From Range Toys to Long Range: Five Cool New Firearms

I can’t even imagine listing out all the reasons why shooters buy new guns — practice, self-defense, hunting, competition, just because, brand new, innovative, nostalgia, price is right and cool barely scratch the surface. From fun range toy to long-range precision, each one of these new firearms is definitely cool.

• There is no denying how awesome and reliable Daniel Defense AR-15 rifles are.
• Just Right Carbines makes bugging out in a Marine environment almost desirable with its .40 cal Takedown Marine Model rifle.
• Noreen Firearms introduces the only AR-platform rifle chambered for .30-06 Springfield.
• Smith & Wesson releases the M&P 22 in a compact model.
• UTAS-USA presents its alternative to the Kel-Tec KSG in Next G1 camo.

Noreen Firearms BN36 .30-06 Springfield Semiautomatic Rifle

Noreen Firearms, a Montana-based company designing and building long-range precision firearms, introduces the first and only AR-15-style platform rifle chambered for .30-06 Springfield. Made for deer hunters familiar with the traditional AR rifle, the BN36 uses an adjustable direct gas impingement system and has a side-charging handle. The 22-inch barrel has a 1:10 twist rate and receives accurate and precise minute-of-angle with match-grade ammunition at 2,000 meters. The BN36 features a flat top, optics-ready upper, perfect for a long-range riflescope and an A2 fixed stock and pistol grip. Noreen forges both the upper and lower receivers in-house from aluminum. In fact, unlike many black rifle “makers,” Noreen makes every component in-house. It accepts 5-, 10- and 20-round magazines and has a standard MIL-SPEC trigger. Internally, there are only two differences between the BN36 and a traditional .223/5.56 AR — bigger parts and a charging handle directly attached to the bolt carrier. Disassembly, maintenance and cleaning are just like any AR-15 rifle. The .30-06 BN36 is 43.5 inches long, weighs 8 pounds, and features a Noreen custom muzzle brake that helps reduce recoil.

Noreen Firearms BN36
Action	Semiauto
Barrel Length	22 inches, 1-10 twist
Caliber	.30-06 Springfield
Overall Length	43.5 inches
Weight Unloaded	8 pounds
Sights	Flat top upper receiver
Stock	A2
Capacity	20 rounds

Daniel Defense DDM4v11 5.56mm NATO Semiautomatic Rifle

Based on the V9 rifle series, Daniel Defense built the new DDM4v11 around its SLiM Rail KeyMod handguard system. All of Daniel Defense’s quality and attention to detail is there; a 16-inch chrome-lined, cold-hammer forged chromoly vanadium steel barrel, MP-tested and MIL-SPEC coated CNC-machined 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers, MIL-SPEC MP-tested and chrome-lined bolt carrier group with properly staked gas key and Daniel Defense buttstock and pistol group. Combine this with the Daniel Defense SLiM Rail 15.0 CNC-machined lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum KeyMod handguard and you get a modern, lightweight AR-15 rifle both beginners and skilled shooters both will love and appreciate. On top of the free-float handguard is a full Picatinny rail with KeyMod attachment points at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The DDM4v11 operates on a traditional mid-length direct gas impingement system and has the slightly heavier H buffer.

Daniel Defense DDM4v11
Action	Semiauto
Barrel Length	16 inches Government profile, 1-7 inch twist
Caliber	5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington
Overall Length	35.5 inches
Weight Unloaded	6.12 pounds
Sights	15-inch free-float KeyMod SLiM Rail handguard with Picatinny rail
Stock	Daniel Defense collapsible
Capacity	30 rounds

Just Right Carbines Takedown Marine Model .40 S&W Semiautomatic Rifle

The new Just Right Carbines Marine Model Takedown semiautomatic rifle is a perfect survival, truck or boat gun. The .40 S&W-chambered straight blowback-operated semi-auto rifle includes a takedown tube that quickly and easily breaks down the rifle into two pieces for transporting, carrying, storage and concealment. What’s even better? The electroless nickel-plated finish and stainless steel barrel resists corrosion and rust in harsh and marine environments. Completely ambidextrous, the Just Right Carbines Marine will adjust for left- or right-handed shooters with the ambidextrous charging handle and ejection port. The Marine Takedown has a 17-inch lightweight threaded barrel, accepts 15-round .40 S&W GLOCK magazines, and is optics ready with a Picatinny rail. The Just Right Carbines Marine uses a standard M4 buffer tube, AR-15 six-position collapsible buttstock and pistol grip. Most typical AR-15 trigger components and aftermarket stocks will fit on the Just Right Carbines. The Marine model is 33.50 inches overall extended and weighs only 6.5 pounds. All Just Right Carbines are made in the United States.

Just Right Carbines Takedown Marine
Action	Semiauto
Barrel Length	17 inches, lightweight
Caliber	.40 S&W
Overall Length	30.25 inches collapsed, 33.50 inches extended
Weight Unloaded	6.5 pounds
Sights	Picatinny rail
Stock	M4 6 position collapsible
Capacity	15 rounds, GLOCK magazine

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact Semiautomatic Handgun

Since 2011, Walther has been making a full-sized M&P trainer pistol in .22 Long Rifle that looks exactly like the big-boy models, though functionally different. This year, Smith & Wesson introduced a designed-from-the-ground-up .22 Long Rifle M&P made here in the United States. The new M&P 22 Compact is smaller than the German-produced M&P 22 with a 3.6-inch barrel, 1-inch thickness and only 6.7 inches overall length. With its 5.8-pound trigger, easy to operate slide and the same highly visible white-dot sights, shooting it will be very similar to the original model M&P 22 and certainly just as fun. The M&P 22 Compact holds 10 rounds and weighs a mere 18.1 ounces. The US-made Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact has only been available for about a month and now through December 31, 2014, Smith & Wesson will ship you a free box of .22 Long Rifle ammo with the proof of purchase of a new M&P 22 Compact.

Noreen Firearms BN36
Action	Semiauto
Barrel Length	3.56 inches
Caliber	.22 Long Rifle
Overall Length	6.65 inches
Weight Unloaded	15.3 ounces
Sights	White, 2-dot adjustable
Grip	Black polymer
Capacity	10 rounds

There are plenty of semiautomatic .22 Long Rifle handguns to choose from — from full-sized 1911 clones to tiny pocket guns. It became popular a few years ago — back when .22 LR was actually more affordable and more available—to produce copycat rimfire guns of full-sized, full-calibered handguns. They were cheaper to shoot, fun and great to start new shooters on. My favorite, besides the Smith & Wesson, is the Ruger Mark III; however, that does not make a great alternative to the M&P Compact.

UTAS-USA Hunting UTS-15 12-Gauge Pump Action Shotgun

In hot competition with Kel-Tec’s KSG, the UTS-15 12-gauge pump-action shotgun’s innovative bullpup design is in great demand. Called the “Hunting” model because of its Next G1 camo finish, the UTSA shotguns are meant for hunting — where legal. I mention where legal because the double magazine tubes, which both feed the shotgun, hold 15 rounds. (Don’t worry, it includes three- and five-round plugs.) Though UTAS is a Turkish company — winning NRA’s gun of the year in 2006 and in 2007 — the Hunting UTS-15 shotgun is made in the United States. Virtually unheard of, the Hunting UTS-15 is 85 percent polymer and has an 18.5-inch barrel. The barrel is chrome lined, made of 4140 steel and fits standard Beretta choke tubes. It does not include sights. However, the shotgun is optics ready with a full-length Picatinny rail. It is 28.5 inches long overall and surprisingly lightweight at 6.9 pounds. Significantly less than other bullpups, the UTS-15 made Tactical Life’s list of Best Bullpups in 2014. If futuristic or tactical is your thing, you could do a lot worse than this new pump shotty from UTAS.

Noreen Firearms BN36
Action	Pump
Barrel Length	18.5 inches, 3.5-inch chamber
Caliber	12 gauge
Overall Length	28.5 inches
Weight Unloaded	6.9 pounds
Sights	Picatinny rail
Stock	Polymer, bullpup Next G1 camo finish
Capacity	15 rounds

If you could only get one of these firearms on the list, which one would it be and why? Tell us in the comment section.