New Guns: Rapid Fire Edition

While we at a Venture Out took a nice summer vacation, that didn’t mean gun manufacturers reciprocated and allowed us some much-needed R&R. Quite the opposite happened. While temperatures soared, gun manufacturers felt the heat and rolled out new model after new model. So, while our sojourn into peaceful mindfulness is over, the keyboards are heating up as we take a rapid-fire approach to recent new models.

Brazilian Takeover

Rossi, a subsidiary of Taurus which also owns Heritage Firearms, has unveiled two new options. Rossi might be best known for its selection of affordable lever action rifles, namely its clone of the Winchester 1892, or in this case, the R92. I will say, the recent selection of R92 rifles has been quite nice. The actions are smooth and the fit and finish is equal to, or better in some cases, than other popular American-made lever actions—even more reason to be excited for the new R95. While the R92 is chambered in common revolver cartridges, the R95 is a big boy rifle with its initial chambering in 30-30 Winchester. I hope that in the future Rossi will release additional calibers such as 45-70 gov’t, 444 Marlin, or 450 Marlin—one can hope. The R95 is quite reminiscent of the Marlin 1895 and honestly, is probably a facsimile of it.

As for features, it has a side loading gate, can be had with either a 20” barrel (Classic) or a 16.5” one (Trapper), and is drilled and tapped for a scope base (8-40 holes). If an optic is out of the question, the gun is fitted with a rear buckhorn and a ramped front sight. The furniture is made of beech with a walnut finish. The gun also has a cross-bolt style safety. I think the R95 is going to be an interesting option, especially with the high prices and limited availability of the new Ruger built Marlin rifles.

Rossi didn’t stop with lever action rifles, they also introduced a new pistol to market, named the Brawler. The Brawler seems to be a modern take on the old Howdah Pistols of a bygone era. Essentially these were larger caliber companion pistols with two or more barrels used to fend off dangerous game or other predators. While the Brawler only has one barrel, its dual chambering gives it versatility as a companion to the modern-day hunter. Its 45 Colt and .410 shotgun shell options means it can deliver a powerful punch, and unlike the old Howdah pistol, the Brawler is a single-shot break-action that should offer quick reloads. Mounted on top is a Picatinny rail with a built-in rear sight. For recoil management a rubber grip is used. However, its best feature is its price. The Brawler has an MSRP of $239.99 meaning its street price should be less.

Springing to the Front

After its release of the Echelon series of pistols, Springfield Armory has double-downed with two new options in its 2020 rifle lineup.

First, is the 2020 Redline. The Redline is a centerfire rifle that loosely follows the principles of the late Col. Cooper’s Scout Rifle. The carbon-jacketed rifle is chambered in either 6.5 Creedmoor or 308 Winchester with barrel lengths of 16 or 20 inches. Overall length with the 16” barrel option comes in at 36.5 inches, making for a very maneuverable rifle. Moreover, the most obvious change to the rifle is its stock. Springfield in keeping with the scout rifle ideology, went with the very distinctive Grayboe Trekker rifle stock. The stock is very lightweight (28 oz) and has a unique shape where most of the butt has been cut out. This rifle seems to be an ideal option for a kind of truck gun/practical rifle role. MSRP is $2299.

On the flipside, Springfield entered the rimfire arena with the 2020 Rimfire. Unlike the centerfire rifle versions, the rimfire is made by Retay in Turkey and imported by Springfield. While this might be a red flag for some, Retay has built a solid reputation of making quality firearms at good prices, just look at their line of semi-automatic shotguns. Anyway, the 2020 Rimfire has a very nice feature set, with the most notable being its acceptance of the widely popular 10/22 magazine. Additionally, the Rimfire can be had in either wood (with four grades) or in a synthetic target stock (in black and a grayish-green). The bolt has a 60-degree throw, and the rifle features a Picatinny rail so the end user can use just about any optic they choose. The rifle also has dual sling swivel points, and the bolt handle is threaded for extra customization by the user.

The rifle also features a 20” long premium barrel that is free floated to aid in accuracy. The barrel is also threaded on the Target models (1/2x28) so it can accept a suppressor or muzzle device. The Classic model has what Springfield Armory calls a sporter contour for the barrel and uses a push button for a mag release rather than a tab, helping the gun achieve better lines. The 2020 Rimfire uses Model 700-pattern adjustable trigger that has a factory 4.5-pound pull weight. Luckily, the rifle is compatible with aftermarket Model 700 pattern triggers. This gun has potential as a NRL22 rifle fitting in production division, whereas the classic will be a perfect small-game rifle or heirloom type piece if getting AAA grade Turkish Walnut. MSRP starts $434 for the Target and up to $1099 for the Classic with AAA wood. The 2020 Rimfire is currently available in stores.

Final Thoughts

It is always interesting to see what new firearms companies are putting out. And in a post-covid world, it seems manufacturers are pushing out new items at an alarming rate to build up buzz around their products. I think all of those listed above—save for the Redline—will do astonishingly well at dealers. These models offer a unique feature set that enthusiasts will be intrigued by. As for the Redline, its price point will limit its market, so time will tell of its success.