Firearm News

Factory-equipped Bodyguard 2.0 arrives at $599 Smith & Wesson is shipping the .380 Auto Bodyguard 2.0 with a factory-installed Viridian RFX1 green-dot reflex sight. The optic is dovetail-mounted and zeroed, eliminating the need for separate installation or adapter plates. The package has a $599 MSRP and is offered in three configurations: a model with a thumb safety, a no-thumb-safety version, and a compliant model limited to 10-round magazines. Availability remains subject to federal, state

Three SG-100 Waypoint Rifles Added Springfield Armory has added three Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-action rifles featuring a Super Grip SG-100 Cerakote treatment. The new variants are chambered in .308 Win., 7mm PRC, and .300 Win. Mag., covering both short- and long-action configurations. Each rifle carries an MSRP of $1,995. The additions combine a textured carbon-fiber stock with black-finished stainless-steel components while retaining the Model 2020 line’s stated accuracy guarantee. Stock and Fi

Taurus Adds .380 Auto GX4 Carry Taurus has expanded its GX4 pistol line with a .380 Auto version of the GX4 Carry, scheduled to become available through authorized dealers on August 13, 2026. The optics-ready, striker-fired pistol has an MSRP of $340.99. The new model retains the GX4 Carry’s 15-round magazine capacity and compact dimensions while offering a lower-recoil alternative to the existing 9mm versions. Each pistol ships with two 15-round magazines, providing a total capacity of 15+1 rou

Springfield Adds 3.5-Inch Prodigy Springfield Armory announced the 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5” AOS 9mm on August 18, 2026. The new double-stack pistol uses the shortest barrel and slide assembly offered in the Prodigy series while retaining a full-length grip module and optics-ready configuration. The standard-capacity model holds 18+1 rounds and includes two 18-round magazines. Springfield also lists a low-capacity version for jurisdictions with magazine restrictions. Both configurations carry an MSRP

Benelli Introduces the M2-G1 Benelli has announced the M2-G1, a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun intended for tactical, home-defense, and competition use. The series introduces the company’s Rear Piston Operated gas system and adds an enlarged loading port, extended controls and several stock and capacity configurations. Five right-handed models are listed as new through Benelli’s dealer and online purchasing pages. All have 18.5-inch barrels and chambers compatible with 2¾- and 3-inch shells. No

Auto-Ordnance Launches M1 Carbine SBR Auto-Ordnance announced a short-barreled version of its M1 Carbine on July 14, 2026. The .30 Carbine firearm combines a 12-inch threaded barrel and modern accessory mounting provisions with a walnut stock and handguard patterned after the company’s full-length M1 Carbine reproductions. The M1 Carbine SBR is available now with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,870. Auto-Ordnance offers it in two configurations: the AOM230 with a 15-round magazine

KelTec Introduces Folding SUB-SDP Pistol KelTec has introduced the SUB-SDP “Nub Sub,” the first pistol variant of its folding SUB2000 platform. Chambered in 9mm Luger, the brace-equipped firearm measures 17.7 inches when deployed and folds to 10 inches for storage or transport. The SUB-SDP uses a 6-inch barrel, substantially shortening the platform compared with the GEN3 SUB2000 rifle. KelTec classifies it as a pistol, and every configuration includes an integrated stabilizing brace. Two version

Smith & Wesson Expands M&P15 AXE Line Smith & Wesson announced .300 Blackout versions of its M&P15 AXE platform on July 21, 2026, including an 8-inch braced pistol and a short-barreled rifle. The M&P15 AXE Pistol carries an MSRP of $1,479, while the AXE SBR is listed at $1,499. Both are gas-operated, optic-ready firearms with 30-round capacities and threaded barrels. The pistol is configured for the civilian market with a Magpul BTR arm brace, while the SBR uses a Magpul CTR

SK Guns Opens Pre-Orders for Julius Caesar 1911 SK Guns has introduced the Julius Caesar 1911, the third release in its historically themed Conquerors Series. Built on a Colt 1911 and chambered in .38 Super, the limited-edition pistol uses engraved scenes to depict events from Caesar’s military and political career. Production is limited to 200 units. Pre-orders are open at $2,900, with shipping expected to begin in late October 2026. SK Guns says the price will increase to the standard MSRP wh

Lower-priced entry to the Echelon line Springfield Armory has introduced the Echelon Alpha, a lower-priced version of its Echelon 9mm pistol. The new model starts at $599, with a California-compliant version listed at $649. Springfield positions it as a more affordable entry point into the Echelon platform while retaining the same serialized Central Operating Group chassis used in other Echelon models. Initial offerings include the Echelon Alpha 4.0C, the Echelon Alpha 4.0C Low Capacity, and a C

Full-size HD variant arrives July 13 Staccato has announced the HD P4X, a full-size, compensated 9x19mm handgun positioned for duty and professional use. Dealer availability is set for July 13, 2026, and the company lists a starting MSRP of $3,599. The P4X expands the HD line with a larger steel-frame option built around the same 4-inch compensated barrel used on the compact C4X. Where the C4X emphasizes concealed carry with an aluminum frame, the P4X uses a full-size steel frame and grip for hi

SIG Sauer expands bronze-finished lineup SIG Sauer has added a Bronze Cerakote finish to two product lines: a new Cross Bronze rifle and a limited-edition Freedom Series of pistols. The pistol series includes the P365-FUSE Freedom, P365-XMACRO Freedom, P226 Freedom, and 1911 XSeries Carry Freedom, each featuring “FREEDOM” and U.S. flag engraving on a bronze-finished slide. For the Freedom Series, SIG Sauer says a portion of each pistol sale supports the NRA-ILA. The Cross Bronze is a standard pr

USSOCOM Starts HICAR Effort for Extended-Range M4A1 U.S. Special Operations Command on May 18, 2026 released a Naval Surface Warfare Center solicitation for the Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle, or HICAR, a pressure-tolerant upper receiver for the M4A1 family. The program aims to extend the practical combat range of URG-I-configured M4 carbines from about 300 meters to 600 meters while preserving the existing 5.56×45mm NATO ecosystem. Rather than moving to the 6.8×51mm cartridge u

Magnum Research and Iron Monkey unveil limited-edition Desert Eagle Magnum Research has partnered with Iron Monkey Rifle Works to introduce the “Dueling Katanas” Desert Eagle, a limited-edition version of the company’s flagship large-frame pistol. The release keeps the standard Desert Eagle’s core .50 AE chambering and carbon steel construction, while shifting the emphasis toward decorative finishing, engraving, and collector appeal rather than mechanical redesign. The pistol is positi

Release announced Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced on April 14, 2026, the release of the Bodyguard 38 2.0, a revised small-frame revolver intended for personal-protection and everyday-carry use. The company, listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under ticker SWBI, said the model was developed as a compact, lightweight platform with a focus on straightforward operation. Caliber and operating system The Bodyguard 38 2.0 is chambered in .38 S&W Special +P.

Taurus Enters 9mm PDW Segment Taurus USA announced on April 14 the launch of the Taurus RPC, a new 9mm platform described by the company as its first dedicated entry in the personal defense weapon, or PDW, category. Taurus said the RPC is built to NATO standards and is intended to offer a compact format with a focus on reliability and adaptability. The release places the RPC as an expansion beyond the company’s established handgun and long-gun lines into a more specialized pi

Springfield Armory adds target-sighted 1911 Garrison models in .45 ACP and 9mm Springfield Armory announced on April 17, 2026 the release of two new 1911 Garrison Target pistols, chambered in .45 ACP and 9mm. The additions expand the company’s Garrison line with versions equipped with a fully adjustable rear sight intended for accuracy-focused and competition-oriented use. Both pistols retain the traditional Government-size 1911 format and are built with hot salt blued carbon steel pai

Release and configuration Springfield Armory announced on April 17, 2026, the release of the Model 2020 Heatseeker .308 Pistol, a bolt-action firearm built on the company’s Model 2020 action and configured in a compact chassis format. The pistol is chambered in .308 Win., has an overall length of 22.5 inches, and uses a 12-inch barrel. Springfield lists the finish as Graphite Black Cerakote. The launch adds a pistol-format variant to the Model 2020 line, which previously centered on bo

Launch announcement Springfield Armory announced the SAINT Victor 5.5-inch 9mm PDW on April 16, 2026, in a release issued from Geneseo, Illinois. The firearm is a compact 9mm, AR-pattern personal-defense-weapon-style platform built around a 5.5-inch barrel and an SB Tactical HBPDW collapsible brace. Springfield said the model is intended for maneuverability in confined spaces while retaining space for optics and other accessories. Receiver and operating system The SAINT Victor 9mm

Henry Introduces Bear’s Leg Lever-Action Pistol Henry Repeating Arms has announced the Bear’s Leg Pistol, a modernized lever-action handgun based on the classic Mare’s Leg format. The new model is offered in four chamberings: .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum/.44 Special, .30-30 Winchester, and .45-70 Government. MSRP is listed at $1,129 for all variants. The Bear’s Leg uses a blued steel receiver and a round blued steel barrel with black synthetic furniture. All versions share a 13.

HK Introduces VP9CC Micro-Compact 9mm Heckler & Koch has announced the VP9CC, a new micro-compact pistol chambered in 9mm and built at the company’s factory in Oberndorf, Germany. The model is positioned as a reduced-size variant of the existing VP9 series rather than a separate design, carrying over the platform’s general ergonomics, controls, and trigger system into a smaller concealed-carry format. The VP9CC measures 6.02 inches overall with a 3.12-inch barrel and an u

New SA-35 Variant Announced Springfield Armory has expanded its SA-35 pistol line with the introduction of the SA-35 4", a new compact-format 9mm variant announced April 7, 2026. The pistol adds a shorter configuration to the company’s existing SA-35 family while retaining the core design elements that define the series. The SA-35 is Springfield Armory’s modernized interpretation of the Browning Hi-Power, the historic P-35 pattern originally associated with John Moses Brownin

Springfield Armory Introduces Echelon Pistols with Factory-Mounted Aimpoint COA Springfield Armory has launched a new series of Echelon 9mm pistols factory-equipped with the Aimpoint COA closed-emitter red dot sight. The initial rollout includes select Echelon variants machined for Aimpoint’s proprietary A-CUT interface, integrating the optic directly into the slide without adapter plates. The collaboration marks an expansion of Springfield’s optics-ready handgun offerings, d

U.S.-Focused Expansion Debuts at IWA 2026 At IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 in Nuremberg, Pistollo unveiled a U.S.-specific variant of its pistol platform alongside a limited production model developed in partnership with American distributor Deluxe Arms. The announcement marks a targeted effort to increase the brand’s presence in the United States through enhanced compatibility and exclusive offerings. The standard U.S. configuration incorporates several technical modifications designed to