Gun Digest
 

5 Hot New Guns From SHOT Show 2018

Some head-turning new guns released at the world's largest outdoor and firearms expo that will make waves and could be hard to get this year.

What are the head-turners?

The 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas is wrapped up and the gun world is awash in new gear, ammo and guns. We at Gun Digest have given you a sneak peak at many of the new firearms coming out this year. And in the future will give you much more in-depth reviews and test fires, so you’ll know where to spend your cold-hard cash.

With that said, there were a few guns that jumped out at me over the course of the event. This is not to say, these are the end-all, be-all of the show. Instead, they are new twists on proven designs or fresh concepts by established gunmakers that appear to add something to the overall market — at least from my extremely humble perspective.

Truly, only time — and the shooting masses — will tell if these guns offer what the greater public desires. So, for what it’s worth, here are five guns that caught my eye from 2018 SHOT.

Bergara HMR Pro

Photo: Bergara

Utilitarian design, but precision results, the B-14 HMR made a big splash when it hit the market. And Bergara is shooting to parlay that success with a top-shelf variation of the bolt-action.

The HMR Pro still boasts the fully adjustable internal chassis stock, but it's mated with the company’s Premium line action and barrel. Hand assembled, the rifle is completely made in Georgia and boasts stainless steel barrel and action and a two-lug floating bolt head. Additionally, the HMR Pro comes outfitted with the externally adjustable TriggerTech trigger.

Perhaps best of all, Bergara’s new rifle comes in a slew of calibers, including: .22-250 Rem., .223 Rem., .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor. The B-14 variation was only available in .308 and 6.5. The upgraded HMR variation’s MSRP isn’t through the roof; at $1,715 it’s still within reach of shooters who want a precision rifle that’s comfortable in the field and competition.

Savage Fox A Grade

Photo: Savage Arms

Savage has breathed new life into a truly classic American double gun.

The Fox A Grade Series is the Massachusetts gunmaker’s — actually produced by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company — take on Ansley Hermon Fox’s impeccable boxlock side-by-side and looks to have all the trimmings.

This includes double triggers, English-style straight grip, oil-finished black walnut stock and, perhaps most eye-catching, a color-case hardened receiver that adds depth to an already attractive gun. Savage has introduced its Fox in both 12 and 20 gauge, with the option of 26- or 28-inch barrels — each with removable chokes.

At $5,000, Savage isn’t giving the Fox A Grade Series away. But given its heirloom quality, the shotgun is certainly a generational investment.

Mauser M18 Bolt-Action Rifle

Photo: Mauser

Mausers, at least in their modern iterations, typically run a small fortune. But that’s changing in a big way with the introduction of the M18.

At $699, the bolt-action is by far the most affordable rifle to roll out of the German gunmaker’s factory in a spell. But prepare your chagrin; it does not boast what most shooters want out of a Mauser — the classic action with oversized extractor claw. Instead, it has a three-lug, full-diameter bolt and Sako extractor. Still, it’s a Mauser. And it’s a fair bet the company known for exacting standards has done this more cost-effective design properly.

The M18 — what the company calls “The People’s Rifle” (Volkswaffe) — comes outfitted with a cold hammer-forged barrel, detachable box magazine, adjustable trigger (2.2 to 4 pounds) and polymer stock. The M18 might not stir the imagination like an M98, but, hey, it puts a Mauser within reach of the majority of shooters.

Ruger Super Redhawk 10mm Revolver

Photo: Ruger

Chambering this size revolver in 10mm Auto might seem like overkill. But, it should produce an eminently shootable gun, with little to no muzzle flip. It makes some sense to see the Super Redhawk go 10mm. The revolver is a favorite of handgun hunters, and the round is in ascendance in that circle. Ruger has the handgun ready to rock out of the box with Ruger rings for mounting a scope and three moon clips to juice this six-shooter with the utmost expediency. The scope mount might be the deal sealer for some when they balance the $1,159 Super Readhawk against a semi-auto pistol.

Mossberg 590M Mag-Fed Shotgun

Photo: Mossberg

This was inevitable as a canyon echo once Remington released the 870 DM. But Mossberg could steal the spotlight in the detachable box magazine pump-action show with the 590M’s capacity.

Right off the bat, the company offers 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-round magazines, which definitely expands the defensive capabilities of the $721 gun. The magazine release is convenient to boot, directly in front of the trigger guard making it highly intuitive.

Outside of the ability to accept steel feed-lipped double-stack polymer magazines, this 2¾-inch-only chambered shotgun is pretty much the 590 shooters have come to love. It still meets the MilSpec 3443 requirements for a pump-action. It still features ghost-ring sights, plain old 18.5-inch barrel and vented handguard. Only now, this beast is that much quicker to feed.

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