Every year, the National Shooting Sports Foundation hosts the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show. The show allows the gun industry to showcase the newest firearms and related gear. SHOT Show just ended last month in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it’s been held for several years. The following is just a few of the appealing new firearms entering the market in 2018.
Ruger’s PC (pistol caliber) carbine in 9mm, has been around for a number or years. The PC now accepts Glock magazines, in addition to Ruger pistol magazines. What’s so appealing to me about this carbine is its takedown ability. It comes apart just like the Ruger 10/22 takedown.
Another Ruger offering is the “Security 9″ pistol, a low-cost version of the G19. It comes standard with a manual safety lever, which I would recommend leaving in the “off” position anyway. Nice trigger at five pounds with a crisp reset. For a serious carry pistol, it’s not bad, and pricing is very reasonable.
The Glock 19X is essentially a G19 slide on a G17 frame. Some are advocates of this idea, others not so much. Reports are that the trigger has been much improved. Glock will most likely do well with this new offering.
Walther’s well known PPQ pistol now has a smaller version, the “SC.” Short grip and short slide, in 9mm, it’s an 11-shooter. A bit small for some, but many will like it. The PPQ trigger is hard to beat.
Springfield Armory’s hammer-fired XDE is another pistol on its way to gathering a unique following as a hammer fired system. New for 2018 is the 45ACP, but it’s been offered in 9mm last year. It is very flat (single column) and easy to carry. Slide manipulation is reported to be very easy although the double to single action trigger can be challenging.
Honor Defense is making a polymer-framed, single-column 9mm (8-shooter) with modular grip components, and comes apart exactly like a SIG 320.
Beretta’s APX pistol is a G17-sized, double-column carry pistol. Reports are that it surpasses all their other models. Many Beretta fans are recommending it.
Also from Beretta is the model 1301 shotgun, at the top of the list of defensive purposes. Folks are saying it has much less recoil than the model 1201. The model 1301 will be a good option for those looking for a 12ga shotgun for serious applications.
Sig Sauer has a new model, P365. It’s a striker-fired, flat, 9mm concealment pistol, designed to compete with the S&W Shield, Kahr PM9, Walther PPS/M2, and G43. The 365 comes from the factory with night-sights, a nice addition. The magazine is basically single stack that makes the 365 an 11 or 12-shooter depending on which magazine you use.
Kahr Arms now makes a nice AR selling in the $750.00 range. Kahr pistols are now available in the “C,” “S,” and “P” series, “P” being the nicest-finished and most expensive. All are reported to run well.
DSArms, well known makers of FALs, is making the CTC, a folding stock with magazine-release near the front of the trigger-guard. If you are looking for a serious 308 rifle, take a look at what DSA has to offer.
POF (Patriot Ordinance Factory) is producing the “Revolution” gas-piston AR rifle in 308 caliber. For those who love 308 rifles, this is another great choice in a defensive rifle. It’s about the same weight and size as a typical AR in 5.56×45.
Late breaking … although it did not debut at SHOT Show, Smith and Wesson has come out with the M&P 380 Shield EZ, comparable to their M&P Shield line of pistols. This 380 ACP pistol comes with a grip safety, tactile chamber indicator and adjustable rear sight. The EZ will be available at retailers in February 2018 according to Smith and Wesson.
There is no doubt that the industry is putting much effort into compact and flat pistols of all calibers with the concealed carry market in mind and with good cause … more and more folks are serious about providing for their everyday defense.
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