You can’t walk 10 feet at the SHOT Show without running into an AR pattern rifle. It would be a Herculean task to cover them all, but here are ten that caught my eye as I wandered the show floor throughout the week in no particular order.
1. Wraithworks WARP-15 5.56mm
Starting on the Monday before SHOT Show is Industry Day at the Range, where media and industry folks get to try out some of the new releases. I first saw the Wraithworks WARP-15 at last year’s Industry Day and had been watching for its release throughout the year. Well, it’s finally available, and I had a chance to take another look at it, and I’m still intrigued.
The WARP-15 uses a modified KE Arms lower half and a unique Wraithworks upper. The upper uses an aluminum core under an injection-molded polymer shell. This allows for a very lightweight build while still having the strength of an alloy receiver. The WARP uses a 16-inch pencil barrel, flared mag well, 50-degree ambidextrous safety, trapdoor, QD points, and a compensator.
It’s chambered in .223 Wylde and weighs barely over 5 pounds. MSRP is a very reasonable $499.00. If you’re in the market for an ultralight weight AR, this one is worth checking out.
For more information, please visit Wraithworks.com.
2. Faxon ION-X Ultralight .338 ARC Pistol
Faxon Firearms is well known for its excellent barrels. Their complete firearms are nicely made as well, and the latest chamber is the hot new .338 ARC. They’re making a 16-inch rifle and a 12.5-inch pistol. The ION-X Ultralight Pistol was on display at their booth and it’s impressive.
It’s built on a Faxon upper and lower, with their BCG, a 12.5-inch barrel with Faxon’s Muzzlelok flash hider, carbon fiber handguards, and an SBA3 brace. MSRP is $1,545.00
For more information, please visit Faxon Firearm.
3. H&R Retro DOE 9mm Pistol
I was pretty excited by the H&R 9mm 635 clone that launched last year at SHOT Show. This year, they have an ever rarer model, the DOE 9mm pistol. Based upon the Colt 633 subgun used by the Department of Energy in the 1980’s. It uses a 7.4-inch barrel with the unique DOE forend and front sight assembly. The DOE feeds from Colt SMG magazines and, being a pistol, is fitted with the ACR015 style H&R HAR-15 brace. MSRP is $1,199.99.
For more information, please visit Harrington & Richardson.
4. DPMS Kitty Kat .300 AAC
DPMS had a number of new releases at SHOT, but the .300 AAC Kitty Kat drew me right in. Last year, DPMS brought back the Kitty Kat in its original 5.56mm caliber. With its 7.5-inch barrel, I’m sure it’s a real flame thrower. I still wanted one, but I have to admit I find the .300 AAC model more tempting.
.300 works well out of a short barrel and should be pretty pleasant to shoot. It would work with my Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light HD .36 suppressor and a Gate-Lok hub too. The Kitty Kat uses a C7-style upper and comes with a HAR-15 brace. MSRP is $799.99, which I thought was pretty reasonable.
For more information, please visit DPMS Panther Arms.
5. Daniel Defense DD PCC 9mm
Daniel Defense had the DD PCC on display. It’s a 9mm platform available in pistol, rifle, and SBR form. It uses an ambidextrous lower that takes CZ Scorpion mags. The upper and lower are dedicated for the build and are shorter than standard AR receivers. The pistol version comes with an 8.3-inch barrel and 7-inch MLOK rail. It’s equipped with an SBA3 brace. MSRP on the DD PCC is $1,949.00.
For more information, please visit Daniel Defense.
6. Bushmaster V-Radicator 6mm ARC
Bushmaster had a number of new V-Radicator rifles on display, including one in 6mm ARC. It features a 21-inch fluted 416R stainless steel barrel and a 17” BRAVO ZULU MLOK Handguard. It’s also fitted with a Magpul MOE K2-XL grip and PR Carbine Stock. The 6mm ARC versions that they had at SHOT Show aren’t on the website yet, but should be showing up soon. MSRP is $1,100.95.
For more information, please visit Bushmaster Firearms.
7. Palmetto State Armory Mixtape .338 ARC
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) previewed the new Mixtape at SHOT. This is a suppressor-optimized AR pistol chambered in .300 Blackout or .338 ARC. They had a .338 on display at the show. It uses an 8-inch barrel, PSA dual ejector E4 bolt, and a PSA Sabre trigger along with a Radian charging handle.
The Mixtape is fitted with an SB Tactical brace, a B5 Systems pistol grip, and a newly designed Reptilia handguard. .300’s will ship first with .338’s following later. MSRP is expected to be about $1,000, which is a lot less than similar guns on the market.
For more information, please visit Palmetto State Armory.
8. Global Ordnance Monolith 5.56mm
I almost hesitated to add the Global Ordnance Monolith to the AR list because it really is a departure from our standard AR. Not only is it a bufferless design, it also uses a unique one-piece barrel machined from a single piece of 41v50 ordnance-grade steel. The barrel combines the bore, barrel extension, gas block, and Dead Air KeyMo muzzle brake into a single, seamless part. Global Ord says that this provides superior accuracy, reliability, and better suppressor concentricity.
They combine this with a new heavy-duty bolt design. The Monolith also uses an interlocking upper receiver and MLOK handguard for added stability. It’s fitted with a B5 Systems P-Grip 23 and an adjustable F5 Modular Stock. It’s a slick setup and really needs a dedicated follow-up to unpack. MSRP is listed at $1,234.99, and there is also a 12.5-inch pistol version available.
For more information, please visit Global Ordnance.
9. Diamondback Firearms DB10 .308 Winchester
Diamondback Firearms had a good number of new releases for SHOT Show. One that caught my eye was the 16-inch DB 10 in .308 Winchester. The one they had on display had a two-tone finish with OD lower and MLOK rail and a black upper. It was fitted with a B5 Systems grip, stock, and foregrip in M81 Woodland camo pattern. MSRP on the 16-inch DB10 was $1177.
For more information, please visit Diamondback Firearms.
10. Bersa BAR15 16 in MFT .300 Blackout
I have to admit this last one surprised me. I know ARs are common now, but I had no idea that Bersa was making them. They’re made in the US at their Kennesaw, Georgia plant. According to the website, they were made at the request of Argentine law enforcement and military agencies.
They had 16-inch 5.56mm and .300 Blackout rifles and pistols in those calibers plus 9mm. The BAR15 comes with a 15-inch MLOK rail and is fitted with Mission First Tactical stock, grip, and magazine. Weight is just 6.4 pounds. MSRP on the .300 Blackout model was $899.00.
For more information, please visit Bersa USA.
