SHOT Show is back, and the long list of new guns, ammo, gear and accessories hasn’t disappointed.
Focusing on guns, pretty much every manufacturer on the floor has something new to offer. Not all of these companies ended up exhibiting at the show due to COVID concerns, but this is a sampling of what they're offering this year. If you weren’t able to attend the show, or simply couldn’t take it all in, here’s a quick first look at five 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. The key difference is the overall length. At 6.5 inches, the G3X is more than three-quarters 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, the new G3X is compatible with G3 and G3C T.O.R.O. slide kits. The latter is the good upgrade 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. Also, the Taurus G3X comes with a dovetail cut for the rear sight, allowing consumers to install popular aftermarket tritium night sights for enhanced low light performance.
Rock River Arms Assurance Carbine
Family-owned Rock River Arms, known for its modern sporting rifles and pistols, has introduced the Assurance Carbine. 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, the Assurance is equipped with a premium 16-inch chrome moly barrel for accuracy and extended barrel life in an easy-to-clean platform. Other features include RRA’s popular two-stage trigger and 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.
Canik SFx Rival Series
The SFx Rival is Canik’s latest competition-ready and budget-friendly handgun, spec’ed 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.
Springfield Hellion
Springfield’s new 5.56mm Hellion bullpup sports a 16-inch barrel with an overall length of only 28.25 to 29.75 inches. Size is where a bullpup really shines. 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.
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 gun is available in seven chamberings, including .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and .338 Lapua Magnum.
