Rifles

Most of the new rifles of the past couple of decades have fallen into the following classes: M4geries, long-range “backcountry” hunting rifleS, low-priced entry-level bolt guns or nostalgia-milking lever-actions. But another style of rifle is always lurking in the background, just waiting for a manufacturer to try it again. I’m talking about scout rifles, and this year at SHOT, the Ruger American Gen II Scout was on display in their booth.

BallisticAviation interviews Gerard Wayne Weber, CEO of Steyr Arms USA, about the brand-new SSG M1 A2 precision rifle, released in January 2026, just ahead of SHOT Show. This updated bolt-action beast now comes standard with an Arca-Swiss rail for tripod compatibility, an improved M-LOK handguard, expanded barrel options optimized for suppressors, and other user-requested upgrades like enhanced adjustability and an improved quick-change barrel system. Whether you're into long-range precision shooting in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .338 Lapua, this deep dive reveals why the SSG M1 A2 sets a new standard for tactical precision rifles.

The world of precision rimfire is wide and wonderful. You can buy a budget-friendly Savage and make the Richie Riches of the scene cry … or you can buy something pricey and enjoy shooting something that’s actually purpose-built for this competition scene, while the poors can only envy you. The new Anschutz 1727 APR definitely fits into that second category, and the Competition variant (pictured here at their SHOT booth) even more-so.

Savage Arms is busy. Over the past few years they’ve got back into the pistol business, they’ve overhauled their Axis bolt-action, they’ve introduced the Renegauge shotgun, they introduced their first lever-action since the Model 99 was canceled, they rebooted the value-oriented Stevens line with the Model 334 and they’ve shuffled their rimfires around a bit. They even brought out a straight-pull bolt action lineup. One thing they haven’t done is tinker with their classic Model 110 design; they’ve introduced models with new features, but the rifle’s action itself has stayed the same.

One of the coolest things about the SHOT Show basement is noticing unique firearms that just aren’t mainstream. Like, say, a scaled-down FG42 that’s chambered in 9x19mm and takes Glock mags. Or a Walther WA2000 clone that you can actually afford. The crew from Rhineland Arms had both on display this year—here’s what they’re about.

Back in the summer of 2025 we got the first word that Hakan Spuhr, the Swedish inventor and master machinist who brought us innovations like the Spuhr stock, his unique mounting interface system and some of the best optics mounts available, had developed an AR-15 upper receiver. At the Mile High booth I was excited to get a close up look at one of the uppers and have Hakan kindly talk me through his design’s features. 

While SHOT Show is always focused on new products, you occasionally see cool older stuff on display too—especially if you visit the Navy Arms booth. Last year, they had beautiful vintage Smith & Wessons on display, acquired after the French forest service surplused them out. This year, they had more French kit on display—sniper rifles and service pistols.

When it comes to American firearms manufacturers, few have a lineup as wide as Ruger’s. Their SHOT Show booth was a packed madhouse when I checked in on Wednesday for that reason—they have something for almost everyone, so everyone goes to visit. And almost all of those lines saw some additions for 2026. Here’s a look at what’s new (or kind of new) this year—except for the Harrier AR-15, which we already told you about here. We will be taking a separate look at that rifle later.

The Level 1 of the SHOT Show is where the relatively smaller and newer companies normally are and that’s where you usually see experimental, weird and downright mindblowing stuff. For that exact reason, I love being there. This year, for this writer, one of the most intriguing and interesting guns seen in the Level 1 and possibly in the entire show was the Blecher LLC’s BrashZero caseless bullpup rifle that utilizes standard 5.56 NATO ammunition components (primer, powder and projectile) delivered separately into the chamber from dedicated reservoirs in the magazine.

@BallisticAviation heads to the Henry booth at SHOT Show 2026 Industry Day at the Range to check out the company’s new lineup of modern lever-action rifles. Henry has reorganized its All-American series into three core models — the Predator, Protector, and Provider — giving shooters more ways than ever to get exactly the lever action they want. While the Henry Special Products Division will continue to bring the most cutting-edge features to Henry's most popular guns, the new divisions will also benefit from modern features, along with the classic materials and finishes you all know and love.

In the world of ARs, you’ve got to keep moving forward or you’re going to be left spinning your wheels while the rest of the industry leaves you behind—especially in the defense sector. And since that’s where Daniel Defense plays, they’re aiming for the future with a new prototype rifle, displayed at SHOT Show, which just might be their premier offering when it debuts. It’s called the DD4 X1.

We live in a tactical world; SHOT Show is filled with ARs and AKs and PCCs, with rails and lights and suppressors and a host of other geegaws bolted on. If you just want an old-fashioned wood-and-steel gun to go hunting with, it’s getting harder and harder to find. Winchester still plays in this field, and they introduced a new SXR2 semi-auto hunting rifle at SHOT Show 2026. But it’s hard to say just how new it really is.

New for 2026 from Weatherby is the Mark V Backcountry Capra, an unbelievably lightweight iteration of the Mark V rifle, advertised as the lightest production bolt-action rifle ever made. The lightest configuration of this rifle is chambered in .308 Winchester, has a 17” barrel and weighs 4 lbs! Yes, four pounds or 1.81 kilograms for those of you who are metric-minded.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is best known for selling surplus US military firearms like the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine, but supplies of many of those guns are running short. The CMP has been restoring previously nonfunctional guns to safe, usable condition and beginning to produce brand new copies of original guns. Many of these efforts were on display at SHOT Show 2026.

After moving its entire production line to Wisconsin, Henry Repeating Arms is now overhauling its lineup with small changes, and big ones too. George Thompson, the company’s Director of Products, says they’ll be adding new rifles to the lineup in coming months in updated configurations (new chamberings, new finishes). But we also see the classics remaining in Henry’s catalog—with some updates to those models, too, starting with new names.

I was pretty excited to see the Savage Revel when it debuted in late 2024 for two reasons. First, there’s nothing more Fudd-coded than a lever-action rifle, despite the current space cowboy creations that are taking the design into the 21st century. Second, I’d seen design drawings of this rifle a long time ago and after it hadn’t been released to market for years, I thought I’d never get my hands on one.

Savage Arms announced the next generation Model 110, the longest continuously produced bolt-action rifle in America. The updated platform features AccuFit V2 with toolless stock adjustability, manufacturing improvements to the bolt action, and an expanded lineup spanning 16 models with hundreds of SKUs including new cartridge options and left-hand configurations.

Bergara has added a new hunting rifle to its Premier Series with the introduction of the Platinum Stalker, blending classic styling with modern performance and rugged reliability. Built on a laminate Monte Carlo stock, the Platinum Stalker offers hunters a traditional aesthetic paired with the stiffness and weather resistance that laminate wood provides, resisting warping and damage in harsh field conditions.

The UK Ministry of Defence has published an initial ‘Concept Stage’ tender for the replacement of the British military’s SA80 family of bullpup rifles. This preliminary tender notice officially launches Project Grayburn. The new rifle when selected will replace the SA80’s in-service variants including the L22, L98, L85A2 and the most recent mid-life upgrade - the L85A3. The UK is expected to require around 200,000 new rifles to replace the SA80 variants currently in service.

Bergara has added a new rifle to its Premier line of bolt guns. The new Bergara CIMA PRO is a lightweight hunting rifle designed with extensive use of carbon fiber components. The result is an overall weight of 5.5lbs in short action calibers.

Franklin Armory will introduce at SHOT Show 2026 what it describes as the world’s first Total Round Control™ (TRC) bolt action, as the foundation of its new Prevail™ line of long-range precision and hunting rifles. The patent-pending TRC action is designed to maintain control of the cartridge throughout the entire cycle of operation: feeding, chambering, firing, extraction, and ejection.

What happens when you take a few engineers from Q, a 60-year-old bolt gun design, a few cases of beer, and lock them in a room? You might get something like the Q Fix Rifle. By the way, I'm told this is 100 percent how the Fix was developed. A few months ago, I was able to build my own Fix rifle at Q in New Hampshire and had a blast interacting with all the guys that work there. Today, I bring you my initial impressions on the rifle after 100 rounds through it. I'll also layout how I have the rifle currently set up.

FN UK has been awarded the UK Police Primary Carbine System (PPCS) Framework Agreement with its FN 15 Advanced Semi-Automatic Rifle (ASR), making the platform available for adoption across UK police forces. With the framework now in place, all UK police services are able to procure the FN 15 ASR as an approved primary carbine option.

We are in the run-up to SHOT Show 2026, and new product releases are starting to roll in. Ruger's lineup of AR-15 rifles is undergoing some changes for 2026. The new Harrier models replace the AR-556 family and include some updated features.

HTI traces its roots back to 1906, when Luigi Passoni began working at the Falk steel factory in Milan, Italy. During his time there, Passoni was involved in developing specialty steels intended for barrel manufacturing, laying an early foundation for what would eventually become a family legacy in precision firearms engineering. When Falk ceased production in 1995, the next generation carried that legacy forward as Carlo Guido Passoni founded HTI, transforming decades of metallurgical knowledge into a modern rifle manufacturer.

Weatherby continues to expand its modern bolt-action lineup with the Model 307 Alpine MDT SB, a compact, purpose-built rifle that puts portability and efficiency front and center. Built on Weatherby’s newest bolt-action platform, the Model 307, the Alpine MDT SB is designed to complement the company’s legacy Mark V and Vanguard rifles while embracing the modularity and suppressor-ready trends of today’s hunting and precision markets.

With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary in 2026, Henry Repeating Arms has unveiled a highly exclusive commemorative firearm: The Spirit of ’76 Semiquincentennial Edition. Limited to just 250 examples, the rifle is intended as a collector-grade tribute to the nation’s founding and the historical events that defined it. I wonder if any of them will ever be used and fired?

Smith & Wesson has added a new chambering to its Model 1854 lever-action rifle line with the introduction of the .360 Buckhammer variant. The rifle combines traditional lever-action ergonomics with contemporary tactical features intended to broaden its utility across hunting and field applications.

Weatherby has introduced two new dangerous game hunting versions of their Mark V bolt action rifle, dubbed Frontier and DGR. The main differences between the two rifles are in the furniture and chambering options. Weatherby advertises these new products as rifles engineered to operate in the extremes and deliver when every moment matters.

Palmetto State Armory has officially released the Olcan, a long-anticipated bullpup variant of the JAKL rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO or .300 AAC Blackout. Built around a 6105 monolithic rifle-length upper receiver, the Olcan relocates the JAKL’s fully captured buffer system into the upper, allowing for its compact bullpup layout while maintaining the platform’s rigidity and operating characteristics.