Day two of NRA coverage opens with the host explaining this video is part of the CF Clips channel lineup, with additional, longer-form content available on the main Classic Firearms channel. The first stop is the Rock Island Armory booth, where John introduces the RIA 5.0, a 9mm pistol with a 17+1 capacity and an internal hammer-fired system. He emphasizes that it is Rock Island Armory’s first handgun built entirely in the United States. The pistol’s standout feature is its square, non-tilting barrel and proprietary lockup system that rides on internal slide rails. This design keeps the bore axis extremely low and allows the barrel to reciprocate straight back rather than tilting, which is credited with producing a very soft recoil impulse. The host notes how this contributes to easy, controllable shooting and sets the stage for a deeper look at the platform’s variants and refinements.
The discussion at the Rock Island Armory booth continues with a closer look at the different RIA 5.0 variants. Alongside the standard model, John highlights the RIA 5.0 E, an enhanced version that features upgraded slide serrations for improved manipulation and additional hand-fitting for tighter tolerances. The internal hammer-fired mechanism is credited with delivering a notably smooth, crisp trigger pull that stands out compared to many striker-fired competitors. The non-tilting, straight-reciprocating barrel and low lockup point are repeatedly tied to the pistol’s very mild recoil and fast follow-up shot capability. The host underscores how the low bore axis helps keep the muzzle flat under recoil, making the gun feel softer and more controllable than typical 9mm pistols. This segment wraps as the coverage transitions from handguns to long guns, moving over to the Savage booth to explore new rifles and suppressor offerings.
At the Savage booth, attention shifts to the ACU series of rifle suppressors, focusing on the AC30 and the new AC30 BOB. The AC30 BOB uses a back-over-barrel design that allows part of the suppressor body to extend rearward over the barrel, shortening the overall length added to the rifle. On a .308 rifle with a 20-inch barrel, the AC30 BOB is described as being roughly 3–4 decibels quieter than the traditional AC30, despite its more compact overall profile. Savage representatives explain that the BOB’s thicker body and optimized internal gas flow contribute to this improved sound reduction. These characteristics make it particularly appealing for hunters and shooters operating in blinds, tight stands, or other confined positions where overall length and maneuverability matter. The segment sets up how these cans pair naturally with Savage’s updated Axis 2 Pro rifles.
The conversation moves to Savage’s Axis 2 Pro rifles for 2025, which are positioned as the first fully cataloged Axis line to come factory-threaded across the board. This means every model is ready out of the box for suppressors like the AC30 and AC30 BOB or other muzzle devices. Savage highlights redesigned stocks that focus on improved ergonomics, giving shooters a more comfortable and consistent cheek weld and grip. A key feature is the new hexagonal-style bolt handle, developed through extensive 3D printing iterations. Engineers experimented with multiple shapes and sizes to maximize grip and leverage while cycling the action, without creating a handle that sticks out excessively. The result is a bolt knob that feels secure in the hand and provides good mechanical advantage, yet remains compact enough for field use. This ergonomic refinement leads into a deeper look at how the handle and stock perform in real hunting conditions.
Savage representatives elaborate on the Axis 2 Pro’s bolt handle, noting that it was intentionally designed not to protrude too far from the rifle to avoid snagging on branches or gear while hunting. The Pro models are offered in several camouflage and finish options, including Forest SP camo, which is hand painted, as well as Savage Western and Savage Woodland patterns. Each pattern is paired with a matching metal finish and a subtle, hidden Savage logo integrated into the design. The rifles feature recessed steel sling studs that sit flush with the stock, improving stability when shooting off bags. Inside the stock, a pre-marked drill location allows users to add a secondary stud for traditional bipods. The Forest SP camo version includes spiral barrel fluting and a custom in-house gunmetal bronze Cerakote that shifts tone depending on the stock. All rifles ship with a one-piece scope rail secured by four screws. MSRP starts around $599 for Western and Woodland models and about $639 for the Forest SP camo configuration.
Coverage then turns to Eer’s Ragar foam system, a new approach to organizing firearms and gear inside hard cases. Instead of traditional pull-and-pluck foam that degrades and crumbles over time, Ragar uses an interlocking, modular foam insert that securely grips rifles and accessories. The presenter demonstrates how a rifle appears to float in the case, supported by small bumper pieces that contact the firearm at key points. Users can adjust these bumpers to create a tighter or looser fit, tailoring support for different platforms. The system can be configured in two layers, allowing accessories such as magazines, optics, or slings to be stored underneath the primary firearm. Pricing is outlined, with smaller foam sets around $39 for both pads, and complete cases with foam starting near $89.99. The punch-out pieces are reusable and can be repurposed for handgun cases. Ragar foam is compatible with Eer’s own cases, Pelican Protector series, Harbor Freight Apache cases, and Condition One cases, with Pelican Vault compatibility under development.
At the Taurus booth, the focus shifts to the Raging Hunter line of large-frame hunting revolvers. These mostly five-shot revolvers are offered in multiple barrel lengths, including 5 1/4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and even a highlighted 10-inch configuration. Caliber options span serious hunting and defense roles, with .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .460, .500, and .454 Casull mentioned. The revolvers feature a double-lock cylinder system for added strength and security under heavy recoil. Barrel porting is a key element, with four ports per side helping to vent gases upward and reduce muzzle rise. A full mil-spec Picatinny rail runs along the top, allowing shooters to mount red dots or even a Leupold handgun scope. A 10-inch-barrel .460 Raging Hunter with an end-of-barrel compensator is singled out for its impressive recoil mitigation, making it surprisingly enjoyable to shoot and suitable for demanding roles like bear defense, illustrated by an anecdote involving a grizzly encounter in Alaska with a .454 Casull model.
The discussion transitions from revolvers to Taurus bolt-action hunting rifles, which were designed by experienced hunters to meet real-world field needs. These rifles feature cold hammer-forged barrels manufactured in Brazil on German machinery, resulting in distinctive spiral-like markings along the barrel exterior. Taurus clarifies that these marks are a byproduct of the forging process rather than decorative fluting. One highlighted model uses a stainless steel barrel finished with a DLC coating on the barrel, barrel nut, and receiver for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance. The platform is Remington 700 compatible, accepting 700-pattern barrels, stocks, triggers, and magazines, which greatly expands customization options. Initial chamberings include .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor, with sub-MOA accuracy claims. The stock incorporates a flat-bottom saddle area with an aluminum M-LOK rail for accessories and an embedded Spartan Precision magnetic cup, allowing direct bipod or tripod attachment without an external protruding cup. Street pricing is positioned around $800, targeting hunters seeking performance and modularity at an accessible cost.
Attention then turns to the Taurus 58, a compact .380 ACP pistol brought back in response to renewed interest in the .380 category. Drawing from the Taurus/Beretta 92 lineage, this handgun resembles a scaled-down PT92-style platform but chambered in .380. It features a 4-inch exposed barrel and operates in both single- and double-action modes with a traditional hammer-fired system. The pistol uses an aluminum frame paired with a steel slide and barrel, providing a full-size grip feel in a more compact caliber. Taurus includes two 15-round magazines, giving the pistol substantial capacity for a .380. Controls are designed with usability in mind, including a manual safety that also functions as a decocker. Extended, ambidextrous levers accommodate both left- and right-handed shooters. Sights consist of a drift-adjustable rear unit and a fixed white-dot front sight, offering a straightforward, durable sight picture for defensive or range use.
The Taurus .380 pistol is offered with a 4-inch barrel in two primary finishes: black oxide and stainless steel, giving buyers aesthetic and corrosion-resistance options. MSRP is listed at $606, with an anticipated street price around $500, positioning it competitively among metal-framed .380 handguns. The host clarifies that the 9mm counterpart to this design is the well-known PT92, helping viewers place the new .380 within Taurus’s broader lineup. As the video nears its end, the host wraps up day two coverage of the NRA show in Atlanta, noting that more uploads and detailed segments will continue to roll out on both the CF Clips and main Classic Firearms channels. Viewers are encouraged to comment with any remaining products or booths they want covered on the final day, ensuring that upcoming content reflects audience interests across handguns, rifles, suppressors, and accessories showcased throughout the event.
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