Every year brings a flood of new handguns. Most are small updates to existing models. A few are worth a trip to the gun counter. Here are the 2026 releases that stood out to us, based on what manufacturers have announced and what outlets like Field & Stream and USCCA have covered.
Ruger RXM, now threaded
Ruger’s RXM is a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm built on a serialized stainless fire-control unit inside a Magpul grip. The new threaded versions add a 1/2×28 muzzle with a thread protector, an optics-cut slide and two 17-round Magpul magazines, with 15-round compact versions also offered. Field & Stream listed pricing around $569 to $599. With suppressor demand climbing, threaded pistols at that price will be popular.
Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC
The Echelon 4.0FC pairs a 4-inch barrel with a full-size grip, which is a favorite setup for people who want a full grip on a slightly shorter slide. It ships with 17- and 20-round magazines and uses Springfield’s Variable Interface System for optics. Field & Stream listed it at $790.
Lipsey’s Smith & Wesson Model 386 and 396
Revolver fans got a treat: two lightweight scandium-frame revolvers made by Smith & Wesson for distributor Lipsey’s. The 386 is a seven-shot .357 Magnum and the 396 is a five-shot .44 Special, both with 3-inch barrels, XS sights, no internal lock and a weight under 25 ounces, according to Field & Stream. They are carry revolvers for people who want more than a snub-nose without the weight of steel.
Taurus TX9
USCCA highlighted Taurus’s TX9, a striker-fired 9mm with a modular chassis that moves between full-size, compact and subcompact frames, and optic mounting through Taurus’s T.O.R.O. system. Taurus has been working hard to shed its old reputation, and an affordable modular pistol fits that plan.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Carry Comp in 10mm
A compensated 10mm built for carry is an unusual idea, and that is why it caught attention. USCCA notes its ported barrel and upgraded sights. For woods carry where bears are a concern, a controllable 10mm has real appeal.
Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 102 Compact
On the budget end, Field & Stream listed this 15+1 striker-fired 9mm at about $295. New brands at low prices deserve extra testing before you trust them, but competition at this price point is good for buyers.
And one more: the CZ DUTY
CZ’s DUTY pistol arrived in October at $729, with a modular chassis and plate-free optic mounting. We covered it separately.
Buying advice
A new model is not automatically a better one. Rent or handle a gun before you buy, wait for long-term reviews on first-year designs, and budget for a quality holster, a few spare magazines and practice ammo. Those matter more than the newest features.
