP M92PV drags the Kalashnikov into handgun territory with a short 10-inch barrel and a 30-round magazine. It fires 7.62x39mm, a cartridge that pushes a 123-grain bullet at roughly 1,900 feet per second from this length, which hits notably harder than any pistol caliber of comparable size. The Serbian-made gun weighs around 6 pounds, so it feels solid but not unmanageable. Reliability is the main attraction, since the long-stroke piston design shrugs off dirt and neglect. Expect heavy muzzle blast and rough sights. Steel-cased 7.62×39 ammunition often costs about 30 cents a round. Pricing typically ranges from $800 to $1,100 depending on dealer and region.
7. Magnum Research BFR: The Big-Bore Revolver
Magnum Research’s BFR, short for Biggest, Finest Revolver, proves a handgun can swallow a genuine rifle cartridge. In .45-70 Government, a 300-grain bullet leaves the 7.5-inch barrel near 1,350 feet per second, delivering roughly 1,200 foot-pounds of energy. The stainless frame, five-shot cylinder, and weight close to 4 pounds absorb part of the punishment, though recoil remains fierce. Other chamberings include .30-30 Winchester and .444 Marlin for shooters wanting variety. Most hunters keep shots under 75 yards, where the heavy slug still carries authority. Built in Minnesota, the BFR is a two-hand hunting tool, and prices usually range from $1,100 to $1,500.
8. Kel-Tec P50: The Sci-Fi High-Capacity Oddity
Kel-Tec’s P50 looks like a prop from a science-fiction film, yet it is a serious piece of engineering. Using the same 5.7x28mm cartridge as the Five-seveN, it benefits from a 9.6-inch barrel that lifts a 40-grain bullet to roughly 2,000 to 2,200 feet per second. Its signature trait is a 50-round magazine, and the gun weighs about 5 pounds with a pistol-style grip. The long sight radius makes hitting at 50 yards easier than with a standard handgun. Recoil is light, though blast and fireball can surprise newcomers. Its top rail accepts a red-dot optic, which sharpens aim further. Spare magazines are scarce, so buy extras early. Expect to pay about $900 to $1,300 when one appears.
