A record number of manufacturers attended the BSS, and with the show spread over three days, and an impressive footfall, this flagship event has become a must-see for enthusiasts. Traditionally, the show provides the perfect backdrop for product launches, and here, Mark Camoccio, Chris Parkin, and Jules Whicker highlight what’s new in the world of airguns, optics, NV/Thermal, shotguns, and firearms.
AIRGUNS
Highland Outdoors
Contact: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk Highland is the distributor for the popular RTI brand, and here, Ryan Charlton was on hand to show off the brand-new RTI Mora. This boldly styled PCP follows the now familiar tactical profile, the Picatinny rail is adjustable for angle, and there's a full-length barrel shroud too. It can be ordered as 12 ft/lbs in .177 and .22 calibre, but it's also available FAC in .25, .30, and .35 calibre. As standard, it comes with a massive 500cc carbon fibre buddy bottle but opt for the 200 ft/lbs version and this morphs into a whopping 1100cc bottle! Available March onwards. Elsewhere on the Highland stand, the famous Webley brand was on show, and here, their new Webley Eagle took pride of place. Paul Garrity, an ex-employee from the original Webley factory, was holding court, explaining the features, and there's no doubt this new model will appeal. There's a high standard of build, a matte black action, a biathlon-style side-lever, and a fully regulated PCP action producing at least 250 shots. Factor in the tasty thumbhole walnut stock, and it looks set to have a big impact. Great value at £519.
Browning
Contact: www.browning.eu Browning had a huge stand, but I was stopped in my tracks at the sight of the Rapid Air Worx product display. A quick chat with the representative on the stand revealed that this exciting brand, custom-built in the USA, had just been signed up for distribution by Browning in the last few weeks. The RAW models are all currently based on the super-accurate HM1000X action, complete with a 480cc bottle, giving several hundred shots. The multi-shot action and biathlon side-lever are popular features, and the choice of a coloured laminate or chassis stock adds options. Rebranding using the Theoben name is also apparently on the cards, so exciting times are ahead!
Edgar Brothers
Contact: www.edgarbrothers.com Edgar's 'EB Arms' brand has proved a big success, and the latest upgraded EB XV2 and RS derivatives were both on the stand. A scratch-resistant anodized finish, regulated action, and side-lever cocking are all part of the brief, as are the AR-compatible components. But possibly more of a showstopper was their new EB Arms Agincourt sporter. This eye-catching rifle comes dressed in a particularly sleek walnut stock that’s ambidextrous and includes an integral trigger guard. There's also an adjustable trigger and blade, full-length shroud, side-lever action, and multi-shot system. Oh, and a large hard case is also included, all for £499.
Artemis Outdoors UK
Contact: www.artemisoutdoorsuk.co.uk Artemis are a big distributor, with several airgun brands under their marketing umbrella, such as Zbroia, which is a quirky yet popular manufacturer, based in Ukraine. Unsurprisingly, there has been supply chain upheaval, but production remains on track. Several models, such as the Hortitsia and Biathlon, were on show at the NEC, and the latest coloured wood stocks were a talking point. Artemis also handle Anschutz, and pride of place on the stand went to the new Anschutz 9015 HP BR50 Benchrest model, which retails for £2160. Admittedly, the production model won't have such high-grade walnut as the special on show, but we are clearly talking classy kit.
BSA Guns
Contact: www.bsaguns.co.uk BSA airguns are extremely popular with pest controllers, and it's this association that has led them to one of their latest product releases - the R12 CLX Regulated Take-Down Rifle (Carbon Edition). The idea is to offer their respected R12 PCP in an easy take-down format, meaning it packs into its own short, low-profile case. Arriving at a shoot location with a long case instantly gives the game away, whereas the short, almost square case here, is rather more inconspicuous. One bolt gets the action out of the stock, then unscrew the silencer and it's job done. RRP £1184.
Weihrauch
Contact: www.weihrauch.co.uk Weihrauch has just hit 125 years of production, and as a big fan and previous obsessive user of their kit, this is a landmark worth celebrating, which the company themselves are doing with a range of special edition models. Three models got the 1899, 125-year special treatment (the HW100T, HW97KT, and HW50 S), and they were proudly displayed on the Hull Cartridge stand. The HW50 S is apparently a German break-barrel model which is a version of the HW99 S, except with an adjustable foresight. All three get the tasteful red laminate and special engraving but will only be available in limited numbers.
Air Arms
Contact: www.air-arms.co.uk Blimey, Air Arms caught us all on the hop, as I just thought I'd be sauntering past their stand with little new to see. How wrong I was, as just about everything was new! In fact, how do 12 new models and a full company rebrand sound? Yes, really! First up is the new Aluminium Chassis version of the XTi50, a clever move to attract shooters hooked on Steyr and the like. Where the Air Arms rebrand is concerned, it's fair to say this will divide opinion, since it seems quite corporate and sober from what has gone before. Colours may change though, according to the ever-energized MD, Claire West, with the business plan three-pronged going forward. All the existing models will stay the prestige end, made in the UK. Now we also get the new X200 models, three of which are made to Air Arms’ specifications, and built around the same buddy bottle-fed action, which is a first for Air Arms. There's the X200 Virtue, a low-powered target rifle, the X200 Vanguard, offering full power with either cylinder or bottle, and the X200 Valour, pushing energy limits with FAC. These will all be built by Precihole Sports in India. Finally, we come to Precihole Sports' own range of airguns, which are made in India and will be marketed by Air Arms. Space restricts me here, but the lineup initially shows six rifles and two pistols, all intended to offer great features, yet priced to attract shooters who want value for money. Air Arms are clearly determined to evolve, and involve, as many shooters as possible, so exciting times are ahead.
The Shooting Party
Contact: www.shootingparty.uk Pride of place on The Shooting Party stand was the new AirForceOne Muzzle Mount Chronograph. Top man, Mike Hurney, was on hand to demonstrate. Designed to screw straight onto the barrel via a ½” UNF thread, this chrono guarantees shots will register. No trying to hit sky screen areas or the like then. This one is also self-contained and carries a top display which shows pellet weight, energy, and velocity. However, Mike was at pains to point out that this chronograph is solely designed as a screw-fit unit, so will not be suitable for guns without a screw-cut muzzle. RRP £139.99.
Daystate
Contact: www.daystate.com Daystate continues to make headlines, and Tony Belas, ever the showman, had held back the launch of their new Silver version of the Daystate Alpha Wolf to coincide with this show. This model sits at the top of the Daystate tree, and given Daystate's continued rolling product development, it's this Silver version that guarantees all the latest upgrades. The usual electronically managed power system is here, as well as the new Ultra-Fast Flow Firing Valve. There's a new chronograph unit sitting inside the end of the shroud, as well as enhanced electronic programmable features for 12 ft/lbs- a response from the company to popular demand.
BRK Brocock
Contact: www.brocock.co.uk Given the strong link between the two companies, it made sense to have BRK Brocock's trade stand close to Daystate's, and that's exactly what we had at the NEC. Unsurprisingly, at the centre of their bold display, was the new BRK Ghost World Record model - a celebration of the incredible record set recently at the Benchrest Rimfire & Air Rifle Championships, held in the Czech Republic. The red anodized components lend a distinctive profile, and with the production of this special edition model restricted to just 250 worldwide, I predict a scramble. The other big splash across both Daystate and BRK was, of course, the new ‘Performance Centre', offering a 'one-stop-shop' for accessories.
The Sportsman Gun Centre
Contact: www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk SGC are a huge concern these days, but one of the highlights on their stand this year was Swedish manufacturer, FX Airguns, and the opportunity to meet Johan Axelsson, son of the brilliant Freddie, the man behind FX. Johan shares his father's enthusiasm, and to hear him explaining the merits of their new FX DRS model was enthralling and a draw for many. That massive shroud up front is actually the cylinder, with compressed air effectively around the barrel. What looks like a dummy mag is a large plenum chamber, and the end result is a distinctive and highly technical airgun, built for the connoisseur.
Form Rifle Stocks
Contact: www.formriflestocks.co.uk Form is a quality British stock manufacturer, and the ever-obliging Peter McGregor was on the stand along with his energized team, showcasing their brand-new CR2 stock. The CR2 is best described as a no-compromise configuration, aimed at the serious competition shooter who demands full adjustment and support, in every area. There's a full-length accessory rail, a full target grip comes complete with twin thumb shelves and palm shelf, and every-which-way ball joints are utilized for the cheek and butt section. The RRP is £675 (Hamster and butt hook/pad of your choice, are extra).
FIREARMS
Artemis Outdoors UK
Contact: www.artemisoutdoorsuk.co.uk Formerly RUAG, Artemis is continuing with many of its brands, including Anschutz and Bergara, as they are key players in the rifle shooting world. After a somewhat busy year, all their products now hope to be fully back on stream, and I’m looking at the Anschutz 1761 .22 rimfire as a priority review project. Bergara moved their factory last year, leading to somewhat of a hiccup in supply, but they continue to soar for success with both sporting and target variants, some featuring carbon fibre stocks or heavy PRS chassis systems.
Highland Outdoors
Contact: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk Highland is without doubt one of the most powerful distributors now, showing a broad product portfolio. New items this year include the Gunwerks rifles, which are made without compromise for ultimate accuracy, and some smart optics from Revic. Howa showed their carbon fibre stocked 1500 model, which retains a realistic price yet saves weight for arduous stalking trips. ZeroTech Optics had four new models, with sporting and PRS scopes, plus prismatic red dots all on show. The physically imposing highlight was the Cadex .375 Cheytac rifle, which is a rare visitor to our shores, but the .223 Cadex I reviewed a few months ago was a precision masterpiece that easily proved its worth on target, showcasing the brand very well.
Edgar Brothers
Contact: www.edgarbrothers.com Edgar Brothers were showing the Zero Compromise Optic range of premium long-range and hunting scopes. These optics are made without compromise, to offer the finest glassware and durable mechanical internals intended to be dialled back and forth with precision from the day you first zero the scope until the end of your competition needs.
The Sportsman Gun Centre
Contact: www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk As well as a plethora of FX FAC airguns and every variant of the CZ457 rimfire, SGC were very excited to see the ATA rifles arrive in the UK just hours before the show. There are multiple sporting and lightweight chassis options as well as a dedicated ASR long-range rifle in three calibres (.308, .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua). All of the rifles will be coming in for review and as well as introducing economical Turkish manufacturing costs, they show a few interesting concepts, including dual side folding stocks and a very interesting integrated hand stop/rear monopod design that allows accurate elevation control without breaking hand contact to the rifle.
Winchester
Contact: www.browning.eu Winchester makes some good centrefire rifles that seem to fall under the radar but shoot phenomenally well, all thanks to their synthetic bedding procedures. The XPR is now available in two more camo patterns on the synthetic stocks, and the rifles have looks way beyond their very modest price point. I shall be getting one in for a full review soon. On the rimfire front, they have added a bolt-action called the Xpert Strata, which uses a 10-round rotary magazine similar to its semi-automatic brother. Like all bolt guns, it is likely to be a touch more accurate than the modestly priced fast-fire sibling.
Leica
Contact: www.leica-camera.com/en The next generation of Leica Geovid range finding binoculars now contain Applied Ballistics. The Geovid PRO AB will range find and almost instantly deliver a calculated ballistic solution from the internal Applied Ballistic engine, all the way out to 2950m, which I suspect is further away than most of us will ever take a shot. I own a first-generation set of Geovids, and they still perform flawlessly, so incorporating the market-leading ballistic solver is a notable advancement and one that will save vital seconds when it comes to taking a shot at extended ranges.
Viking arms
Contact: www.vikingarms.com Viking Arms were showing off a broad array of rifles, but perhaps the most interesting one was the new American Gen 2. It features a Cerakoted stainless steel barrelled action that’s threaded for a moderator, a synthetic stock with cheekpiece and length of pull adjustability, plus comes in a range of calibres suited to UK stalkers. Perhaps it’s not the fanciest rifle in the world, but it looks good and is tough, so you won't mind getting it wet or scratched. At £855, it’s a proper tool to do a job.
Tier-One
Contact: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk This Yorkshire-based precision manufacturer had a vast array of scope mounting solutions and bipods for F-Class, hunters, and tactical shooters, yet the latest update is the ATAC bipod, which was first seen at last year’s show. Tier-One has listened to customer feedback and tweaked minor details to retain versatile adjustment, with a more reassuring cant-locking function on this incredibly stable, yet light bipod.
Minox
Contact: www.blaser-group.com/uk Minox has released a new range of affordable hunting scopes to cover most sporting requirements. I have used a lot of Minox products over the years, and first impressions of the latest RS4s suggest they will be a great buy. The new scopes feature a 4x zoom ratio and a 30mm tube, and they are available in 1-4x24, 2.5-10x42, 2.5-10x50, and 3-12x56, which are classic options for boar and deer. Crisp illuminated reticles and tactile dials below the caps are all reassuring factors when it comes to using them in the field.
Accuracy International
Contact: www.accuracyinternational.com AI’s AT-X was quite the rifle when it arrived two years ago and has now taken on a few small modifications to become the AT-XC. The action has been re-modelled to remove a small amount of weight to aid balance. Also, the bolt still shows a 60º lift but the lugs have been modified so less force is required to open the bolt. The action now has gas escape vents to alleviate any case rupture issues, and there is a bigger bolt handle to assist those speedy reloads, which in a PRS match, is key for fast follow-up shots against the clock.
Mauser
Contact: www.mauser.com/uk/ Mauser’s M18 has been a great success, offering capability and value in close alignment, yet like all Blaser group products, the modularity allows them to broaden the range around a core concept - the action. The new M18 Pure is a classic sporter in a beech laminate stock, so offers tough durability alongside a more aesthetic appearance, yet without the cost and delicacy of walnut. There is also a thumbhole version for those who prefer it, and I hope to get one in for review very soon, as it looks great, handles well, and is available in a broad range of desirable calibres. Plus, the magazine system is superb.
Schmidt & Bender
Contact: www.schmidtundbender.de The German optical masters were showcasing their Meta scope, which seems specified for daylight hunting at extended ranges. There is a 42mm objective to keep size and weight down, and the locking 1cm click turrets scream dialling capability. No doubt the 3-18x magnification range will help to accurately place precision bullets at extended distances. The manufacturing standards are, as usual, pristine, with no tactile perception of any internal mechanics in motion, other than precise, repetitive clicks on the turrets when you need to reach out there.
NV/Thermal
SCOTT COUNTRY INTERNATIONAL
Contact: www.scottcountry.co.uk I’ve been looking wistfully at thermal-equipped drones for a while, but capable kit is suddenly looking more accessible now Scott Country is stocking quadcopters by Autel. Of the three models offered, the standout is the Evo II Dual 640T V3 (£4.77K), which has a surveillance suite comprising a 640x512/12μm thermal sensor, 8K/50mp day/night camera, and PiP functionality. With a take-off weight of over 1,209-grams, CAA Flyer/Operator ID is required for users/owners, but this is easily obtained. Whether counting deer, selecting the stalking route, or finding overdue stalkers, this looks awesome!
CONOTECH
Contact: www.cono-tech.com ConoTech is another Chinese firm that has made great strides recently. Their new Night Arrow Pro thermal riflescopes (£2.17-3.79K) have ballistic compensation onboard and a rangefinder neatly integrated into the main lens, giving a uniquely streamlined profile. Notably, they were the only outfit to have a thermal goggle on show. The Pharos 3 (2.6K USD) emulates the mil-spec Andres Industries, TILO, but comes in at a fraction of the price. Dimensions/heft are a mere 72x66x52mm/175-grams. Other specs are more substantial and include a 384x288/12μm thermal sensor, 1024x768 OLED display, 9.7mm/F1.0 lens, power from 1xCR123A, and there are even white and IR LEDs. Just remember thermal can’t see through your windscreen!
OPTICS WAREHOUSE
Contact: www.opticswarehouse.co.uk Arken has morphed from being a source of excellent, affordable scopes (which it still is) to being a must-watch brand in the thermal and NV world, thanks to two brand-new devices. The Zulus ZHD312R (Zulus High Definition 3-12x Ranging) is an LRF-equipped digital day/night scope with integrated ballistics (£600), whilst the TNC225 (Thermal Night/Day Compact Dual 25mm) does all that, plus thermal, combined with switchable channels and PiP (price TBC).
ELITE OPTICAL
Contact: www.eliteoptical.co.uk The main announcement from Hik was the introduction of an ultrasensitive ≤20mK NETD sensor into all their new models, giving enhanced image detail and poor-weather performance. Other key developments are 2.0 versions of the Lynx monocular (£0.94K-1.25K) and Stellar riflescope series (£3K). Each now features a detachable 18650 battery (and comes with a spare). Control ergonomics are also improved, especially on the Stellar, which gets a fold-flat lens cover, a smoother focus ring, and a new ambidextrous location for the control wheel on the top turret. Best of all, and winner of the show’s “Most Innovative Product” award, is the Habrok HQ35L multispectral binocular. This integrates thermal and digital day/night imaging, laser range-finding, zoomable IR illumination, and GPS positioning. Lighter and more compact than Hik’s previous Raptor multispectral biocular, it’s also cheaper (£2.35K). Power comes from two removable 18650 batteries, with run-time further extended by a tilt-operated standby function.
GUIDE SENSMART
Contact: www.guideir.com Guide were showing the 2.0 versions of their TU full-sized thermal riflescopes, which include 1,000 or 1,500m LRF-equipped models with 31mm or 51mm lenses and 400x300 or 640x480 sensors. Pixels are 12μm, NETD is ≤30mK, and displays are 1440x1080 AMOLEDs. The LRF binnacle is nicely streamlined, but there are no removable 18650 batteries or integrated ballistics yet, and Guide currently lack a UK distributor.
HIGHLAND OUTDOORS
Contact: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk Pocket-sized thermal monoculars keep getting more dinky! Infiray’s new Iris IL35 (price TBC) sets a new standard for handiness at just 143x47x74mm/330-grams. The ergos are good, with top-mounted buttons and plenty of grippy rubber armour, plus a nifty magnetic lens cover that ‘sticks’ to the logo on either side of the housing. The spec is attractive too, with a 384x288/12μm/≤20mK NETD sensor and 1024x768 AMOLED display. Also interesting are a f/0.9 lens and a 10mm exit pupil for a brighter, clearer image, and a more forgiving eye-box.
THOMAS JACKS
Contact: www.thomasjacks.co.uk Every time I review a Pulsar device, I go on about distributor Thomas Jacks’ ability to service and repair Pulsars here in the UK. Amazingly, for this year’s show, they somehow teleported their service centre, technicians, and spares to the NEC, turning around dozens of customers’ devices each day, and mostly FOC! New from Pulsar were the latest Merger binoculars. The LRF XQ35s (£3K) offer a more accessible route to this excellent dual-screen format and complement the 384x288/@17µm/≤25mK NETD sensor and F35/1.0 lens in the left barrel with a 1000m laser rangefinder in the right one. Weight is just 830-grams, compared to 950-grams for the flagship LRF XL50 model (£5.9K). New in the 50mm/640x480 format is the Duo NXP50 (£5.28K), which replaces the rangefinder with a 4x night-vision camera, uniting thermal detecting power with digital identification capability. An IR illuminator attaches underneath if required. TJ also distributes the more affordable Pixfra brand. Originally rather generic, Pixfra have taken great strides and now offers three attractive new lines: Mile, Arc, and Pegasus. The Mile and Arc are monoculars, with form factors reminiscent of the Pulsar Telos and Axion respectively, whilst the Pegasus follows the Thermion pattern. All are powered by removable 18650 batteries (an increasingly convenient standard) and enjoy a 3-year warranty supported by TJ. The Arc and Pegasus come with 12μm/≤30mK NETD sensors in 384×288 (#4) or 640×512 (#6) formats and have high detail 1440×1080 OLED displays. Pegasus models (prices TBC), offer a choice of 35mm and 50mm lenses and feature recoil-activated recording. Arcs (£1K-£1.5K) come with 35mm and 25mm lenses in both sensor formats, with 19mm and 13mm options in the #4 and #6 formats, respectively. Mile models are lower spec, ranging from a 256x192/12μm/≤40mK NETD/7mm/720x540 model (£445) to a 640x512/12μm/≤35mK NETD/25mm/1280x960 model (£1600). Look out for reviews here soon.
LEIMKE
Contact: www.liemke.com/uk/ Leimke is a long-established German distributor of NV and thermal devices and thus a solid brand, a status recently enhanced through its acquisition by Blaser Group. I’ve previously covered the Luchs clip-on series (£2.79-£3.27K) and its compatibility with Blaser’s B2 riflescopes, so this year I checked out their Keiler 25.1 monocular (£2.2K). The form factor is genuinely handy, and the spec is solid. The 25.1 has a 384x288/12μm/≤40mK sensor and 25mm f/1 lens, plus a 1024x768 OLED display, built-in battery, and WiFi connectivity. The real appeal is in the top-mounted controls, however, which feature well-differentiated buttons, a unique transverse scroll wheel, and a fool-proof pivoting on/off switch.
SPORTSMAN GUN CENTRE
Contact: www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk PARD was first to market with a digital day/night riflescope with integrated 1000m range-finder and ballistic compensation, with the groundbreaking DS35-70, and now they’ve carried the tech forwards with the TS31-35/45 (£1.7/1.8K), a thermal scope in the same form-factor, housing a 384x288/12µm/≤35mK NETD sensor, a circular 800x800 LED full-colour display, and an eyepiece that offers a recoil-friendly 100mm of eye-relief. Non-LRF models are already here, with LRF versions on their way. More radical, is the TD32-70, which takes the TS31’s LRF spec and adds a 2560x1440 day/night camera and IR illuminator. Power in all cases comes from a removable 18650 battery. Decent 30mm mounting rings are included.
NIGHT PEARL
Contact: www.nightpearluk.com Night Pearl’s major 2024 launch was the Harpia range of thermal riflescopes (£2.2-3.26K). Styled to look indistinguishable from high-end conventional day scopes, they’re the perfect choice for a smart stalking rifle. They also have truly intuitive controls, including a zoom ring around the ocular bell. Three models are offered: the 50 Max (640x512), 50 Pro (384x288), and 35 Pro (384x288). Sensors are from Hik and feature 12μm/≤25mK NETD sensitivity. Displays are 1024x768 OLEDs with 55mm of eye relief. The batteries are removable, and you can choose a more discreet 18500 battery or run a larger 18650 cell under the extended cover supplied.
EDGAR BROTHERS
Contact: www.edgarbrothers.com ThermTec stands out from the crowd among the Chinese makers for their dual-focal plane technology, which provides a choice of higher magnification or wider field-of-view at the twist of a collar and with zero image degradation. Introduced on their Ares full-length riflescopes, it is now available in the compact Vidar models, and both formats sport those 2024 must-haves: LRF binnacles and built-in ballistic calculators. My pick, though, is ThermTec’s sleek Hunt series clip-on, especially when paired -as displayed- with a quality Smartclip adapter and a conventional LPVO optic. Offered in 35mm format, with mid-level and high-end sensors, the Hunt weighs just 400-grams, boasts a ≤20mK NETD sensor, and offers automatic self-learning image correction via AI!
SHOTGUNS
Anglo Italian Arms
Contact: www.caesargueriniuk.com When it comes to making eye-catching guns, Caesar Guerini is a leader in the field with an unmatched zest for aesthetics. The best Guerini guns say: “If your gun can be like this, why can’t the rest of your life be equally extraordinary?" Last year’s special-edition Invictus IX GS Sporting (£15K) was a baroque masterpiece. This year the aesthetic was contrastingly modern. The Invictus ArtCo (Arte Contemporaneo) eschews figurative decoration for a dashing set of silver, red and blue rhomboids, rays, and roundels, accompanied by diminutive (chequering-inspired?) diamond and fish-scale motifs. If words don’t do it justice, neither do photos, because the design comes alive as you move the gun. Better yet, the ArtCo costs less than an Invictus III, at £6K. New to the Syren brand are 20-gauge versions of the Julia game and sporting. These female-friendly OUs show a side-plated action embellished by intense colour case hardening and gold inlays in a beautiful dandelion-puff design, complemented by faux-Damascus lumps (an attractive alternative to machine-turning), well-figured Turkish walnut, and a sleek round knob grip. £4.25K Guerini’s top-notch CCH and Damascus finishes also feature on the new Tempio LTD (£3K), accompanied this time by gold gamebird inlays. Just 10 x 12-gauge and 10 x 20-gauge guns are coming to the UK!
Weatherby
Contact: www.weatherby.com Weatherby has introduced several new models for 2024, including a new inertia-driven semi-auto called the Sorix that’s available in three camo-and-Cerakote colourways. Nice, but the gun that awoke my interest at the show, was a classic, understated side-by-side BLNE called the Orion. You get the traditional combination of a straight-hand stock and splinter forend, double triggers, 28” barrels and a hollow rib, yet with a discreet, non-ventilated recoil pad, modern HP-steel proof, and - to my surprise - five extended chokes. The action is plain matte black, except for the Weatherby name, but with a rounded profile, and the whole gun comes across as a refreshingly unpretentious hunting companion. Guns are offered in 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410. Price TBC.
GMK
Contact: www.gmk.co.uk The focus from Benelli and Beretta this year was on technical advances. For Beretta, this was showcased on the action, barrels, and trigger guard of their DT11 DLC Edition. DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) is Beretta’s supremely rust and abrasion-resistant surface treatment. The finish is a beautifully even satin black, accentuated by an attention-grabbing acid-green ‘zombie’ stripe and trident logos (£11.9K). No doubt we will see the treatment applied to other models in future. For Benelli, it was their patented Advanced Impact (AI) bore design, which applies the venturi principle to forcing-cone, over-bore, and choke geometry to produce an integrated profile that delivers a claimed 25% advantage in effective pattern range. Carrying the AI standard was a lavish Giovanelli-engraved Limited Edition Rafaello S/A (£3.9K), which also boasted Benelli’s wear-resistant BE.S.T surface treatment, which comes with a 25-year warranty.
Edgar Brothers
Contact: www.edgarbrothers.com At first glance, the M-Sport is something of a plain Jane, but the price tag (£4.7K) provokes a closer look. And however close and carefully you look, you will find absolutely every detail perfectly executed. Zoli don’t make a lot of guns each year, but they only make really good ones. Even their barrels are produced in-house and joined using their advanced, and proprietary, silver-solder process that produces a perfect (that word again!) bond. Zoli produces many specialised models, but the M-Sport is specifically designed for the multi-discipline one-gun shooter. You get a mid-length 29.5” barrel, an 11x7mm ‘mid-rib’ that keeps your top barrel clear of your sighting plane, a well-proportioned Monte Carlo stock and Trap forend, and the kind of poise in the hands that infuses you with confidence and drive. I’m a complete convert to shot-gunning with a red dot, and only Aimpoint has a true solution for O/U and S/S guns. Their game-changing Micro S-1 unit has now evolved into the Acro S-2 (£699). Improvements include a lower, more streamlined profile (15mm), and a bigger more -positive dot (9 MOA). The Micro S-1 was great, but the new Acro seems perfect.
Artemis Outdoors
Contact: www.artemisoutdoorsuk.co.uk Chances are you’ve shot a gun or two by F.A.I.R. (Fabbrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini) without knowing it since they are the long-established Marcheno firm behind the popular ‘Lincoln’ brand. Now distributed under their own name by Artemis Outdoors, F.A.I.R’s guns are so tidily made and classic in design that they often don’t get the second look they deserve. Recognising that something more was needed to make waves among clay shooters, in 2022 they launched a new competition-oriented brand called Fossari, whose core model, the CRX9, offers shooters a range of desirable standard and optional features across five models. For example, the Sporting BSR version (£4.8K) has a Monte Carlo stock with adjustable comb and top rib, plus a removable (and optionally adjustable) trigger, as well as great wood, tight chequering, a matte-black Boss-style action, and five extended colour-coded Technichoke HPS choke tubes. I have both a F.A.I.R. Iside 20-gauge side-by-side and a Fossari CRX9 12-gauge over-and-under on test, so look out for full reviews here soon.
Viking Arms
Contact: www.vikingarms.com It can be hard to decide what to buy when taking up a shooting sport, as you want to be equipped to compete, but not at any cost. When it comes to practical shotguns, Mossberg has the answer in their 940 JM Pro gas-operated semi-auto (£1.2K). You get an optics-ready receiver with oversized controls, cutaway ports, and a tang safety for slick handling. Plus, a 24” HP-steel proofed barrel, 3” chamber, three extended choke tubes (C/IC/M), a 9+1 capacity to handle every load and target, and a gas system able to go 1,500 rounds between cleans. You even get a choice of blue/gold or grey/camo colourways. There’s also a S2 (2+1) black-on-black Field model (£1K).
Browning
Contact: www.browning.eu As usual, Browning had some desirable special-edition guns on show, including additional B525 models featuring their distinctive tone-on-tone silver inlays and high-grade walnut. New this year is the 525 Imperial Silver (£5K), available in both 20-gauge and 12-gauge. There was something for shooters of a more practical bent too, as the Composite (£2K) comes in a black polymer stock with a soft-touch finish and an optional adjustable comb, complemented by a coin-finished action accentuated with stylishly modern engraving. Clay guns included the Ultra XS Dark Pro (£4K) and a limited-edition Miroku Mk38 Competition model (£3.8K). The former offers superb configurability, with an adjustable comb, weight system, trigger and length-of-pull, plus eight extended chokes, while a matte-black Cerakoted action and laser-chequered wood hold inflation at bay. The latter offers an adjustable stock and beavertail forend in G5 walnut, and an action handsomely decorated with a silver-plated starburst on a scroll-engraved silver-finished action. As an extra touch, all this year’s guns feature a replica of founder John Moses Browning’s signature, and the GPS coordinates of his workbench, incised into the underside of the forend.
Highland Outdoors
Contact: www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk W&S rather stole the show last year with their blue-accented, glove-gripped, adjustable Pro comp models (£1.3K/£1.35K), and this year they had more new products than any other brand. Top of the bill, however, was the Kizilkaya RT25. Offered in black and silver-actioned variants, endowed with highly figured light walnut, unashamedly taking its design cues from Italy’s most famous name, and priced at £5K, this clay-buster challenges expectations about what a Turkish gun should look like, and what it should cost. Double-takes were the order of the day for Webley’s guns, too, as their new S3 (£1.3K) has a decidedly Germanic look about it, whilst the un-engraved mirror-polished side-plates on their XSP prototype were perfect for anyone keen to check their hair or make-up between pairs! Also much appreciated is the Rascal, a folding .410 that comes stocked in black polymer. It has a short length-of-pull (330mm) that’s extendable to 360mm with the supplied spacers, and further with additional spacers bought separately (£260). Displayed alongside it was a moderated version (£TBC). Looks great, but please, Webley, give it a rail for a red dot sight!
Sportsman Gun Centre
Contact: www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk ATA shotguns epitomise the Turkish presence in UK shooting, as they’re fully featured, highly affordable, and ready to deliver what the market wants. The SP Pro 12 is a case in point. You get great wood, a Beretta-style action, a choice of 30” or 32” HP-steel-proofed barrels with a 10-8mm tapered rib, long forcing cones to reduce recoil, and five colour-banded chokes, plus a removable trigger with a choice of five blade positions. Barrel weights, stock weights, and an adjustable comb are available as options. Also, ATA/SGC has responded to feedback, tweaking the grip-radius, palm-swell, and comb height (35/50) to give UK shooters exactly what they want, all for a base price of £1K and complete with a 5-year warranty. No wonder it was named “Shotgun of the Year 2024” at the Great British Shooting Awards.
Gun Reviews >
Find a Dealer >
Find a Club >
Competitions >
videos >