Category Archives: new gun

New and Beautiful: Meet the Beretta 92G Elite Combat LTT

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Beretta and Ernest Langdon have teamed up on what could be the penultimate Model 92 series defensive pistol.

The new 92G Elite Combat LTT is just stacked with competition-grade features. Standard is an Elite LTT slide and frame, LTT G10 grips, and a chrome trigger with an ambidextrous G-series slide-mounted decocking lever. Then comes the Toni System improvements in the form of a single-port compensator and flared magwell, along with a trio of Toni System +4 magazine extensions to give the user three 22-round magazines out of the box.

But as the man says, “wait, there’s more.”

Additional features include a black threaded barrel, a fiber-optic front sight, an extended disassembly lever, and DLC-coated hammer and sear. Lots of attention is put to updated ergos, with enhanced frame beveling and front strap checkering, some very aggressive front slide serrations, an extended mag release, and an accessory rail.

Roll those images.

The overall length of the new Beretta 92G Elite Combat LTT is 9 inches with the Toni comp installed on the 5.1-inch barrel, giving it a sight radius of 6.1 inches.

Weight is 36.2 ounces, unloaded.

Grip width is 1.3 inches, while overall height is 6.45 inches.

The compensator and flared magwell work together with Toni System +4 magazine extensions to enhance recoil control and increase reload speed.

The Toni System comp is removable, leaving an extended threaded barrel that is suppressor-ready

The new Beretta 92G Elite Combat LTT ships in a clamshell plastic box with three magazines, each with TS +4 extensions.

So how much does all this functional beauty cost?

The MSRP on the new Beretta 92G Elite Combat LTT is $1,299, closer to $1,198 at dealers.

That’s actually a screaming deal when you consider the much more vanilla 92G Elite LTT II has an MSRP of $1,249 and does not come with the three Toni System mag extensions (which run $45 a pop), the TS comp runs another $100, and the magwell another $100.

Just saying.

Nice to see this as a factory option.

Another volley in the 380 space…

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Featuring a removable chassis system for easy grip frame upgrades and a 14-shot capacity, Ruger has a new LCP Max on the block, powered by Magpul.

The two companies in 2024 brought the innovative RXM 9mm pistol to the market, which uses a serialized Fire Control Insert that is independent of its Enhanced Handgun Grip, or EHG, allowing the flexibility to be easily swapped into different grips. And by different we both size (full, compact, subcompact) and color, all inside the Glock Gen 3 9mm double stack ecosystem.

You can see much of the same potential modularity on the newest Ruger LCP Max. Debuted this week, it uses Magpul’s new EHG .380 grip frame with a Fire Control Insert chassis. It carries a new style slide that mimics the RXM’s aesthetic, and includes a S&W Bodyguard pattern Tritium front sight with a drift-adjustable rear.

And it weighs 11.2 ounces, unloaded, which is about half as much as the Walther PPK, which offers a 7-shot capacity.

the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip
The new Ruger LCP Max. Note the Magpul EHG RG380 grip frame with 3/4-scale TSP texture. (Photos: Ruger/Magpul)
the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip
Overall length is 5.35 inches with a 2.8-inch barrel. With the extended 13+1 round magazine – new to the platform – height is 4.78 inches. The pistol has a slim, 0.75-inch-wide slide assembly. 
the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip
Compared to the standard 10+1 shot LCP Max, seen right, the new Max stands just 0.66 inches higher and is 0.18 inches longer. The weight is less than half an ounce different. 
the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip
The newest LCP Max is the first that uses a serialized Fire Control Insert chassis, which can be removed by the user with basic tools. 
the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip
At launch, Magpul plans at least three extra colors (black, FDE, olive drab) for the EHG380 grip in addition to Ruger’s standard Stealth Gray. Replacements, sold via Magpul, will be $39. You can bet that other aftermarket grips will also soon be in the works. 

Other standard features include a tabbed trigger safety and a manual safety. It ships with both a flush 10 rounder as well as the extended 13-shot magazine as shown above.

“This launch is just the beginning of what Ruger and Magpul have planned for the LCP Max, underscoring Ruger’s commitment to innovation and consumer choice,” says the company.

The MSRP on the new Ruger LCP Max with the Magpul EHG RG380 grip is $449, which is a $50 bump from the standard LCP Max. I would imagine the price at your local shop to be closer to $375.

We have one inbound for a review, so stay tuned for more on that subject.

How about an NFA compliant 18 inch PDW with a Honey Badger Brace?

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Featuring a 5.5-inch barrel, Colt-pattern 32-round magazines, and an SB Tactical HB brace on a three-position receiver extension, the new Saint Victor PDW from Springfield Armory is maneuverable and uncompromising.

Springfield introduced its first 9mm blowback-action Saint Victor model AR in late 2022, featuring a Melonite-coated 16-inch CMV barrel with a 1:10-inch twist, ambidextrous safety, nickel-boron-coated flat trigger, and a standard GI-style charging handle. In a departure from the widespread use of Glock double-stack mags for 9mm PCCs, the Victor carbine accepted 32-round Colt SMG stick mags, which are widely available. We’ve evaluated these carbines in the past and found them to deliver on the range.

Since then, the stick-magged 9mm PCC proved popular, with Springfield responding to customer feedback by delivering more compact models, including an 8.5-inch and a 5.5-inch pistol outfitted with an SB Tactical SB-A3 stabilizing brace. The 5.5 incher, in particular, taped out between 20 and 22.5 inches due to the adjustable receiver extension.

Going even more compact, the new Saint Victor 9mm PDW sticks with the 5.5-inch barrel, while its SB Tactical HBPDW brace, paired with a short buffer system, shrinks the overall length to 18.5 inches and feels much more solid.

And that brings us to this:

The new Saint Victor 9mm PDW uses forged 7075 T6 aluminum, Type III hardcoat anodized receivers finished in a low-glare Tungsten Gray Cerakote. 
With its HBPDW brace collapsing into its shortest format, the pistol is 18.5 inches long while still offering a 23.5-inch extended length. Like the rest of its family, it runs Colt-pattern 32-round stick mags.

Sporting probably the best brace I’ve felt and using a common ($30) double-stack steel mag that gives it a very SMG vibe, this new AR-9 from Springfield knocks it out of the park and fits in just about any bag big enough to hold a laptop.

We found the Victor PDW to fit easily in a 5.11 LVC12 Backpack. The bag is small enough (19″ H x 11″ W x 7.5″ D) to be discreet with a clean, urban profile, and still has lots of extra storage available besides the pistol and extra mags.

If you want a solid and utterly dependable 9mm PDW platform that can live in just about any bag that stands 19 inches high, this is it. The tolerances are tight. It is well thought out. It has a vibe.

About the worst you can say is that it is hefty by comparison, about a half pound heavier than a Kuna, which has a softer recoil and is a little cheaper. Plus, when you first load those Colt pattern sticks, take your pre-workout because you have to work on it to get to 32. After a while, they break in, but you have to climb that hill first.

Still, if you are looking for an AR-9 platform that can fit in almost any bag, here you go.

the new Springfield Saint Victor PDW
The MSRP on the new Springfield Saint Victor PDW is $1,399

Kuna Competition? Meet the Taurus RPC 9mm PDW

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Taurus on Tuesday announced its first entry into the dedicated PDW space, the fully ambidextrous 9mm RPC.

Billed as being built to NATO standards– keep in mind that the company competes for and wins military and police contracts all over the world– the new RPC is lightweight via alloy construction and runs from curved 32-round magazines.

And did we mention that it has a roller delayed operating system, which offers a flatter recoil impulse?

Taurus RPC 9mm PDW PCC
Note the case in the air and the muzzle still on target. (Photos: Taurus)
Taurus RPC 9mm PDW PCC
Controls are fully ambidextrous, with the bolt release/lock and magazine release easily reached from both sides, and a reversible, non-reciprocating charging handle. Note the rear vert Pic rail for braces. 
Taurus RPC 9mm PDW PCC
Using a 4.5-inch threaded barrel, the RPC features a single-stage flat-faced trigger, an AR-15 compatible soft rubber over-molded grip, and three integrated quick-detach sling attachment points in addition to fully ambi controls and a Picatinny top rail. 

A short M-LOK handguard is standard.

The RPC will be offered in two variants at launch, both with a rear vertical Picatinny rail, either with (MSRP $1098.99) or without ($939.99) a Strike Industries FSA folding brace. That puts it a couple of hundred bucks less than the roller-locked Springfield Armory Kuna and will likely come in under the cost of the Stribog SP9A3 as well.

Expect more on this interesting little guy from NRAAM this week, and know that we are eagerly trying to get one of these in for review.

Springfield’s Hi-Power Clone gets a Detective Model

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The 13+1-shot Browning Hi-Power, introduced in 1935, was the first “wonder nine” and a worldwide classic for generations until the company finally put it to bed in 2017. 

Then came a few companies to fill the void, with EAA offering a Turkish-made clone by Girsan and Springfield Armory, in 2021, debuting the SA-35. We evaluated the latter and found it a very faithful salute to the classic 1960s/70s C/T-series BHP in terms of aesthetics, but with the bonus of several subtle improvements to boost performance.

Now, Springfield has whittled down the gun by about an inch in length while keeping everything else, akin to the old Argentine FM Hi-Powers seen on the consumer market in the early 1990s

You know, these guys:

Both the standard and “Detective” FMs were readily available once upon a time, as noted by this circa 1992 SOG ad in The Shotgun News.

However, Springfield didn’t just redo the Detective concept, but did it better done with several notable changes and flush-fit 15+1 round magazines.

I just posted a review on the new gun today as the embargo lifted.

Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch
The new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch runs a steel frame, slide, and barrel, hitting the scales at 29.8 ounces unloaded. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch
Overall length is 7.1 inches, while the height is 4.8 inches. 
Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch
The SA-35 4-inch, left, compared to its 7.8-inch full-sized brother. 
Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch
The difference in length is just under an inch, while the weight savings are about two ounces. 
Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch
When compared to a 4.25-inch Commander-length 1911, in this case, Springfield Armory’s Operator AOS Commander, the SA-35 4-inch comes in both noticeably shorter and thinner. 
Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch

We found the SA-35 4-inch to fit common Commander-sized holsters we had on hand, such as this Falco Langdon Timeless Open-Top IWB. 

More in my column at Guns.com.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry, a Deep Dive After 2,000 Rounds

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The Shadow line, originally based on the CZ 75 SP-01, has been a top choice in competitive shooting since winning the 2005 IPSC World Shoot. The well-reviewed Shadow 2, launched in 2016 with improved features and an optics-ready option in 2020, is now widely used by leading IPSC competitors, including Eric Grauffel.

In response to demand for a lighter model, CZ released the Shadow 2 Compact in 2023, featuring a 7075-aluminum frame, 4-inch barrel, and 15+1 magazine capacity on a gun that was about a pound lighter. Both versions offer textured grips and smooth trigger action.

full-sized Shadow 2 and Shadow 2 Compact side by side
Testing both models, the full-sized Shadow 2 and Shadow 2 Compact side by side in Czechia at CZ’s range in 2024, revealed impressive performance that differed little between big brother and the new kid on the block. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

As the Shadow 2 Compact is based on a DA/SA competition gun, there’s no firing pin block plunger system, which can be a pucker factor for some, being drop-safe if carried with a round in the chamber. That led to the Shadow 2 Carry, which retains everything folks loved about the S2 Compact but deletes the manual safety lever in favor of a simple de-cocking lever, while adding a safety notch on the hammer and an automatic firing pin block.

Additionally, it features a direct mount with a K-series footprint, while retaining excellent sights, unlike the universal plate-based optics pad on the Compact, which requires removing the rear sights. The magazine release has also been made shorter, more akin to that on the P01– something we complained to CZ about directly back in 2024 on the Shadow Carry, so you are welcome.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry
Boom. The CZ Shadow 2 Carry as made in Europe for the U.S. market. As you can tell from our installation of a Holosun 507K, it is optics-ready (but doesn’t ship with one). 
CZ Shadow 2 Carry
The new CZ Shadow 2 Carry has a 4-inch barrel, giving it an overall length of 7.5 inches. All the dimensions are a 1:1 comparison with the Shadow 2 Compact, which means you can swap barrels, many internals (not controls), and holsters. 
CZ Shadow 2 Carry
The width over the ambi decocker is 1.5 inches, while the height is 5.4 inches. 
CZ Shadow 2 Carry compared
As you can see, when compared to this early 1980s CZ75 “Pre-B,” it carries forth the same lineage that has been the benchmark for the company’s 9mm family of semi-auto pistols for over 50 years. 
CZ Shadow 2 Carry compared
Including the low bore axis and gliding internal slide rails. 
CZ Shadow 2 Carry compared
And the overall grip angles and feel. People love the classics, man. 

Quick summary: CZ responded to those who wanted a safe-to-carry Shadow 2 Compact with the same race gun lineage known and loved for generations, and the resulting Shadow 2 Carry delivers on that promise, blending style, performance, and dependability in one platform.

For the full 2,500-word/30-image review, head on over to my column at Guns.com.

New: FN 309 Optics-ready Hammer-fired 9mm Pistol

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Just in time for SHOT Show, FN has debuted its newest double-stack 9mm pistol: the feature-packed and more affordable FN 309 MRD.

The 309 takes cues from the company’s well-received Reflex series of micro 9s, using a DAO internal hammer operation and direct-mount Shield RMSc/Holosun K/Leupold DPP footprint with adapter plates available for other dots.

The unloaded weight is 18.4 ounces with an empty mag. We found the Reflex in its most svelte form, with 12 rounds of Federal’s Punch JHP 124-grain self-defense loads and no optic, to hit the scales at 23.4 ounces. Shown with a DeSantis Inside Heat, which, although made for the single-stack FN 503, fits it like a glove.

In fact, the FN 309 is basically a Reflex XL, but it is a little bigger, holds more bullets, is $150 cheaper, and uses easy-to-load and more affordable ($20 rather than $50) magazines. Plus, it is easier to rack and very slim, all good things for first-time pistol buyers: the demographic FN is pitching to for this one.

The FN 309
The FN 309 is new for 2026. (Photos: FN)

It has styling similar to the company’s other pistols, but make no mistake, the 309 is its own ecosystem, using proprietary (but inexpensive) 16 and 20-round polymer-bodied magazines. Plus – and this is a win for first-time gun owners and those with reduced hand strength – it requires lower racking force without a gimmick.

The pistol is carry-sized and leans more compact than sub-compact, with a 3.8-inch alloy steel, machine-gun grade, barrel with a recessed target crown. This gives it an overall length of 7.4 inches and a weight, due to its polymer frame, of 22 ounces. The guns ship standard with FN 509 pattern drift-adjustable sights, using an over-molded green fiber-optic front and rounded U-notch rear. Other features include an accessory rail, a reversible magazine release, and multiple safeties, including a firing pin block and trigger safety. Manual safety models will also be available.

The MSRP on the FN 309 is $549, which is likely to be closer to $450 at retailers once supply starts flowing.

The FN 309
We were able to travel to South Carolina last summer to check out the 309 “in progress,” shooting a table full of early production pistols along with a group of other gun media. (Photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The FN 309
Note the polymer magazines in 16 and 20-round variants, which FN advises will be inexpensive (think $25) at retail. Compare that to FN 509 mags, which run $50-$90 depending on the model. 
The FN 309
The FN 309 is a simple design and field strips without pulling the trigger – a big deal for a lot of users. 
The FN 309
Note the internal hammer-fired operation of the FN 309. 

The gun shot well in initial testing, with the Guns.com crew putting about 500 rounds through a couple of pistols over the course of a couple of hours. A relay team ran 1,160 rounds on a very hot torture test gun without a serious issue, so there is definitely a potential for the 309 to be something FN is proud to have in its catalog.

The gun is pitched as a more entry-level pistol than the company’s duty-grade 509s, which start at $750 for basic vanilla models and run to $1,600 in the more bespoke Edge package guns. Even the 15+1 round FN Reflex XL MRD has a suggested ask of $719.

“Many gun buyers don’t see FN as an option, and we wanted to change that perception by making the brand accessible to people looking to spend $500 on a 9mm pistol,” said Chris Johnson, Senior Product Manager for Pistols for FN America, LLC. “With the FN 309 MRD, we now have a trustworthy, easy-to-use pistol perfect for new gun buyers and those looking to purchase their first FN. For us, it’s not just a new product, it’s FN’s commitment to offering the everyday user peace of mind and FN performance.”

The FN 309 ships with a 16+1-round flush-fit and 20+1-round extended magazine, with options for 10-rounders in restricted states.

We have a review model inbound, so expect to see more on the 309 in the coming weeks.

Plus, if you like this, you are going to love what is announced later this morning.

First Look at the New 2K11 Comp Double-stack 1911 9mm

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Featuring a built-in forward barrel port and matching compensated slide, the newKimber 2K11 Comp series offers a significant reduction in felt recoil while keeping the same popular features as the rest of the series.

Alabama-based Kimber went double-stack 1911 in 2024 after at least a 30-year run in the field of making single stacks. We have reviewed a couple of these excellent pistols since then, and are past the 3K round mark on our original test gun with no hiccups to report, leaving us more than happy to report on the new Comp series.

The guns, launching just in time for the upcoming SHOT Show, will all be chambered in 9mm and available in both 5-inch full-sized (Government) and 4.25-inch Pro (Commander) sizes, shipping with flush-fit 20 and 19-round magazines, respectively.

Each will also be offered in either a black DLC or matte stainless variant, giving Kimber four new 2K11 Comp models for 2026: 5-inch black (669278350783) and stainless (669278350806) and 4.25-inch black (669278350738) and stainless (669278350752) with an MSRP running between $2,345 and $2,499, with the DLC guns hitting the higher end, because of DLC.

The new Kimber 2K11 Comp series 
A sampling, showing that big ol’ comp. (Photo: Kimber)

“The 2K11 Comp is the culmination of years of preparation and hundreds of thousands of rounds of testing to deliver the most fully featured comprehensive handgun we have ever produced,” said Pedi Gega, Director of product development, assembly, and finishing. “The new 2K11 family of compensated models creates the highest class of firearms for the discerning enthusiast and competitive shooter.”

Kimber sent us an SST (stainless) 2K11 Pro Comp model for testing.

The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The pistol looks great, which is no surprise as the 2K11 series is crafted with superb attention to detail, one at a time, by skilled technicians, not just slapped together. Being a Pro model, its 4.25-inch barrel gives an overall length of 7.79 inches. (All photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
Note the external extractor, ambidextrous thumb safety, and bumped grip safety, which are standard across the line.
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
Weight is 33.4 ounces, even with a full-length rail on the dustcover of the frame. Note the lightening cuts to the slide, seen previously on Kimber’s top-shelf Rapide series, which provide faster lock-up. 

The most noticeable enhancement to these guns over the standard 2K11 series is the massive 0.16 square inch integrated compensator forward of the front sight. This feature noticeably reduces muzzle rise and felt recoil, plus it creates an incredibly fun and controllable shooting experience.

The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The integral comp is big enough to double as an ashtray if needed. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The four new compensated models also feature Kimber’s brand-new carbon fiber grip infused grip module that is compatible with corresponding Stan Chen Magwells. We found the grip to be aggressive but not overly. 

The Comp guns also share the current 2K11 features, such as Kimber’s in-house toolless guide rod, an external extractor, a bushing-less, crowned, and fluted barrel, a GT trigger, and more.

The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm, compared
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST 4.25 compared to the standard full-sized Black DLC 2K11. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm, compared
And compared with the non-comped Kimber 2K11 Pro SST, which sports a Kimpro Granite finish and Kevlar carbon fiber grips. Released last August, this gun hinted at what the Pro Comp would become. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm, compared
Note the top ends of the Kimber 2K11 Pro SST and Pro Comp SST
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp features a cover plate with an adjustable rear sight. A TAG Precision FiberLok 2 front sight with additional red and black fiber-optic inserts is included. All models ship with a TAG Precision RMR adapter plate that takes the place of the rear sight. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
Our test gun shipped with two 19+1-round Checkmate Double Stack Ultra-Hi Capacity 126mm mags. Full-length models ship with a flush 17+1, and two extended 20+1 round mags. The mags, reverse 2011-compatible, are all metal, including an aluminum base pad and steel retainer for maximum made-in-the-USA durability and longevity. Word of caution: they are a beast to fully load. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp has an easy takedown without tools due to its toolless guide rod system, a feature it shares with the rest of the series.
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The aluminum match-grade skeletonized GT trigger has an advertised 3-to-4-pound pull. We found it broke at 3.6, with a short take-up to the wall and a crisp break. Reset is similarly short and is both audible and tactile. Kimber advises that the shoe length has been reduced by 3/32 of an inch, making for a more comfortable overall length. IMHO, the GT is the best production factory 1911 trigger on the market. 

Check out the trigger pull and reset here:

How’s it shoot?

Well, we’ve only had the gun for a couple of weeks and have about 200 rounds through it thus far, so it is a little early to say, but we have experienced no jams and smooth shooting, with less recoil.

Stay tuned for more feedback as we up the round count.

The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm. 
The new Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp SST in 9mm.

Beretta gives the Guadalcanal Raiders a Salute in Frogskin

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Beretta has debuted a new configuration of the A300 Ultima Patrol semi-auto 12 gauge platform in two editions, just in time for the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday.

Built to honor 250 years of the nation’s go-to amphibious corps, the Patrol Raider is clad in a nostalgic yet functional “Frogskin” camo pattern akin to that worn by Marine Raiders as they fought across the Pacific Theater in World War II.

USMC Raiders in frogskin camo Guadalcanal
First carried ashore by Marine Raiders on Guadalcanal, Frogskin was one of the earliest attempts at issuing individual disruptive camouflage uniforms in combat and remained in limited use as late as Vietnam. (Photos: National Archives). 
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider
The new A300 Ultima Patrol Raider includes a bayonet mount, enlarged controls, ample accessory mounts via multiple M-Lok mounting points, aggressive texturing in grip areas, and a 7+1-shot extended magazine tube. Weight is 7.9 pounds, unloaded, while the length of pull is 13 inches and includes a half-inch recoil pad.  (Photos unless noted: Beretta)
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider
It has a 19.1-inch barrel with a Mobil choke and an overall length of 38 inches. 
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider Commemorative Edition
A limited A300 Ultima Patrol Raider Commemorative Edition includes an Ontario OKC 3S bayonet, which is current-issue to the Marines, along with a custom wooden ammo crate display case. 
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider Commemorative Edition Ontario bayonet
Beretta details that the bayonet mount reflects the shotgun’s historical role in close-quarters combat, going back to Marine units in World War I, offering added authenticity and appeal for collectors and enthusiasts of military heritage.

The standard Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Raider has an MSRP of $1,399 while the Commemorative Edition, of which just 250 will be made, runs $2,499.

“The United States Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary is a historic milestone, and we wanted to create something that truly celebrates their legacy,” said Caleb McMillen, Sr. Product Manager at Beretta USA. “The A300 Ultima Patrol Raider is more than a shotgun. It’s a tribute to 250 years of honor, courage, and commitment. By blending battlefield heritage with modern performance, we’re proud to offer both a commemorative edition and a mission-ready configuration that salute America’s Finest Fighting Force.”

Ruger Just Dropped the first 10mm Lever Gun

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Ruger has done something a bit unusual by introducing a compact Trapper variant of the Marlin Model 1894, chambered in 10mm.

Marlin long marketed a modern Trapper model, a stainless carbine-length big-bore .45-70 Model 1895 that was short, quick-handling, and optimized for hunting or protection from dangerous animals, in 2018, but it went out of production when the company closed shop in 2020.

Ruger, once they rebooted the line in 2022 after acquiring the Marlin brand and putting in a massive effort to breathe new life into its iconic guns, debuted a new take on the Trapper with improvements, including a receiver-mounted Skinner Sight system and suppressor-ready barrel.

Since then, Ruger/Marlin doubled down on a short-action Model 1894 Trapper in either .357 Magnum/.38 Special or .44 Magnum/Special last year, and has come back with a 10mm variant headed into 2026.

The new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm
Like other models in the Trapper Series line, it features a cold hammer-forged, 16.17-inch threaded barrel and receiver-mounted Skinner Sight system that provides rapid target acquisition. The muzzle is threaded 5/8-24TPI. (Photos: Ruger)
The new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm
The Skinner Trapper series sight is crafted from solid stainless steel and is fully windage and elevation adjustable, shipping with a .125-inch Aperture installed. Four other aperture sizes are available. 
The new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm
Weight is a handy 6.3 pounds, while the overall length is 33.25 inches. The 1:16″RH twist barrel should help wring out a bit more velocity from the 10mm Auto round. 

In addition to the standard Trapper series features, Marlin advises that this new model also has an upgraded fire control system. The sear is now e-nickel Teflon-plated, and the sear notch geometry in the hammer has been improved to create a smoother and more consistent trigger feel. Plus, in response to consumer feedback, the sear and trigger system has been redesigned to eliminate the trigger “flop.”

While revolver caliber lever guns, for instance, in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 44. Magnum, and .45 Colt, have almost always been a thing; those chambered in rimless pistol cartridges are more rare. Further, although a couple of 9mm lever guns exist, such as the POF Tombstone and Taylor’s TC73, we can’t find any in 10mm, well, until now.

The 10mm Auto, already no slouch in a pistol, should boast an increased velocity of up to 250-300 fps in the Trapper compared to its use in a handgun, as vouched for in past experiments from the Ballistics By the Inch guys.

The MSRP on the new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm is $1,599, a price generally lower at retail.

We have one of these inbound for testing, as well as some spicy 10mm, so stay tuned for a review.

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