Caracal Lynx Sport: the sporty 9mm 2011 pistol from XDB tested

Based between Siena and Firenze, Italy, Decima Divisione Balistica (XDB) was founded by Nicola Bandini with his son Lawrence and daughter Charlotte. Bandini, a journalist and ballistic expert for almost 40 years, co-founded the well-known Abu Dhabi firearms factory and brand Caracal in 2004. 

XDB recently introduced the Caracal Lynx, a 9mm 2011-style high-capacity pistol. "We have yet taken the Colt locking system to a new frontier by lowering the line of sight over barrel axis of more than two millimeters, thanks to the straight, single locking lug Petter system," they claim. The Caracal Lynx Sport is available with the unique Black Nickel finish – either as a “duotone” option with any custom Cerakote colour or finish you like, or as a 100% coating  including steel and alloy parts: all4shooters.com team tested both variants. As you can see from the images, small levers can be black oxide, while barrel and trigger can be either TiN or DLC coated. A Lynx Compact model with 4" barrel and a Lynx Open IPSC model with modular red dot mounting system are also available.

Both test guns had triggers that were perfectly suitable for precision shooting out of the box. They also had the same very tight fit: even with considerable effort, the triggers could not be moved laterally or vertically. Only straight backwards was possible. If an inspection starts like this, the barrel and recoil spring are removed. If there is still no wobble, such a tight fit is always an undisputed quality feature in terms of manufacturing technology. However, the consistent positioning of all corresponding parts during firing— the "reset behavior" — is another, extremely important prerequisite for optimal accuracy results. This can hardly be verified without a Ransom rest shooting machine and the use of a large quantity of different test ammunition. However, the widest possible range of test ammo makes it possible to find out whether the reset behaviour is consistent or recoil-dependent. The 9mm Luger in particular offers a very wide variety, not only in terms of the range of bullet weights from 95 grains (6.15 g) up to 150 grams (9.7 g). The respective loads also provide recoil ranging from "cosy", such as the relatively weak Norma Safeguard with a 124-grain JHP bullet, to "poisonous", such as the 95-grain Magtech load. In other words, the Magtech cartridge is more likely to beat a consistent reset behaviour out of any pistol than the soft-loaded Norma Safeguard. The fact that most groupings were around and below 50 millimetres speaks for the high processing quality of the Caracal Lynx and also for its consistent behaviour.

The Caracal Lynx in detail

The most striking feature of the Caracal Lynx is certainly the chrome-plated screw-bushing at the muzzle end. The slight but visible symmetrical scuff marks on the inner surface of the bushing and on the barrel end prove that the barrel is guided very tightly but absolutely smoothly – because we can anticipate that there were no jams of any kind. Apart from that, it is the little things that stand out positively. For example, the LPA micrometre sights. The dovetail driftable front sight with fiber optic insert is secured with an Allen screw. Then there's a magazine release mounted several millimeters asymmetrically and capable of rotating 360° around the retaining screw. Shooters with slightly shorter or longer thumbs than average will appreciate this. All controls can be movedoperated smoothly but positively. This matches the remarkably cleanly finished surfaces in the frame and slide: actually, everything looks very cleanly finished. The dry-fire test did not give rise to any complaints.

With the Caracal Lynx Sport at the shooting range

Both the duotone and the fully Black Nickel finished versions are characterised by an extremely high level of functional reliability, which was evident in the test fire. This is particularly relaxing in fast strings with a weak hand. The sight picture and hand position are impeccable. The diamonds and squares on the grip look rather large, but they offer an unexpectedly good purchase thanks to their distinctive edges. The pronounced flattening at the edges rounds off the otherwise rather "angular" hand position. The trigger pull weight between 1,600 and 1,700 g "feels" to be lower thanks to the clean characteristics. A further reduction should only be made after the "break-in", i.e. after around 2,000 shots. The pull weight often decreases by up to 100 grams after that. If the characteristics are right, as with the two test guns, it is safer to wait and see. The Ransom Rest shooting machine was able to consistently confirm the good hand-loaded ammo results. The best grouping from the Serbian PPU cartridges is sufficient for the inner ten. Particularly pleasing, the Lynxes are not gourmets, as the very good groups achieved with Top Shot or S&B ammo with standard bullet profile and weight prove. So it doesn't always have to be a hollow-point cartridge. The Lynx pistols obviously don't need expensive match ammunition or sophisticated reloading skills either.

Caracal Lynx Sport technical specifications

Wrapping-up

The Lynxes show that it is also possible to improve the performance of well-known pistol platforms. Both test models demonstrated flawless function, above-average shooting performance and above-average workmanship. Whether this or that model comes into question can be confidently decided on the basis of visual aspects. Take it out of the box and shoot. All in all, there is a clear recommendation to buy.