Israeli Weapon Industries Masada Slim M9SLIM13 9MM Luger

The newest and quite popular trend in concealed-carry handguns is to stuff as many 9mm Luger cartridges as possible into as slim a profile as possible. Four guns that incorporate these criteria are the Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) Masada Slim, the KelTec P15 in both polymer and metal frames, and Smith & Wesson’s new Equalizer.

The Israeli Weapon Industries Masada Slim M9SLIM13, $415, is a subcompact version of the full-size striker-fired polymer Masada. The Slim measures only 1.1 inches in width and weighs only a skosh above 25 ounces loaded. It’s a smaller version of the full-size Masada introduced a few years ago.

KelTec boldly proclaims the new P15 pistol is the slimmest high-capacity handgun out there, and we are hard-pressed to find many that are skinnier. The KelTec P15 Metal P15MBLK, $634, and KelTec P15 Polymer P15BLK, $445, are fresh designs owing nothing to any previous KelTec pistol. We thought availability of the metal-frame P15 would be months behind the polymer P15, but we were able to find an example virtually as soon as the polymer-frame P15 was available. For $189 more on the Metal P15, you get an aluminum frame, an ounce and a half more weight, and lose the ability to mount a combat light.

The Smith & Wesson Equalizer TS 13591, $476, is a high-capacity version of the S&W EZ Rack pistol and the manual-safety version, which we prefer. This is an internal-hammer single-action pistol, and we don’t feel comfortable relying only upon a grip safety. Smith & Wesson entered this potentially lucrative market by upping the capacity of a proven handgun, the Military & Police Shield EZ Rack. We have tested several EZ variations in 380 ACP, 30 Super Carry, and 9mm Luger and have had good results. We were eager to see how the Equalizer would do.

We tested these pistols for combat ability, accuracy, and reliability. There is a balance between affordability and performance, but reliability can never be compromised. In the end, this was a close race. We really liked all four pistols tested, but none had everything we wanted.

Israeli Weapon Industries Masada Slim M9SLIM13 9mm Luger

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-

$415

We tested the full-size Masada in the April 2023 issue, giving it an A grade. Like the full-size gun, the Slim is a chassis-type handgun with an internal firing group similar in concept to the SIG P320. This design doesn’t provide multiple grip modules, with either the full-size or Slim version, so the handfit isn’t adjustable. The polymer-frame striker-fired Slim seems well made, but the pistol does not feature a light rail for mounting optics, and a threaded-barrel option isn’t available, if those are options you’d like.

An advantage of the Slim is that the pistol is a soft shooter. Recoil is little more than the full-size Masada. The Slim grip frame fits most hands, with a good balance between adhesion and abrasion in texture. We like a grip that allows a good solid hold, yet it doesn’t pull on clothing. The Slim fills the bill. The backstrap allows a high hold. Combined with an undercut at the bottom of the trigger guard, the result is a pistol that offers a natural placement in the hand on the first try. A trapezoidal-shaped magazine release is positive in operation and is easily manipulated. The slide lock is positive in operation. As a result, speed loads were not difficult.

The pistol comes in two models, the 10-round M9SLIM10 and our test gun, the 13-round M9SLIM13. The magazines are steel units with slim base pads. The magazine well features a cut out to allow grasping the magazine if the magazine becomes stuck in the frame. The raters liked the Slim, but they wondered at the need for largely decorative serrations on the dustcover, but no means of mounting a combat light. It looks like it would take a light, but none of ours, including the compact SIG Foxtrot, were small enough. We liked the rear sight, a blacked-out unit that contrasted with the single white dot front sight. Lockup is good and tight, and one of the raters pointed out the nicely beveled muzzle crown.

The firing test went well. We felt the Slim offered a natural point and easy-to-read line of sight. The striker-fired Masada Slim features a trigger with a modern blade-type safety lever set in the trigger face. Along with a striker block, these are the only safety features. We like the IWI Masada Slim’s trigger action the best of the four pistols tested. The trigger breaks cleanly at 4.5 pounds, settling in from an early reading of 4.7 pounds. Its clean trigger reset is important for rapid follow-up shots. The pistol fared well in combat drills. In firing for accuracy from the bench, the Masada Slim 9mm exhibited good accuracy. The best groups were just under 2 inches with all three ammunition selections.

We did not like disassembly. Differing from the full-size Masada, the Slim’s takedown was complicated by downsizing. After you have checked to be certain the pistol is unloaded, close the slide and press the frame-mounted takedown lever forward to expose a takedown pin. Lock the slide to the rear, then tap out the takedown pin with a punch. Be certain to remember the pin’s orientation in the frame or you will have difficulty getting the pistol back together. Divots in the takedown pin are in place to help in reinserting the pin correctly.

Our Team Said: If you must have a rail, then pass on this one. But for our scoring, we only rated the pistol down a half grade on the takedown we did not like.

Written and photographed by Gun Tests Staff, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT