By Eve Flanigan
Manufacturers continue to deliver guns that satisfy the need or urge to hunt, defend, compete, or recreate.
It’s a tall order that renews every year. Delivering a high degree of refinement and reliability on updated renditions of existing product lines is a conservative approach that strikes a balance between consumer satisfaction and the risks inherent in churning out entirely new products. Of course, there are exceptions, but guarded optimism and conservative moves appear to the be norm this season. Concealed-carry firearms continue to be popular, with a trend toward slightly longer barrels. There’s never been a better time to be a consumer of a hunting or defense gun. Good ergonomics, once considered good luck to find or a treat to purchase, have become standard.
Canik
Until recently Canik only imported from Turkey via Century Arms, but last year it opened a U.S.-based plant. Their growing line of polymer-lower pistols has exploded in popularity. Two new models were released in late 2024. The new guns are called Mete MC9 L and MC9 LS, with a 3.18-inch and 3.64-inch barrel, respectively. The biggest difference between the new pistols and the carry-ready MC9 is capacity, with both new models being 17+1. Black or desert tan frame and slide colors are offered. SRP: $499.99.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #12660
Check these out on: canikusa.com
Charter Arms
Charter Arms is known for making revolvers in rimless cartridge chamberings, i.e. .45 ACP and 9mm Luger. But now they’ve taken it a step further with the aptly named Double Dog revolvers. These versatile guns feature cross-caliber compatibility thanks to an interchangeable cylinder. A patented, no-moon clip design for the Double Dog means the same frame and barrel can shoot multiple calibers with a simple cylinder change. The first, and so far only, entrant in the series is the Mag Pug Combo, which accommodates .357 Magnum/.38 Special and 9mm. The Mag Pug Combo is offered in two barrel lengths, 2.2 or 4.2 inches, both ported for recoil dissipation. Capacity is five rounds regardless of chambering. Finish choices are black and stainless, with black or stainless finish and walnut grips. SRP: $637-$659.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #44151
Check these out on: charterfirearms.com
European American Armory
The Girsan Witness2311 Brat, designed with concealed carry in mind, is a compact, double-stack 1911 with a 3.4-inch barrel. The Brat comes with an 11-round magazine in .45 ACP or a 17-round magazine in 9mm. Standard features include Novak-style 3-dot sights, an extended beavertail grip safety, ambidextrous thumb safety, skeletonized hammer, removable magazine well, accessory rail, and a hard travel case. SRP: $679.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #12054
Check these out on: eaacorp.com
Savage
The new Stance XR has an expanded capacity of 13+1 and a quick-release optics mount that allows the user to easily switch optics. Internals remain the same as on the original Stance. Consumer-selected options still include three colors, manual safety or none, and standard or tritium sights. An already-mounted optic is also an option. SRP: $469-$659.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #12821
Check these out on: savagearms.com
Springfield Armory
Springfield has added an integrally compensated edition to their Echelon striker pistol line. Still with a 4.5-inch barrel, the Echelon 4.5F Comp delivers less felt recoil with a barrel and slide that both have a sizable port. It employs standout Echelon features like multi-brand, direct-mount optic compatibility and Springfield’s unique Central Operating Group. Capacity is 15+1 with two mags included. Ten- and 17-round mag options are available. SRP: $749.
Springfield has also rolled out a compact version of the 9mm Echelon pistol, called 4.0C. As the name implies, it has a four-inch barrel. Capacity remains at 15+1. The serialized internals and optic mount are the same dimensions as others in the Echelon line. The 4.0C sports three-dot tritium sights. A threaded barrel option is available. SRP: $719-739.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #11217
Check these out on: springfield-armory.com
Stoeger
Stoeger is perhaps the surprise entrant in this list with their new 9mm striker gun, the Combat SX. It’s full of in-demand features, including three 20-round magazines, three backstrap choices, a threaded 4.13-inch barrel, adjustable fiber-optic front sight, ambi slide lock, and a slot for an optic. The trigger guard is roomy. The Combat SX is finished in an almost black, dark bronze. SRP: $699.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #13238
Check these out on: stoegerindustries.com
Taurus
The double/single action 608 Competition gives USPSA/ICORE competitors a seriously competitive gun out of the box. Features include eight-round capacity in .38 Special+P and .357 Magnum and a user-adjustable trigger. The lightened cylinder is cut for moon clips to facilitate fast reloads. Up front is a green Hi-Viz front sight. A six-inch bull barrel contributes to the hefty, 51-ounce unloaded weight. SRP: $1,015.99.
Another new revolver from Taurus, the diminutive double-action-only 605, is a five-round .357 Magnum/.38 Special. With a shrouded hammer, it’s ready for concealed carry. Buyers can choose from matte black or matte stainless finish and a two- or three-inch barrel. A removable front blade sight sets it apart from some others in this category. SRP: $454.99-$469.99.
The 22TUC is a clever gun with a clever and descriptive name. This nine-round capacity, fit-in-a-pocket .22 LR semi has a tip-up barrel for easy loading for those who don’t want to or can’t rack a slide. It has a double-action trigger inside a roomy trigger guard. A 2.5-inch barrel, polymer frame, and subsequent 10-ounce weight make it an easy choice as a backup concealment pistol, but numerous features make it suitable for both skilled and new shooters. Normal-profile sights with an orange dot in the front are standard. On the grip you’ll find a beavertail, pinky support, and textured panels all make the 22TUC shootable for users of most any stature. SRP: $333.99.
Coming this spring is the Taurus GX2, a concealment-ready, striker-fired 9mm. Its barrel will be 3.38 inches. Features include an ergonomic grip, Picatinny rail, adjustable and aftermarket-accommodating sights, manual safety, and two 13-round magazines (10- and 15-round mags also available). It is not optic-ready. SRP: $309.99-$324.99.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #13038
Check these out on: taurususa.com
Walther Arms
Walther Arms has revitalized their historic hammer-fired handguns while simultaneously cranking out new editions of its cutting-edge Performance Duty Pistol (PDP) series, now considered the flagship of the brand. Here is just a sampling of new Walther offerings.
The classic PP has been re-introduced with the appearance it had in 1929 when it first appeared in the hands of law officers and sport shooters. Today’s PP is found in classic .380 ACP (7+1) and .32 (8+1) chamberings, with Carl Walther’s iconic fixed barrel/blowback design and black or stainless finish. Barrels are 3.9 inches. The real update to the PP is a rotating safety/decocker that eliminates the need to touch the trigger to decock the action. SRP: $969.
The PPK/SD is a renewed version of Walther’s .32 ACP PPK. It shares many of the same features and appearance as the PP, with two notable exceptions. First, its barrel is just 3.2 inches. But it’s the second difference that’s ground-breaking. Walther updated the barrel with threads to make the PPKS S/D a handy suppressor host. SRP: $1,099.
The PDP Pro-E, Walther’s popular striker gun, has a coveted new feature: 20-round magazines. Those who embrace the philosophy of carrying more ammo will be pleased to know this PDP package still includes three metallic-body magazines. SRP: $779. PDP Pro-X Parker Mountain Machine is a partnership with Parker Mountain Machine company. The result is a PDP line extension with a a four-inch slide with an integral compensator over a ported barrel. Mag capacity is 18 for the four-inch compact; 20 for the 4.6-inch full size. Ten-round options are offered. SRP: $999.
During the 2025 SHOT Show, find them in: Booth #12469
Check these out on: waltherarms.com
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