At the 2013 SHOT Show, held in Las Vegas last January, Gun Tests staffers ran across tons of new products that we’re working to include in future tests. We mention many new items below, so if any of them trip your trigger, let us know and we’ll see about adding them to the test list.
—Todd Woodard
RIFLES
IWI, US, Inc. officially announced the arrival of a United States civilian version of the Israeli bullpup battlefield rifle, the IWI TAVOR. The TAVOR SAR will be available in a variety of models with either a 16.5- or an 18-inch barrel. All TAVOR bullpup models shoot 223 Rem. with a 9mm and 5.45x39mm conversion kit for separate purchase. The rifle holds 30 rounds and uses standard AR-15 magazines. Features: ambidextrous design, quick-release barrel and brass deflect. Placement of the magazine and bolt release make magazine changes quick and one-handed.… ArmaLite’s new AR 30A1 bolt-action tactical and target long-range rifle will now be available in 300 Win. Mag. and 338 Lapua. MSRP: from $3,264 to $3,599.… Colt’s 308 M2012 Competition rifle comes in at 13.2 pounds. Features: single-stage Timney trigger, button-rifled 1:10 twist 22-inch stainless barrel, Magpul pistol grip. MSRP: $3,799.… CZ-USA’s CZ 455 rimfires will eventually replace the company’s 452 line. Features: interchangeable barrels, calibers, and stock configurations. New CZ 455 model MSRPs from $374 to $615.… Del-Ton’s 3-Gun entry, MSRP $1,300, is called the DTI Evolution. Features: 16-inch CMV chrome-lined lightweight barrel (1:9 twist), Samson Evolution free-float rail, M4 feed ramps, two-stage mil-spec trigger. Weight, 6.5 pounds.… DPMS Panther Arms’ new TPR Rifle (MSRP: $1,399) features a Magpul MOE Rifle Stock, muzzle brake, short quad rail. FNH’s alpine Ballista is a modular multi-caliber bolt-action rifle. Features: high-strength vibration-isolated aluminum-alloy receiver, adjustable ambidextrous stock, free-float rail, two-stage mil-spec trigger. Available in 308 Win., 300 Win. Mag., and 338 Lapua. MSRP: $9,995 for the basic rifle, without additional barrels or accessories.… HK is now providing the proven MR762A1 7.62x51mm rifle platform with an accessory pack called the Long Rifle Package (LRP). Contents: standard MR762A1, Leupold 3-9 VX-R Patrol scope and mount, HK G28 adjustable cheekpiece buttstock, LaRue Tactical BRM-S bipod, ERGO Pistol Grip from Falcon Industries, Blue Force Gear sling, Manta rail covers, and an OTIS cleaning kit. Comes with one 20- and one 10-round magazine and ships in a compact 42-inch Model 1720 Pelican case. MSRP $5,995.… Legacy Sports adds a new rimfire bolt-action called the ISSC 22/17. The straight-pull bolt-action features an adjustable trigger, 20-inch barrel, and wood, synthetic, and Arctic Warfare stocks. Chamberings: 22 LR, 22 WMR and 17 HMR.… Rock Island Armory previewed the company’s TCM 22 centerfire rifle. It fires the TCM 22 cartridge that is exclusive to Armscor. The Armscor USA 22TCM 40-grain jacketed hollowpoint travels at more than 2800 fps. Comes with: 5 round standard-capacity magazine that’s interchangeable with the 22TCM 17-round pistol magazine. Features: 22.75-inch barrel, rail scope mount, OAL 40.5 inches, weight 6 pounds empty. Parkerized finish. Price: TBD.… Remington announced a special-edition rifle to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge, the Model 700 CDL SF. MSRP: $1,250. Remington’s price-point 783 rifle is a new bolt-action rifle line that the company promises will deliver custom-grade accuracy in an over-the-counter product. Contents: dual-pillar bedding platform, free-float button-rifled barrel, new CrossFire trigger system that’s user adjustable, SuperCell recoil pad absorbs shock. The 783 line will initially be chambered in 270 Win., 30-06 S’fld, 308 Win., and 7mm Rem. Mag. Synthetic stocks. Prices start at $451. Remington’s new line of R-15 rifles chambered for 223 Rem. come with a Magpul grip and trigger guard, a competition two-stage trigger, and Mossy Oak Brush camo. MSRP: $1,327.… SIG Sauer’s< /STRONG> new SIG 516 PRM 5.56×45/.223 Rem., MSRP: $2,399, has an 18-inch match-grade barrel, Geissele two-stage match trigger, and accepts any mil-spec AR/M4/M16 magazines. The new SIG 716 PRM, MSRP: $2,399, is a 7.62×51 version of the SIG 516 PRM.… Weatherby’s new Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic Package includes a mounted and bore-sighted Redfield Revenge riflescope, a sling, and a carrying case. The Vanguard Series 2 Synthetic Package offers rifles chambered in cartridges from 223 Rem. to 338 Win. Mag.… All Vanguard Series 2 rifles feature adjustable match-quality two-stage triggers and are guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA with Weatherby factory or premium ammo. MSRP: $999.… Winchester Repeating Arms’ 1873 lever-action rifle returns for 2013 as a genuine Winchester Repeating Arms Model 73 with an oil-finished walnut stock, a blued steel crescent buttplate, and a 20-round barrel chambered in 357/38 Sp. MSRP: $1,300. Other notables: A Model 94 Carbine, 20-inch barrel in 30/30 Win. or 38/55 Win., MSRP: $1,200. In the bolt action line, there’s a new Model 70 Ultimate Shadow Hunter SS and Ultimate Shadow Hunter. MSRPs for the Ultimate Shadow Hunter SS, $1,040 to $1,080. MSRPs range from $830 to $870 for the Model 70 Ultimate Shadow Hunters.… WMD Guns LLC showed its new “Beast” Carbine — the world’s first fully NiB-X (nickel boron) coated production AR-15 and “Little Beast,” fully NiB-X coated 22 LR conversation kits that drop into any standard AR-15. WMD Guns’ coating technologies include NiB-X, an extreme-use Nickel Boron coating; and Nitromet, a high-performance Salt Bath Nitrocarburizing surface treatment, as well as nickel and zinc nickel coatings. Price: NA.
HANDGUNS
Highlight: The CW380, Kahr’s latest addition to the company’s double-action micro-compact pistol product line, is a 380 ACP-chambered handgun that is substantially smaller than Kahr’s popular PM9. The CW380 pistol has a 2.58 inch barrel, an overall length of 4.96 inches and a height of 3.9 inches. It weighs 10.2 ounces without a magazine. MSRP: $419.… Cabot Gun Company debuted the American Joe, an artistically engraved design by Joe Faris on a 420 stainless steel 1911. Price $7,450.… Originally developed for the U.S. military’s next generation handgun competition, HK’s new HK45 “Tactical” comes standard with a threaded barrel and three-dot tritium night sights. With a choice of three frame colors (black, tan, or green), the full-size HK45 Tactical (HK45T) model uses an ergonomic grip design that includes changeable backstraps together with molded finger grooves. Comes with: 10-round steel magazine, Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 frame rail, nine different kinds of trigger firing modes.… Rock Island Armory introduced the company’s two new 10mm Tactical pistols built on the 1911 and 2011 platforms. Both the 10mm Tactical II and the 10mm Tactical VZ 2011 are scheduled to ship during the 2nd quarter of 2013.… For 2013, Ruger is expanding several of its existing handgun lines. The SR pistol line has been expanded to include 45 ACP chamberings. The new KSR45 No. 3801 is a 10+1 capacity pistol with a brushed stainless steel slide, black glass-filled nylon frame, and adjustable High-Visibility 3-Dot sights. $529. Ruger’s SR1911 will be available as a Commander-sized pistol in 2013. The SR1911CMB model No. 6702 will be chambered in 45 Auto and have a 7+1 capacity. $829. Ruger is now chambering a version of the LC9 pistol in the 380 Auto cartridge, the LC380. Same size as the LC9 and fits in holsters designed for the LC9, but offers reduced recoil versus the LC9. $449.
ACCESSORIES
Highlight: How many of you love your AK rifle but loath its iron sights? The UTG PRO Model 47 Tactical QD Low-profile Rail System MTU014 allows you to mount it in place of your rear sight, clamping to the rear sight housing and retaining a solid grip independent from the wobbly dust cover with the buttstock screw. This low-profile 19-slot Picatinny rail mounts virtually any kind of optic. It is U.S.-made, and fits Romanian, Chinese, and US AK variants, so it helps AK owners stay 922R compliant.… EOTech is introducing a new version of the XPS2 holographic sight, the XPS2-300, a 2-dot ballistic drop reticle which gives the shooter a zero with both subsonic and supersonic ammunition in the same reticle. This allows the shooter to choose different rounds or attach a suppressor and not have to adjust the zero on their sights. We have not received a price for the new Model 300, but EOTech has the standard XPS2 msrp set at $519.… Kel-Tec’s new CL-43 flashlight is an extremely bright unit designed to be used in conjunction with a firearm. The CL-43 is CNC machined from extruded 6061 aluminum. The light operates via a rearward-click button located midpoint of the flashlight with both constant and momentary-on capabilities.… Styled after U.S. Night Vision’s popular iPhone cases, the company’s iTelligent iPad 3 Night Vision & Optics Adapter are custom fitted to exacting tolerances. Utilizing the 5mp iSight Camera on the iPad 3, they are able to couple optical and digital devices. The iPad 3 comes with Apple’s retina display, which combined with the A5 chip and quad core graphics card allow instant manipulation and video playback. $499.
SHOTGUNS
Highlight: The 2013 SHOT Show saw the introduction the UTS-15 Navy, a new corrosion-resistant UTS-15 introduced last year. Spex: 6.9 pounds empty weight, 100% polymer receiver, OAL 28.5 inches, chambers 3-inch magnums. Capacity: 14+1 rounds. The special corrosion-resistant satin-nickel plating is black chromed for use at sea. Options include a pushbutton high-intensity spotlight and a laser sight that installs inside the UTS-15 just under the barrel.… Benelli has introduced the company’s first 20-gauge autoloader designed and made for left-handed shooters, the M2 Field in 20 gauge. MSRP: $1519.… Browning’s new High Grade program will add two high-priced firearms to the company’s annual lines. Highlights include additional engraving, gold accents, high-grade wood. Citori 725 Grade III, MSRP: $3,730. Grade V, MSRP: $5,600. Other adds: Citori 725 Feather 12-gauge, MSRP $2,650; and A5 12-gauge semi-auto with new Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo, MSRP $1,560; new BT-99 Micro Midas 12-gauge trap and BPS Micro Midas 12-gauge pump models, MSRPs respectively are $1,430 and $650 to $690. Also new: Maxus Ultimate and Maxus Sporting Golden Clays models for 2013, $1,870 and $2000, respectively.… CZ-USA adds eight new models for 2013, including the CZ 612 Home Defense pump shotgun, MSRP: $290; CZ 612 Waterfowl Magnum Pump, MSRP: $409, and CZ Sporter Standard Grade O/U, MSRP $1,799.… Cimarron’s new 1878 Coach Gun is a 12-gauge side-by-side. Has exposed working hammers, double triggers, and period-correct extractors. American black walnut stocks. Weighs 7.5 pounds, $575 to $594.… Availability of the Chiappa Firearms Triple Threat 3 barrel Shotgun was announced.… Legacy Sports new Escort 20 features a 26-inch nickel chrome moly-lined barrel, 3-inch chambers, and comes with five choke tubes (Skeet, IC, M, IM, F). The gas gun weighs only 6.5 pounds, $603.… Fabarm’s Elos is a 20-gauge upland-bird o/u. Has a trim, round-body action, oil-finished Turkish walnut stock and forend, and chrome-lined barrels. $2,295.… O.F. Mossberg and Sons, Inc. and Mathews, Inc. have partnered to develop a new Recoil Reduction System, which will be featured on seven new Mossberg pump-action shotguns in 2013. Claim: up to 20% reduction in felt recoil. Mossberg is expanding its line of 20-gauge offerings with two new Mossberg 500 8-Shot Pump-Actions and two updated Mossberg International SA-20 Autoloaders.… Remington’s new Versa Sportsman 12-gauge, $1,025 to $1,175) comes in at a lower price-point than the Versa Max semi-auto 12-gauge. Ships with one Pro Bore choke tube a new box rather than a case. Various waterfowl and turkey models are available, $365. Pumpguns: The new 870 Tactical is fitted with a Magpul Stock and Forend, $872.… For 2013, Stoeger offers a recoil-operated 12-gauge semi-auto Model 3000, 3-inch chamber; and Model 3500, 3.5-inch chamber. MSRPs $579 and up.… Winchester Repeating Arms’s Super X Pump is a 12-gauge 3-inch Field model, which will feature a hardwood stock and forearm in satin finish. Will be available in 26- or 28-inch barrel lengths for $399 MSRP. The new Super X Pump Marine Defender has an 18-inch barrel and is priced at $370, and the Black Shadow Deer 12-gauge 3-inch model comes in at $520.
Written and photographed by Gun Tests Staff, using reporting from the event. GT
