An Affordable Micro-Compact: The Derya Arms DY9Z

As practical, concealable handguns get smaller and smaller, we’ve had to start adding modifiers, like “sub” and “micro,” to describe “compact” pistols. The new Derya Arms DY9Z not only fits into the “micro” class, it adds another adjective: affordable.

The term “micro-compact” loosely denotes a small handgun chambered in 9 mm Luger that still holds 10+ rounds in the magazine. The DY9Z fits the bill. It is a semi-automatic, polymer frame, striker-fired handgun based on the company’s compact-sized DY9. The pistol uses metal-bodied magazines that hold 15 rounds (10-round magazines are available) that are compatible with the Glock 43X and 48 series, as well as the PSA Dagger Micro. Magazines have an MSRP of $29.

Other features of the DY9Z include a slide that is optics cut with an RMSc footprint, Glock Slimline-compatible sights, interchangeable backstraps (three are included), an accessory rail on the frame’s dustcover and a reversible magazine release. The slide has a black nitride finish and the frame is available in ten different colors — black, purple, blue, pink, black cherry, Barrett brown, midnight bronze, gray, flat dark earth (FDE), and olive drab green (ODG). With a 3.5-inch barrel, the pistol is 1.1 inches wide, has an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 5 inches, and weighs 20 ozs.

The DY9Z comes in a hard case with a cleaning kit and tools. And the most micro thing about the pistol? Its price. The pistol has an MSRP of $299. For more information, see the company’s website.