GunCon 2025 featured an intense week full of power; coincidentally, it additionally marked Ohio’s hottest week of the yr, with temperatures hovering into the 90s and humidity reaching uncomfortable ranges. Regardless of the climate, producers, creators, and followers confirmed up in full pressure. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio showcased the most effective of the trade—extra on the occasion right here.
The perfect a part of an occasion like GunCon is that it provides producers room to breathe. At occasions just like the Shot Present, NRAAM, and the Nice American Out of doors Present, massive producers reminiscent of Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer dominate the scene, consuming the highlight and making it difficult for smaller or newer firms to face out. GunCon stands other than these occasions. The largest names don’t attend. As a substitute, firms that target innovation and create cool merchandise that deal with actual issues shine.
What I Noticed
Under are firearm producers that provided one thing cool and distinctive to the shooter. Sadly, I wasn’t capable of go to each sales space and converse with everybody, however I believe I did discover some cool stuff. Hopefully, sooner or later, a few of these merchandise could also be featured on this weblog, permitting me to give you real-world and sensible expertise.
Century Arms: Century had their full show of Aks and Caniks on the occasion. Nonetheless, what caught my eye have been their roller-delayed firearms—often called the AP (or Equipment Pistol), a line of HK clones from Century. However they aren’t simply constructing MP5 clones. Current additions to the road embody the AP53 and AP51. These are clones of the HK53 and HK51, respectively. At present, these are provided in pistol variants. The weapons, constructed by MKE for Century, evoke the basic ’80s motion film aesthetic.
Kelbly’s: Kelbly’s produces a few of the best actions on this planet, and they’re situated proper in my yard in Ohio. Their customized precision rifles are among the many greatest obtainable. New for GunCon is the Precision Ingredient Rifle. It options Kelbly’s Atlas Tactical motion, XLR Industries Ingredient 4.0 chassis, Bix N Andy set off, and a Most well-liked barrels PRS contour barrel. At an MSRP of $ 2,999.99, it falls throughout the PRS Manufacturing Division’s finances cap. Sure, it’s costly. However this rifle is succesful.
Extar Arms: Extar builds inexpensive PCCs (or large-frame pistols) proper right here within the USA. To maintain manufacturing prices low, Extar makes use of polymer in its development. Nonetheless, that doesn’t equate to low-cost. Extar has over 40 years of expertise in polymer manufacturing and produces all the things in-house, even the injection molds. As for the weapons, they don’t shoot like low-cost PCCs. The recoil was gentle in 9mm and really manageable in 45ACP and 10mm (preserve an eye fixed out for the EP10 later this yr).
H&Okay: HK makes cool stuff, and their legacy merchandise rank amongst my favorites. At Vary Day, I had the prospect to shoot the brand new CC9, which marks HK’s entry into the aggressive hid carry market. The function set compares favorably to that of the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat, together with many others. This pistol is optics-ready and affords related grip ergonomics to the bigger VP9. I discovered the CC9 very snug and fulfilling to shoot. It’s positively one to think about in the event you want a brand new carry piece.
MKS Provide: That is the model that features Inland Manufacturing and Hello-Level—sure, Hello-Level. One of the crucial memeable firms on the market! (However, they take it in good sport and have enjoyable with it). Whereas their pistols are sometimes in comparison with a Dewalt drill, they provide nice worth to these on a finances, and their carbines are fairly nice to shoot. This yr, nonetheless, Hello-Level is coming into the finances AR-15 market. Their choices embody a 16” 5.56 NATO rifle, a ten.5” 5.56 NATO pistol, and a ten.5” 300 BLK pistol. These rifles function all mil-spec parts and full-length M-Lok handguards. For the worth, these could be among the best worth choices on the market.
Matador Arms: Matador makes wonderful PCC carbines. They provide full weapons in addition to full higher receivers. The MAT-9 collection options roller-delayed know-how, which helps decrease the recoil impulse and cut back put on on elements. It additionally makes them a pleasure to shoot, particularly when suppressed. The perfect half, although, is that they make fashions to suit a wide range of journal ecosystems. This contains the Glock, Colt SMG, MP5, and CZ Scorpion, which was launched at GunCon.
Subsequent Degree Armament: NLA is a premium AR producer that provides the complete vary of rifles, full uppers, and equipment. However in addition they manufacture suppressors. And new for GunCon is the NLS 22 Varmint Package. This could options an aluminum blast chamber and exchangeable 3D-printed carbon fiber baffle stack. The perfect half is the worth. It retails for $149. The NLS 22 is rated for .22 LR and .17 HMR.
Pyramyd Air: Air Rifles are gaining traction within the U.S., and Pyramyd Air is on the forefront of bringing high quality tools to prospects within the States. They embody many manufacturers and fashions; nonetheless, there was one which excited me probably the most. If you’d like one thing that may take down massive sport (like actually massive sport), then the Seneca Dragon Claw II Tactical could be extra of your persuasion. I’ve expertise with the unique mannequin, which launched a .50-caliber, 185-grain projectile on its prey. The Gen II ups the ante to 336 gr. It’s nonetheless transferring at 800 fps.
Rost Martin: Rost Martin is among the latest firms on the block. However they’re difficult the established order by providing a feature-packed pistol that’s inbuilt Texas. New for 2025 is the RM1C Comp. This can be a slim-line pistol designed to compete with common choices from Sig Sauer, Springfield, and Glock. The RM1C Comp is optics-ready, encompasses a flat-faced set off, ambi controls, modular backstraps, and a compensated slide to assist in recoil administration. Retail is $489.00, making it among the best American-made values.
Tandemkross: TK is my favourite aftermarket rimfire firm. Whether or not you’re constructing a race gun or a contest rifle, examine them out. My favourite product of theirs on the present was the ADX Receiver. It fully adjustments your notion of the ten/22 and makes it one thing solely completely different. And it’s at an inexpensive worth in comparison with the competitors. Its distinctive options embody proper or left-side charging, fast disassembly for cleansing by way of an easy-to-remove rear cap, and AR-buffer compatibility so as to add your favourite inventory. The ADX is predicted to be obtainable in the direction of the tip of 2025.
Yankee Hill Machine: YHM is a producer of high-quality suppressors at aggressive costs, making it among the best value-added choices on the market. New for 2025 is the Victra-12. The Victra-12 is a modular 12-gauge shotgun suppressor that attaches by way of commonplace choke threads and is appropriate with detachable chokes. It adjusts to lengths of 12”, 10”, 8”, and 6”, weighs between 13.5 oz and 25 oz, and reduces sound to 135 dB on the ear. This factor is legit.
Zooming Out
I extremely suggest attending some type of present, whether or not it’s GunCon, NRAAM, or one other; it affords a uncommon alternative to have interaction with the 2A neighborhood. Nonetheless, I believe GunCon stands out as among the best. The place else are you able to mingle along with your favourite creators, progressive manufacturers, and others who share your passion?
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