AR-15-style rifles, sometimes called modern sporting rifles, continue to be the most popular rifles in the United States. In many circles, including mine, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t own at least one — and quite often more.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation keeps track of ownership of different types of firearms. Its recently released “2025 Firearm Production in the United States” report includes import and export data along with the most recent figures gathered from industry manufacturers, which are up-to-date as of 2023 production.
The data reveals that production of MSRs slowed down slightly between 2022 to 2023, coming off scorching hot sales during COVID and the early Biden administration. Still, the estimated total number of MSRs produced since 1990 increased by 4.5%, bringing the total to 32 million.
AR-15-style rifles are used by lawful Americans for everything from range fun and competition to home defense and hunting. And because of their utility, there’s always demand.
That said, let’s take a look at seven new or nearly new models that might tickle the fancy of your semi-auto-loving customers.
Hi-Point sometimes gets a bad rap because its guns typically don’t cost as much as firearms from most other manufacturers. I’ve shot several over the years, and I can tell you that their quality is always far higher than their price.
The HP-15 likely won’t be an exception to that rule. With an MSRP under $500, this rifle falls well within the price range of many customers not looking for a $1,000-plus AR-15. And it has plenty of features to make it just the right gun for customers on a tight budget, and even those who are not.
Utilizing a direct gas-impingement system, this M4-style semi-automatic uses an M16-spec bolt carrier group. The flattop upper and lower receivers are forged from 7075-T6 AR aluminum. Assembled using mil-spec components, the steel parts are nitrided, and the aluminum alloy pieces are treated with a Type III hard-anodized coating. It has a carbine-length gas system and a 16-inch barrel made of 4150 chrome-moly vanadium steel, fitted with a removable A2 flash hider. The 15-inch free-floating aluminum handguard has a full-length optics rail. The HP-15 is also available in a pistol version with many of the same features and a 10.5-inch barrel.
Released in late summer last year, the Midwest Industries Combat HD quickly began turning heads. It has all the bells and whistles of a fully equipped AR. Chambered in .223 Wylde, the rifle features a forged 7075 T6 Aluminum Upper that is hardcoat anodized to a Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2 finish. The 16-inch chrome-lined Criterion barrel is built for accuracy and equipped with an MI A2 flash hider.
Featuring a mid-length direct-impingement gas system, it uses a KAK K-SPEC MI bolt carrier group with NP3 coating and dual ejectors. The lower receiver is machined from 7075-T6 forged aluminum and has a matte-black hard-coat anodized finish. It weighs in at just 7 pounds.
Notably, this rifle features the company’s Combat Rail HD Handguard, which was intentionally designed for extreme use, even when using night-vision devices. A longer barrel nut than previous models provides more stability to the free-float handguard, decreasing the point-of-aim shift that sometimes occurs with NV devices. Other features include a Magpul DT stock, Kung Fu grip and two-state Nickel Boron match trigger. The Combat HD is available in three finishes — Desert VTS, Larami Woodland and MAS Gray.
Fresh from SHOT Show 2026, the Harrier is Ruger’s latest addition to its already-popular AR lineup. Ruger calls the Harrier a “completely re-engineered line of modern sporting rifles that represents the latest evolution in AR pattern firearms,” and, looking at the gun, it’s hard to argue with that logic.
The upper and lower receivers are machined to mil-spec dimensions from 7075 forgings and are Type III hardcoat-anodized. The lower receiver features a tension screw to eliminate play between the upper and lower, and the nitride bolt and bolt carrier group feature a staked gas key.
The rifle’s full-length free-float handguard has a slim profile and M-Lok accessory attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, with eight intermediate slots on the muzzle end. The 16.1-inch Government-profile barrel features 6-groove 1:8-inch twist, a mid-length gas system and a nitride finish. Compatible with mil-spec components, the rifle ships with single-stage GI trigger, selector, charging handle, carbine buffer and spring for confident reliability. The lower receiver is fitted with a Magpul MOE-K2 grip and DT Carbine collapsible buttstock on a Mil-Spec buffer tube.
Another brand new rifle launched at SHOT Show 2026, the Shadow Systems U526 is a purpose-built 16-inch duty rifle engineered for shooters who value smooth recoil, consistency and long-term reliability. Chambered in 5.56, its intermediate gas system and hybrid-profile, chrome-lined barrel work together to deliver a refined shooting impulse across a wide range of ammunition. Designed as a complete system — not a parts-bin assembly — the maker says the U526 balances accuracy, durability and control in a lightweight, hard-use configuration.
Features include a pinned, military-grade gas block, a proprietary Maelstrom flash hider with Plan B suppressor interface and a true two-stage duty trigger with predictable take-up and a clean break. Other notable features are premium bolt carrier group coatings for reduced friction and smooth, reliable cycling, modern ambidextrous controls aligned with current military standards, a rigid, multi-axis rail interface and proprietary furniture designed for comfort and control under hard use.
The proprietary grip, foregrip and stock are tuned for comfort and control. Shadow Systems has also introduced the E526 pistol with many of the same features and an 11.5-inch barrel.
The SIG516 G3 builds on the trusted legacy of the 516 series, blending modern enhancements with a proven, battle-tested design. Deployed in some of the harshest environments worldwide and perfected right here in New Hampshire, the SIG516 G3 draws on more than a decade of real-world user feedback to deliver exceptional durability and reliability within its class.
Chambered in 5.56 NATO, the SIG516 G3 is standard with a 16-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:7-inch twist rate. Inside the rifle, a short-stroke piston with an adjustable gas system keeps the gun in flawless operation, allowing the gas settings to be tuned to meet the mission at hand.
The SIG516 G3's unique rear and side non-reciprocating charging handle allows the rifle to be easily operated in any manner, in any condition. Other features include fully ambidextrous controls, including the bolt catch, magazine catch, safety, and charging handle, steel-reinforced components in higher wear areas, and a Sig flash hider/compensator. A SIG Matchlite DUO curved trigger allows for precision shooting, as does the free-floating M-Lok handguard.
The Smith & Wesson M&P Sport III builds on S&W’s affordable yet quality M&P AR line. Designed to perform under various conditions, this rifle is as versatile as it is reliable. Building on the proven Sport II platform, the next iteration comes equipped with enhancements to increase performance while being offered at a lower price. The Sport III is a gas-operated semi-auto MSR chambered in 5.56 NATO/223 REM.
Upgrades to the platform include a 16-inch Armornite coated barrel with a threaded muzzle, 5R rifling and a 1:8-inch twist that allows for a wider variety of ammo to be used. The barrel, housed in a 15-inch handguard with a full-length Picatinny-style rail, offers more options to options than previous generations. The Sport III utilizes a mid-length gas system to help mitigate felt recoil when shooting, and it also ships with a 6-position adjustable stock, polymer grip, bolt forward assist and chromed firing pin.
One of the most noticeable upgrades from the earlier iterations is the free-float handguard. This change eliminates the traditional A2 gas block, providing complete visibility down the rail for better use with scopes and other optics. Additionally, the free-float design enhances accuracy by reducing pressure on the barrel.
Another brand-new AR introduced at SHOT this year, the RAIDER15 rifle from Watchtower is a true representation of American craftsmanship and is designed to be a reliable, general-purpose rifle. Watchtower pays tribute to the iconic legacy of Marine Raiders with the RAIDER15. Whether in the field, at the range or preparing for defense, Watchtower says the rifle offers exceptional performance, reliability and versatility. In fact, Watchtower COO Graham Kolymer said it best: "Our Raider15 rifles have been designed for the person who desires a best-in-class AR-platform rifle.”
It features ambidextrous controls, an advanced handguard system, and superior trigger performance, making it ready to excel in any role assigned to it. The 16-inch barrel is made from Nitrided 4150 CMV stainless steel with 1:8 twist that ensures superior accuracy and longer barrel life. The rifle utilizes an ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger, a direct-impingement operating system and ambidextrous charging handle and safety. Other features include front and rear MBUS 3 sights, a 7075-T6 STANAG M-Lok and QD handguard and a 1/2"x28 A2 flash hider. The RAIDER15 comes in three finishes, including black, OD green and FDE tan.
