Day two of SHOT Show 2025 kicks off in Las Vegas with the crew splitting up to cover different booths. One host heads straight to HK, another to B&T, and another plans to chase down quick-hit content for social clips. At the HK booth, they link up with Tommy from HK USA to look at the new MR556 A4 series, described as the closest thing to a civilian 416-style rifle that HK has brought to the U.S. market. Tommy explains that nearly every external feature is pulled directly from various 416 iterations, from the buffer tube and elongated castle nut to the ambidextrous controls and gas block. The rifle now includes 45-degree selector throws and fully ambidextrous controls, addressing one of the main complaints about earlier MR556 variants, which lacked Ambi features and felt heavy. HK has removed roughly a pound of weight overall by combining a new slimline barrel profile with a lighter handguard. A major upgrade is the adjustable gas block, which allows users to run the rifle suppressed or unsuppressed and then fine-tune it using small interchangeable screws that regulate the gas vent. Tommy notes there are several different screw options so shooters can dial in the system for a specific suppressor and maintain a clean, consistent ejection pattern without over- or under-function. He also addresses questions about why the barrel is not chrome lined if this is meant to mirror a 416-style gun. HK compared this barrel to a well-known chrome-lined competitor and found that the other option held around 2–2.5 MOA, while HK is confident enough in its metallurgy and manufacturing to guarantee 1 MOA accuracy for the life of the barrel. If a customer manages to shoot out the barrel—even after very high round counts—HK will replace it. Tommy mentions that internal testing has seen round counts in the mid five figures while still maintaining or even improving accuracy after a substantial break-in period. The segment closes with the hosts expressing surprise at the lifetime barrel guarantee and hinting that more details on configurations, including shorter pistol-length options and standard rifle-length models, will follow as they continue their tour of the booth.
The focus shifts to HK’s first U.S.-designed and manufactured micro compact, the CC9. This pistol brings fully ambidextrous controls and an innovative adjustable backstrap that preserves the same length of pull as a full-size VP9 while slimming the grip for concealment. HK details its proprietary 12-round magazine with a pinky extension and an optional flush-fit 10-rounder. A 2025 configuration ships optics-ready with a Holosun 407K mounted on an RMSC footprint, paired with blacked-out serrated front and rear sights. The high-riding, interchangeable backstrap not only changes grip circumference but also fine-tunes overall length of pull, helping shooters maintain consistent trigger finger placement and a natural point of aim similar to VP9 and P30 pistols. A high undercut trigger guard and refined ergonomics are emphasized, along with an improved trigger feel over the VP series. Underneath, a new chassis-based fire control system reflects HK’s cautious, reliability-focused approach to launching a micro-compact defensive handgun.
At the Beretta booth, the 92X Performance Dark Series takes the spotlight. This heavy, competition-focused 92 variant wears a dark coating, Toni System grips, and an extended magwell, with a new green color joining earlier red and blue options. The hosts also mention the JJ Racaza Signature Series, including a striking gold-accented model. Attention then turns to the 20X/Bobcat .22 LR lineup, which modernizes the classic tip-up pocket pistol. The 20X moves the magazine release from a European heel catch to a reversible, American-style button behind the trigger guard. Beretta offers threaded and non-threaded barrels, suppressor-height sights, and multiple slide and grip color combinations, including a new green finish and a 24k gold-and-white JJ Racaza edition. Subtle grip details reference Racaza’s logo, the number 11, a Philippine sun, and the “20X” .22 LR designation. The Bobcat is framed as both a convenient pocket pistol for quick errands and a quiet, suppressed trail companion for hunters managing nuisance animals.
The coverage moves to Stoeger’s handgun lineup, starting with the STR-9 Combat SX. Built on the Combat X chassis, this variant is configured for hard use, duty, or entry-level competition. It features a Cerakote slide with lightening windows, an optic-ready cut, fiber-optic suppressor-height sights, a threaded barrel, and ships with three extended magazines. Next is the STR-9 Thin Line, a micro-compact framed pistol designed for concealed carry without sacrificing shootability. It uses a lengthened but very slim grip, offering 14-round flush and 16-round extended magazines. The slide incorporates compensator-style cuts that vent gases without adding barrel length, helping control muzzle rise while keeping the gun compact. The host notes the grip feels similar in thinness to a Glock 43, making it appealing for everyday carry. Pricing is highlighted as a value proposition: around $529 MSRP for the Thin Line and $699 for the Combat SX, both including three magazines and a hard case.
Stoeger’s tactical shotgun line is next, starting with the M3000 tactical semi-auto. This 12-gauge, 3-inch-capable shotgun features an 18.5-inch barrel, Tungsten Cerakote receiver, black furniture, and a proprietary steep-angle stock designed in Turkey. The stock integrates M-LOK slots and QD sling cups, while the receiver is optic-ready with plates for RMR and Burris footprints, plus ghost ring sights and a removable Picatinny rail. Priced around $649, it targets budget-conscious buyers wanting an affordable tactical semi-auto for home defense. The P3000 pump-action mirrors many features: the same stock geometry, OD Green Cerakote receiver, ghost ring sights, optic cut with plates, smaller M-LOK forend, and a breacher choke, at about $449. Both are framed as defensive tools rather than sporting guns, with the pump’s inherent reliability emphasized. The video then transitions to JP Rifles, where John explains JP’s competition-driven design philosophy and introduces a new compensator and the famous Recoil Eliminator “tank brake,” which harnesses muzzle gas energy to drive the rifle forward and dramatically cut recoil.
JP continues with a deeper dive into recoil management. The tank-style brake is optimized around the long-standing 1x3 compensator size rule in three-gun, using large baffles to capture gas and pull the rifle forward. John explains how JP tunes operating systems with variable-mass carriers, a silent captured spring with adjustable buffer weights, and adjustable gas blocks to precisely control bolt velocity. A barrel-mounted thermal dissipator, inspired by World War I Lewis gun heat sinks, is showcased as a more effective solution than fluting. It wraps the barrel to spread heat, reduce hot spots at the gas port, stabilize temperature, and minimize point-of-impact shift, adding only about 5 ounces. The scene then shifts to CZ. The P-7 line is discontinued in favor of P-9 and P-10 models, including P-9 Nocturn compact and full-size versions, plus suppressor-ready variants. CZ also unveils the Shadow 2 Target in 5-inch and 6-inch configurations, with optics-ready options planned, and highlights the Scorpion 3+ Magpul Edition with improved ergonomics, adjustable selector, and Magpul furniture, while hinting at future integrally suppressed or ISR-style concepts.
CZ’s Bren 3 is presented as a modern service rifle already seeing use in near-peer conflicts. It offers interchangeable barrels and calibers, including 300 Blackout and 7.62x39, plus adjustable gas and compact PDW variants. Despite strong U.S. interest, it is not yet available domestically. The tour then heads to a 2311-style lineup, starting with the Gold Brat officer model. This double-stack 2311 pairs a short slide with 17- or 20-round magazines, a removable magwell, and an eye-catching gold finish that even includes a matching gold chain. Staff at the booth emphasize their agility in producing special colorways, showing a color-shift blue/purple 1911-style match pistol with gold and orange slide cuts and see-through magazine windows. A new, very aggressive grip texture is highlighted for improved control under sweat, oil, or dirt. The broader 2311 series is outlined, from standard Brat models to a 6-inch 10mm Hunter, with the MatchX compensated rail alloy-frame and Match M steel-frame models offering full-length rails, magwells, ambidextrous safeties, direct-mount RMS/RMSC optic footprints, and competition-ready triggers for limited and limited optics divisions.
The coverage continues with a closer look at steel-frame match pistols in the 2011/231 style. These guns feature full-length dust-cover rails, 5-inch barrels, magwells, refined triggers, and optic-ready slides, targeting serious limited and limited optics competitors. While double-stack 9mm dominates the lineup, support is also shown for 10mm, .45 ACP, and .38 Super, including a long-slide 10mm model capable of consistent 110-yard hits and suitable for hunting. A premium 231 variant is shown with a threaded 1/2x28 barrel ready for suppressors, titanium nitride barrel finish, slide cuts, rail, ambidextrous safeties, and magwell, with many models offered in suppressor-ready trim. A unique custom grip system for the 231 uses a hot, water-activated material that can be molded precisely to the shooter’s hand for a bespoke fit. The MC14 X is then introduced as a DA/SA pistol with a fluted, threaded barrel, accessory rail, ambidextrous safeties, and a tip-up barrel that allows loading and unloading the chamber without racking the slide, aided by a special magazine pad that securely holds a single spare round.
The video further explores the modern tip-up barrel concept. The updated design lets a round slide into a recess in the magazine base plate, acting almost like a feed strip so users can single-load the chamber without cycling the slide. This is positioned as especially beneficial for older shooters, many women, and those with arthritis or other disabilities who struggle with slide manipulation. Compared to classic Beretta Cheetah-style tip-ups, the new mechanism is simplified and can be operated with a single finger instead of rotating a latch 180 degrees. The scene then shifts to Under Armour’s tactical footwear. The Charged Expanse low and mid shoes feature an athletic-style tongue that resists bunching, a relatively rigid yet lightweight chassis, and aggressive but not overly deep tread with side texture for rope climbs. A wide toe box supports natural toe splay and accommodates wider feet. Availability is targeted for June with multiple colorways. The Charged Reaper duty shoe is a higher-rise, very light yet sturdy option sharing the same tread pattern, athletic tongue, side tread, wide toe box, reinforced front wrap, stretchy laces, and strong ankle support without a zipper, aimed squarely at duty and tactical users.
Under Armour’s segment wraps with emphasis on reinforced fronts, strong ankle support, and athletic DNA brought into the tactical space, with June release timing. The coverage then moves to SilencerCo. The Scythe STM is introduced as a stainless steel modular rifle suppressor, heavier than the titanium Scythe but fully rated for full-auto fire and free of barrel length restrictions, making it suitable for hard-use carbines, bolt guns, and 300 Blackout setups. SilencerCo previews the S98, a premium full-titanium 9mm pistol can weighing around 7 ounces with an MSRP near $1,269, designed specifically around pistol hosts and teased with a potential new QD mounting system. The Spectre 9K follows as an ultra-compact, roughly 3-ounce 9mm suppressor that delivers Omega 9K-level suppression in a direct-thread, pistonless format, initially restricted to military and law enforcement customers. The video then transitions to Griffin Armament’s 9mm PCC line, available in 4.5-inch, 9-inch, and 16-inch barrel lengths. These carbines use Colt-pattern magazines, a proprietary buffer, dual ejectors, and a tuned ejector and feed ramp designed to reliably feed hollow-point defensive ammunition, positioning them as serious defensive tools rather than simple plinkers.
Griffin’s PCCs are offered both as complete rifles and semi-complete lowers, all featuring ambidextrous Mark 2-style controls and a magwell sized specifically for the platform. A nylon-tip tension screw in the lower lets builders eliminate receiver slop for a tighter, more precise fit, with complete guns priced under $1,500. Attention then turns to the Optimus 6, a 3D-printed 6mm-bore suppressor optimized for 5.56 carbines. Its complex, high-flow internal geometry is engineered for low back pressure, sub-140 dB sound levels, and extremely low flash signature, which Griffin stresses as critical for night vision and precision or sniper applications. The Optimus 6 will ship in three configurations: a 1.375x24 universal hub version, an integral Dual-Lok mount version, and an integral Taper Mount version. Initial production uses 17-4 stainless steel, with an Inconel variant in development for even harsher use. The segment closes by shifting to Pelican’s new Reset system, which replaces traditional cut foam with a grid of high-density foam pegs for infinitely reconfigurable case interiors.
Pelican details its Reset system as a modular insert for Protector rifle cases, where individual foam pegs can be pushed up or down to create custom cavities, then reset as gear changes. Initial offerings target the 1700, 1720, and 1750 cases, with a 1700 Reset kit expected in the low-to-mid $200 range. The company then showcases its ATX hard-sided travel luggage, built from the same lightweight resin as Pelican Air cases. These rolling suitcases are waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof, with four spinner wheels, TSA-approved combo locks, a multi-stage trolley handle, and organized interiors. Pricing is set at $499 for the 22-inch carry-on and $599 for the 25-inch medium check-in. Pelican’s hybrid duffel line features EVA compression-molded exteriors, YKK zippers, large wheels, and multiple grab handles, complemented by backpacks, a duffel-backpack hybrid, slings, and pouches. Many bags include concealed-carry zipper pockets and MOLLE-compatible Mod Pack accessories. The host wraps up Day 2 Part 1 by praising Pelican and Under Armour as standout non-gun exhibitors and heads off for lunch before continuing coverage in part two.
Loading...