Skip to main content

Top Shelf: The Best Handgun Products from SHOT 2025

In recent years, handgun manufacturers have been stepping up their game. 2025 is no different, and Handguns Magazine is proud to highlight some of the standouts.

Top Shelf: The Best Handgun Products from SHOT 2025

The new product offerings at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show can be overwhelming. We’ve combed through them and identified some of the ones that we’ve found the most interesting. Here is a sampling of what’s being displayed this week in Las Vegas, Nevada and highly anticipated.

Nighthawk Double Agent 2011

nighthawk custom pistol
(Photo courtesy of Nighthawk Customs)

As a longtime fan of Nighthawk Custom’s handguns, I was excited to hear about the introduction of the new double-stack Double Agent. This pistol, built in collaboration with Agency Arms, combines a high-capacity Commander-sized slide and hand-fit Recon rail frame for a concealable package with a 4.25” barrel. Built to Nighthawk’s high standards but with Agency Arms’ distinctive and functional slide treatment and matching frame texture, this handgun will turn heads. Nighthawkcustom.com

Ed Brown Cobra Carry 25th Anniversary

ed brown pistol
(Photo courtesy of Ed Brown Customs)

It’s been a quarter century since Ed Brown released its Cobra Carry 1911—a concealable handgun adorned with the unmistakable Snakeskin texture. To celebrate this milestone, the company has released a 25th Anniversary version. The frame is bobtailed for concealability, another Ed Brown innovation. Both stainless steel and black Gen4 finishes are available. The sights have been upgraded, combining an orange HD XR front with a black rear. The grips are exotic double-diamond cocobolo with the “EB” logo and the frame is engraved to designate it as the 25th Anniversary Model. Edbrown.com

Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

springfield armory pistol
(Photo courtesy of Springfield Armory)

Springfield Armory’s Echelon didn’t catch my eye when it first launched but I’ve become a big fan of the series. This compact version has all of the bells and whistles of the full-size version but in a concealable package. The chassis frame with its interchangeable grip modules and backstraps allows users to tailor-fit this handgun to their size preference and the trigger is far better than most striker-fired handguns. The Echelon has the upgrades you’d expect to find a Gucci custom but in a factory configuration and price. Springfield-armory.com

MAC Duty 9

mac pistol
(Photo courtesy of Military Armament Corps)

Military Armament Corporation (MAC) has quickly established itself as a maker of high-quality 1911 handguns at attractive prices. MAC is now crossing into the double-stack space with the new 17+1 round Duty 9. Built by Tisas, Duty 9 is built from a 4140 steel frame and slide which will mean that recoil in the 9mm chambering will be extremely light. The 5” bull barrel is cut with an 11-degree crown and Cerakoted black along with the frame. The slide is finished with the rock-hard QPQ treatment. With a fiber-optic front sight and an optic-ready slide, this has to potential to be a viable competition handgun at an extremely reasonable price. Milarmament.com

FN Reflex XL

fn pistol
(Photo courtesy of FN)

FN jumped into the micro-compact handgun world with the Reflex in 2023 and is expanding that footprint with the new Reflex XL. This handgun combines the concealability of Reflex with a longer frame module for a full-fingered grip. Despite being just 6.75” long and weighing 20 ounces, the Reflex XL has a 15-round magazine capacity which can be extended to 18-rounds. There’s a tritium front sight with a black U-notch rear and the pistol is cut for an optic. The Reflex XL will be available in both black and FDE versions. Fnamerica.com

Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep

federal hydrashok deep ammo
(Photo courtesy of Federal)

This year, Federal has expanded its controlled-expansion Hydra-Shok Deep lineup to include two of my favorite cartridges: .32 H&R Magnum and .45 Colt. The .32 H&R Magnum is a great defense round for a concealable revolver, providing six-rounds of capacity in a S&W J-frame. This new load with drive an 85-grain JHP at over 1,000 feet per second. In the .45 Colt, a 210-grain bullet will achieve 900 feet per second. These velocities, coupled with the deep penetration and reliable expansion that these bullets are known for, makes them ideal for serious defensive use. Federalpremium.com

Hornady Backcountry Defense

hornady backcountry defense ammo
(Photo courtesy of Hornady)

Plenty of folks carry handguns for backcountry defense against predators but often do so with ammunition that is poorly suited to that task. Hornady has launched its Backcountry Defense ammo specifically to fill that niche. When it comes to stopping a charge, penetration is the name of the game and the Dangerous Game Handgun (DGH) bullet is designed for that purpose. These heavy-for-caliber non-expanding loads will be available in seven chamberings ranging from 9mm to .500 S&W. Hornady.com

Remington Performance Wheelgun 22

remington wheelgun 22 ammo
(Photo courtesy of Remington)

Revolvers have made a much-deserved comeback and a .22 LR wheelgun may be the best training tool ever devised. Remington’s new Performance Wheelgun 22 load is designed specifically with revolvers in mind. This ammo uses copper-jacketed bullets to reduce leading and is designed for low noise output. How? Why? Because, since it’s designed to be fired through a revolver, it doesn’t have to be able to cycle a semi-automatic. If you ask me, quieter is always better when it comes to shooting. Remington.com




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

New CZ P-09 Nocturne

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Smith & Wesson M&P in 5.7 and .22 Mag. Calibers

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Streamlight Updates Its Wedge Flashlight with Tail Cap Switch

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Hodgdon Adds Match and HD to Its Winchester StaBALL Powder Line

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Gear

Crossbreed Rogue Holster and System with Mag Carrier

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 350 Hunting Revolver In .350 Legend

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

First Look: Taurus GX4 XL

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

S&W M&P Shield Plus

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

Beretta A1 Carry

Federal's new.30 Super Carry pistol cartridge offers the equivalent of 9mm Luger performance with recoil and muzzle blas...
Handguns

First Look: Federal .30 Super Carry Pistol Cartridge

Handguns Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Handguns App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Handguns stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Handguns subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Handguns stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use