Range Day | SHOT Show 2026

This year’s range day at SHOW Show 2026 was one of the smaller examples I’ve seen over the past few years. While there were several major manufacturers that were conspicuously absent, there was still a decent selection of interesting things to see and handle. Here are some of the booths which stood out for me.

Glock – SHOT Show Range Day

Glock is always a popular booth, but this year they were #1 on my list to check out on the range. For those unaware, there’s a new generation of Glock pistols on the market, the Gen6 line. These feature quite a few changes that have been popular in the aftermarket for several years, and I was curious to see how they handled in live fire. While I was able to handle a Gen6 Glock 17 recently, this was my first chance to actually shoot the new guns.

In short, it’s a Glock! I think the changes will be positively received by the market, primarily the more rounded grip frame, which should mitigate many of the “2×4” comparisons for detractors. Grip texture is fairly aggressive, certainly more than on previous guns, and I like the update. The trigger feels fairly similar to Gen5, but with a flatter shoe. MOS plates are a thing of the past, with optics mounting directly to the slide, though the cut is still a generalized optic cut. The extractor is redesigned for improved reliability with optics, and the recoil spring has returned to the Gen3 style single spring.

Overall I’m a fan. I plan on picking up a new model later this year for use in IDPA. These are available now, retailing for around $700.

Diamondback

A few years ago I covered the Diamondback SDR, a 9mm stainless steel, snub nose revolver. Since then Diamondback has been working with the folks at American Fighting Revolver on some new designs, which we saw today. These are lightweight, six-shot, aluminum frame guns chambered in 38 Special +P, known as the SDR-A.

There were two variants of the SDR-A on display during Range Day. The first is a shrouded hammer design, with a two-inch barrel designed for concealment. The latter is a hammered, 3-inch barrel, giving shooters a little more velocity and a slightly larger footprint. Both guns sport XS sights in a unique dovetail, featuring a black rear notch and tritium front post, along with fiber optic sights. The SDR-A has a solid double action trigger, rivaling that of various “performance” grade revolvers from other manufacturers.

A stand out feature here is the ability to use Smith & Wesson J-Frame stocks. MSRP sits near $614.

FN – SHOT Show Range Day

FN 309 Handgun

Just a few days ago I covered the announcement of a new pistol from FN, the 309 MRD. FN had a few samples on display on the range, and I got to put a few magazines through an optic-equipped model. I won’t go over the specs in detail here, however I will cover the shooting experience.

Overall it was a solid 9mm handgun. I fired a few magazines through it, taking targets both at close range, and pinging the further rifle targets around 50 yards. I found it interesting to see fully polymer magazines, which were extremely lightweight. I’m told pricing is set around $20-35 dollars on the 16 and 20 round magazines, with one of each included with the gun. We were also given word that a manual safety variant is also on the way, which I found especially appealing, and I think will be a winner with newcomers to handguns and carry.

I think the 309 serves an excellent market share that was previously untapped by FN. With MAP coming in around $450, I think that sits in a reasonable price point for many Americans, especially as more “duty” oriented pistols continue to see their prices rise. The FN 309 certainly isn’t a budget gun either, simply a reasonably priced gun with reasonable features for reasonable people.

SCAR Rifles

When first approaching the FN booth during SHOT Show range day I was initially vectored towards the rifle side of their bay. FN recently revamped the SCAR line of rifles, making several updates to modernize the line. Upper receivers have been lengthened and MLOK rails added for modern grips and accessories. The charging handle is user-serviceable to change between a reciprocating and non-reciprocating handle, with a reversible and extended charging handle coming standard.

All controls are fully ambidextrous, with various size/shape safety levers included with the gun. QD sockets have been added, with four on the stock and one MLOK mount for the forend. The pistol grip is now AR style, and our sights are Magpul MBUS Pro from the factory. Finally, the gas system has new and clearer nomenclature, along with a polymer piston cover to help avoid burns with C-clamp style grips.

Recoil

I started with the 17S, or “Heavy” version of the SCAR, coming in 7.62×51 and 6.5 Creedmoor. While I knew the SCAR to be a smooth rifle, I was really impressed with the low recoil of the full power rifle. One of the FN reps told me to try the 16S, or “Light” 5.56 version, comparing it to 22LR. I promptly rolled my eyes at this comparison, chalking it up to marketing. It turns out that was pretty on the money, I was blown away by how little the gun moved.

My thoughts immediately went to Medal of Honor Warfighter from my late teens, “this is what video games tell me guns look like when shooting”, it was a little surreal at the risk of sounding overhyped. A new hydraulic buffer system and redesigned bolt carrier are responsible for this incredibly gentle recoil impulse. I think it’s fair to say that these were the stand-out of range day for me.

Steyr

After taking a quick break to stow my coat in the truck, I returned to the range and made a stop in the Steyr booth. I had forgotten that Steyr recently began marketing various hammer-fired pistols of Arex Rex Alpha design, and was surprised to see them on the table rather than something along the lines of their legacy M9 series of pistols.

I had the chance to try a few of their new offerings, the ATc and ATd series. These are DA/SA pistols which feature both manual safety levers and decockers. Their duty oriented line features a lighter aluminum frame, while competition variants are all steel. All guns are optics ready, with Aimpoint COA and Primary Arms HTX-1 adorning a few guns at my table. According to the Steyr rep I spoke with, all parts such as triggers and safeties, slides, and more are interchangeable between models to allow shooters to make their ideal configuration. Release is currently scheduled for Q4 2025 per the Steyr website.

Spohr Revolvers

I first noticed Spohr revolvers last year during SHOT Show, but wasn’t able to get much information due to German/English language barriers. Over the past year I’ve started seeing their guns pop up in a few places online, and my curiosity began to grow. Luckily Spohr had a booth during range day, and communication was effective! I tried out a handful of their revolvers across three calibers to get an idea of various product lines.

On the Range for SHOT Show Range Day with Spohr

First up was the N670, a 6-shot 44 Magnum with a 6.5-inch barrel. Interestingly, Spohr opted for full power Federal 240gr SJHP Magnum loads, which seemed to rattle a few shooters ahead of me. I fired a few cylinders, and was pleasantly surprised at how well the wooden stocks handled the recoil, even with the weight of 53oz to help dampen things. Shots out to 50 yards were reasonable thanks to a fairly precise front post.

Next was the 6-shot 283 Carry, chambered in 9mm using moon clips, with a 3-inch barrel. Following was the N643, an 8-shot, 6-inch barrel, 357 Magnum, also fed by moon clips. Both of these guns handled excellently, with the 9mm gun sporting an optic rather than a rear sight. Triggers were smooth and consistent. Ejection was clean despite the dirty guns, with no sense of binding or hang-ups to be found. I especially liked the enlarged and slightly angled cylinder release latch, which was easy to manipulate and excellently textured.

Spohr revolvers are currently available directly through Spohr. Expect to see an 8-shot 9mm competition revolver from them in the coming months as well.

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