Weapons Wednesday - Honoring the Hudson

Today, we bring you fresh content from Pudge. A fitting review of the Hudson from a Hudson High grad. (See what I did there?) - Counter Jockey

Hudson H9 Review (A Short Story, Long)

I have commented a couple of times in regards to Mack’s posts about the Hudson H9 and have read others’ comments as well so I thought I would venture into a quick review. I first heard of the H9 after scrolling through the new firearms of Shot Show 2017. A little unknown company lead by Cy and Lauren Hudson. A dream of something better, something new. I researched everything I could find about this new wonder nine. I grew up shooting steel pieces that John Moses Browning himself would be proud to own. I have never been a fan of plastic or 9mm but with new bullets available and the possibility of shooting more for the same money I became enamored with this hunk of steel that is an ugly duckling yet beautiful at the same time.

I wanted one so badly but they delayed the release and then once finally released they seemed impossible to attain. I say this realizing that I was one of the lucky few to get one almost immediately. I just so happened to be out-processing Ft. Bragg when I thought since I’m here at clothing and sales I might as well peruse the gun counter and there it was like a mythical beast that no one knew how rare it truly was. So I did like anybody who really wants a gun does and called Mack immediately gushing like a little child knowing that he would help talk me into getting it, which wasn’t necessary but it’s always good to have someone in your corner. (Editor note- I told him to buy two; but that often gets lost when he retells the story. –CJ)

Mack has talked about this before but I am going to hit it here. We as a gun culture always ask for something new, something different, but when it shows up we are afraid to take the plunge. What was I getting if I put my hard earned money towards this little unknown, untested pistol and company? I didn’t know but I wanted in. If it was what everyone was raving about then I had one, if it wasn’t and they flopped (which I’m sad to say is somewhat what has happened) then I still had a little piece of firearms history. I wasn’t, and still do not for one moment regret that purchase. Hudson MFG is currently fighting a legal battle over parts and dues owed. It is sad because Cy and Lauren are stand up people who were personally replying and speaking with their customers every chance they got. They pushed the envelope and some say fell short but this pistol does anything but. I know I would be singing a different tune if my pistol was one of those plagued by issues and currently stuck at the factory with no one to contact but for me Hudson has been outstanding.

Now on to the part that everyone is ready for. Why should I buy this pistol if I get the chance? The pistol shoots amazing. I can’t say it any other way. I own an eclectic assortment of firearms and since purchasing my H9 it has replaced all my other handguns. I use it for every day carry, competition, and shoot it almost exclusively at the range. It is very smooth shooting. This is partly due to the all steel construction but also due to the extremely low bore axis and the lowered recoil spring. It is extremely flat shooting. This allows you to get back on target faster and make follow up shots rapidly. The trigger is the best trigger I’ve ever used on a striker fired gun. As I stated before I’ve shot almost every type of 1911 from Auto Ordnance to Kimber to STI race guns and carried an Ed Brown Kobra every day until I purchased my H9 and the trigger rivals some of those 1911s which to me is the epitome of what you want on a semi-automatic handgun. The reverse dingus safety is not noticeable at all. The reset is very short and crisp. Along with the flat shooting and light recoil, the trigger also helps to run the gun so well. The grip feels exactly as it should for a 1911 guy. It points naturally and swings quickly. Even being a double stack it does not feel blocky or too large. They added a beavertail which is a must for me and my meaty hands that has train track like grooves worn into it from shooting some of those plastic fantastics. The magazines eject nicely when in a hurry to reload and throw some more lead down range. They are flush fit and hold 15 rounds of your favorite 9mm flavor.

Since picking mine up Thanksgiving of 2017 I have shot a hair over 5,000 rounds through it and it is running tip top. I know others have had extractor issues but I’m hoping having one of the first guns off the line means tight tolerances and will keep chugging along. It is hard to describe the feeling of shooting this handgun but every range trip since buying it I like to ask strangers at the range if they’ve heard of or shot the H9. Most people haven’t heard of them and until I ask none had ever shot one but wanted to. The reaction has been the same every time. WOW, this thing is smooth shooting and there is so little recoil. I do this to help educate others but a little bit selfishly to continually justify my purchase. I know I’m not the only one who has bought a gun expecting one thing and ended up getting something else in reality. Well, the Hudson has lived up to and surpassed every expectation I had. I’m going to keep shooting mine because I believe in innovation and there has been talks of other entities picking up or at least producing some parts that are known weaknesses.

My only complaint with the handgun itself was how the sights are set up. I love the choice of sights and have actually changed my heavy use pistols to the same setup. It comes with a u notched blacked out rear and orange tritium front. But the issue was that the sights shot low for me and most others. It was not that the gun shot low it was just that the sights were zeroed differently from the factory. I set all my guns up for combat so they shoot point of aim point of impact. I like to cover my target with the front sight. After installing a shorter front sight it corrected it for me and now it shoots right where it should as long as I do my part.

Hudson MFG was a glimmer of something different and I hate that we may never get to see the H9A, an aluminum version, but I am glad that they joined the scene no matter how brief. I truly believe that they have helped push the gun industry in the right direction and hopefully someone will pick up the H9 and continue it. But if not, I’ll still be shooting mine every chance I get because firearms are tools that are meant to be shot and enjoyed. So, after a short story, long, if you are like me and like things that may be a little different, I hope that you at least go out and rent one from your local range and make your own judgement. And if you ever bump into a guy everyone calls Pudge just ask to shoot mine because I’ll be carrying it. -Pudge

Pudge is currently employed by Uncle Sam as a girl scout hat wearer. My handle is Pudge because well, we all know how nicknames always make perfect sense. I grew up in God’s country (the Midwest) where I learned how to hunt and eat anything that moves and some things that don’t, tame horses, build loud cars, and generally be a red blooded American. While attending a school for wayward boys along the Hudson River I was blessed to meet my wife, who we’ll call Red (this nickname does make sense) and she has been putting up with me on my venture to plummet out of airplanes, help others when I can, and constantly trying to find a new part of my body to break. Due to Red and Jackie being best friends I was unfortunate enough to get roped into Mack’s gang of hoodlums and have been doing my best to make him proud since.