This year marked the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers’ (NASGW) annual meetings and expo, which was held in Kansas City, Mo. Although this is a much smaller gathering than the annual SHOT Show held in Las Vegas, it provides a sneak peek into the new gun models making their way into the market place in the near future. Here are just a few of the models that enthusiasts can look forward to.
Bushmaster V-RADICATOR AR-15 Rifles
Bushmaster Firearms is reviving its varmint hunting rifle line-up with the launch of the new V-Radicator series of semi-automatic AR-15 rifles. Outfitted with fluted 416R stainless steel barrels in a choice of three different lengths, it was the 24" version that caught my eye! Featuring a .223 Wylde chamber and a 1:9" rifling twist-rate, this barrel is configured to accommodate a wide variety of 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington loads while making the most of the light-weight bullet varminting rounds intended for prairie dog, hog and coyote hunting.
The threaded barrel will accommodate a variety of muzzle devices, including sound suppressors. The typical mil-spec single-stage fire control group has been upgraded to Bushmaster's Dedicated Marksman two-stage trigger (DM2S) for a smooth, clean trigger-pull. This rifle's furniture set includes Magpul MOE K2-XL grip and PR adjustable carbine stock along with a 17” Bravo Zulu M-LOK handguard. The 24" barrel version is listed for $1,129 with a 20" version available for $1,116 or an 18" option for $1,103.
Charter Arms Double Dog Series
Charter Arms is now offering the best-of features of its Mag Pug and Pit Bull revolvers with the new Double Dog Combo series. Each revolver ships with two complete cylinder assemblies. One is chambered for .357 Mag and .38 Spl. The second cylinder, borrowed from the Pit Bull models, is chambered in 9 mm with a specialized ejector star mechanism, which eliminates the need for moon clips.
The five-shot double-action Double Dogs feature an all stainless steel construction with integral front sight blades and dual vent barrel porting to reduce muzzle rise. The cylinders can be exchanged by removing the cylinder yoke screw located at the front of the frame. The 2.2" barrel model will be available in matte stainless steel or black finish with checkered walnut grips for a suggested retail price of $637. A 4.2" barrel Backpacker version with an adjustable rear sight and an extended walnut grip will also be available for $659.
EAA Girsan Witness2311 Match Pistol
European American Arms (EAA) has expanded their 2011-pattern pistol line to include the new 5" barrel two-tone Black/Tungsten finished Witness2311 Match configuration. Designed with competition in mind, the matte black slide features front and rear cocking serrations with a fully adjustable target rear sight and a white dot front sight. The bull barrel is supported by a dustcover with a full-length accessory rail.
The controls include a skeletonized hammer, extended beavertail safety with memory bump, an ambidextrous thumb safety lever, a left-side magazine release and a tuned single-action trigger with a listed maximum trigger-pull weight of 4 lbs., 8 ozs. The textured grip frame accepts standard 2011 double-stack magazines with one 17-round and a second 20-round magazine provided. The Witness2311 Match has a listed price of $989. It will also be available in a Match X configuration with an integral compensator for $1,069.
FightLite Industries Lever-Action Bandito Pistol
FightLite Industries is expanding its 5.56 NATO and .300 BLK Bandito pistol lineup to include a manually operated version based on the company's Herring lever-action AR platform. Made here in the United States, these pistols are fitted with 7.25” long threaded 4150 vanadium steel barrels chambered with threaded barrels and a nitro-carburized finish. The 6.5" M-Lok handguard has a full-length optics rail that aligns with that of the flattop upper receiver.
Most of the external controls and the magazine well are AR-15 mil-spec, with the exceptions of the cross-bolt push button safety and the generously sized lever loop. Shaped to resemble a cropped lever-action rifle stock, the curved, checkered polymer pistol grips will be available in Black, FDE or OD Green. This version of the Bandito is listed at $1,900.
Heritage Manufacturing Coachwhip Shotgun
Heritage Manufacturing continues to grow its popular line-up of double-barrel coach guns with the addition of the new dual-trigger Coachwhip 12-ga. shotgun. Made in Turkey, this model has a feature set intended for fans of the Old West and Cowboy Action shooting events. But despite its vintage appearance, it's manufactured using modern materials and processes for up-to-date levels of reliability and durability.
The black-chrome finish of the 18.5" barrels mimics the look of polished bluing with notably better wear resistance. The case-color receiver is outfitted with vintage exposed hammers, which are manually cocked for each shot fired, along with a tang-mounted safety slider. The classically contoured Turkish walnut furniture features checkered grip surfaces and a weather resistant finish. The Coachwhip has a suggested retail price of $985.
Hi-Point Firearms Large-Format Pistols
Hi-Point Firearms has launched a brand new series of what can best be described as large-format pistols based on the company's popular budget-priced, pistol-caliber carbines. Just like AR and AK-action based pistols, they are assembled at the factory with shorter barrels and without shoulder stocks so that they qualify as handguns instead of long guns. The first three models include the 995P, 1095P and 4595P, which are chambered in 9 mm Luger, 10 mm Auto and .45. ACP respectively.
These models leave the factory with either 13.25" or 14.25" threaded barrels, depending on the caliber, and a new Hi-Viz hooded fiber optic front sight. From the front sight back to the pistol grip, these pistol's features and controls are the same as those found on this company's carbines. This includes optics and accessory rails, interchangeable rear sights and single-stack magazines. These pistols have a unique rear extension fitted with a short, vertical Picatinny that can be removed and replaced with a mil-spec AR-15 buffer tube. These models ship with Hi-Point's lifetime warranty but pricing had yet to be announced at the time of this writing.
Jacob Grey TWC Black 2011 9mm Pistol
Jacob Grey has released the TWC Black. It’s a high-quality, 2011-pattern pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger with a design influenced by customer feedback. This model incorporates new features that allow it to successfully serve as a self-defense handgun while maintaining the qualities of its competition pistol roots. The optics-ready slide features tall target sights and cross-cut cocking serrations at the front and rear.
The 4.25" 416R stainless steel barrel sports a 1:10" rifling twist-rate, a target crown and a black nitride finish. The controls include a skeletonized hammer, an ambidextrous thumb safety lever and a well tuned flat-faced, single-action trigger. Although many 2011 pistols are outfitted with polymer grip frame modules, the TWC Black's grip is milled from a billet of aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum, which is then treated with a military-grade hardcoat anodized finish. The TWC Black ships with a flared magazine well and two 17-round magazines for a suggested retail price of $3,000.
Patriot Ordnance Factory P-15 Base Rifle
Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF) gets back to basics with its new price-point gas impingement operated P-15 Base AR-15 rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO with a suggested retail price of $999. This rifle is built around a forged aluminum POF-USA mil-spec P-15 receiver set treated with a hardcoat anodized finish. The flat-top upper receiver sports a MIL-STD 1913 optics rail while the lower is outfitted with a familiar set of mil-spec controls. The 16.5” long E2 match-grade barrel is made from 4150 CrMoV steel with a 1:8" rifling twist-rate, a 1/2 x 28 TPI threaded muzzle and a black nitride finish. It ships with an A2 flash hider installed.
The mid-length gas system includes a low profile, non-adjustable gas block shrouded by a 15" long aluminum M-Lok handguard. The premium black nitride finished bolt carrier group features POF's patented roller cam pin for smoother cycling. The pistol grip is of the A2 variety and the mil-spec anti-tilt six-position buffer tube is capped off with a Mission First Tactical Minimalist adjustable stock. Weighing in at 6.3 lbs., this rifle is wholly American-made, and a California-compliant version is available.
Shadow Systems CR920X and CR920XP Pistols
Shadow Systems recently launched two new 9 mm striker-fired subcompact crossover models dubbed the CR920X and the CR920XP. As the naming implies, these guns are based on the subcompact CR920, which in turn, was inspired by the slim form factor and double-stack ammunition capacity of the Glock 43X. The CR920X is essentially the same gun with features including a 17-4 stainless steel slide with a patented multi-footprint optic cutout, a fluted 3.41" barrel with either a black nitride or bronze TiCN finish and polymer frame with an optics rail.
However, the grip frame has been extended to provide full support for the shooting hand and to accommodate a flush-fit 15-round magazine. This company's steel magazines are treated with a nickel Teflon finish and fitted with extra strong magazine springs but still cost under $30 to purchase. The CR920XP has the same features as the X model while incorporating Shadow Systems' patent-pending tri-lug compensator. Its mounting system does not require a threaded barrel to attach or tools to remove it for routine cleaning. Pricing starts at $799.
Taurus 608 Competition .357 Mag. Revolver
Taurus is expanding its large-frame, 8-shot .357 Mag. Model 608 double-action revolver series to include a competition model. This version has an all-stainless steel construction with a matte finish. The 6" long full-underlug barrel omits the barrel porting and vented rib found on other 608s but it does have a lightening cutout next to the ejector rod.
The green fiber-optic front sight is paired with a fully adjustable square-notch target-style rear sight. The rear sight assembly can be removed and replaced with aftermarket micro red-dot optic mounts. The stylized eight-shot cylinder is milled to accept moon clips, it has been weight reduced and the chamber mouths are chamfered for easier reloading. This model is capped off with a set of smooth-sided VZ Grips G10 target grip panels. The 608 Competition has a suggested retail price of $1,016.
TriStar Arms Apoc and Protégé X Pistols
TriStar Arms is expanding its catalog of Turkish-made semi-automatics to include two brand new series of pistols.
The APOC is a polymer-frame, striker-fired compact inspired by the Glock 19. Weighing in at 26 ozs., this pistol's slide features front and rear cocking serrations along with Glock-compatible sights. The textured polymer frames are configured for interchangeable backstraps, an optional magazine-well extension and 15-round Glock type magazines. These models will be available in all black, two-tone black/FDE or camouflage finishes. The APOC is intended to compete with other budget-friendly pistols in this class with suggested retail prices starting at $279. It will also be available in a PRO configuration with an optic-ready slide and a factory installed external compensator for $299.
The new Protégé X series of 1911-pattern 9 mm pocket pistols takes its design cues from the Kimber Micro 9. In fact, they share interchangeable components. Tipping the scales at 16.9 ozs., the all-stainless steel Protégé X sports a 3.2" barrel and a slim form factor thanks to its single-stack seven-round magazines. Other features include an ambidextrous thumb safety, fiber optic front sight, dovetailed rear sight and grooved polymer grip panels. This series will have half a dozen finish options to start with, including the Tungsten finish shown here. Suggested retail prices start at $659.
