Even though we haven’t even reached January’s annual SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show), companies are already unveiling their latest product releases. This indicates that in the age of social media, businesses are increasingly inclined to launch products on their schedules rather than waiting for a public reveal at trade shows where the general audience is not present. I find this trend intriguing, and it reinforces my long-held belief that the industry is evolving in how it communicates with its audiences. While many companies have relied on social media influencers for new product content, an increasing number are developing their internal marketing teams to manage social media efforts.

Here’s an update on new products released during the first week or so of 2025

New Guns

Bergara BMR-X Steel and Carbon

This rifle features a precision rimfire configuration that is perfect for shooters looking for ergonomic characteristics to enhance accuracy without the expense of a full-sized rifle. It also provides an affordable choice for NRL-22 or PRS-22 competitors. In summary, this is the rimfire rifle I have been anticipating Bergara to create. Its standout feature is the updated X-stock, which draws heavily from the B-14R. Like the standard BMR models, the X model is available with either carbon or steel barrels, making it ideal for NRL-22, plinking, or taking out the community of squirrels that repeatedly trigger your Ring Doorbell (though not for use within city limits...)

H&K VP9 A1

The A1 models retain essential features like a hammer-forged barrel and patented charging supports, and now they include an optics cut for compatible direct-mount optics as a standard feature. Enhancements involve updated grip texture, redesigned controls for better usability, a flared magazine well, and a new magazine baseplate design. Furthermore, the trigger bar features a nickel Teflon finish for an improved trigger pull. This upgrade was necessary for a highly regarded pistol (at least, I consider it highly regarded; others should also, but I digress). In a recent article discussing the state of the industry, I addressed this type of release. Companies often introduce upgraded versions of legacy models to keep pace with evolving trends. The VP9 A1 is a perfect example (along with the new Walther PDP models released last year).

Henry Supreme

The Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle (LASR), available in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout, offers advanced performance and versatility for lever-action firearms. Teased at least a year at SHOT Show, the Supreme is finally available. The rifle features innovative enhancements, including a sub-MOA accurate barrel (astonishing for a lever gun), smooth action mechanics, an adjustable trigger, and premium materials. Notably, it employs a quad-bar linkage and slider crank for reliable cycling and feeds from a detachable AR-15 magazine. The rifle is designed for maximum usability in varied conditions, ensuring reliability and precision for shooters. I still find it surprising that this rifle exists. I saw footage from last year’s show and thought, “That’s cool.” To me, it only makes sense if you’re running suppressed. Lever guns are extremely quiet due to their closed-action and are pretty handy and fast to run compared to a bolt gun (your opinion may vary on this). This is more of a “cool” gun rather than a replacement for an AR-15—unless you’re in a restricted state where options are limited.

Mossberg 590R and 590RM

The Mossberg 590R and 590RM (Magazine Fed) 12-gauge shotguns build on the traditional 590 pump-action design, featuring enhancements like a rotary safety selector and AR-style ergonomics. Key upgrades include a user-serviceable fore-end, an integrated barrel with a single heat shield, and the aforementioned ambidextrous safety. Two standard and two magazine-fed models are available. The 590R retains many characteristics of previous models, such as twin action bars, steel lock-up, anti-jam elevator, dual extractors, and a drilled and tapped aluminum receiver for optics. Like the 590R, the 590RM shotgun (which was introduced in 2018) features a detachable magazine with stabilizing ribs for a secure fit, along with a lever-style magazine release for easy access, compatible with 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-round magazines. For those accustomed to shotguns with pistol grips, engaging the safety selector can be nearly impossible without compromising your grip. Additionally, a shotgun’s ergonomics can feel uncomfortable when adding an optic. The 590R series incorporates AR-style features into a relatively outdated platform that needs a refresh (I discussed this in a prior article before this product's release. It’s like I know what I’m doing, LOL). I’m a fan (now, can we get an SBS breacher-style version? You know, since ATF wait times are a breeze compared to the old days).

Taurus GX2

Taurus introduced the GX2 in 2025, updating the popular G2c handgun, which was first launched in 1997 as part of the Millennium series. The GX2 is designed for affordability and compactness, featuring a 6.19" overall length and a 3.25” barrel, chambered in 9mm and weighing 20.08 oz. Improvements over the G2c include a three-slot accessory rail, a flat-faced striker-fired trigger system, and user-friendly disassembly. It retains Glock-compatible sights and comes with two 13-round magazines, along with options for a 10-round and an extended 15-round magazine. The GX2 is available with either a carbon steel or stainless-steel slide. Like the VP9 A1, it modernizes a legacy gun to current standards. At its price point, it is likely to sell well. Furthermore, since Bret Vorhees took over as CEO of Taurus Holdings INC, the company has made a commendable comeback with a renewed focus on customer service, quality control, and catering to the American market.

New Cartridges

7mm Backcountry

The Federal 7mm Backcountry is a groundbreaking high-performance cartridge designed for superior ballistics and terminal performance in compact, shorter-barreled suppressed rifles. Featuring a patented Peak Alloy case, this one-piece design allows for higher velocities than traditional brass cases while being dimensionally smaller. This enables extra rounds in magazines and delivers magnum velocity from shorter barrels without added recoil.

Unfortunately for Federal, they haven’t built trust with the market. The 327 Federal Magnum, 224 Valkyrie, and 30 Super Carry bear the brunt of this scrutiny. Could this signify the next evolution in ammunition? Yes. Could it also end up being a complete failure? Also, yes. The claims of higher velocities with reduced recoil do not add up physically. Federal asserts 3,000 fps at the muzzle from a 20” barrel using 175-grain ammo. How is it possible that recoil is not increased to support these impressive results? I’m curious to see how much market share the cartridge captures, especially with Hornady’s newer 7mm PRC, a fan favorite. As with all new products, time will reveal its success or failure.

338 ARC

The Hornady 338 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) is engineered for AR-15 and bolt-action platforms. It offers exceptional terminal performance in both supersonic and subsonic variants. It is designed primarily for subsonic use, featuring a small case capacity for consistent ammo and a specialized SUB-X bullet. The 338 ARC enhances versatility for various activities, including target shooting and hunting, while maintaining impressive energy retention and accuracy. Its compact design makes it suitable for compact AR-15 platforms, ensuring reliable cycling and powerful performance regardless of application.

The 338 ARC is based on the uber-efficient 6.5 Grendel case (an offshoot of the PPC line cartridge, whose parent case is the .220 Russian, which also bore the infamous 7.62x39). With NFA lead times down, an increasing number of people are buying suppressors and guns optimized for suppression. That’s where the 338 ARC comes in. Unlike Federal’s 7mm Backcountry, Hornady has a proven and respected track record of new releases.

Zoom Out

This first week of the new year has presented us with some new and intriguing options. While most are extensions, I find the Henry Supreme and the Mossberg 590R especially alluring. (Although, personally, the new Bergara might make its way into my safe.) Interestingly, manufacturers are bypassing the spectacle of SHOT Show to introduce products on their own schedule, giving the items more time to resonate than the barrage released or announced at SHOT. I believe the most likely candidate for failure or rejection (to be clear, I’m not wishing for that; sometimes you scratch your head at new releases) is the 7mm Back Country. Is it cool and innovative? Yes. But is it something that everyone is pursuing? I don’t think so (again, I hope I’m wrong). Federal doesn’t enjoy the same leniency as others, and that’s rightfully so (consider their track record: 327 Federal Magnum, 224 Valkyrie, and the 30 Super Carry versus Hornady. 17 HMR, 204 Ruger, 480 Ruger, 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor, the PRC family, the ARC family, etc. Even their misses, like the 375 Ruger and 300 RCM, proved crucial in developing future cartridges). It'll be a tough sell until the 7mm Back Country has time to develop and earn trust.

With this being the first week of the year, I’ll continue to upload new product releases and my thoughts on them. I’m sure I’ve already missed some. Until Next time.