One of the best parts of our jobs at Tactical Retailer is reviewing new guns, and we’re fortunate to get our hands on some pretty cool new introductions to bring you the scoop on what’s sure to sell. The past 12 months have brought us a number of exciting tactical firearms, and these are four of our favorites.
The CZ Scorpion EVO 3/3+ is the one of the hottest-selling PCC ecosystems in America. Demand for magazines alone became so strong that Magpul stepped in with 35-round PMAGs, and then the accessory pipeline opened fully with every imaginable “make it yours” upgrade. The platform became a customization canvas like the AR platform. In many cases, that aftermarket didn’t just support sales — it created more sales, because owners bought additional Scorpions for new builds. With all the positives, there were some design challenges left unaddressed on this price-competitive platform.
Nexus Firearms has evolved the CZ Scorpion into a bearing-delayed, all-billet platform with higher durability, safety and accuracy and a 40% recoil reduction. Nexus offers a fully in-house-manufactured Evo 2 pistol line and complete DIY upgrade parts.
You can read all about it here.
Springfield Kuna
Speaking of PCCs, this highly anticipated and well-priced option debuted last year and was a hit with our reviewer.
Springfield has followed a proven formula of product innovation through their ongoing relationship with Croatian HS Produkt (HSP). The Springfield Kuna PCC is yet another exceptionally designed and high quality product of that long relationship.
The Kuna design goals were to deliver a military-grade replacement for the aging stockpiles of MP5s globally. The Springfield Kuna platform is not just another PCC — it was designed as a military-grade submachine gun with the ability to handle very challenging conditions and sustained fire. The build quality is exceptional, including very premium components such as radially hammer-forged barrel and melonited components. The design also targeted everything that global buyers wanted. That list includes: being up to 250% less expensive, lighter, modern, ergonomic, warranteed, military grade, roller delayed, highly accurate and reliable SMG with inexpensive magazines that fit the MP5 pouches.
When handling and shooting the Kuna, it is clear the design was intended to take on the market leaders with leading-edge quality. Innovative design elements make the Kuna potentially better than competitors in one or more ways, such as weight, price, features, and accuracy when comparing to other PCCs. For dealers, there is a good competitive story to tell about the Kina based on the features alone.
KelTec SUB2K FN57 GEN3
Want something that’ll really stand out on your shelves?
Based on our testing, there is a lot to love about the newest KelTec Gen 3 SUB2K in the very capable, light-recoiling 5.7x28 round.
The KelTec SUB2K was first and foremost designed as a minimalistic lightweight folding firearm. Compared to other PCCs dripping with artistic lines, free-floating handguards, ambi-everything and billet parts, the SUB2K feels more like industrial farm equipment, but that is not a negative. Though it feels stripped-down, the SUB2K still delivers everything you need in a solid, highly durable design, without features that would just add weight. Good engineering questions were clearly asked to keep weight and size to the absolute minimum without compromising durability.
In a world of $1,500-$2,500 PCCs and subcompact handguns with red-dot sights, it is refreshing to see that simplicity still sells. To put the price into context, the SUB2K is priced 30% less than a Glock Gen 5 MOS or the folding S&W FPC 9mm, 50% less than the Ruger LCC 5.7 Carbine, over a third the price of the FN 5.7 Pro pistol or a CMMG 5.7 Banshee. For many customers, the sub-$500 street price of a 100% American-made firearm is very attractive. Chambered in the capable 5.7x28, the SUB2K can serve as a home-defense, EDC, mid-sized-game hunting or a versatile truck and survival gun.
You can read more about it here.
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX
Shotgun fans are no doubt already familiar with Mossberg’s 940 line, and the Pro Tactical SPX is the latest edition. It’s custom-made for defensive use.
The original 940 Pro Tactical was an excellent shotgun, but the new SPX version kicks it up a notch or two with a host of new features. The new forend design integrates a heat shield as well as two QD cups, three MLOK mounting slots (3, 6 and 9 o’clock) and texturing for a sure grip. Mossberg’s also added a rear ghost ring and front fiber optic sights with protective, low-profile wings. Of course, you can remove the ghost ring and the receiver is optics-ready for the direct mounting of a micro red-dot sight with the RMSc footprint, with adapter plates provided for the RMR, Docter and Leupold footprints. You can also get this gun in a combo configuration that comes with a Holosun red-dot already installed.
Keeping in mind the the demanding conditions in which tactical shooters operate, Mossberg has built this gun for durability. Many of the internal parts and finishes are corrosion-resistant, including a nickel boron-coated gas piston, magazine tube, hammer and sear. A major hallmark of all 940 Pro models is a cleaner-running gas vent system that allows users to go longer without cleaning and still expect smooth, reliable operation.
At over a thousand bucks, this isn’t a cheap shotgun, and it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be a premium, durable, reliable, and effective machine your customers will be staking their lives on. And for the money, Mossberg has built in a pile of value-added features that are practical and functional, making the 940 Pro Tactical SPX an excellent value for any shopper looking for a semiauto tactical shotgun.
