Daniel Defense H9 Review

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Daniel Defense Daniel H9 Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Strike-fired semi-auto
• Capacity: 15+1
• Length: 7.69″
• Barrel length: 4.28″
• Overall length: 6.3″
• Width: 1″
• Height: 5.12″
• Weight: 29.6oz
• Comes with: Plastic, lockable case, 3 magazines, owner’s manual, gun lock

Features

• Low bore axis
• Straight pullback trigger
• Optics ready
• G10 panels

Daniel Defense recently stepped out of its rifle comfort zone and released a handgun at SHOT Show 2024. Based on the Hudson H9, the Georgia-based gun manufacturer’s new venture is an interesting move.

But the real question is…does it work? Short answer — not as well as we’d hoped. We took one two out to the range to dig deeper into the Daniel Defense H9 and see what worked for this design and what didn’t…three times.

Keep reading!

How We Tested the Daniel Defense Daniel H9

For this review, we tested the Daniel H9 with iron sights and a Trijicon RMR Red Dot, shooting 10-round groups at 7 yards.

We went through 500 rounds of ammunition, using both practice ammo in the form of AAC 115gr FMJ, 115 gr/124gr defensive ammunition from Nosler.

At the helm was Sean Curtis, who has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and was a POST-certified handgun instructor.

Background

We have to start this tale back in 2017 when Hudson first brought the H9 to market at the SHOT Show. It was different for many reasons, but the main upshot was the placement of the recoil spring, which gave the gun a low bore axis.

This, combined with the overall weight, straight-pull trigger, and 1911-style grip, allowed shooters to manage recoil better. That was the intent, anyway.

Eventually, several H9 owners experienced issues and couldn’t get their guns repaired because Hudson was embroiled in lawsuits. In 2019, Hudson filed for bankruptcy, tolling the death knell of the company.

Daniel Defense later bought the design and retooled it. In their press materials, they indicated that only one part remained the same from the original design.

Who Is It For?

The Daniel H9 is a compact pistol with a 15+1 capacity, so it could be used for concealed, defensive carry or as a home defender.

While its size and shooting ability lend themselves well to law enforcement, the low dust cover would require some modification of holsters should a weapon light be equipped.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

The Daniel H9’s overall fit and finish are what you would expect from a higher-end pistol. Its frame is anodized aluminum, and the slide is 4340 alloy steel with a DLC coating.

Daniel Defense did a good job with the ergonomics of the Daniel H9. The grip feels really good in the hand. A combination of the grip angle and adequate beaver tail helps secure the gun in your hand.

Combined with serrations on the front strap and back strap, the G10 panels provide a secure grip that helps mitigate recoil. A nice undercut on the trigger guard also affords a high grip.

Sights on the Daniel H9 are well done with a green fiber optic front in a steel housing coupled with a black, steel serrated rear. The top of the slide is also serrated down the length of the slide to eliminate glare when using the sights.

We tested the Daniel H9 with a Trijicon RMR, so we did not spend much time with the sights. The optics mount up using one of a few different plates, though they do not sit low enough to co-witness standard-height sights.

Upon purchase, shooters receive one coupon for an optic plate from Daniel Defense. They can then select the plate they want and request it though the website warns it may take as long as 90 days to ship.

Magazines for the Daniel H9 are steel and double-stacked, with a bright yellow follower and round count windows on the rear. Plastic base plates feature a cut-out on the front that works with a recess on the front of the grip in case a magazine gets stuck and needs to be dug out.

Controls

The trigger is interesting in that it is a straight pull configuration and utilizes a safety device that is notably hinged from the bottom. The mechanism flattens nicely against the lightly curved bow.

Upon pressing back, the trigger moves a millimeter or two, then breaks fairly crisply, averaging 3 lbs. 11.8 oz. on a Lyman Digital gauge. Reset is soft, barely audible or tactile.

A hollowing in the grip panel assists the reversible magazine release, making it easier to reach. The slide stop/release is fully ambidextrous, located on both sides of the slide.

How Does the Daniel H9 Shoot?

The first gun we received from Daniel Defense was called back before we shot it. They sent another one out, and we eagerly took it to the range.

We had a pre-release experience with Daniel Defense, and the gun was flawless…however, that wasn’t the case with the second gun we received.

During testing, we had 12 failures to return to battery. They were correctable with a light tap on the back of the slide, but they were significant enough to prevent the gun from firing.

In addition, we could not get the Daniel H9 to load Nosler defensive ammunition.

So, we sent the gun back to Daniel Defense with our notes, hoping for a resolution.

They sent another gun, and during our second test, the out-of-battery issue didn’t happen, but the trigger had issues. Namely, it wouldn’t fire sometimes unless I pulled at the top of the trigger.

I also noticed that the previously soft trigger reset was nearly non-existent. We sent this gun to Daniel Defense’s warranty program, and they repaired it.

A technician sent notes indicating they found brass and grit buildup in the trigger and around the stirrup. They cleaned it, tested it, and returned it to us.

During our third and final trip to the range with the Daniel H9, we completed our testing, achieving the round count (500) we use as a benchmark. The trigger was certainly better, and the gun ran all the ammo we fed, though we still had a couple of out-of-battery issues.

Issues aside, where the Daniel H9 shined was in follow-up shots. True to the original design’s intent, the components of grip, recoil spring location, and low bore axis provide a noticeably lighter shooting impulse.

This means the sight picture returns quickly, and you can shoot faster without losing much accuracy. Shooters with stiff-wristed grips will really be able to make the Daniel H9 sing.

Accuracy was good, averaging 1.5-2 inches, shooting 10-shot groups from 7 yards. It was repeatable and didn’t have the low shooting characteristic sometimes noted in the Hudson.

With the Daniel H9, reloading was a breeze. Magazines dropped cleanly, loaded smoothly, and locked back on the last round without fail.

Why is the Daniel H9 Unique?

There are a number of reasons why the Daniel H9 is unique. First and foremost, this is a novel offering from a company strictly known for making rifles.

Additionally, the original design was a departure from the norm back in 2017 when Hudson initially launched the H9. While the original tanked and finally succumbed, I believe Daniel Defense is capable of making this gun a success.

Final Verdict

All my experiences with previous products from Daniel Defense were outstanding, so I was disappointed by the results of our test with the Daniel H9.

The gun does well in most categories, but reliability…not so much. Let’s face it: reliability is absolutely essential.

I just learned that Daniel Defense is releasing a new barrel and recoil spring assembly on or before June 30th. Existing owners will receive these upgrades under warranty. With any luck, this will address the out-of-battery issue and greatly increase reliability.

Have you bought or are you considering buying a Daniel H9? Let us know in the comments below! For the best in this category, be sure to check out Best Compact 9mm Handguns of 2024!