This year may be winding down, but the firearms industry certainly isn’t. In 2023, we’ve seen a record number of new guns released, and there are still more to come. Here are seven we think are worth looking at.

FN Reflex

FN jumped into the double-stack micro-compact market this year with the Reflex. It seems like we’ve seen it all when it comes to ultra-concealable handguns, but FN managed to throw in some neat, less common features – namely, the action.

Instead of the typical striker-fired action, FN went against the grain and made this micro 9mm hammer-fired. The Reflex is single-action-only and uses an internal hammer. The result is a 4.3-pound smooth and light trigger pull. Additionally, hammer-fired pistols are easier to cycle and field-strip.
 

Related Review: We Ran 1K rounds Each Through Two of FN's New Reflex Micro Compact 9mm Pistols

The three-dot sights are nicer than most factory options and include a tritium insert on the front sight. If you opt for the MRD model, it’s optic-ready and cut for RMSc or Holosun K series red dots. You won’t need a plate, as it’s a direct mount and comes with the required screws for both footprints. These screws feature self-locking nylon patches on the threads, so there’s no need for any thread locker. The removable cover plate is steel, not plastic, which is also a nice touch. 

The grip has two different patterns of texturing. The front and back straps have an aggressive raised-square pattern, and the sides have slightly less aggressive stippling. The slide has both front and rear serrations. And FN included a slimline rail for accessories like lights.

You get two different capacity magazines in the box: 11+1 and 15+1. For those in magazine capacity-restricted states, 10+1 rounders are available. The magazine release button is ambidextrous, too. 

The Reflex is nearly identical in size to the popular SIG P365. Although it’s slightly longer, it’s still small enough that virtually anybody can easily conceal it. At this time, it’s difficult to find aftermarket support like quality Kydex holsters, but the market will likely catch up on this.
 

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 11+1 and 15+1 (10-rounders available in restricted states)
• Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
• Overall Length: 6.2 inches
• Height: 4.27 inches
• Width: 1 inch
• Weight: 18.4 ounces
• Trigger Pull: 4.3 pounds
• Sights: Three-dot with tritium front sight
• MSRP: $600, $660 for the MRD
   

Marlin Model 1894 Classic

When Ruger resurrected the Marlin Firearms brand, consumers were happy the legacy would live on. Now, the company has reintroduced the popular 1894 lever gun with some improvements and modern touches. Chambered in .44 Mag, the iconic rifle lives on.

The receiver, lever, trigger guard, and barrel are made from alloy steel forgings, and the receiver is blued with a satin finish. The straight stock and forend are finished in American black walnut and feature a checkered texture pattern. The texture aids in grip but also adds to the aesthetic. Simply put, this is a beautiful-looking gun.
 

Related: Timeless Lever Reborn – The New Marlin 1894 Classic by Ruger

The loading gate is located on the receiver and will accept ten rounds of .44 Rem Mag or 11 rounds of .44 Special. The semi-buckhorn sights are adjustable and easy to acquire. And a soft rubber butt pad helps to absorb recoil. The 1894 also features a positive, push-button, cross-bolt manual safety and traditional half-cock hammer.

Since taking over Marlin, Ruger has improved manufacturing processes and increased quality control inspections to produce a high-quality version of this classic. 
 

Specs:

• Caliber: .44 Rem Mag/.44 Special
• Capacity: 10/11
• Barrel Length: 20.25 inches
• Overall Length: 37.75 inches
• Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Length of Pull: 13.63 inches
• Front Sight: Brass bead with hood
• Rear Sight: Semi-buckhorn
• MSRP: $1,239 (limited availability)
   

Springfield Echelon

At first glance, the Springfield Echelon may look like any other duty gun on the market, but don’t be quick to judge a book by its cover. The Echelon has a few distinctive features its competitors lack, specifically modularity.

Springfield used an internal chassis system called the Central Operating Group (COG) on the Echelon. The COG is entirely self-contained, allowing you to change the grip module easily without any tools.
 

Related: Springfield Armory Echelon Review – The New Modular 9mm On the Block

Currently, the Echelon ships with the medium-size grip module with small and large sizes available for purchase. This modularity makes it versatile for a wide variety of shooters. It also means you can have a small, concealed carry pistol one day and a larger home defense gun the next.

Another unique feature is Springfield’s new Variable Interface System (VIS) for optics. VIS allows over 30 red dots to be directly mounted to the slide with self-locking pins. This is a big deal since traditionally, slides are cut to accommodate only one or two footprints.

The slide has aggressive front and rear serrations and a forward trench cut. Springfield also added a flare to the rear to help with racking and press checks. The grip has three backstrap options and an adaptive texture for better control. The controls are all ambidextrous instead of just reversible, adding to the versatility of the Echelon. 
 

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 20+1, 17+1, 10+1
• Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
• Overall Length: 8 inches
• Width: 1.2 inches
• Height: 5.5 inches
• Weight: 1.49 pounds
• Sights: Tactical Rack U-Dot rear with a tritium/luminescent front
• MSRP: $679
   

CZ Shadow 2 Compact

The full-sized CZ Shadow 2 has been wildly popular and well-received – so much so that consumers begged for a scaled-down version suitable for concealed carry. Enter the new CZ Shadow 2 Compact.

Like its big brother, the Compact has a forged 7075 aluminum frame, making it durable and reliable. The key features of the original also stay intact, including accuracy, ergonomics, handling, and shootability.

CZ describes the trigger pull on the Shadow 2 Compact as “butter smooth” with a weight of 3.4 pounds in single action and 10.3 pounds in double action. The 4-inch barrel and 15+1 round magazine make it easy to carry concealed.
 

Related: New CZ Shadow 2 Compact 9mm Pistol

The Shadow 2 Compact has a high-visibility fiber-optic front sight and a height-adjustable rear sight. It comes optics-ready with the ability to directly mount red dots with the RMR/SRO footprint or others with the addition of a mounting plate.

As with all CZ guns, the Compact is easy to handle. The slide features deep-cut serrations on the front and rear, and the controls are ambidextrous, including the manual safety. The grip is highly ergonomic and has a checkered texture pattern. The side panels are removable and can be swapped with panels that have various texture patterns and palm swell levels. 
 

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4 inches
• Overall Length: 7.5 inches
• Height: 5.4 inches
• Width: 1.4 inches
• Weight: 30 ounces
• Trigger Pull: SA 3.4 pounds, DA 10.3 pounds
• Sights: Checkered rear, fiber-optic front
• MSRP: $1,300
   

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC

Smith & Wesson has been innovating for 172 years, and its latest release is no different. The new M&P FPC is a pistol-caliber carbine with a compact folding design. The size and weight make it easy and discreet to carry and transport.

When open, the FPC is 30.4 inches long. Folded, it’s only 16.4 inches. The horizontal folding design uses a locking latch that’s easy to manipulate.
 

Related: Smith & Wesson M&P FPC – The Ultimate Truck Gun?

The FPC is optics-ready and doesn’t come with any sights, so you’ll need to add an optic. One benefit of the horizontal folding design is that it doesn’t interfere with most top-mounted optics. 

The pistol grip is textured and comes with adapters for different levels of palm swell. The controls are simple and ambidextrous. Other features include a flat-face trigger, integrated recoil buffer system, and threaded muzzle with thread protector.

The FPC comes with one 17-round and two 23-round magazines and is also compatible with M&P pistol double-stack magazines. The in-stock magazine storage features a quick release, so carrying extra ammo is convenient, and reloading is easy. 
 

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 16.25 inches
• Overall Length: 30.4 inches 
• Folded Length: 16.5 inches 
• Height: 8 inches      
• Weight: 6.7 pounds
• Width: 2.5 inches
• Length of Pull: 14.5 inches
• Sights: None, optics-ready  
• MSRP: $659
   

Girsan MC 14T

The Girsan MC 14T has a distinct feature we rarely see in handguns: a “tip-up” loading barrel. While others have used this style before, the MC 14T is currently the only tip-up .380 on the market. 

If you’re wondering what the point of a tip-up barrel is, it’s very simple: ease of use. This style of pistol removes the need to rack the slide. For shooters with injuries, disabilities, or reduced strength, this may provide a better option for applications like concealed carry.

To load the MC 14T, you activate the release level on the right side so the barrel tips up, and then you can insert a round. Once loaded, you insert the magazine, giving you the plus-one capacity. To clear the pistol, drop the magazine, tip up the barrel, and remove the round. With fewer moving parts, it can be easier to manipulate for some.
 

Related Review: Tip-Up 14 Shot EAA Girsan MC 14T .380

The MC 14T only comes with one 13+1 (10+1 for restricted states) magazine, but it does take the Beretta 84/84F/84FS and Tisas Faith 13 magazines, which are easy to find. The magazine release is reversible and easy to use. 

The grip feels nice in the hands and features a groove pattern on the front and rear straps for texture. The trigger is smooth and easy to shoot. In double action, it’s a long pull with a weight of 7.75 pounds; in single action, it’s shorter and lighter at 4.4 pounds. The recoil is easy to manage, and it’s accurate at short distances. 

Girsan also included an accessory rail, which is nice if you want to add a light. There is some aftermarket support as far as magazines and changeable grips, but you may have trouble finding holsters. Again, this isn’t a new concept, but having an option on the market today is great.
 

Specs:

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Capacity: 13+1 (10+1 rounders available in restricted states)
• Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
• Overall Length: 7.54 inches
• Height: 5 inches
• Width: 1.45 inches
• Weight: 25.8 ounces
• Trigger Pull: 7.75 pounds double action, 4.4 pounds single action
• Sights: Fixed three-dot
• MSRP: $498
   

Taran Tactical Pit Viper

With only 400 made and a waitlist over 600 people long, it’s unlikely you’ll snag this pistol, but it’s too cool to leave off our list. The Taran Tactical Pit Viper is a tricked-out 2011 custom-built for “John Wick: Chapter 4.”

Of course, movie guns look cool, but this one also took the overall title at the first-ever USPSA 2-Gun Nationals in 2021. Let’s check out the unique features of the gun Keanu Reeves trained with.
 

Related: New ‘John Wick 4’ Gun Up for Grabs – Taran Tactical Pit Viper Review

The Pit Viper features a sight-block compensator attached to the barrel. This helps reduce recoil and muzzle rise by redirecting the gasses. With any competition gun, you’re looking to shoot fast and accurately, so TTI attached the sight-block compensator directly to the barrel instead of the slide. With this feature, there is less movement in the front sight, so it’s much easier to pick up during follow-up shots.

Internally, the Pit Viper uses an Extreme Engineering LiteSpeed fire-control system. It’s made up of a LiteSpeed hammer, ultra-low-mass-sear, match disconnector, and titanium hammer strut. Taran has said that although expensive, these are the parts he used on his personal guns when he was competing and winning at a high level.

All the controls, including the safeties, slide stop, and magazine release, are extended and easy to manipulate. The grip safety is also markedly smaller than typical 2011s to give a better feel in the hands. And because everything is tuned for precision, the trigger is light and smooth with a short, quick reset. 2011s are known for shooting flat, but the Pit Viper takes it to another level. Plus, it’s just nice to look at!

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 28+1, 22+1, 17+1
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.5 inches
• Height: 6.5 inches
• Trigger Pull: 2.25 pounds
• MSRP: $7,000
   

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a competition pistol, truck gun, lever action, or concealed carry pistol, there’s something new for you this year. We hope this list gives you some ideas on which ones we think deserve a closer look.