8 Guns to Know

The biggest show in the industry delivers countless new product releases.

8 Guns to Know

The SHOT Show serves as the launch pad for countless new products every year. This year was no different, and there’s plenty to unpack. 

Most major gun manufacturers tie their new releases to the annual summit, giving the public its first look at all the new models. Even companies that didn’t attend still timed new releases to coincide with the show. Pretty much everyone in the industry has something new to offer, from cowboy guns to sub-compact semi-autos and modern sporting rifles.

If you weren’t able to attend, or simply couldn’t take it all in, here’s a look at eight new guns your customers will be asking about.

Taurus G3X Hybrid Compact Pistol

 

Concealed carry continues to be a driver in the pistol market, and Taurus has responded to consumer feedback with the new G3X 9mm pistol.

The G3X combines elements of the G3 full-size 9mm and the G3C compact 9mm. The gun is slim and easily concealed but features higher capacity and a more substantial grip length for shooters with larger hands or who simply prefer a fuller grip without giving up EDC comfort or concealability. 

The G3X is built on a similar full-size frame as the G3, with a grip width of 1.1 inches and an overall height of 5.2 inches with the included 15-round magazine. This grip is an ergonomic and functional blend of size, backstrap contour, and aggressive stippling that provides the shooter uncompromised control and maximum retention under any shooting condition. The key difference is the overall length. At 6.5 inches, the G3X is more than 3/4 of an inch shorter than the G3, putting it on par with the compact G3C model and offering a lower profile for concealed carry duty. 

With its shorter length relative to the full-size Taurus G3, the new G3X is compatible with G3 and G3C T.O.R.O. slide kits. The latter is a nice upgrade option for those who wish to install a red-dot optic. The T.O.R.O. system features an optic cut with assorted mounting plates that are compatible with common aftermarket electro-optics. The G3X also features a dovetail cut for the rear sight, allowing consumers to install popular aftermarket tritium night sights for enhanced low light performance. 

It carries an MSRP of $342.98.

Canik SFx Rival Series

  

The SFx Rival is Canik’s latest competition-ready and budget-friendly handgun, spec’d to compete in IDPA, IPSC, and USPSA without restrictions. It has a total length of 8.1 inches, a height of 5.7 inches, and 1.41-inch width with a 5-inch barrel and overall weight of 29.5 ounces. 

A long list of features includes adjustable fiber optic sights, a lightened 90-degree diamond-cut aluminum flat trigger, reversible magazine releases, ambidextrous slide release, aggressively serrated and ported slide, 1913 picatinny rail, external mag-well, and three interchangeable back strap sizes. Extras include a hard case with two 18-round magazines, additional aluminum magazine base plates, a custom holster, Canik punch and toolkit, cleaning kit and multiple optics plates. 

The SFx Rival is available in Rival Grey with gold Cerakote accents and in an all-black configuration called the SFx Rival Dark Side. It carries an MSRP of $679.99. 

“The Canik SFx Rival platform has been a closely held secret for the U.S. market,” says Canik USA National Marketing Director Adam Ruonala. “This project has been in such high demand for so long that we knew we had to do it right when we brought it to the United States.”

The SFx Rival and SFx Rival Dark Side are now available with an MSRP of $679.99.

American Tactical Alpha-15 AR

The Alpha-15 AR is the newest rifle in American Tactical's product line. Chambered in 5.56 and weighing just 5.51 pounds, it delivers both power and accuracy in a surprisingly lightweight package. 

The design of the Alpha-15 includes minimal use of metal parts, making it well suited for coastal areas, southern climates with high humidity and maritime use. The style of construction also greatly reduces the overall weight of the Alpha-15, allowing it to check in at an impressive 5.51 pounds. 

The gun’s pencil-style 4150 CRMOV barrel is 16 inches long with a 1:8 twist. It features a carbon fiber-infused buffer tube and a nano composite trigger kit. It comes with a 30-round American Tactical polymer magazine, an 8-inch MLOK rail and flip-up sights.   The Alpha-15 is made in the USA and carries an MSRP of $499.95.

Rock River Arms Assurance Carbine 

The Assurance Carbine from Rock River Arms, known for its modern sporting rifles and pistols,

takes a proven design and modifies the functionality for fast-paced operations. Originally designed for multiple government agency programs and top-level law enforcement groups, this is a mission-specific rifle for home defenders and defense professionals.

The RRA Assurance Carbine is built around precision-made and -assembled upper and lower receiver assemblies. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it is equipped with a premium 16-inch chrome-moly barrel for accuracy and extended life in an easy-to-clean platform. Other features include RRA’s popular two-stage trigger, a redesigned free-float quad-rail handguard with full-length Picatinny rails at the 12, 3 and 9 o’clock positions, and a nine-slot rail along the bottom. 

The Assurance Carbine includes a CAR-length gas system, gas block with receiver height rail and sling mount, Hogue overmolded pistol grip, RRA 6-position buttstock with sling mount, one 30-round poly magazine, hard case and a lifetime warranty.

Springfield Hellion

Size is where Springfield’s new 5.56mm Hellion really shines. The bullpup-style gun’s action is located behind the trigger, and the gun’s overall length is just 28.25 inches. The Hellion’s 16-inch barrel avoids short-barrel rifle designation, delivers the maneuverability of a CQB-style firearm, and still retains the ballistics of a full-size carbine. 

The completely ambidextrous Hellion operates on a short-stroke gas piston design with a rotating bolt and features a five-point adjustable buttstock, two-position gas regulator with “normal” and “suppressed” modes, dual spring-loaded ejection port covers and quality flip-up iron sights integrated with the top strip of Picatinny rail. The sights deploy with a press of a button and then lock in place. The rear peep has multiple apertures to scroll through depending on shooting distance. 

The Hellion comes with a four-prong flash hider and a 30-round Magpul PMAG Gen M3 magazine. It checks in at 8 pounds and carries an MSRP of $1,999.

Savage Impulse Elite Precision

Savage is building on the momentum of the 110 Elite Precision, adding its Impulse straight-pull action to proven long-range design.

The Impulse Elite Precision’s straight-pull action is bedded in an Adjustable Core Competition chassis from Modular Driven Technologies. With a full-length ARCA rail, the gun can be easily customized for individual balance preferences. Other features include the user-adjustable AccuTrigger, fully adjustable length-of-pull and comb height, and a modified Palma contour stainless steel barrel with a threaded muzzle. 

“The Elite Precision has changed the way Savage shooters think about long-range capability,” says Jessica Treglia, senior brand manager for Savage Arms. “The addition of the Impulse straight-pull action is going to add a new element of speed to an already efficient rifle. When split times are an important aspect of the competition, Impulse Elite Precision will be a game-changer.”

The gun is available in seven chamberings, including .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and .338 Lapua Magnum, with suggested retail pricing between $2,649 and $2,849.

Taylor’s & Company Gunfighter Defender Revolver

Taylor’s & Company is focused on state-of-the-art historical firearms, but there’s always something new. In this case, it’s the Gunfighter Defender revolver. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring this classic firearm to the modern gun enthusiast,” says Rob Girard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Taylor’s & Company. “The Gunfighter Defender is a perfect complement to our very popular Performance Series. This classic revolver has a flat low hammer spur and offers a different experience for faster sight acquisition, it’s a gun that fits just right in the hand. This large army-size-gripped revolver has a very classic gunfighter look and feel not to mention it’s available with the unique Taylor Tuned action.”

The Gunfighter Defender has classic gunfighter look with the flat, lowered Runnin' Iron hammer for faster sight acquisition, while the 1860 Army grip accommodates larger-handed shooters. The gun features a case-hardened forged steel frame and blued steel parts, along with a hand-polished action and custom springs. And on top of all that, Taylor's gunsmiths custom tune guns specifically for each order. 

The gun is also available in a Taylor’s Tuned version, custom-tuned by Taylor’s gunsmiths specifically for each order. Taylor’s Tuned models come ready to shoot right out of the box, with a hand-polished action and Tylor’s custom springs.  

The Gunfighter Defender is available in .357 Mag. And .45 LC with a 4.75- or 5.5-inch barrel. MSRP is $704.46 for the standard model and $847.71 for Taylor’s Tuned models.

Heritage Rough Rider TC Revolver

Heritage Manufacturing’s new Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy blends traditional Old West single-action revolver styling with contemporary performance. Based on the popular 6.5-inch barrel .22 LR six-shooter, the Rough Rider TC blends the classic feel and balanced handling of an SA revolver with the benefits of modern shooting accessories like fiber-optic open sights, red-dot sights and custom muzzle devices. 

The Rough Rider TC features a Picatinny rail atop the frame, providing a solid mounting solution for the addition of a red-dot-style optic. Also included is an elevated front sight with a fiber optic element for open-sight shooting and optimal visibility in all lighting conditions. Rear sight alignment comes courtesy of the notched Picatinny rail, allowing the Rough Rider TC to be used with either open or red-dot sights. The muzzle is threaded ½ inch – 28 RH for use with a suppressor or muzzle device and includes a thread protector.

To further complement the modern upgrades of this Old West favorite, the Rough Rider TC comes with carbon fiber-simulated grips that can be customized with any of the classic-style grip panels available through Heritage. MSRP on the Rough Rider is $212.88



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