In late 2024 Derya Arms, imported by Rock Island at the time, market-tested a compact pistol on the US market. Less than a year later Derya had a US facility to not just import on their own guns, but also manufacture some of their line in the United States while rapidly improving and expanding their offerings for the American market.
The latest expansion of the DY9 line is the DY9Z. It fits into that “large micro” category of handguns that have been gaining popularity as we shooters seem to be self-correcting away from the tiny and back towards pistols sized for multiple roles such as guns you can still carry, but also won’t mind spending a day on the range with.
To use the common size reference of GLOCK pistols, the Derya Dy9Z is roughly a G43X with a G26 slide, and 15+1 9mm capacity. The result is a longer “micro” feeling frame with a slide that has some meat for handling and a little more vital barrel length to help get those 9mm rounds closer to the 4-inch barrel length most loads are optimized for. The reduction in size from the G19-sized DY9 results in a roughly 5-ounce weight saving.
Take a look at the Derya DY9Z in the tabletop video below to get a closer look.
As you can see, the DY9Z promises to be a slimmer option for carry, while also still being enough gun for reasonable enjoyment on the range.
Specifications Derya Arms DY9Z
Caliber: 9MM
Capacity: 10 or 15 rds
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Barrel Length: 3.50”
Length: 6.5”
Height: 5”
Overall Width: 1.10” (The G26-compatible slide is the widest part)
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: White U Notch, RMSc Direct Mount on Slide
Grip: Polymer with changeable back plates
Weight: 1.25 lbs
MSRP: $299.00
I’ve had a lot of positive experience with Derya across the now five firearms from them that I’ve reviewed. Every one of them has been a great firearm, even more so when considering their low prices. Although smaller pistols aren’t my usual go-to because I tend to squeeze them in my banana hands and inadvertently throw my shots left. Also, as a larger-framed person living in a cool climate, I can easily conceal easier-for-me-to-shoot larger pistols. But I looked forward to giving the DY9Z a try, especially since I can get all three fingers wrapped around the stock.
I use a protocol when evaluating firearms to minimize any personal bias from influencing my evaluation. I film the entire process without any warmup or off-camera time with the gun to ensure I capture true first impressions, and as a counter to the narrated B-roll we see so much of on YouTube without knowing for sure if what we see is the full story or just selected footage to support the creator’s narrative.
You can watch the entire process in the range video below.
As you can see, having an injured support hand didn’t help me avoid squeezing the thin DY9Z, but the gun itself performed with the excellence I’ve come to expect from Derya guns. I’ve since mounted an Osight SE on the gun to prepare it for the next range trip. That Osight will of course help with aiming, but it will also do the other dirty secret no one talks about: allow me to zero the gun to compensate for my shooting error.
The only malfunction I experienced was with high-pressure ammunition using a hybrid case design, and on only one of three rounds of that type fired. I won’t hold that against the DY9Z. I’m pleased to see the market correction away from guns being as small as possible and back towards models that are a little easier to manage on the range, but still smaller for those who need a smaller piece to carry. Handguns like the Derya DY9Z enable folks to purchase one handgun for carry and train with.
While everyone likes to say they train with their carry gun, I’ve attended 60+ days worth of training courses around the country and rarely do I see students with their actual carry pistol. Having reviewed over 500 handguns, I can understand why. Larger guns are simply more pleasant for a long day on the range, but for those just getting into handguns and wanting to get as much as they can out of a first purchase, pistols like the DY9Z are the answer.
I found the trigger to be one of the cleanest and easiest to “read” I’ve felt on a striker-fired pistol. Pull weight is appropriate for carry and for a gun of this size. If I had to make any criticisms, it would be that I wish it came with more than one magazine, but as demonstrated, the Palmetto State Armory magazines fit and work, and Derya Arms’ US storefront has additional magazines listed for $28.99. For more information visit derya.us.