Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	Archon Firearms More Info

About the Gun

Archon’s Type B pistol is the successor to the Strike One introduced in 2012 by the Russian-Italian joint venture Arsenal Firearms. It is a striker-fired, polymer-gripped gun featuring a novel non-tilting-barrel action, in our opinion somewhat similar to the Beretta 92 where the barrel itself moves horizontally during recoil while a breech locking block moves up and down engaging and disengaging the slide. The gun is manufactured at RUAG Ammotec's plants in Germany and Hungary. Features a polymer grip module with an internal steel monocoque chassis for rigidity. Other features include unique grip stippling, integrated flared magwell, a flat-faced aluminum trigger and a low-bore axis.

Production

This firearm was produced between 2018 and 2023, with manufacturing primarily occurring in European facilities.

Market value

The MSRP for this gun is approximately $960 based on 2024 data. Used market value in 95% condition is around $700-$800, reflecting recent sales trends from 2024-2025 online auctions and pricing guides.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	9 mm Luger
Alias:	9 mm Parabellum
More Info

Analysis

The Archon Type B Gen 1 remains one of the flattest-shooting, softest-recoiling full-size strikers ever sold in the U.S. market. The AF-Speedlock non-tilting barrel and ultra-low bore axis (˜0.47 in) deliver a recoil impulse that feels more like a tuned CZ P-09 than a Glock 17, with almost zero muzzle rise and split times routinely in the 0.14–0.17 s range on bill drills. The flat-faced trigger breaks cleanly at 5–5.5 lb with a short, audible reset that rivals aftermarket Glock setups out of the box. Accuracy is excellent—sub-2-inch 25-yard groups with 124 gr HST are common. Drawbacks are minor: aggressive grip texture can chew hands during 500-round sessions, and early magazines occasionally needed tuning. For speed, control, and shootability, the Gen 1 still punches well above its original $900 price point.