Today at Beretta’s pre-SHOT Show Range Day, we got to try out Beretta’s new 28 Gauge A400 Upland Magnum.  This svelte semiauto shotgun may be small in stature and meant for upland game, but according to Beretta reps it has the ability to take down ducks and geese with the right loads.  First announced in September 2022, this shotgun should be available now.

At today’s SHOT Show pre-industry day at the range Cadex Defence showcased their new CDX-SS SEVEN S.T.A.R.S PRO rifle.  Designed with the PRS shooter in mind, the SEVEN S.T.A.R.S. PRO is feature-packed right out of the box.  Cadex was happy to announce there’s no need to wait as the rifle being shown is shipping now.  Let’s take a closer look.

On the virtual eve of SHOT Show 2023, the Department of Justice is amending the regulations surrounding the clarification of firearms that constitute a rifle under federal law. At the heart of the ruling is the factoring criteria for firearms with stabilizing braces. Approximately 10 years ago, the ATF evaluated the first device designed to assist people with disabilities while shooting longer/heavier guns. Since then, the market for ‘pistol stabilizing braces’ grew exponentially, with most major manufacturers offering models with braces. The 300 page ruling focuses on six criteria, including weight and length, length of pull, type of sights, the design of the weapon, advertising materials, and general use throughout the community.

Meopta Sports Optics is a dual Czech and American operation offering a spectrum of shooting-related optics. Their product catalog includes multiple series of rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and more. One of their product lines is a collection of red dot optics. Now a new red dot option is getting added to the family, this time aimed primarily at the pistol optics market. As with most pistol red dots, it can also be used on long guns or as a scope-mounted add-on for longer-range to close-quarters transitions. Check out the press release for the MeoSight IV red dot‘s announcement below.

Unity Tactical is one of the industry’s leading names when it comes to firearms accessories. Their optics mounts, helmet attachments, weaponlight/laser switches, and more tend to be some of the most popular products on the market in their respective sub-sectors. Two of their prior switch releases, the 45-degree angled Hot Button and the flat-mount ModButton have become go-to solutions for a plethora of shooters running weaponlights, lasers, or both. One configuration that has become common is to run the tandem pairing of a Hot Button in front of a ModButton, and it seems that Unity has caught on to this trend. They have recently announced a new switch that mimics this setup, but in an optimized double-button/single-housing unit. Meet the new Unity Tactical AXON.

Colt CZ Group have signed a new Joint Venture agreement with Hungary’s state-owned defence conglomerate N7 Holdings. The joint venture will see the establishment of a new small arms production facility in Hungary to provide firearms for the Hungarian Armed Forces.

German police departments who had previously selected Haenel’s CR223 won’t have to destroy their carbines following an earlier ruling by Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court in a patent infringement case. We initially reported on the court’s ruling late last year. Haenel have now released a statement explaining their position feeling that media reporting around the case has not been as nuanced as it should be, noting that “without question, this reporting has led to uncertainty among our customers.”

The Civilian Marksmanship Program just released their 2023 rule books, which included an entire new shooting discipline. Action pistol matches are now part of the CMP’s repertoire. Let’s take a look at these new rules, as well as some changes to other types of matches.

In a surprising turn of events,  Colt announced the introduction of a bolt-action precision rifle. Since CZ’s acquisition of Colt in 2021, we have wondered in what directions we’d see Colt move and now it seems that Colt will be leveraging some of CZ’s existing expertise in precision bolt action rifle design. The CBX Precision Rifle utilises a bolt design from the CZ 600 series of rifles, pairing it with a new aluminum chassis system developed with MDT which has a 6 o’clock ACRA rail and 3 and 9 o’clock M-LOK slots.

The existing catalog of Canik handguns currently spans nearly two dozen models between their Signature, Rival, Mete, and TP9 series. These guns differ in a variety of details from finishes to features, and range in price from MSRPs starting at $379.99 to $899.99. A new model now sits atop the high end of this range, with the recent announcement of the company’s two new SFx Rival-S variants. These newest 9mm additions feature steel frames and are offered in either a shiny silver-and-black colorway or a blacked-out “Dark Side” finish. Check out the official press release for these new handguns, as shown below.

Hi-Point Firearms is a company with, shall we say, a bit of a reputation. Their budget-friendly products, which they call “the working man’s gun”, have become the quintessential meme guns. To their credit, they generally lean into this characterization. This is a brand which used a social media campaign to get the public to name one of its guns, which resulted in the infamous “Yeet Cannon”. Now they’re expanding their lineup with a new version which has been much requested by its customer base, this time in 10mm. Meet the new Hi-Point JXP10.

Patriot Ordnance Factory, aka POF-USA, is best known for their AR-pattern rifles, particularly their piston-driven models. The Arizona-based operation began its existence in late founder Frank DeSomma’s garage, fueled by his experience as an aerospace engineer, and is still carrying on strong in his memory with fresh products and innovation. They announced a new PCC, the Phoenix, at SHOT Show 2022, and are now doubling down in the 9mm game ahead of SHOT Show 2023. Their newest pistol-caliber gun looks a bit different, however. Meet the 9mm magazine-fed lever-action Tombstone.

Laugo Arms, known for designing the Scorpion and selling it to CZ, began making a splash with their Alien pistol in 2018-2019. The Alien is an interesting design, using a gas piston delayed blowback system and incorporating a non-reciprocating modular top sight rail over a fixed barrel. Since the SHOT Show 2020 announcement that they were working on bringing the Alien to the US, Lancer Systems has been Laugo’s American importation, sales, and service partner. This relationship is about to come to an end, however. Lancer Systems issued a press release on January 1st, 2023 stating that Laugo Arms is set to officially open their own US operation, taking over Alien support in the States from Lancer. Read the full press release below.

Several industry-leading companies have gathered together to offer what they’re calling the “ Ultimate Predator Hunt Giveaway” – an excellent-looking gun and accessories package. This setup included two rifles from Stag Arms, a 6.5 Grendel Stag 15 Pursuit and a 6.5 Creedmoor Stag 10 Pursuit. On top of either rifle you can affix your AGM Adder TS35-384 thermal scope. For your hearing protection, HUXWRX has included their HX-QD-762 suppressor, and these products can all rest comfortably on top of a BOG Death Grip Infinite carbon fiber tripod. Gun Foam will package all of this kit into one of their custom foam and case setups, into which Böker has placed a couple of their knives as well, for your game dressing and fieldcraft needs. Enter the giveaway on AGM’s website, at this link.

Since their founding twenty years ago, Boise, Idaho-based Tactical Solutions has made a name for itself in the industry most notably as Ruger rimfire specialists, although they also make successful products for other brands, such as their .22 Long Rifle conversion kits for Glock handguns. Since TacSol’s original Pac-Lite barrels for the Ruger Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, and 22/45 from two decades ago, their product lineup has expanded to encompass a good deal of parts and accessories for the vaunted 10/22 platform as well. The options on offer include customized complete 10/22 rifles, barrels, suppressors, receivers, and more. Now they’re adding a new trigger option to the catalog for 2023. Meet the drop-in 10/22 XRT trigger.

Pistol frame, parts kit, and firearms manufacturer Polymer80 has issued a response to the ATF open letter to FFLs regarding the definition of ‘readily convertible’ as it pertains to firearms and firearm parts made by individuals. The Polymer80 statement addresses the ATF’s position on certain configurations of various parts and the possible modifications required to stay in compliance with the recent determinations. In the letter, Polymer80 thanks customers for their support and asks them to continue to buy their products so they can continue the legal challenges against ATF’s ruling. The full Polymer80 statement can be found below.

Odin Works offers a full suite of complete firearms, parts, and accessories primarily for the AR platform. From AR-15s, AR-10s, AR-9s, suppressors, and more, this Boise, Idaho-based shop pretty much does it all. Previously, their AR-10 complete upper receiver lineup has ranged in length from 16″ to 22″ barrels. Now the company is expanding their offerings by adding a new carbine-length option as well. Meet the new Odin Works 11.5″ .308 complete upper receiver.

In the world of long-range precision shooting and hunting, Gunwerks is a household name. Their product lineup includes five-figure-priced setups like the HamR, which they boast possesses two-mile hit capability out of the box, and the lightweight ClymR intended for trekking on foot during mountain hunting. Now they’ve added a new model of rifle system, meant to provide shooters with top-tier Gunwerks precision performance at a more wallet-friendly price point than their other products. Meet the new Werkman rifle system.

1791 Gunleather makes holsters for a wide variety of handguns. With many options for either IWB or OWB, magazine carriers, light-bearing models, belt tool organizers, and more, they offer a plethora of solutions for a broad spectrum of applications. Adding to their long list of supported handguns, 1791 has incorporated the SIG SAUER P365-XMACRO into their holster design lineup. There are over a dozen models featuring P365-XMACRO compatibility currently listed on their site. Read more in their recent press release, as shown below.

On December 27, 2022, an ATF open letter to FFLs was published on the ATF website as a guide for the determination of whether pistol frames are completed or can be readily completed into firearms. The determination process is important because it identifies firearms that require record-keeping and background checks or just uncontrolled firearm parts.

There have been more than a few attempts made to modernize the venerable 1911 over the years. While the inimitable John Moses Browning’s 111-year-old original design has a veritable host of fanatical adherents who display no compunction in declaring that the 1911 needs no updating as it is the perfect creation of God himself, not all shooters concur. Some want different calibers or other features offered by the swath of 2011 variants that have cropped up in recent years. Some manufacturers have taken things a step further and fully hybridized the 1911, like Dan Wesson with CZ in their DWX. Now a new player is emerging in the 1911-of-the-future game. Meet Oracle Arms and their new 2311 handgun, launching soon at SHOT Show 2023.

Reptilia Corp is probably most well-known for their optics mounts, though they make a variety of other products such as stocks, grips, and weaponlight bodies. Their optics mounts are available for a broad spectrum of applications, many of which are designed to add red dots onto scope mounts for quick and effective transitions between longer-distance engagements and close-quarters shooting. Other models are built as standalone red dot mounts for non-scoped firearms. They have just announced a new version of their red dot mount, this time supporting the Holosun AEMS micro reflex sight. Check out their official product announcement below.

From its aerospace manufacturing roots, Arizona-based Blackout Defense has emerged in the last few years as an AR manufacturer striving for design innovation. From their Zero triggers to their barrel and receiver locking systems, to their hybrid muzzle device, Blackout endeavors to improve and refine components of the well-established AR-15 design. This has won them support from buyers in many parts of the country, but California shooters haven’t had an option for compliance with their state’s particular regulations – until now. In the following press release, the company announced that they are now offering a Cali-compliant option in their website’s custom rifle builder tool. Read more below.

Australian-based iAiming was founded in 2020, and currently offers three models of thermal optics products marketed primarily to hunters. These are named the iA-317, the iA-617 and the iA-612. Each model is Picatinny rail-mounted and features White Hot, Black Hot, Ironbow, Glowbow, Sepia, Red Hot, and Green Hot palette options. Their website describes these products as “game-changers” which use artificial intelligence and “First Shot Auto-Zeroing” technology. Now the company is expanding from down under to the North American market, with the following announcement of their new offices in Texas.

Last week we reported that the German government had allotted funds for the Bundeswehr’s procurement of its new rifle – the G95A1. Heckler & Koch have now released a statement and some photographs of the Bundeswehr’s new rifles. The new The ‘System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr’ or Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System will be made up of two variants of the HK416 – the G95A1, with a 16.5 inch barrel and the G95KA1 carbine variant which will have a 14 inch barrel. The A1 designation suffix has likely been chosen to differentiate it from the HK416A7 variant, with a 14.5 inch barrel, which is already  in use with Germany’s Special Forces Command – the KSK.

For most of its history, the Thunder Beast Arms Corporation has primarily made suppressors for the precision rifle sector, but it seems lately that they’re branching out a bit. TFB recently shared the news of TBAC’s 9mm can, the Fly 9. This titanium-constructed silencer features a modular design that allows either a seven-inch long configuration or a short 4.4-inch conversion. Now they’ve announced a second Fly model, the Fly 45. This new can will also feature the same titanium construction and modularity as the Fly 9, with both eight-inch and 5.5-inch configuration options. Check out TBAC’s official product announcement below.

Reptilia Corp has a strong firearms industry pedigree, with some of their personnel carrying prior brand affiliations from a number of the top names in the business, such as Magpul and Crye Precision. They produce a spectrum of weapon accessories for a variety of platforms, including AR-15s, precision rifles, and more. In particular, they are probably best known for their optics mount components and integral M-LOK weapon light bodies. Now they’ve introduced a new buttstock for the AR-15 platform, named the RECC•E Carbine Stock. Check out the RECC•E’s official product description below.

On the heels of their successful mid-length Vox-S suppressor, Energetic Arms announced the compact K version around SHOT Show 2019. With “K” indicating “Kurtz” (which is German for “short”), this compact silencer chopped down about an inch, for those shooters concerned about their gun’s overall length. The K model was also generally well received, as its bigger S-model brother had been. Now Energetic is endeavoring to evolve the series further. They recently issued a press release announcing an updated version, the Vox K2. The K2 update boasts improved performance over its predecessor, measured in weight efficiency – i.e. decibel reduction per ounce of silencer weight. It will still function with a variety of mounts, such as Dead Air’s Key-Mo, SilencerCo’s ASR, Q’s Plan-B, and more, and its .30 cal bore will function with different end caps for either 7.62mm or 5.56mm compatibility and the silicone wipes for which this series has become well-known. Check out Energetic Arms’ announcement below.

In the pantheon of larger-than-life characters from America’s Old West era, few loom larger than Theodore Roosevelt. Prior to his two terms as the 26th US President, from 1901 to 1909, Roosevelt discovered and embraced the Wild West lifestyle, establishing and operating a cattle ranch in North Dakota. In spite of his New York socialite roots, TR learned to cowboy, rope, ride, hunt, and more in the rough country around the Little Missouri river. These experiences served him well when he formed the first volunteer US Cavalry regiment, the Rough Riders, at the outset of the Spanish-American War in 1898. At this time, he was gifted a Smith & Wesson single-action revolver. Rock Island Auction recently sold this historic firearm at auction (along with numerous other interesting pieces), and as you might expect for such a storied gun, it fetched quite a sum – $910,625.

Two years ago, Springfield Armory released their Model 2020 bolt-action rifle series to much acclaim – our own James Reeves awarded them a place in the list of his top five guns of 2020. He ran it through Thunder Ranch’s counter-sniper course and praised the rifle for its lightness, features, and performance. Federal Premium had launched its high-end Custom Shop operation the year prior, giving customers the ability to select from a choice menu of bullet styles and grains in a variety of calibers. Now Federal and Springfield have partnered to introduce a lineup of Custom Shop ammo specifically for the Model 2020 series.