What’s old is new. The gun world seems to be cyclical, with companies embracing trends and trying to chase the latest and greatest. In 2025, we’ve seen a number of older firearm styles that went out of style make a comeback. I noticed five specific types of firearms that are making a comeback.
The Comeback of Hammer-Fired Pistols
Hammer-fired handguns haven’t been all that popular in the last few years, while striker-fired guns have ruled for more than a few decades. Yet, this year, we saw the rise of hammer-fired guns once more. Beretta introduced the new 30X, 20X, and 80X, all hammer-fired DA/SA guns. CZ unleashed the P09 Nocturne, and Beretta released numerous exclusives with Davidsons.
Staccato released the HD, Taurus released the DAO 22TUC, and S&W unveiled the CSX E series. It’s safe to say that hammer-fired guns seem to be making a huge comeback in 2025 and potentially beyond. I’m happy to see this. Hammer-fired guns still have some serious pull over me.
The .32 ACP Comeback
I might be getting my hopes up with this one. The .32 ACP can make a comeback, but it would require a reset of the American mindset of ‘bigger bullet, better.’ The same mindset keeps the .45 ACP alive to this day. Beretta has introduced two new .32 ACP guns in as many years.
The Beretta 30X and now the 80X are .32 ACP handguns that offer a low-recoil, center-fire option for self-defense purposes. Two guns isn’t much, but it’s a start. Beretta makes cool guns, and both of these guns are pretty cool. Additionally, Federal is making a deep-penetrating .32 ACP cartridge.
Companies like Alleghany Arms have introduced .32 Conversion kits for Girsan and Beretta guns, which seem popular.
Shotguns
Shotguns have been on a comeback tour for a while now, but there have been some serious gains in the shotgun department. Beretta has honed the 1301 into a weapon that’s become the best way to get AR-15 junkies into shotguns. Benelli has released a Gen 2 of the M4 that solves some problems I have with the Benelli M4.
Mossberg and Beretta have released excellent sub-1000-dollar shotguns in the form of the 940 and A300 Ultima Patrol. A rising tide raises all ships, and that’s what these new and refined semi-auto shotguns are doing. More and more people are interested in shotguns these days, and it’s glorious to see.
Let’s not forget Mossberg’s new pump shotguns. If you want an AR-type grip and stock with an AR-type safety, the Mossberg 590R series has you covered.
Braces Are Back!
The ATF has had an on-and-off relationship with pistol braces. First, they were hot, then they were cold, and now they’ve fully divorced, and the Judge gave the American people custody of pistol braces. SB Tactical, true freedom fighters, have released the SBA5 brace, the first since they got the right to do business again.
Fightlite has released a new brace that attaches to a top rail. This brace is much more universal and has the potential to arm many other guns with braces. It’s odd, but it could be effective if the platform has a full-length top rail.
Bond Arms showed a lever-action AR-type pistol armed with a brace. How the brace will work on a lever-action pistol is beyond me, but it looks cool. Additionally, my favorite brace of the year is the HAR-15. It’s from H&R and designed to resemble the CAR-15 brace. It allows you to have a cool-looking brace that keeps the retro look.
Revolvers
Revolvers are coming back hard with a lot of new interest. I think it’s thanks to Lipseys and the original Ultimate Carry lineup. The UC lineup presented semi-custom revolvers at a pretty fair price point. Lipseys hit it hard this year with new UC models, a revival of the Mountain Guns, and new exclusives from Ruger and NAA.
S&W introduced three classic guns, the Model 19, the Model 10, and the Model 36, all blued with wood grips. They lack the lock S&W Introduced in the 90s, and people are psyched about this lineup.
Heritage and Taurus have stepped up their game and created some excellent revolvers at an amazing price point. Charter Arms has introduced new revolvers, and new revolver companies are popping up for the first time in years.
What’s Next?
The firearms industry is all about what’s next. What’s next, what’s new, and what’s coming is a constant competition. It can be tough to come up with something new, but sometimes you can have a new way to do an old thing, and that old thing can make a comeback.
