The Derya DY9Z Wins 2026 Gun of the Year

At Derya Arms, our mission has always been to manufacture firearms that don’t just meet industry standards, they redefine them. Today, we are incredibly proud to share that the Derya DY9Z has been officially named the 2026 Empowered 2A Gun of the Year by the Gun Owners Foundation.

Suk Smith, Chair of Empowered 2A, highlighted the significance of this selection:

"We are honored to have Derya Arms named Empowered 2A Gun of the Year by Gun Owners Foundation— a recognition of innovation and performance, and a powerful nod to women everywhere who are stepping forward with confidence, skill, and independence. This honor reflects a growing movement of women who train, lead, protect their families, and shape the future of responsible ownership with strength and purpose."

Why the DY9Z?

We manufactured the DY9Z to be a high-performance tool that empowers every shooter, regardless of experience level. By combining a 15+1 capacity with a slim, ergonomic profile, we’ve created a pistol that offers:

• Inclusive Design : Ergonomics that provide a secure, comfortable grip for all hand sizes.
• Ready for the Future : A direct-mount optics-ready slide and a crisp, flat-faced trigger for competition-level accuracy out of the box.
• Unmatched Style : Available in over 10 finishes, including Midnight Bronze and Black Cherry, because your gear should be as unique as your skill set.

Our Commitment to You

As the manufacturer, we see this award as a promise to our customers. We will continue to innovate, lead, and support the growing movement of responsible owners who choose Derya for their protection and sport.

Thank you to the Gun Owners Foundation and the Empowered 2A community for this incredible honor.