Black Rain’s Ion 9

Defensive Applications

I was a bit disappointed with the arm brace, which is designed to fit around the shooter’s forearm. A webbing and Velcro strap is supposed to secure it, but I found it difficult and time-consuming to cinch in place around my fairly large forearm.

Once the arm brace was in place, I found it nearly impossible to align my eye with the Holosight and would have to resort to point fire. Neither fact is acceptable if you are about to confront an intruder in your home. In this situation, seconds — and accuracy — count.

What worked for me was a modified two-handed, Weaver stance. I assumed a cheek weld against the arm brace with my left hand on the pistol grip (I’m a lefty) and my support hand on the ventilated fore grip.

In a home defense situation, you should bear this in mind: A defensive firearm might be used by a woman who has limited physical strength (and might also be only marginally familiar with guns). In this case a short, one-hand firearm (a pistol) is too easy to point in an unsafe direction. Also, an intruder might find it too easy to disarm a person who has lesser strength.

In contrast, the BRO Ion 9 allows the shooter to grip the firearm firmly with both hands, making it difficult for an intruder to disarm him/her — and it’s long enough an inexperienced person is less likely to forget where it’s pointed.

In my book, this factor makes the Ion 9 a fine choice for home defense. It’s also a hoot to shoot! The MSRP is $1,259 to $1,999.

www.blackrainordnance.com