SHOT Show Roundup: Firearms

This is part one of a two-part series discussing all the new items on display at SHOT Show. I do not doubt that your Instagram Feed and YouTube Watch Later sections are filled with SHOT Show content. However, it can be a bit daunting to sift through it all. This article is designed to be a landing spot with a quick down-and-dirty look at new items. This first article will focus on firearms while a later article will cover accessories. One note, this is not an all-inclusive list. There is simply too much. However, I’ve tried to comb through and list the most likely to-be-available guns and tried not to include any concepts or prototypes that will not be released for some time. Also, I’ve tried to add what I thought was the most interesting, so I excluded some general line extensions or line updates. Enjoy.

Beretta

92XI Squalo: The Squalo is a USPA Limited Optics competition-ready pistol. It includes Beretta’s X-treme S single-action only trigger, DLC coated components, Hogue textured grip, fiber optic front sight with MRDS compatibility, gas-pedal incorporated takedown lever, Toni System flared magwell, and includes three Mec-Gar 18 + 4 round magazines. These are very affordable compared to the 2011s that populate the sport.

30X: Beretta has also reintroduced the Tomcat and Bobcat as the new 30X. These are updated pistols with better sights, flat-faced and greatly improved triggers, improved mag-release ergonomics, threaded barrels, and the ability to mount an optic. While the 32ACP might not be the most popular caliber, these pint-sized pistols will surely be fun to shoot.

CZ

457 MTR with MDT or Manner’s Stocks: CZ has introduced two new rimfire rifles focused on NRL-22 and PRS-Rimfire competitions. The first ships with an MDT Chassis that was purpose-built for the CZ action. If an aluminum chassis isn’t your thing, you can pick up a rifle in Manner’s carbon-fiber stock. Both rifles will be excellent shooters and both will be expensive.

CANiK

TTI Combat: This is an all-new gun coming from CANiK in conjunction with Taran Butler of Taran Tactical Innovations. The TTI Combat delivers uniquely aggressive grip texturing, a ported and fluted barrel, the first CANiK compensator, and a diamond-cut, flat-faced trigger with a 90-degree pull. The pistol will ship with 3 magazines that received base pad extensions from TTI. For more of a collector’s touch, the gun will ship with a unique challenge coin.

Daniel Defense

Daniel H9: Daniel has brought two new firearms to market. The first, and the one that has received more airtime than any other firearm released at SHOT, the Daniel H9. For those that aren’t aware, the AR-15 juggernaut has brought its first handgun to market. If the name sounds familiar, then you might remember the Hudson H9 from 7-years back. After Hudson went under, Daniel Defense bought the rights to the firearm. What was surely thought to be a quick transition to release into the market, instead, took 3.5 years of reengineering and development to build a gun that met Daniel’s high standards. The result looks like the original Hudson but is almost an entirely new gun. Quick rundown: the H9 is a low bore-axis gun with a metal frame, and grip geometry that’s like a 1911 and a straight-pull trigger like a 1911. But the pistol is striker fire. The gun is cool—no doubt—but the street price will be over $1300. This begs the question of who it is for and what is the pistol’s purpose.

DDPPC: Also new for Daniel is a Pistol Caliber Carbine. The DDPCC is like most other AR-style 9mm firearms, but instead of using Glock or Colt magazine, Daniel opted for the very proven and widely available CZ Scorpion magazine. It is a direct blowback gun but uses a hydraulic buffer to help soften the sharp recoil impulse. Everything else about the gun is built to Daniel Defense’s exacting standards.

Hi-Point

YC380: The cultural phenomenon Yeet Cannon, or YC9, is now offered in the smaller 380 ACP cartridge. It maintains all the same characteristics as the YC-9.

Kimber

KDS9c: The Kimber KDS9c is their take on a double-stack 1911-esque gun. This pistol debuted last year to lukewarm success. This year Kimber added a rail and ambi-safety to the model.

Kel-Tec

Sub-2000 GEN 3: This is the same as the old but with a “twist.” The basic features of the gun are the same, however, Kel-Tec is finally alieving the most common complaint—as the forearm and barrel fold back, the unit rotates to the right, allowing for the mounting of optics and accessories while maintaining the compact folded footprint. The trigger was also updated with a steel trigger shoe and updated springs. A brass deflector and an updated charging handle round out the updates.

Mossberg

Professional Series 590A1 and 940: These are Lew Enforcement and Military-focused fighting shotguns. Their upgrades include metal iron sights incorporated into the optic cover plate and fiberoptic front, relieved (contoured) edges on the ejection port, and a Cerakote finish.

940: Other updates include the expansion of the 940 line and the inclusion of an all-new Thunder Ranch model. The 940 JM Pro also received an optics cut on the receiver for the Romeo Zero footprint.

Breachers: Mossberg is also planning to release two Breacher-style shotguns that were developed for very specific foreign military units. The good thing, Mossberg is planning to release them to the civilian market. The first one is based on the 590M which utilizes a box-style magazine. Since these are super-shorty’s, the magazine gives increased capacity given the short magazine tube. This model also includes an AR-style safety rather than the typical tang safety, given the firearm uses a vertical pistol grip, the tang safety can be difficult to manipulate. This shotgun is also classified as an AOW (any other weapon) and will be subjected to the NFA process. The other is based on the 590m shockwave and maintains all the standard Mossberg controls. I’d imagine if this one comes to market, it will be with the standard 14” barrel.

Palmetto State Armory (and Harrington and Richardson)

There is too much to cover. While PSA is a direct-to-consumer company, I felt it was important to cover them. They are one of the few companies truly pushing the innovation envelope. This includes their Jakl line of rifles, AK-style rifles, a 5.7X28 PDW, budget handguns, a modular shotgun called the 570, and much more. As for H&R, they are blowing the Retro Rifle realm out of the water. At SHOT show they brought concepts of the AR-15 Light Machine Gun and 635 DOE 9mm sub-gun style pistol. Keep an eye out on their social channels.

Ruger

American Gen 2: So, while not quite a SHOT show release, the new Ruger American Gen 2 is worth mentioning. The American has been an incredibly popular budget-friendly rifle for the past decade. It has received intermittent updates, so it was nice to see Ruger do quite an overhaul. While the action is close to the same, the barrels on several of the options received spiral fluting and all models now have Cerakote finishes. The gun also has a 3-position tang-mounted safety. The bolts have been improved to include an oversized bolt knob for easier manipulation and a polished stainless-steel construction. Perhaps the most striking change is the stock. Ruger has improved the ergonomics with palm and forend swelling, texturing, and overall aesthetics. The stock’s length-of-pull, and height of the comb can also be adjusted via spacers that are locked in by the 45-degree mounted sling swivel. There will be two options, the Standard, in a gray and black finish, and the Ranch, which will have a Tan and black finish on the stock. See Ruger’s website for all the caliber options.

LC-Carbine: Also new for Ruger is the LC Carbine in 45 ACP. It is the same as the 5.7 version, but with a 7-sided M-Lok handguard, an upgraded ergonomic bolt release, and will work with Glock 21 magazines.

Shadow Systems

MR920P and XR920P: For 2024, Shadow Systems is bringing porting to both the MR920 and XR920. The Compensator fits seamlessly into the 19-length slides to make the overall length compatible with Glock 17 holsters.

Smith & Wesson

Model 1854: One trend of SHOT 2024 was the introduction of a host of lever-action rifles. Nothing like innovation than introducing designs that have been around for over a century. The S&W 1854 harkens back to the days of the Volcanic Repeating Arms lever-action pistol…which is a bit of a stretch, to say the least. The 1854 appears to be a combination of Marlin and Henry features with a tactical feel and the ability to attach Marlin 1894 compatible forend and stocks. The initial gun will be chambered in 44 mag, which Smith deems gives them the ability to scale up or back if they want. A .460 or 500 chambered 1854 is the dream. A limited-edition model in high-grade walnut, deep bluing, and hand-fitted parts will also be released. MSRP of the standard model will hover around $1250 while the collector model will soar to $3000.

Lipsey’s Exclusives: Ultimate Carry Airweight Revolvers: Smith & Wesson, in partnership with Lipsey’s, have introduced a new version of the classic J-Frame. Updates included XS sights with the rear dovetailed into the frame, and a VZ grip that comes up a bit higher for a more comfortable grip. The charge holes on the cylinder are beveled, and the trigger received an overhaul with new springs and geometry. Models can be found in both black and matte stainless as well as 38 special and (surprisingly) 32 H&R Magnum.

Springfield Armory

TRP: Springfield has brought back the venerable TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) line of 1911 pistols with updated features. This includes Carry Contour (fastback), commander and full-size sizes, Coyote Brown finishes, serrated sighting plane, G10 grips, and 3-dot tritium sights. They are chambered in 45ACP and will be found for around $1800.

Stacatto

Stacatto C: The Stacatto C is an intermediate-size gun that Stacatto totes as “a 4-inch pistol that is the perfect all-purpose handgun. Small enough for concealed carry and big enough for on-duty and home defense.” This is the slightly bigger brother to last year’s release, the CS.

Tisas

The Turkish manufacturer is bringing a budget 5.7x28mm to market. This follows a trend in recent years of the 5.7 gaining popularity. More options, especially affordable ones, are better.

Winchester

Ranger 22: the Ranger is a durable yet simple 22-rimfire lever-action rifle. It utilizes an aluminum receiver to cut down on weight making it an excellent option for young and new shooters. The new rifles have a 20” barrel, 15-round capacity, hardened steel internal parts (including lever, hammer, and trigger), and a hooded front sight.