What We Want to See at SHOT Show 2026
SHOT Show is rapidly approaching, and with that in mind, we gathered a list of guns we hope to see at the show.
USMC Veteran. Concealed Carry & NRA Pistol Instructor. 3-Gun Competitor. Career firearms writer
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SHOT Show is around the corner. It’s a massive yearly event where retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and more across all parts of the industry meet and greet. For people like me, it’s a chance to see and report on the latest and greatest in firearms production.
Before SHOT comes around, we get to see a variety of previews. We haven’t seen a lot this year, but I’ve put together a preview of what I’m excited to check out at SHOT 2026.
Table of Contents
Guns We Want to See
1. Glock Gen 6
The Glock Gen 6 had a full announcement party in Smyrna, Georgia, earlier this year, but SHOT 2026 is where most people will get their hands on the Gen 6. Right around SHOT, these guns will be on shelves and in hands.
The Gen 6 is the most radical departure from traditional Glock pistols Glock has ever made. The gun features redesigned ergonomics that make it much easier to grip and an extremely flat trajectory. The new optics system is brilliant: a much-needed departure from the MOS series.
This is the first time a Glock has me excited. It signals a big change for a traditionally conservative company.
2. Henry Hush
Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks? The lever-action platform dates back to before the American Civil War, but Henry is pushing the concept forward. We’ve seen the rise of tactical lever guns, but this is something more than an old gun with some M-LOK on it.
The Hush series is optimized for suppressors. In general, the lever-action design suppresses quite well. The Hush series features a fast-twist rate to help stabilize heavy subsonic projectiles. The Hush series is threaded for a suppressor, and the barrels are primarily carbon fiber with a steel liner.
This creates a lightweight barrel that balances well with a suppressor to keep the Hush from becoming front-heavy. It’s perfect for hunters looking to keep things quiet.
3. FN SCAR Gen 2 and More
On the heels of discontinuing the SCAR, it seems like the SCAR Gen 2 will be hitting the market.
FN announced the release of the new SCAR series just ahead of SHOT, which will include the SCAR 16S, 17S, and 20S.
In addition to the SCAR, FN also announced a new pistol and two new suppressors. The FN 309 is a more budget-friendly 9mm pistol that uses an internal single-action hammer as opposed to a striker.
FN's new suppressors -- the QD556 and QD762 -- come in 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO and use 3D printed baffles. They're made to be durable and are compatible with the new SCAR and ARs.
You can read more about the new FN goods in our New Product Highlight!
4. CMP’s (New) M1 Garands
When I say new M1 Garands, I don’t mean arsenal refurbished guns built in the 40s and 50s, but actual new M1 Garands.
The CMP announced earlier this year that it was producing new M1 Garand receivers, newly forged, and ready to rock and roll in both .30-06 and .308.
We are getting tight tolerances, modern metallurgy, and that famed quality the CMP is known for with their rearsenaled guns. The new M1 Garands won’t be collectors’ items and, hopefully, will be priced at a point that makes the M1 Garand an affordable option.
I don’t doubt they’ll be well-made, accurate, and reliable rifles.
5. Staccato HD 3.6
The Staccato HD lineup has been a big success for Staccato. These 2011 platforms are built for defense and duty purposes with a drop-safe series 80 trigger system. It also solves the 2011 magazine problem by using Glock magazines!
The new HD 3.6 introduces a more carry-friendly option for the concealed carry market. The 3.6-inch barrel combined with a Glock 19-length grip makes for a carry-friendly firearm in a 2011 format. The gun uses Glock 19-length magazines and will come with all the features.
This includes completely ambidextrous controls, the HOST optics mounting system, the iron sight setup, the bull barrel, and more in a carry-friendly model. I’m a big fan of the HD and might finally pull the trigger on the 3.6 model.
6. Beretta AX800 Suprema
As a shotgun guy, I’m a little sad about the lack of shotguns being announced this year. There aren’t many, but the AX800 Suprema offers an extremely modern semi-auto sporting shotgun. The gun uses the B-LINK gas system, which was made famous by the now legendary Beretta 1301 series shotgun.
The Suprema comes with all the fancy Beretta features, including Steelium barrels, the Kick-Off stock, and a ventilated rib, and mixes it with a polymer receiver resistant to rust when faced with the marshes housing waterfowl.
The stock is adjustable for length of pull, it has interchangeable pistol grips, and an adjustable comb. It’s as modular as a traditional sporting shotgun can get. The AX800 is Beretta's most advanced waterfowl shotgun and blends both tradition and new tech seamlessly.
7. PSA Sabre AR-V
The AR-V is a traditional AR-type pistol-caliber carbine that uses Scorpion-style magazines. It blends a familiar platform with a dependable magazine that allows for a last-round bolt hold open device and a reliable double-stack, double-feed system. It’s typically a simple, reliable blowback system.
The Sabre lineup is PSA’s most premium offering for its firearms, and the Sabre AR-V moves the gun from direct blowback to a roller-delayed system. It uses the Maxim Defense RDB blowback buffer.
The end result is a smooth shooting, soft recoiling, easy-to-control gun without the 2,000 dollar price tag we commonly see amongst roller delayed PCCs. The Sabre AR-V might be the next meta gun for PCC competition.
8. Taurus TX9
Taurus has been on fire lately. The TX9 takes many cues from the TX22, at least in terms of ergonomics. That’s outstanding because the TX22 has become my favorite semi-auto .22LR due to not only its awesome accuracy and reliability, but also its ergonomics.
It’s now a 9mm with a traditional short recoil design, but that’s not all. It’s also a chassis gun that allows you to remove an internal fire control unit, much like the P320 or Echelon series. This allows you to swap frames with ease.
The TX9 will have all the normal, modern features. It’s optics-ready, has a rail, and a price point of below 400 dollars. The TX9 will come in both full-sized and compact variants. The TX9 seems to be a promising pistol with an unbeatable price point.
9. Arms of America GROT Rifle
The GROT rifle is the Polish service rifle that finally replaced the famed AK. It’s finally coming to US shores in 2026. Arms of America is importing and seemingly making 922R-compliant variants of the GROT rifle for the civilian market.
The GROT series are short-stroke gas-piston rifles that feature a quick-change barrel system for easy modularity. These guns are the successor to the Bushmaster ACR and the evolution of the platform that’s been forgotten with Remington’s bankruptcy.
The GROT series will be available as 16-inch barreled rifles and as 10-inch barreled large-format pistols. The price point will likely be in the $2,000ish range, but that remains to be seen.
Gear We Can’t Wait to Try
There have been very few gear announcements this year. Not many optics, and even fewer accessories, but there are a few I’m excited to see.
10. Mesa Tactical Truckee Handguard - Mossberg 990 Aftershock
My biggest complaint about the Aftershock was the lack of M-LOK slots on the handguard and the strap screws digging into my hand. Mesa is now fixing that issue with a Truckee Handguard for the 990 Aftershock.
The Truckee handguard is an all-metal, M-LOK compatible handguard that makes it easy to attach accessories and provides a robust, easy-to-install handguard option. It’s a folded metal and won’t make your gun any lighter, but it offers tons of room to mount accessories.
11. Silent Steel USA Suppressors
If you’re like me, you were first introduced to Silent Steel USA through Battlefield 6, which was a neat surprise.
Silent Steel USA makes low blowback, baffleless cans designed for serious users. By the time SHOT rolls around, tax stamps will be a total of zero dollars, making suppressors a must-have for a great many people.
Silent Steel USA produces 5.56, 7.62, and 9mm suppressors in three different sizes. There is a bit of something for everyone.
Silent Steel is a Finnish company that’s been doing the rounds in Europe and is now making its American premiere at what appears to be the right time.
12. Sightmark Strikon VMP 1-4X Prism
Last year, we saw two 1-4X prisms at SHOT, one from ZeroTech and one from Apex, but as far as I can tell, none of them have shipped yet. Sightmark, well known for its low-priced red dots, is getting into the 1-4X adjustable prism market.
The Strikon VMP offers you the small size of a prism with a 1X and 4X setting for advanced magnification. This gives you a competent 1X and 4X option without the downsides of fixed magnification.
It’s likely going to be a little pricier than most, but I’m excited to see the embracement of the variable prism beyond the ultra-pricey Elcan series.
13. Barska NVD35 Night Vision Rifle Scope Clip-On
Budget night vision is always tricky, with digital night vision taking the lead in producing hobbyist-grade night vision. One way to reduce the cost of your optic is to use a clip-on design, and Barska is combining digital night vision with a clip-on design.
It attaches behind your scope and can fit up to a 48mm eyepiece. Its MSRP is sub-$650, and it comes with a 1024x768 OLED screen. We get a built-in IR illuminator and the ability to take photos and videos.
My primary concern is eye relief when the clip-on is removed, but I’m willing to give it a look. Night hunting is mostly illegal, but removing feral pigs on private property seems to be a great task for this optical clip-on.
Final Thoughts
SHOT Show 2026 is coming, and it’s THE gun event of the year. Stay tuned to Pew Pew Tactical to see the latest and greatest from the show.
Is there anything you want us to cover? If so, let us know below! To see what we’ve covered in the past, check out our Best Guns of SHOT Show, Best Gear of SHOT Show, and Best Home Defense & CCW Guns of SHOT.