Archon Type B Gen 2: How It Shoots, How It Feels – w/Video

The Archon Type B Gen 2 is a compact 9mm that stands out for one reason above all. It minimizes muzzle rise. That makes it fast to shoot and easy to keep on target. Archon did not copy existing designs. They rethought the locking and recoil systems to lower the bore axis and smooth the cycle. The result is a pistol that runs hard and recoils flat.

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If you want a compact 9mm that shoots flatter than most pistols out of the box, try the Archon Type B Gen 2. It is not perfect. The trigger needs reps and rounds to break in, and the grip angle will not fit every shooter instinctively. Still, it is one of the most pleasantly predictable pistols I have run hard.

The Type B Gen 2 uses Archon’s AF Speedlock system. The barrel moves linearly a short distance as the slide cycles. It does not tip like a Browning linked-barrel design. This linear barrel movement keeps the bore almost continuously in line with your hand. The result is a very low height over bore. You get less muzzle rise and more consistent feeding. The magazines sit higher and feed straight into the barrel, requiring almost no ramp geometry. This reduces friction on the cartridge, improving reliability and accuracy.

This is not theoretical. With about 700 rounds through the pistol, including suppressed runs, the platform never hiccupped on a wide range of ammunition. Cheap Winchester White Box ran. Federal ran. Old ammo ran. I switched over to a threaded barrel and ran suppressed without issues as well. Threaded barrels are sold separately.

Archon built the Type B for fast work. The beavertail is pronounced, extended, and allows your hand to ride high. Your hand sits up under the slide without risking slide bite. The grip texture is aggressive enough to control recoil even in hot or sweaty conditions, but not so aggressive that it chews or chafes in holsters.

You get four interchangeable backstraps. The compact configuration ships with a 15+1 capacity magazine similar to a Glock 19 footprint. Remove the spacer and change the backstrap, and the pistol accepts a 17+1 style magazine. The mag release is fully reversible. The slide release sits on the left side only.

The grip angle sits closer to a Glock than a 1911. If you’re used to a 2011 or 1911 grip angle, you will need a short transition period. Most shooters adapt quickly. Archon has already done the backstraps thing, and I wish that they allowed you to control the grip angle as well. In my opinion, it would be an almost perfect gun if it had a 1911 grip angle.

The Type B uses a horizontal sear and a tactile short-reset trigger. The factory pull initially felt a bit mushy. After several hundred rounds, the pull smoothed noticeably. Measured pulls averaged about 5 lb 3.5 oz across multiple attempts. The unit has built-in passive safeties typical of striker-fired pistols, along with a functioning firing pin safety. It is drop safe.

The horizontal sear keeps the trigger stack compact and places the sear geometry higher in the frame. That ties into the low-bore axis and the compact hand position. The net effect is a crisp reset, even if the initial take-up feels soft.

Archon uses a three-stage progressive recoil spring. The progressive design holds tension through the cycle to avoid mid-cycle weakness. This feature smooths the slide movement and contributes to flatter recoil impulses. In practice, the system works well. The pistol manages recoil like a compensated gun, even without a compensator installed. That saves weight and maintains concealability.

Read Another Review of the Archon Type B

The factory front sight is a steel unit with a red fiber optic insert. The rear is serrated and dovetailed to accept standard Glock-style sights. That’s a big deal since there are tons of aftermarket options for Glock sights.

There are currently three different options available for red dots: RMR, RMRc, and ACRO. There are no plates; you order the pistol with the red dot footprint that you want.

I mounted a C&H Precision COMP red dot sight because it’s tough, and I love the large window. It’s one of my favorite red dot sights, and it doesn’t break the bank. It uses the RMR footprint.

The ejection port on the Archon also helped keep optic glass clean.

Out of the box, the Type B Gen 2 proved very accurate for a compact pistol. I shot multiple one-hole groups that I didn’t think the ammo was capable of, but in the Archon, they really shot.

The straight feed path from the magazine into the chamber might be making a difference in the accuracy. Due to the lack of recoil, I could watch the dot return to the target and keep hitting with fast follow-ups. Slow fire groups and practical drill work both showed above-average performance compared to a similar striker-fired handgun.

The beavertail and low bore axis place your hand in the optimal position. That improves recoil control and reduces muzzle flip. The magwell has a small funnel built in. Reloads from a table or standing reloads are fast and predictable without adding bulk to the grip.

I ran a mix of bullet weights and brands. I ran suppressed and unsuppressed. Also, I ran it with a Streamlight TLR-1 with no issues. There were no failures to feed, fire, or eject through the test sample and ammo used. The magazine’s design keeps the rounds high and aligns them with the low barrel. I believe that simplifies feeding and contributes to the reliability.

Holsters are available. I ran the pistol in two different Blackpoint holsters. For concealed carry, I used the Blackpoint F03, and for open carry, I used the Blackpoint Standard OWB, which allows the use of a Streamlight TLR-1 light. The holsters and gun both performed as expected. I was surprised at how comfortably I could carry the Blackpoint IWB with the Archon.

The Type B accepts common Glock-compatible sights and many aftermarket parts. Archon sells parts and mags through their U.S. website. The pistol ships with a soft case with multiple pouches and mag holders.

If you prefer 1911 or 2011 ergonomics, which I do, the Type B will require some practice to get it to present naturally due to the grip angle. The trigger is good but not class-leading. It improves with use and shooting. Given the price point relative to a Glock 19 or Glock 17, some buyers may expect a slightly better factory trigger. It’s not bad, and I’d even say above average for most pistols I shoot.

Also, there are claims online that the pistol accepts CZ75 magazines. They will fit in the gun, but don’t present the cartridge as high or line it up as well with the barrel. I wouldn’t count on them being reliable.

Buy this if you want a compact 9mm that behaves like a gentleman and shoots extremely flat. Due to the ability to swap grip and magazine combinations, it will work great for concealed carry, open carry, or any other type of carry. I think it could be very competitive as a competition gun on weekends and a daily carry on weekdays. I was impressed with how well it ran with a suppressor. It does everything quite well. If I wasn’t already so invested in guns that point like 1911’s I’d consider switching over to this platform completely and getting rid of all of my other pistols.

Model: Type B Gen 2
Caliber: 9×19
Action: Striker-fired
Barrel: 4.3 in, 6 grooves, 1:10 RH twist, 45° crown, nitride finish
Frame: Steel, nitride finish
Slide: Steel, nitride finish
Locking system: AF Speedlock®
Trigger: Tactile, short reset
Magazines: 16 RDS & 19 RDS options (compact ships 15+1 style)
Weight: 29.6 oz unloaded
Length: 7.7 in
Height: 5.2 in
Width: 1.4 in
Sight radius: 6.5 in

Archon engineered a pistol that reduces muzzle rise by lowering the bore axis and rethinking the locking and recoil systems. The Type B Gen 2 is fast, reliable, and accurate with a few minor compromises. It will not disappoint shooters who value flat recoil and fast splits.

Click here to visit Archon and learn more about the type B.

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