“What sets a gun apart in a year that sees little sales activity but lots of innovation? 2025 has shown that even in a tough sales year, there’s innovation to be found and platforms that break the rules and revive the past, while continuing to improve on the positive things that have already happened.” Although some of them came out a bit too late to test them properly, eight of them made it to this ultimate list. Each one of them wowed with performance, design innovation, or pure joy of shooting. In this list is what I, being a firearms expert, believe is the best weaponry of 2025.
1. Benelli M4 EXT-The Best in Tactical Shotguns
For years, the Benelli M4 has been a standard in tactical semi-auto shotguns, having served the U.S. military as the ‘M1014’. But previous models of the civilian editions have always been devoid of the very things shot hunters have always wanted for their firearms? Not anymore, courtesy of the new M4 EXT, which is now 922R-compliant from the factory. The ARGO gas system is left undisturbed in this build, guaranteeing the legendary reliability and ease of recoil. Quick follow-up shots in testing easily achieved two shots of buckshot on target in under a second with recoil lighter than many gas guns. Of course, the premium price it commands, $2,599 for Black Multicam or H2O Tungsten finishes, the difference it makes in not needing aftermarket improvements is priceless. The adjustable stock makes it all worthwhile when considering home defense applications.
2. IWI-Mafteah Portable Innovation within the
The IWI Mafteah fills the legal loophole of the “firearm” with a pistol grip and a 12 gauge and 14-inch barrel, exempt from NFA regulations. Its design boasts the benefits of being easier to clean and less heavy as opposed to those with gas operation. Reversible charging handles and Glock-compatible optic cut holes threading (MOS) provide functionality that is rather unorthodox. On the range, the Mafteah cycled from reduced recoil Federal Flitecontrol through hot buck-shot payloads, except on the softest shells. The patterns held well at 6.5 inches at 10 yards and breaking sub-one-second splits were possible. The M-LOK forend with adjustable strap helps out in this regard, and makes this short-barreled scattergun a functional and enjoyable tool for specialized defensive situations.
3. Smith & Wesson 940 – 9mm Snub Nose Revival
The reintroduced S&W 940 J-Frame revolver rounds out their 9mm offering as a five-shot deep concealment revolver. The Davidson’s Exclusive has a dovetail rear sight and an XS front sight to accurately strike targets at 50 yards. The 23.52oz frame stabilizes recoil and eliminates crimp jump issues common to revolvers shooting semi-automatic ammunition. Reloads are very fast since moon clips become more or less speed-loaders but are a bit more sensitive to be handled. Dark red grips, together with the fluted barrel, work in providing this piece with distinctive looks. Speaking of those who desire to use the reliability of a revolver and the easy availability of modern ammunition, this model performs brilliantly.
4. H&R DOE SMG Retro AR Pistol Done Right
Palmetto State Armory’s H&R line resurrects the Colt 633 SMG design from the Department of Energy in a large-format AR pistol. With a 7-inch barrel, carry handle upper receiver and a blade-style brace not unlike those on CAR-15 rifles, it will shoot Colt SMG mags. Blowback operating results in unexpectedly light recoil, and iron sights have good range up to 100 yards. The DOE SMG seamlessly merges history with shootability. A Doedelier pistol SMG is a rare opportunity for a niche gun shooter to have a real replication model.
5. Springfield Kuna Roller-Delayed PCC Technology
Springfield Armory’s Kuna, assembled by HS Produkt, offers a new take on the 9mm roller-delayed design for a price close to $1,000. Known for use in the MP5 this recoil and gas blowback reduction system is highly desirable for a silenced gun. In-house magazines with steel feed lips for $25 beat out Glock’s cost for their extended magazines. Fully ambidextrous controls, reversible charging handle, and dual-mode folding sights make the rifle easier to use. During in-group testing, the Kuna fired perfectly through 500 rounds, grouping under 3 inches at 25 yards and functioning flawlessly in full auto. Silenced firing was also superlative, with zero port noise or imbalances.
6. Ruger RXM Moduler Striker-Fired RXM:
The Ruger-Magpul collaboration resulted in a Glock Gen 3-compatible pistol featuring a removable Fire Control Insert that allows grip module change-outs and future caliber conversions. The Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip provides reduced silhouettes and more ergonomic designs than can be found on traditional Glock pistol frames. Optics cuts are ready for RMR, RMSc, and Delta Point Pro sights without plates, and the user interface is improved. The RXM offers the high level of manufacturing that is typical of the American market, fully modular for whatever use the consumer prefers, carry, home defense, or at the range, at an affordable price point.
7. PSA Sabre-10A2 Super SASS Budget-Friendly Precision
A precision-designed AR-10 like this can retail for upwards of $5,000. The Palmetto State Armory’s Sabre-10A2 Super SASS “starts at” a price point of only $1,600. The overall design is complemented with a 20-inch 416R steel barrel featuring a 5R rifled bore and a free-float M-LOK handguard. The two-stage Black Diamond DLC trigger improves the accuracy of the rifle, but the robust design does not encourage standing or prone shooting. It is highly recommended for people buying semi-auto precision rifles for the first time since the Super SASS is affordable.
8. Mossberg 990 Aftershock Shorty Semi-A
The Mossberg 990 Aftershock pistol has been derived from the 940 Pro Series and features Mossberg’s patented gas system with the ergonomics improvements incorporated into this handy 12-gauge model with the pistol grip only and features extra-large controls and optics capable of withstanding changing weather conditions due to its optics-ready system and Accepting 500/590 Mossbergs, it is a serious contender in the conversion market.
The recoil impulse is noticeably smoother than that of pump actions, and the reliability with the low-recoil shells functioned well. Shotguns enthusiasts will appreciate the semi-automatic PGO blaster that the Aftershock brings. “2025 may have been a year of slow sales, but it proved that innovation and evolution are very much alive in the world of firearms. Whether it’s bringing back classics, creating advanced PCCs, or precision rifles, these are just a few of the eight must-haves of 2025 that show what can be offered if industry and shooter meld.” As Shot Show approaches, things are already looking bright for 2026.
