GunCon 2025 featured an intense week full of power; coincidentally, it additionally marked Ohio’s hottest week of the 12 months, with temperatures hovering into the 90s and humidity reaching uncomfortable ranges. Regardless of the climate, producers, creators, and followers confirmed up in full drive. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio showcased the most effective of the business—extra on the occasion right here.
One of the best a part of an occasion like GunCon is that it offers producers room to breathe. At occasions just like the Shot Present, NRAAM, and the Nice American Outside Present, giant producers equivalent to Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer dominate the scene, consuming the highlight and making it difficult for smaller or newer firms to face out. GunCon stands aside from these occasions. The most important names don’t attend. As an alternative, firms that target innovation and create cool merchandise that tackle actual issues shine.
What I Noticed
Under are firearm producers that supplied one thing cool and distinctive to the shooter. Sadly, I wasn’t in a position to go to each sales space and communicate with everybody, however I feel I did discover some cool stuff. Hopefully, sooner or later, a few of these merchandise could also be featured on this weblog, permitting me to offer you real-world and sensible expertise.
Century Arms: Century had their full show of Aks and Caniks on the occasion. Nevertheless, what caught my eye have been their roller-delayed firearms—often known as the AP (or Equipment Pistol), a line of HK clones from Century. However they aren’t simply constructing MP5 clones. Latest additions to the road embrace the AP53 and AP51. These are clones of the HK53 and HK51, respectively. Presently, these are supplied in pistol variants. The weapons, constructed by MKE for Century, evoke the basic ’80s motion film aesthetic.
Kelbly’s: Kelbly’s produces a few of the most interesting actions on the earth, and they’re situated proper in my yard in Ohio. Their customized precision rifles are among the many greatest obtainable. New for GunCon is the Precision Factor Rifle. It options Kelbly’s Atlas Tactical motion, XLR Industries Factor 4.0 chassis, Bix N Andy set off, and a Most popular barrels PRS contour barrel. At an MSRP of $ 2,999.99, it falls throughout the PRS Manufacturing Division’s price range cap. Sure, it’s costly. However this rifle is succesful.
Extar Arms: Extar builds reasonably priced PCCs (or large-frame pistols) proper right here within the USA. To maintain manufacturing prices low, Extar makes use of polymer in its building. Nevertheless, that doesn’t equate to low cost. Extar has over 40 years of expertise in polymer manufacturing and produces every thing in-house, even the injection molds. As for the weapons, they don’t shoot like low cost PCCs. The recoil was gentle in 9mm and really manageable in 45ACP and 10mm (preserve an eye fixed out for the EP10 later this 12 months).
H&K: HK makes cool stuff, and their legacy merchandise rank amongst my favorites. At Vary Day, I had the possibility to shoot the brand new CC9, which marks HK’s entry into the aggressive hid carry market. The characteristic set compares favorably to that of the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat, together with many others. This pistol is optics-ready and gives related grip ergonomics to the bigger VP9. I discovered the CC9 very snug and satisfying to shoot. It’s undoubtedly one to think about should you want a brand new carry piece.
MKS Supply: That is the model that features Inland Manufacturing and Hello-Level—sure, Hello-Level. Probably the most memeable firms on the market! (However, they take it in good sport and have enjoyable with it). Whereas their pistols are sometimes in comparison with a Dewalt drill, they provide nice worth to these on a price range, and their carbines are fairly nice to shoot. This 12 months, nonetheless, Hello-Level is coming into the price range AR-15 market. Their choices embrace a 16” 5.56 NATO rifle, a ten.5” 5.56 NATO pistol, and a ten.5” 300 BLK pistol. These rifles characteristic all mil-spec elements and full-length M-Lok handguards. For the worth, these is likely to be probably the greatest worth choices on the market.
Matador Arms: Matador makes wonderful PCC carbines. They provide full weapons in addition to full higher receivers. The MAT-9 sequence options roller-delayed know-how, which helps decrease the recoil impulse and scale back put on on elements. It additionally makes them a pleasure to shoot, particularly when suppressed. One of the best half, although, is that they make fashions to suit a wide range of journal ecosystems. This contains the Glock, Colt SMG, MP5, and CZ Scorpion, which was launched at GunCon.
Next Level Armament: NLA is a premium AR producer that provides the total vary of rifles, full uppers, and equipment. However in addition they manufacture suppressors. And new for GunCon is the NLS 22 Varmint Package. This may options an aluminum blast chamber and exchangeable 3D-printed carbon fiber baffle stack. One of the best half is the worth. It retails for $149. The NLS 22 is rated for .22 LR and .17 HMR.
Pyramyd Air: Air Rifles are gaining traction within the U.S., and Pyramyd Air is on the forefront of bringing high quality gear to prospects within the States. They embrace many manufacturers and fashions; nonetheless, there was one which excited me essentially the most. If you’d like one thing that may take down giant recreation (like actually giant recreation), then the Seneca Dragon Claw II Tactical is likely to be extra of your persuasion. I’ve expertise with the unique mannequin, which launched a .50-caliber, 185-grain projectile on its prey. The Gen II ups the ante to 336 gr. It’s nonetheless shifting at 800 fps.
Rost Martin: Rost Martin is likely one of the latest firms on the block. However they’re difficult the established order by providing a feature-packed pistol that’s inbuilt Texas. New for 2025 is the RM1C Comp. This can be a slim-line pistol designed to compete with widespread choices from Sig Sauer, Springfield, and Glock. The RM1C Comp is optics-ready, includes a flat-faced set off, ambi controls, modular backstraps, and a compensated slide to assist in recoil administration. Retail is $489.00, making it probably the greatest American-made values.
Tandemkross: TK is my favourite aftermarket rimfire firm. Whether or not you’re constructing a race gun or a contest rifle, test them out. My favourite product of theirs on the present was the ADX Receiver. It utterly modifications your notion of the ten/22 and makes it one thing completely totally different. And it’s at an affordable worth in comparison with the competitors. Its distinctive options embrace proper or left-side charging, fast disassembly for cleansing through an easy-to-remove rear cap, and AR-buffer compatibility so as to add your favourite inventory. The ADX is anticipated to be obtainable in the direction of the tip of 2025.
Yankee Hill Machine: YHM is a producer of high-quality suppressors at aggressive costs, making it probably the greatest value-added choices on the market. New for 2025 is the Victra-12. The Victra-12 is a modular 12-gauge shotgun suppressor that attaches through commonplace choke threads and is appropriate with detachable chokes. It adjusts to lengths of 12”, 10”, 8”, and 6”, weighs between 13.5 oz and 25 oz, and reduces sound to 135 dB on the ear. This factor is legit.
Zooming Out
I extremely suggest attending some type of present, whether or not it’s GunCon, NRAAM, or one other; it gives a uncommon alternative to interact with the 2A neighborhood. Nevertheless, I feel GunCon stands out as probably the greatest. The place else are you able to mingle along with your favourite creators, progressive manufacturers, and others who share your passion?
To obtain updates on GunCon 2026, click on here.
For extra superior out of doors tales, click on here.
To find new and thrilling merchandise from GunCon, go to our sister channel
Trending Merchandise
