There were a variety of new ARs and AR pistols this year at SHOT Show. Many were chambered in 5.56 or 300 BLK, but a few new rifles were released in 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Win Mag, .338 ARC, and a new caliber, .30 EPIC. It was exciting to see manufacturers like Ruger create a new AR line and Shadow Systems officially enter the AR market. Hi-Point is expanding its HP-15 line by adding AR pistols and offering more Cerakote finishes across all rifles. While I didn’t track a ton of new ARs, here’s what I did see at SHOT this year.
TOP AR Rifles & Pistols For 2026
Dark Storm Industries DS-25 Modern Fighting Rifle (6.5 Creedmoor)
The new DS-25 MFR includes a 14.5-inch barrel, hand-lapped for match-grade accuracy, and a hard chrome-lined bore. The twist rate is 1:7 for added stability for 130-140gr ammunition from the shorter barrel length. The 13-inch M-LOK Multi-Lithic handguard connects directly to the upper receiver, not the barrel nut, which also improves accuracy. It comes with the ATACHambidextrous charging handle with Duo-Lock for an even more secure grip on the steel lock pins. The lower is also fully ambidextrous. The DS-25 comes with a pinned HuxWrx 762-QD flash hider, so it’s suppressor-ready from the factory.
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Ruger Harrier
Ruger introduced a new line of modern sporting rifles this year. The Harrier line offers two AR-15s chambered in 5.56 NATO: one at a lower price point with more budget-friendly hardware, and one slightly higher priced with more popular hardware. The 28600 model features a full Picatinny rail, a Magpul MOE-K2 stock with a slightly longer length of pull, and a Magpul K2 grip. The 28601 features a partial Picatinny rail, an AR-style grip, and an AR stock. Both rifles have M-LOK accessory slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.
Shadow Systems U526 Rifle & E526 Pistol
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Shadow Systems revealed its first foray into the rifle market with a new AR and AR pistol. The rifle (U526) will have a 16-inch barrel, and the AR pistol (E526) will feature an 11.5-inch barrel. Rather than assembling a parts-bin carbine, Shadow Systems engineered the rifle end-to-end: from furniture to barrel and gas, trigger, and rail. Both configurations share a common foundation built around a hybrid-profile, chrome-lined 4150 CMV barrel, a tuned gas system, and a highly rigid handguard interface designed to support modern aiming devices. The 16-inch rifle configuration utilizes an intermediate-length gas system. The 11.5-inch pistol configuration features include a pinned, military-grade gas block, a proprietary Maelstrom flash hider with Plan B suppressor interface, a true two-stage duty trigger, premium bolt carrier group coatings, and modern ambidextrous controls aligned with current military standards. Both are coming in Spring 2026.
Maxim Defense SDX RFLX SBR
The new SDX RFLX SBR is an integrally suppressed rifle chambered in .300 BLK. The barrel is 8.5 inches. It includes the M-Kore reflex suppressor, an over-the-barrel design that reduces added length, balances the gun, and maximizes sound reduction. It comes in your choice of a Gen:7 CQB stock (CQB) or Magpul CTR Stock. The ALG Combat trigger also comes installed on this SBR. The suppressor is rated for full auto fire.
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Maxim Defense SDX RFLX Pistol
The SDX RFLX Pistol is also chambered in .300 BLK and features an 8.5-inch barrel. It comes in your choice of CQB (Gen:6 CQB Pistol Brace) or Carbine (SBA5 Pistol Brace) pistol braces. This AR Pistol features a full-length Picatinny top rail and uses Maxim’s 2-piece ledge handguard. The same ALG Combat trigger also comes installed on this gun. The RFLX suppressor is included with the pistol and is an over-the-barrel design as well.
Springfield Armory SAINT Victor .300 BLK Pistol
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Springfield Armory is continuing to add to its updated Saint Victor line and released a 300 BLK pistol variant. It features a free-float handguard with a full-length top Picatinny rail. The pistol has a 9.5-inch continuous-taper profile barrel. It also features a carbine-length gas system. The SB Tactical SBA3 is installed on the AR pistol. The muzzle device is a 4-Prong flash hider. The SAINT Victor .300 BLK Pistol also includes an ambidextrous charging handle and a 45-degree ambidextrous safety selector.
US Palm CAT 4
Being from Florida, I can appreciate the dark humor in the naming of this new AR-15 from US Palm. This build is impressive, especially for the MSRP. The CAT 4 has fully ambidextrous controls, which I think is becoming or should be the standard in the AR market. It uses a mono-loc handguard system with a full Picatinny top rail. The US Palm Hurricane flash hider/compensator comes installed on the 16-inch barrel. This AR also includes the Hiperfire EDT Designated Marksman trigger, a premium product that goes a long way toward making therifle fun to shoot. Overall, it weighs 7 pounds, which is in line with most quality AR-15s on the market today.
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Daniel Defense DD4 X1
The new DD4 X1 features a fully ambidextrous lower, an enhanced bolt carrier group for improved recoil impulse, and a cold-hammer-forged barrel with an innovative 4-bolt connection system. Daniel Defense also installed a patented buffer to reduce recoil impulse and improve cycling. The NIR-reducing coating is applied to the lower, upper, and handguard, which is why this platform is used by NATO forces, military units, and law enforcement agencies. It comes with the HUXWRX QD flash hider muzzle device.
Bear Creek Arsenal BC-8 Huntmaster
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Bear Creek Arsenal focused on the hunting market with its new AR. Available in .30-06, 270 Win, and 300 Win Mag, you are equipped to take down some big game animals with these calibers. It’s offered in 20 and 24-inch barrel lengths. Each rifle includes a Magpul MOE Plus grip and MOE stock. The 1:10 twist .300 Win Mag version features a 20-inch parkerized, lightweight barrel and a rifle-length gas system. This specific model is outfitted with a right-side charging handle.
Hi-Point HP-15 Pistol (300 BLK)
If you’re up to date, you know Hi-Point released its first AR-15 in 2025. This year, they have introduced AR pistols and added Cerakote options to many pistols and rifles. The 300 BLK pistol features a 10.5-inch barrel with a 1:7 twist rate. It has a 9.5-inch M-LOK handguard and blade-style brace. Completely unloaded, the gun weighs 4.25 pounds. For the price, this is a great intro into the AR pistol market.
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Hi-Point HP-15 Pistol (5.56X45)
The HP-15 Pistol in 5.56 has the same length barrel, handguard, and weight as the .300 BLK pistol. It features the same brace, hardware, and muzzle device. It is also priced the same.
Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) MK1 Rifle (SOCOM Contract Winner)
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SOLGW was awarded a contract by the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for the Combat Assault Rifle (CAR) program. A select-fire variant of the SOLGW MK1 rifle with an 11.5-inch barrel was chosen to equip America’s elite warfighters. Available in SBR or an AR pistol version, it has some unique features that caught my eye at SHOT Show. The handguard features laser-engraved honeycomb texturing that is both eye-catching and practical. The handguard also features a long vertical channel on top specifically designed for integrated cable routing. It also has a full Picatinny rail.
The rifle has three methods of securing the rail to the upper receiver. The drive lock system drives the rail into the upper receiver as you tighten. There are also index tabs on the upper receiver to prevent rotation. You have three set screws underneath the handguard and two stainless steel pins on top. The side vents in the handguard are intentionally designed near the barrel nut to cool the barrel faster and sooner. This SBR/AR pistol was well thought out.
Global Ordnance Monolith
The Monolith is a bufferless rifle platform that features a Mono Barrel with a single-piece, integrated barrel extension, gas block, and Dead Air KeyMo muzzle brake, all in a single, seamless part. During assembly, the upper receiver is heated, and the one-piece barrel is pressed into place, eliminating the need for bedding or accurizing. The Monolith includes an integrated folding adjustable stock, ambidextrous controls, and a folding side charging handle. If you own a Dead Air suppressor or one compatible with KeyMo, then this rifle will be suppressor-ready for you. The sealed taper design is forward of the KeyMo locking channels, allowing the suppressor to be easily removed without carbon-locking onto the mount. The gun is fully ambidextrous and features a flat-faced trigger.
Black Rain Ordnance Spec 15 Kinetx Piston Rifle
The new Kinetx Piston design rifle runs cooler, cleaner, and with less gas blowback. This rifle also features the new Anchor Rail System (ARS), a different design M-LOK handguard with reduced weight and a partial Picatinny rail. There’s not much more information on this AR, but it’s available in your choice of Tungsten/Black or Foliage Green/Magpul FDE.
Geissele MRGG MK1 Rifle
The Geissele Mid-Range Gas Gun (MRGG) was born from the Very Long-Range Semi-Automatic Sniper System (VSASS) program. Officially adopted and battle-proven by U.S. SOCOM as the Geissele MK1 MOD0 (MRGG-S), the Geissele MRGG MK1 brings this technology to the modern shooter. This rifle is fully ambidextrous and features a proprietary bolt group and a tuned buffer system to reduce felt recoil. As always, this rifle is outfitted with Geissele’s match-grade cold hammer-forged barrel. It comes with an MRGG SSA-E two-stage trigger installed. It is available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308, and in a 16-inch or 20-inch barrel.
Noveske Gen 5 300 BLK/.338 ARC
There were several ARs and AR pistols seen at SHOT Show that have not had an official release, aren’t listed online yet, and are more challenging to find full details on. One such new rifle is the 5th Generation from Noveske. The main upgrade is the wide feed ramp modifications to ensure proper cycling. The rifle has a shortened buffer system, a 3D-printed Inconel heat shield, a redesigned gas system, and a barrel extension. It is estimated to be available this month and in a variety of Cerakote colors, including Bazooka Green and Sniper Grey.
Colt AR Pistols
Colt brought two AR pistol variants to SHOT Show that I haven’t seen on their website just yet. The pistols are offered with an ambidextrous Colt M5 lower or standard mil-spec M4 lower. Colt removed the carbine markings from the lowers to make it clear that these are not rifles. Colt also had an anodized AR on display at its booth to serve a broader market of consumers who aren’t always looking for all-black guns.
Olympus Arms .30 EPIC AR
There isn’t much information online about the Olympus Arms .30 EPIC AR, so the information I recall is from SHOT Show Range Day. Olympus Arms will be developing and producing the .30 EPIC ammunition in-house. The .30-caliber 110-gr projectile is backed by a charge of pistol powder to reportedly achieve a velocity of 2,800 fps, like that of a 62-gr 5.56x45mm round anddeliver ⅓ more downrange energy. The round uses a 6.8 SPC case necked up to .30 caliber. The brass is from Starline, and they are using Sierra projectiles. The goal is to make a rifle excellent for shooting suppressed. The rifle build has a non-reciprocating charging handle on the left-hand side of the gun. It uses 6.8 SPC magazines. They mentioned it might be available in Q4 of this year, but it will potentially be available next year.
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