Many who know me today would probably identify me as a ‘Glock Guy.’ However, I came late to Glocks, or for that matter polymer striker-fired pistols in general. Although I currently primarily carry, train with, and compete with Glocks they are by no means my only firearms and my history of use stretches well back beyond my first Glock purchased in 2015. My transition from other firearms to Glocks is another story, but my history of different carry guns prior to Glocks is relevant for the context of this review.
I was trained on 1911s in the later 1980s and used primarily a Colt 1911 or Smith & Wesson revolver as my handguns of choice. I switched to a Walther PPK in the early 1990s for concealed carry. I did try a Gen 1 Glock 17 around 1991 and just was not impressed at the time. Thus, I continued ignoring striker-fired guns for the next two decades. During this time, I was also collecting various firearms including one of the original Israel Military Industries (IMI) Desert Eagles and an Uzi. Late in the 1990s, I acquired an IMI Jericho handgun in 9mm and it became my primary carry handgun up until being replaced by a Glock 17 in 2016.
My late evolution to polymer striker fire guns was driven by multiple factors including weight, capacity, simplicity, and reliability. When the switch happened, it resulted in my going all in on the Glock 17 Gen 4 (and later Gen 5) as my primary carry gun, then training gun, and finally
competition gun. Though I would occasionally carry and compete with other firearms, almost all my training occurred with my trusty Glock 17.
During the last eight years, I have also warmed to other striker-fire polymer handguns as well but generally preferred my Glock 17 over the other brands with some others occasionally seeing use such as the Walther PPQ and the Smith & Wesson 2.0 full-sized. Although these models had some features I liked there were always enough features I preferred in the Glock to keep me loyal. This may have changed with my recent purchase of the IWI Masada.
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) was privatized from the Israel Military Industries (IMI) state-run manufacturing group in 2005. IMI itself was formed in 1933 and continues to this day to produce military weapons primarily for the Israel Defense Forces. IWI in comparison specializes in small arms and has a manufacturing facility in Middletown, Pennsylvania USA opened in 2013. Although still involved in military and law enforcement small arms development, IWI also serves civilian markets with offerings such as various models of the Uzi, Jericho 941, Galil,
Tavor, and most recently the Masada 9mm handgun.
IWI Masada 9mm Handgun
Although the Masada was released in 2017, its impact on the U.S. civilian market has been subdued, to say the least. It also has only seen moderate use outside of civilian markets with its only current official use by the Philippines state police forces and Marine Commandos in India. Despite this limited usage, the Masada is quite impressive, especially considering its MSRP of ~$480.
The standard Masada (available in black, OD green, and flat dark earth) features a fiberglass-reinforced polymer frame and is optic-ready. The metal magazines carry 17 rounds (or 10 in U.S. states with magazine capacity restrictions) and function flawlessly in loading, retention, and ejection. Field stripping is toolless with an easy-to-use forward takedown lever and the slide lock and magazine release come ambidextrous in all models.
The trigger is modular and made of high-grade steel with a crisp and consistent 6-pound trigger pull and audible reset. The trigger ties to the internal safety and includes a trigger safety to further ensure the only way to get the gun to fire is the purposefully depress the trigger.
Sights are fixed 3-dots, and it comes with three varying backstraps for the grip and four RMR plates to allow mounting of an optic. Specifications are listed below with the Glock 17 Gen 5 and S&W 2.0 Full Frame provided for comparison purposes.
Comparing Three 9mm Full Frame Semi-automatic Striker-fired Handguns
| Firearm | Barrel | Overall | Weight | Capacity | Mags | Sights | Rail | Slide Serrations | MSRP |
| IWI Masada | 4.1” | 7.4” | 1.43lbs | 17 | 2 | 3 Dot | Multiple positions | Front & back | $480 |
| Glock 17 Gen 5 | 4.25” | 7.4” | 1.74lbs | 17 | 2 | 3 Dot | Multiple Positions | Back | ~$550 |
| S&W 2.0 | 4.49” | 7.95” | 2.08lbs | 17 | 3 | 3 Dot | One position | Front & back | $655 |
There is a lot to like in the IWI Masada just looking at the raw data, especially as it is substantially cheaper than its competitors. Additional advantages include an enlarged trigger guard making its use with gloved fingers easier. The front rail has multiple positions available for mounting a laser or light and the pre-cut slide for optics with four included plates is an advantage that would require buying an upgraded model in other brands.
Finally, the magazine release and slide lock controls are both already ambidextrous (other brands require a conversion for at least the magazine release) and the controls are well-made, nicely rounded, and easy to use. The only way I would have been more impressed with the Masada is if it came with night sights standard and a third magazine.
Overall, the IWI Masada provides an impressive option for a cheaper full-frame pistol. I love the feel and ergonomics of this gun and IWI has a well-deserved reputation for producing highly reliable guns that are well-tested. My Masada is no exception. It chewed through a long list
of different and varying quality 9mm ammunition from Silver Bear to Hornady in the approximately 2000 rounds I shot through it prior to adding it to my carry rotation.
I find the trigger to be very consistent, breaking at the same point and in the same way every time. Finding a good holster did not present as many possibilities as one would find for S&W or Glock, but there are options. I found a great Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster with an optic cut from Dara Holsters.
I continue to carry the Masada as my primary IWB carry (the Glock 17 MOS with light and optic is still holding on as my Outside the Waistband (OWB) carry). Honestly, there is a lot to love in this gun and it is hard to ignore all the features offered at a very affordable price. I am actually surprised more first-time buyers have not found this gun. This may be due to name recognition or a belief that guns less than $500 are usually lower quality. I can assure you the IWI Masada is not only a high-quality firearm but comes with more standard features than similar guns priced much higher.
Check this gun out for yourself, and more importantly let newer gun owners know there is another option available on the market that is worth a look.
