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From micro-PDWs to thermal-fusion dots and fast-access safes, these are the 2025 picks we’d unwrap first, shoot hard, and brag about later.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Benelli M4 EXT in H2O. 18.5 inch barrel, interchangeable chokes, factory 7+1 tube. Same proven M4 heart with more of what matters: a factory 7+1 tube, a 5-position collapsible stock, and a bigger bolt release. We ran it hard, ghost loaded it to nine, and logged what broke in, what [...]

Mossberg finally drops a semi auto Shockwave style thumper, and the 990 Aftershock brings real gas gun control to a compact 12 gauge that hits hard up close.

Lipsey’s honors John Taffin with a Ruger Blackhawk Flattop Bisley in .45 Colt with a .45 ACP cylinder. We shot real .45 Colt and .45 ACP loads, checked chrono and groups, ran leather, and asked if this tribute truly earns the title Perfect Packin’ Pistol.

The concealed carry revolver might seem outdated, but we can see it still has potency and a place in the concealed carry conversation.

If you want a compact 9mm that shoots flatter than most pistols out of the box, try the Archon Type B Gen 2.

The Maztech X4-LRF is a weapon mounted laser rangefinder with an Applied Ballistics solver, weather sensors, and visible and IR aiming lasers. Our 15K unit ranged hillsides reliably to about 7,300 yards and a barn at 10,720, and its holds gave first round hits from 278 to 702 yards and hits at 991 and 1,381. [...]

The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker blends precision bolt-action performance with the modular adaptability of AR-style components.

The ultimate .22LR bolt-action competition rifle started with a lot of research, and ended up with a no-budget build. After target shooting and competing with this rifle at a PRS22-style match, I can confidently say this build performs as good as it looks.