10 Best Guns of SHOT Show 2024

Ernst Langdon of Langdon Tactical Technology– who is arguably Beretta’s cool stuff fairy– spent a couple of years working on an optics cut and suppressor host ability for the diminutive .32 ACP Tomcat. He even announced a $600-$900 LTT build on sent-in Tomcats last November.

Well, Beretta has seen the light and is now offering the 30X, a Tomcat on steroids that includes variants such as the $599 Tomcat Get Home Bag which includes an upgraded Trident trigger system, extended 8-round magazine, and dovetailed sights.

Other models are more tricked out and include a mini compensator or threaded barrel with optics cuts and even longer extended mags.

The worst kept secret in the firearms industry was that Daniel Defense had, all the way back in 2020, acquired several of Billie Hudson’s patents related to the failed Hudson Firearms Company’s H9 and H9A pistols.

It turns out that Daniel Defense has been putting a lot of engineers’ sweat and lead equity– over a million rounds in testing– to mature the innovative design and make sure it is ready for market. We shot it at Daniel’s range event at SHOT and it felt great and showed no problems on a very busy line.

It is shipping now, for $1,200 ish.

And no, Daniel is not going to support the 9,000-odd legacy Hudson-made H9s that are floating around, many of which are non-functional at this point.

We brought you a sneak peek of what Glock had inbound for 2024 back in December and it was all there at SHOT Show, but they included a curve ball that, gotta say, is delightful.

The G19X is something of a sleeper as it doesn’t get a lot of publicity but it has an “if you know, you know” kind of following as the combination of a full-sized G17 frame with a mid-sized G19 slide, along with the company’s Generation 5 features, yielded a “do all” that delivers on the range and can still be carried.

The gun was later developed into the G45, which is just a G19X without the “toe” and lanyard on the grip and in black rather than coyote. Incidentally, we were told by an LE rep that almost all of Glock’s police contracts in the past couple of years have been for G45s.

Now, Glock has finally given the G19X its due and it is available in a MOS optics-ready model that ships with a threaded barrel– the first time a centerfire Glock comes suppressor-ready.

Mike Welland, formerly of NoDakSpud, has been working with PSA to develop the retro H&R line of ARs. We met with Mike and he showed us a DOE model concept gun.

It is based on the old Colt 633 9mm SMG developed for a Department of Energy contract to be used for guards at nuclear power plants and on uranium shipments. The H&R model, like the Colt 633, has a 9mm NATO chambering, a 7-inch barrel, folding front sight, clone correct furniture, and the same 32-round Colt stick magazine pattern.

They plan to sell it as a pistol, brace included. No timetable or price point, but Mike says it is going to happen for sure, so we believe him.

As promised, Palmetto State Armory has sent their Krinkov to market and the gun was on hand in a 5.56 NATO variant which is now shipping. A 5.45 and 7.62×39 are coming as well.

Primary Weapons Systems brought its new modular User Xchange Rifle to the show. Available in “early 2024” in 5.56 and 300 BLK variations, the UXR platform will also be available in .308 and 8.6 BLK configurations later this year.

This is because the long-stroke piston system is set up to allow the user to swap calibers and barrels without needing to adjust the gas system. We personally saw the gun switched between its 5.56 and .300BLK formats within 30 seconds.

Sure, the guy had done it 50 times that day already, so he was well-drilled, but you get the idea. Word is they also have the ability to be swapped into a bullpup format, but that’s probably a SHOT 2025 thing.

Fans of the original 1980s A-Team TV show should be happy about this one. Ruger finally started buying some Sampson folding stocks and has now made a factory folder stainless Mini, complete with the rare and hard-to-find GB barrel profile complete with bayonet lug, and impossible-to-find Ruger-branded stainless steel mags.

It’s pushing $1,900 bones but Ruger is sure to sell every one they make.

As we covered earlier in the week, Smith came through with a new lever gun for 2024. Chambered in .44 Mag, it is offered in both stainless for $1,279 and a limited-edition blued variant with rich walnut furniture for a hefty $3,499.

The problem is that early reports from Smith’s range event found it very finicky in terms of ammo, only able to reliably feed Hornady’s pointed 225 gr FTX LEVERevolution ammo as the flatter cartridges on hand wouldn’t cycle.

Out of nowhere came a collaboration between Canik and Taran Tactical to create a Canik TTI Combat model that is just jam-packed with John Wick-level features.

That is because it has a completely new polymer frame with a redesigned competition mag-well, double-undercut trigger guard, uniquely aggressive grip texturing, redesigned changeable back straps, changeable magazine releases, a serrated ambidextrous slide release, Picatinny rail, and a diamond cut, aluminum, flat-faced, 90-degree break trigger.

The top side has front and rear cocking serrations, a custom ported slide, a fluted and ported 4.6-inch barrel, a removable barrel compensator with a proprietary quick locking/unlocking system, an optics mounting interface designed for the Trijicon SRO while keeping a low-profile view. All this for $1K.

We met with Nils Jonasson, Canik’s Team Captain, who was just ecstatic about the TTI Combat model as-is. He should know, as he has racked up more consecutive USPSA national titles than anyone in the game.

Developed by Kalashnikov, the RPK is just a beefier AK used as a light machine gun, complete with a bipod and heavy barrel. The Yugo version, the M72, has been in service in the Balkans for 50 years and a sporter version is now going to hit the U.S. market this year.

It has a stout 1.5mm receiver, a 21.5-inch heavy barrel with a muzzle device and cooling fins, a side-mount optics rail, and correct furniture with a “battle-worn” look. The price will be “affordable.”

And there you have it, folks – our roundup of the best firearms from SHOT Show 2024. From the innovative Beretta 30X to the classic Ruger Mini-14 Tactical, and the promising S&W 1854, this year’s show was nothing short of spectacular.

As we wrap up our coverage from Las Vegas, we’re left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what these new models will bring to the world of firearms. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter, a collector, or just a firearms enthusiast, 2024 should hold something sure to pique your interest.

Stay tuned to Americanfirearms.org for more in-depth reviews, range reports, and the latest news from the firearms industry. Here’s to a year of safe shooting and groundbreaking innovations in the world of firearms.