The Top 5 Guns From IWA 2023

IWA 2023 overview and trip purpose

IWA in Nuremberg, Germany is described as a European equivalent to SHOT Show, focused on firearms and related products. Classic Firearms sent Ryan and Kaya to explore what is promoted as one of the largest gun shows in the world. The goal was to see new manufacturers, examine interesting designs, and identify standout firearms that are expected to reach the U.S. market in some form. From the many products on display, they narrowed their impressions down to a top five list of guns from IWA 2023, emphasizing models that offered notable innovation or a different take on familiar platforms.

Hera H6 lightweight bolt-action rifle

The Hera H6 is a lightweight bolt-action rifle chambered in .223 Remington / 5.56, developed through a collaboration between Hera and the Austrian company Vera. Vera manufactures the bolt, while Hera produces the rest of the rifle. It features a very slim M-LOK AR-15 style handguard, an 18-inch barrel with a compensator or flash hider, and a folding stock. A distinctive element is its side-fed magazine arrangement, in contrast to the traditional bottom-fed magazine well seen on rifles like the Q Fix, which is used as a point of comparison. The Hera H6 felt lighter than the Q Fix even with an optic mounted on the Fix, and a 300 Blackout version is reported to be in development. The rifle is not yet available in the United States but is expected to be imported at an undetermined date.

Anzio Arms K21 multi-caliber rifle concept

The Anzio Arms K21, from Finland, is presented as a multi-caliber rifle system designed around practical military experience. Finnish conscripts reported problems with losing small parts during field stripping, which can disable a rifle if those parts are not recovered. In response, the K21 platform minimizes the number of small, easily lost components. It can convert between .223 and .308 by changing only three major elements: the bolt, the magwell, and the barrel. The smallest part involved in the caliber swap is the bolt head, which remains large enough to locate if dropped in snow or grass. The rifle also uses its gas tube as a tool to complete disassembly and caliber conversion. Detailed disassembly and reassembly demonstrations are hosted on Rumble due to platform restrictions.

Bull Armory Axe C Hatchet striker-fired pistol

Bull Armory’s Axe platform is a striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun compatible with Gen 3 Glock parts. The Axe C Hatchet variant is a compact model introduced to the U.S. market with several updates based on user feedback. It includes an aggressive texture on the frame, an optic-ready slide, a stainless steel guide rod, and an aluminum flat trigger. The slide uses a pattern of honeycomb-like dots and aggressive serrations to aid in manipulations such as press checks. The pistol has a stainless steel slide with a PVD black coating and is also available in silver, in both compact and full-size versions. A key feature is its 1911-style grip angle, reflecting Bull Armory’s long experience as a 1911 manufacturer based in Israel. The Axe C Hatchet is positioned as a tactical striker-fired handgun that combines Glock-style compatibility with a 1911-inspired grip geometry, at a listed price of about $620.

Grand Power Stribog evolution to SP10 A3 and SP45 A3

The discussion of Grand Power’s Stribog line begins with the original SP9 A1, a 9mm pistol-caliber carbine using a simple direct blowback system and proprietary magazines. Grand Power then introduced the SP9 A3, which adopted a roller-delayed action while still relying on proprietary magazines. To address magazine availability and user preference, they later developed receivers compatible with Glock magazines, avoiding the need for a unique magazine design and leveraging the widespread presence of Glock mags. Building on the popularity of the 9mm Stribog in the U.S., where over 60,000 units reportedly sold in two years, Grand Power expanded the platform into new calibers. The Stribog SP10 A3 in 10mm Auto and SP45 A3 in .45 ACP use a roller-delayed system and accept UMP-style magazines in 10mm and .45 ACP, rather than a proprietary design. These models aim to provide a more accessible alternative to rare roller-delayed 10mm and .45 ACP platforms, though their exact arrival date in the U.S. market remains uncertain.