by Gun Week Staff

It looks like there's something for everyone in the realm of new firearms products for 2004-no matter what your shooting tastes, and they will all be on exhibit Feb. 12-15 during the industry's annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Whether your interests focus on wingshooting, big game or varmint hunting, personal protection, Cowboy Action or blackpowder, there's something new for you.

There's been a trend to new cartridges and rifle offerings in recent years and 2004 is no exception. The teams at Sturm, Ruger and Hornady Manufacturing opened up a whole new market for other gun and ammunition manufacturers when they debuted the .17 Hornady Rimfire Magnum (HMR) and the first rifles and handguns to shoot two years ago. This year, the same tandem will be introducing a hot new centerfire-the .204 Ruger.

Five rifles chambered for the new .204 Ruger (200 Ruger Rd., Dept. GWK, Prescott, AZ 86301; phone: 520-541-8820; on-line: www.ruger-firearms.com) include: two No. 1 Single Shots-one with a 26-inch blue steel barrel and the other with 26-inch stainless steel barrel and receiver; the M77R bolt-action rifle in blued steel with a 24-inch barrel; the KM77RLFP Ultralight All-Weather, with a synthetic stock and 20-inch contour barrel, and KM77VT target model in stainless steel with a brown laminated wood stock, heavy 26-inch target barrel and two-stage trigger.

The .204 Ruger shares the same case head and overall length dimensions as the .222 Remington Magnum, but uses a slender new 20-caliber, 32-grain, V-MAX® bullet, with an extremely efficient ballistic coefficient of 0.192 and an amazing muzzle velocity of 4,225 feet-per-second (fps). When compared directly with either the .22-250 Remington or the .220 Swift, the .204 Ruger offers higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory. The designers say that because the 204 Ruger cartridge achieves a higher velocity with less propellant than either the .22-250 or the .220 Swift, this new cartridge does not compromise barrel life. The .204 also offers lower recoil and muzzle report than comparable high-velocity, sub-caliber ammunition. Its conventional case shape avoids feeding problems and increased rearward bolt thrust associated with short and super short magnum cartridges.

Ruger also has a 40th anniversary commemorative Model 10/22 carbine, and a new model Single Six Hunter, chambered in .17 HMR or as a combo in .22 Long Rifle and .22 WMR, with a set of 1-inch medium height Ruger scope rings.

Remington (870 Remington Dr., PO Box 700, Dept. GWK, Madison, NC 27025; phone: 800-243-9700; on-line: www.remington.com) has a big lineup of new products, including: the Model 1100 Classic Field and Tournament Skeet, both in 20-gauge; a Model 1100 in .410 bore, and a new 20-gauge Model 870 slug gun with an 18.5-inch barrel. The Model 11-87 SPS Waterfowl Camo shotgun is finished with Mossy Oak New Shadowgrass, and there's a limited edition Model 11-87 Premier 20-gauge in memory of race car legend Dale Earnhardt.

The Model 673 Guide Rifle will be chambered in .308 Win. and 6.5 Rem. Magnum this year. Remington will also offer the CDL (Classic Deluxe) in calibers ranging from .243 Win. to .300 Rem. Ultra Magnum. The Model 700 Varmint Special has a fluted stainless steel barrel and is chambered in .17 Rem., .221 Rem. Fireball, .223 Rem. and .22-250 Rem. This year's Model 700 Classic is chambered in 8mm Mauser, while the fourth annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation rifle is chambered in .300 Win. Magnum.

Taurus (16175 NW 49th Ave., Dept. GWK, Miami, FL 33014; phone: 305-624-1115; on-line: www.taurususa.com) offers the new Taurus 24/7 double-action-only semi-auto pistol in 9mm and .40 S&W. It has a 4-inch barrel, a manual safety, trigger block mechanism, firing pin block, and Taurus safety lock system. The magazine holds 10 rounds.

From Savage (100 Springdale Rd., Dept. GWK, Westfield, MA 01085; phone: 800-235-1821; on-line: www.savagearms.com) comes the Model 40 Varmint Hunter (VH) single-shot bolt-action rifle chambered in .223 Rem. and .22 Hornet, and the Model 12 Varminter Low Profile (VLP) in .223 Rem. and .22-250 Rem. Both of these rifles have laminated stocks with raised comb, recoil pad, and the rifles come drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The VH has a 24-inch heavy contour blued barrel and the Model 12 VLP wears a 26-inch heavy fluted stainless steel barrel with button rifling. The Striker bolt-action handgun is now chambered in a wide variety of cartridge choices-.270 WSM, 7mm WSM, .300 WSM, .223 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem. and .308 Win.

Rossi (16175 NW 49th Ave., Dept. GWK, Miami, FL 33014; phone: 800-948-8029; on-line: www.rossiusa.com) has announced the Matched Set, with a rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader barrel all in the same package, chambered in rifled barrels in a choice of .17 HMR and .270 Win. and the muzzleloading barrel in .50-caliber. The basic action is a single-shot with an exposed hammer and hammer block rotating safety.

Browning (One Browning Pl., Dept. GWK, Morgan, UT 84050; phone: 801-876-2711; on-line: www.browning.com) has announced the Gold Evolve shotgun in 12-gauge, 3-inch magnum, the Cynergy over-and-under with a Monolock Hinge and back-bored barrels with the Invector Plus choke system. Browning's new BAR ShortTrac and LongTrac semi-auto rifles feature aluminum alloy receivers, composite trigger guards and magazine floor plates, and are shim-adjustable.

The LongTrac is chambered in .270 Win., .30-06, 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag., and the ShortTrac comes in .270 WSM, 7mm WSM, .300 WSM, .243 Win. and .308 Win. Browning is introducing five rifle models chambered in the new .25 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM) cartridge-yet another new cartridge debuting in 2004-including the A-Bolt Hunter, Classic Hunter, Medallion, Varmint and Stainless.

The new .25 WSSM is in the same family of super-short, fat cartridges that Winchester pioneered in recent years for short-action rifles. Winchester says the ballistics of the .25 WSSM are equal to those of the .25-06, but with 14% less powder and less perceived recoil. The super short magnum cases are said to improve the interior ballistics and ignition consistency of the cartridge by exposing more propellant surface area to the primer. This new cartridge is intended for varmints and medium-size, thin-skinned game, with Browning and Winchester offering the first rifles chambered for it.

Mossberg's (7 Grasso Ave., Dept. GWK, North Haven, CT 06473; phone: 203-230-5300; on-line: www.mossberg.com) new Model 935 autoloading shotgun, chambered for 3°-inch 12-gauge magnums is finished in: Advantage Max-4; Realtree Hardwoods HD Green; Mossy Oak Shadow Grass; Mossy Oak New Break-Up, or matte black, all with polymer synthetic stocks. It is available with either 26- or 28-inch vent rib barrels with Accu-Mag chokes for waterfowl, while the turkey guns have 24-inch vent rib barrels and Ulti-Full chokes.

New from Winchester (275 Winchester Ave., Dept. GWK, Morgan, UT 84050; phone: 801-876-3440; on-line: www.winchester-guns.com) is a new family of 12-gauge over-and-under shotguns called the Select series, including the Select Energy, Select Field, Select Traditional Elegance and Select Extreme Elegance. In the rifle arena, there are the new Model 70 Featherweight, Stealth, Ultimate Shadow and Coyote variations chambered for the new .25 WSSM.

Harrington & Richardson/New England Firearms (Industrial Rowe, Dept. GWK, Gardner, MA 01440, phone: 978-632-9393; on-line: www.hr1871.com) has announced the new Pardner Pump shotgun with a 28-inch vent rib barrel, screw-in choke tubes and an American walnut stock with ventilated recoil pad. It has a steel receiver and cross-bolt safety.

Also, H&R has a new Topper Deluxe Classic 12-gauge single-shot with a nickel-plated receiver, 28-inch barrel, American walnut stock and forearm, and ventilated recoil pad. H&R's new Handi-Rifle model in .22-250 Rem., is for varmints, while there are also two new big game models in stainless steel in .270 Win. and .30-06. H&R's new Sportster SL has a 19-inch barrel, 10-round magazine and hardwood stock. For muzzleloaders, the H&R Sidekick uses a No. 209 primer.

The new single-shot Encore shotgun from Thompson/Center (PO Box 5002, Dept. GWK, Rochester, NH 03867; phone: 603-332-2394; on-line: www.tcarms.com) has a high vent-rib 26-inch barrel, three screw-in choke tubes, and walnut stock and forearm. A new G2 Contender shotgun is chambered in .410 with a 24-inch vent rib barrel.

The Encore rifle is now available in .405 Winchester and .280 Remington, while the G2 Contender rifle and pistol are now factory-chambered for the .375 JDJ. T/C's Omega muzzleloader features a laminated thumbhole stock, 28-inch fluted barrel, fiber-optic front sight, and ignition with No. 209 shotshell primers. The Encore 209x50 Magnum features a Realtree Hardwoods HD camouflage finish, fiber-optic front sight and 26-inch barrel.

The Model 1894 Marlin (100 Kenna Dr., PO Box 248, Dept. GWK, North Haven, CT 06437; phone: 203-239-5621; on-line: www.marlinfirearms.com) is being offered in .32 H&R Magnum for Cowboy Action shooters. It has a 20-inch tapered octagonal barrel and it loads through a port at the front of the 10-round magazine tube. Marlin's Guide Gun is now offered in .475 Linebaugh and .480 Ruger. It has a checkered American walnut pistol grip stock and 18°-inch barrel.

Kimber's (One Lawton St., Dept. GWK, Yonkers, NY 10705; phone: 888-243-4522; on-line: www.kimberamerica.com) 25th anniversary is being marked with the introduction of a silver anniversary .22-caliber rifle based on the Custom Match in a limited edition of only 300 rifles. Kimber's Model 84M Pro Varmint rifle in .22-250 Rem. has a silver-gray laminated stock, 24-inch medium contour fluted stainless steel barrel, and a matte-finish on the action. Silver anniversary handguns include 500 only Custom .45s with special serial numbers, and wood grips with an anniversary logo, and a stainless steel version of the Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT unit's pistol.

New handguns from Smith & Wesson (2100 Roosevelt Ave., Dept. GWK, Springfield, MA 01104; phone: 800-331-0852; on-line: www.smithandwesson.com) include the 1911Sc, a Commander-sized pistol with a Scandium frame, steel slide, 4-inch barrel with removable bushing, and Novak Lo-Mount sights. Grips are double-diamond type. The Model 325 PD is a short-barreled .45 ACP revolver, while the Model 642 J-frame with Lasergrips, and Model 637 Airweight are both in .38 Special. There's also a new shorter-barreled Model .500 S&W Magnum.

Sigarms (18 Industrial Dr., Dept. GWK, Exeter, NH 03833; phone: 603-772-2302; on-line: www.sigarms.com) has announced new features on its R93 Blaser rifles, but the big news is that Sig has joined the Model 1911 crowd with its new Granite Series.

The Granite features: a match-grade hammer; match-grade 5-inch barrel; Wilson Combat firing pin; firing pin stop; external extractor and ejector; Novak rear sight and dovetailed front sight; integral accessory rail; beavertail grip safety, and extended thumb safety. It comes with two 8-round Novak magazines.

The R93 Lexus Plus rifle has a black receiver with a choice of sideplates, while the R93 Synthetic will feature a Mossy Oak finish.

Weatherby's (3100 El Camino Real, Dept. GWK, Atascadero, CA 93422; phone: 800-227-2016; on-line: www.weatherby.com) new 22-inch slug barrel will fit the SAS semi-auto shotguns for deer hunting, while the Vanguard rifle will now be chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum, in both blue and stainless models. The stock is an injection-molded lightweight composite with a Monte Carlo comb, checkering and recoil pad.

Springfield (420 W. Main St., Dept. GWK, Geneseo, IL 61254; phone: 800-680-6866; on-line: www.springfield-armory.com) is introducing several new 1911 models and a .40-caliber version of the XD Sub-compact. The new Tactical Response Pistol (TRP) 1911-A1 with accessory rail is finished in OD green on the frame, and black Armory Kote on the slide. There are two new Mil-Spec 1911-A1 pistols-one in OD green and the other a two-tone model. The XD Sub-compact in .40 S&W has a 3-inch barrel and accessory rail. Meanwhile, the SOCOM 16 is a semi-auto carbine chambered in .308 Win.

Benelli (17603 Indian Head Hwy., Dept. GWK, Accokeek, MD 20607; phone: 301-283-6981; on-line: www.benelliusa.com) has three new shotgun models, including the Super Black Eagle II, chambered in 3°-inch 12-gauge magnum, plus the new M2 Field model, and the SuperSport competition model. Benelli also has four new special Flyway editions of the Super Black Eagle II, with engraving. Benelli has also announced a new barrel option in .308 Winchester, in 20- and 22-inch lengths, for the R1 rifle.

Kahr (PO Box 220, Dept. GWK, Blauvelt, NY 10913; phone: 845-735-4500; on-line: www.kahr.com) is introducing the TP9, with black polymer frame, 4-inch barrel and matte stainless slide. It comes with an 8-round magazine with grip extension, or 7-round magazine with flat floorplate.

Shotgunners will appreciate the new Beretta (17601 Beretta Dr., Dept. GWK, Accokeek, MD 20607; phone: 301-283-2191; on-line: www.berettausa.com) AL391 variations, along with the new Silver Pigeon models. Beretta's new entries are the AL391 Urika and A391 Xtrema 3.5 Max-4 HD models, along with the AL391 Teknys Gold trap model.

The Silver Pigeon III and V over/under shotguns are chambered in 12-gauge. Sideplates on the receivers are engraved. Several new Sako and Tikka rifles are available, in .270 WSM and .300 WSM, and several other calibers. New Sako models include the Sako 75 Hunter, the Custom Single Shot, the Sako 75 Finnlight, and the Sako 75 Deluxe. Tikka selections include a Laminated Stainless model of the T3.

In handguns, Beretta has a new Model 92/96 Steel I for competition, in both 9mm and .40 S&W.

North American Arms (2150 S. 950 E., Dept. GWK, Provo, UT 84606; phone: 801-374-9990; on-line: www.naaminis.com) has unveiled the new .25 NAA cartridge chambered in the Guardian semi-auto. This pistol fires a .25-caliber bullet on a necked-down .32 H&R Magnum case. Cor-Bon is making the ammunition.

From CZ-USA (1401 Fairfax TFWY, B-119, Dept. GWK, Kansas City, KS 66115; phone: 800-955-4486; on-line: www.cz-usa.com) comes the Model 712 shotgun, a 12-gauge 3-inch magnum with a lightweight alloy receiver, 26- or 28-inch chrome-lined barrels, and Turkish walnut stock.

Three new rifles include one chambered in .221 Remington Fireball, one in .17 Remington and a third in .17 HMR. The new CZ 2075 RAMI Sub-compact semi-auto pistol in 9mm or .40 S&W is based on the CZ 75 pistol action. It has a 3-inch barrel, steel slide and alloy frame finished in black polycoat.

European American Armory (PO Box 1299, Dept. GWK, Sharples, FL 32959; phone: 321-639-4842; on-line: www.eaacorp.com) is importing the Molot gas-operated semi-automatic 16-gauge Becas shotgun. It has a hammer-forged, chrome-lined vent rib barrel, aluminum receiver, checkered walnut stock and forend, screw-in chokes and rubber recoil pad.

The IZH27 over-and-under has a checkered walnut stock and forearm, nickel receiver with blued vent rib barrels in 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410. The Model IZH Bounty Hunter S/S shotgun is now available with a nickel receiver. It has internal hammers, and is offered in 12- and 20-gauge chamberings. The new Witness Hunter pistol is chambered in 10mm or .45 ACP. Both guns come with 10-round magazines, adjustable sights, 6-inch barrels and checkered, non-slip frames.

Olympic Arms, (624 Old Pacific Hwy. SE, Dept. GWK, Olympia, WA 98513; phone: 800-228-3471; on-line: www.olyarms.com) is finally getting their semi-auto rifles chambered in .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM out the door. There's also a new GI Model AR-15 rifle and carbine. Both short magnum rifles have 20-inch 4140 chrome moly bull barrels, Picatinny rails for scope mounting, enlarged ejection ports and round aluminum hand guards. Watch also for a revival of the Whitney .22-caliber pistol from this outfit.

Charles Daly (PO Box 6625, Dept. GWK, Harrisburg, PA 17112; phone: 866-325-9486; on-line: www.charlesdaly.com) has announced several new rifles with Mauser 98 actions. The new Safari and Field grade rifles are chambered in .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., .308 Win., and .30-06. Safari grade rifles are also offered in .375 H&H Magnum and .458 Win. Magnum. New Charles Daly pistols include two 9mm semi-autos and a polymer-framed 1911, the latter made in Israel.

Alchemy Arms (3202 C St. NE, Dept. GWK, Auburn, WA 98002; phone: 800-282-4664; on-line: www.alchemyltd.com) is introducing a new trigger mechanism that shortens the trigger stroke of their striker-fired Spectre pistol. A compact version of the pistol is under development and should be available by the second quarter of this year.

There's a smaller rifle from Barrett (PO Box 1077, Dept. GWK, Murfreesboro, TN 37133; phone: 615-896-2938; on-line: www.barrettrifles.com) based on the military M-4/M-16 design, chambered for the 6.8 Remington SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge). The civilian rifle has a 16.5-inch barrel and Barrett muzzle brake, an A2-style solid buttstock and an ARMS SIR forearm that features integrated rails on all four sides for mounting accessories. Barrett is also offering a new .50 BMG cartridge with a 661-grain FMJ projectile.

Austin & Halleck (2150 S. 950 E., Dept. GWK, Provo, UT 84606; phone: 800-821-5783; on-line: www.austinhalleck.com) has announced more wood stock options on its line of Mountain Rifles and in-line models. Curly maple stocks on the Mountain Rifles are being done by Boyd's Gunstock Industries.

The latest from FN Herstal (PO Box 697, Dept. GWK, McLean, VA 22101; phone: 703-288-1297; on-line: www.fnherstal.com) is the FNH Patrol Bolt Rifle in four models, all chambered in .308 Win. with barrel lengths available in 18, 20, 22 and 24 inches. The rifle features a controlled round push feed action, and cold rotary-forged medium-heavy barrel.

Heckler & Koch (21480 Pacific Blvd., Dept. GWK, Sterling, VA 20166; phone: 703-450-1900; on-line: www.hecklerkoch-usa.com) has announced the new XM8 lightweight modular carbine chambered in 5.56x45mm weighing 6.4 pounds. It is available in three barrel lengths, ranging up to 20 inches. This carbine has a battery-powered sight system that includes a red dot close combat optic. The HKM4 in .223 Rem. comes in versions for law enforcement and military only. This rifle will be available with barrel lengths of 10, 14.5, 16.5 and 20 inches.

Auto-Ordnance (PO Box 220, Dept. GWK, Blauvelt, NY 10913; phone: 845-353-7770; on-line: www.kahr.com) is producing an upgraded version of its standard Model 1911 pistol. It features front and rear cocking serrations on the slide, improved sights, lightweight trigger, beavertail grip safety with memory bump and flat mainspring housing.

Henry Repeating Arms (110 8th St., Dept. GWK, Brooklyn, NY 11215; phone: 718-499-5600; on-line: www.henryrepeating.com) has unveiled the Golden Boy in .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum with a loop lever. The Golden Boy in .22 LR has a 20-inch barrel, and holds 16 rounds of long rifle ammunition or 21 rounds of .22 Short. The magnum version carries 12 rounds.

Legacy Sports (206 S. Union St., Dept. GWK, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone: 703-548-4837; on-line: www.legacysports.com) is offering the Howa 1500 bolt-action standard version rifle in .25-06 Rem., and both .308 Win. and 7mm-08 Rem. in the lightweight Mountain Rifle version, along with a youth version.

Hi-Point (8611-A N. Dixie Dr., Dept. GWK, Dayton, OH 45415; phone: 877-425-4867; on-line: www.mkssupply.com) has a new .40-caliber carbine weighing 4.75 pounds, with a stock made from Dupont polymer, and a 17.5-inch button rifled barrel. It comes with a Weaver-style scope mount.

Kel-Tec's (PO Box 236009, Dept. GWK, Cocoa, FL 32926; phone: 321-631-0068; on-line: www.kel-tec.com) popular 5.56mm SU-16 Sport Utility Rifle and Sub Rifle 2000 chambered in 9mm and .40 S&W remain the company's top draws. The SU-16 features an integrated Picatinny rail and a folding forend that pivots down to create a bipod. The Sub Rifle 2000 is available in different versions that accept pistol magazines.

Para-Ordnance (980 Tapscott Rd., Dept. GWK, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1X 1C3; phone: 416-297-7855; on-line: www.paraord.com) has two new Power Extractor (PXT) pistols on the 1911 frame, one a full-size with 5-inch barrel, the other a Commander-sized gun with a 4-inch tube. Both hold full-size 7-round magazines, have match triggers, and several other features.