By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT DANIEL DEFENSE
Daniel Defense is a family-owned and privately held firearms manufacturer in Black Creek, Georgia. Founded in 2001 by President/CEO Marty Daniel, the company started from Marty’s vision to create custom accessories for his personal M-16 rifle. An avid sportsman and supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Marty Daniel committed himself to producing a product unmatched in quality and precision. Just 18 years later, Marty Daniel’s concept has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in the firearms world, manufacturing the world’s finest AR-15 rifles, rail systems, and accessories for civilian, law enforcement, and military customers. Today, with a combined 300,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space, Daniel Defense has maintained a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
THE H9 PISTOL
There is a reason the H9 might look familiar to some firearms aficionados. That’s because the Daniel H9 was originally known as the Hudson H9 pistol. The Hudson was designed by Cy and Lauren Hudson and was unveiled at the 2017 SHOT Show. The Hudson had many new features, such as an insert chassis within the frame, a new sear design, moving the recoil spring in front of the trigger guard for a low bore axis, and barrel cams placed forward of the trigger, as well as old-school elements like the short recoil operating system and an M1911 straight pull trigger.
In 2018, Hudson debuted the H9A with the A designating aluminum. This reduced the weight of the pistol significantly. In late 2018, lawsuits came for failing to pay parts invoices, broken pistols were being returned for repair, and in early 2019, Hudson filed for bankruptcy.
Daniel Defense purchased the patents for the pistol and began the re-design process.
THE FRAME
The anodized frame is machined from aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, which makes for a light but durable frame. The dust cover features a STANAG 4694 accessory rail. The straight pullback 1911-style trigger is made of stainless steel with a trigger blade safety. The slide stop is ambidextrous; the magazine release button is reversible for left-handed shooters, and textured G10 anodized aluminum grip panels for positive purchase to keep your grip firm while firing.
The pistol is fed by the thinnest double-stack magazine in the industry, which is coated with a low-friction finish for faster reloads.
THE SLIDE & BARREL
The optics-ready slide is machined from 4340 stainless steel with a dovetail cut for the rear sight, the same as the SIG P-series pistols. The optics-ready slide comes with one mounting plate for the micro red dot of your choosing.
The barrel is cold hammer-forged from stainless steel with a 1:10-inch twist.
The design of the H9 gives it an extremely low bore axis, meaning the barrel is close to the top of your hand. That means more of the recoil is directed straight back into your hand. This reduces muzzle flip significantly and increases accuracy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Striker Fired, Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 Rounds
Sights: Fiber-optic front/Carbon steel with dovetail cut rear
Barrel Length: 4.28 Inches
Overall Length: 7.69 Inches
Height: 5.12 Inches
Width: 1 Inch at slide
Weight: 29.06 with empty magazine
MSRP: $1,299
THE VERDICT
The H9 is the thinnest pistol in its class with the lowest bore axis. If you’re looking for a top-quality pistol, look at the H9. Daniel Defense does not play games regarding quality, so if Marty Daniel’s name is on it, rest assured it is a top-shelf firearm. The H9 comes with the Daniel Defense 100% satisfaction guarantee. It ships with three magazines.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].