Sunday GunDay: New Guns for 2022 — Rifles and Handguns

The new year is just six days away. Gun-makers around the world have developed interesting new pistols and rifles for introduction in 2022. Many of these new firearms will be on display at SHOT Show 2022 in Las Vegas. But we’ve scoured the internet for previews of notable new-for-2022 rifles and pistols. Here are some of the more interesting rifles and handguns to be introduced during the upcoming new year.

Daniel Defense — New Shorter Delta 5 Pro and DD5 SBR

Daniel Defense will introduce new shorter, lighter-weight X5 model chassis rifles in 2022, along with an short-barreled DD5 SBR (short-barreled rifle) AR variant. The new X5s will be offered in 16″ and 18″ barrel lengths. Currently the Daniel Defense Delta 5 XBR Pro is sold in a variety of chamberings with 20″, 24″, or 26″ barrels. The new shorter-barreled models provide weight savings and should appeal to hunters who want a chassis-style rifle.

Nosler Model 21 with Carbon Composite Stock

Nosler’s new Model 21 rifle boasts a crisp, single-stage TriggerTech Field model trigger, with user-adjustable pull weight of 2.5–5 lbs. and top safety. The new Model 21 features a hand-lapped Shilen match-grade barrel with a threaded muzzle. The stock is a synthetic carbon-fiber composite model that is lightweight yet durable. The Model 21 features a spiral-fluted, one-piece, 4340 chromoly steel bolt that is Nitride-coated for smooth operation and corrosion resistance. The Model 21 is available chambered in 22 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 26 Nosler, 27 Nosler, 280 Ackley Improved, 28 Nosler, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, 30 Nosler, 33 Nosler and .375 H&H. With its light weight (under 7 lbs. without optics), Nosler’s new Model 21 should be popular with hunters.

Fierce Reaper Chassis Rifle with Carbon Components

The new Fierce Reaper (from Rizzini Arms) is a chassis rifle with a 1/2-MOA accuracy guarantee. This lightweight (6.5-pound) rifle was designed for mountain hunters and long-range precision shooters. The Reaper boasts lightweight carbon fiber components including carbon buttstock, M-Lok handguard, grip, and adjustable cheekpiece. This makes the $2895 Reaper one of the lightest chassis system rifles on the market. The gun is sold with a superb Bix’n Andy 1-3 lb. adjustable Dakota trigger. The bolt has a quick, 70-degree bolt throw. For weight savings, the Reaper features a C3 Carbon Fiber-wrapped, hand-lapped, cryo-treated stainless barrel with a threaded muzzle (suppressor-ready). Choose black, bronze, or Tungsten (grey) Cerakote finishes. Available chamberings are: 6MM Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7MM Rem Mag, 28 Nosler, .308 Win, .300 Win, .300 PRC, and .300 RUM. Options include a Titanium action ($450) and Titanium muzzle brakes ($150-$195). And about that 1/2-MOA accuracy guarantee — for an extra $225, the maker will provide a certified 1/2-MOA target with specs on the ammo that produced it.

Rock Island Armory TM22

The new TM22 rifle from Rock Island Armory is a lightweight, semi-auto .22 LR with AR type ergonomics. The stock is made from 7075 airplane-grade aluminum for lightweight and durability. The modestly-priced TM22, sports an AR-type grip, commercial buffer tube adapter, top rail, and M-LOK fore-end. The rifle is set up with right-handed controls, but the TM22 can easily be modified for left-handed operation. Choose either an 18″ barrel version (34″ OAL) or a 20″ barrel model (36″ OAL). Both versions ship with two 10-round magazines with aftermarket 15- and 25-round magazines available. The 20″ model is 36″ OAL, and 18″ model is 34″ OAL.

Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout Rifle (under 6 lbs.)

With its 16″ barrel, the lightweight, compact Ridgeline Scout rifle from Christensen Arms is easy to carry and conceal in a blind. It also works great as a truck gun. The Ridgeline Scout features a black-Nitride coated action, 0-MOA optic rail, barricade stop, 10-round AICS drop-box magazine, and a flat-shoe Trigger Tech trigger. The barreled action fits in a modern tan and black carbon fiber composite Sporter stock. Weighing 5.9 pounds, the rifle is available in four chamberings: .300 BLK, .223 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. All chamberings have a 16″ muzzle-threaded barrel that will handle a suppressor. OAL is 37.5″.

Monza Bolt Action Rifle

Here’s a new rifle from Istanbul, Turkey with many interesting features. The new Monza rifle offers a simple, lightweight, and reliable design. The bolt can be disassembled in the field without any tools. The rifle comes standard with fiber-optic blade front sight, and adjustable rear sight along with a scope rail. The button-rifled 4-groove barrel is offered in three lengths. The Monza features an adjustable comb and detachable magazine. The maker says the Monza “allows fast multiple shots with its perfect working mechanism and great balance.” With the Turkish currency moving downwards, we expect Monza rifles to be very affordable here in America.

Chiappa Nebula Rhino Revolver 30DS

The eye-catching Chiappa Firearms Nebula Rhino 30DS revolver features a vivid, multi-color PVD coating on the metal plus a bright-colored laminated grip. This six-shot revolver is chambered for .357 Magnum and accepts .38 Special ammunition. Look carefully — you’ll see that the barrel bore is BELOW the centerline of the cylinder, at the 6 O’clock position. This may seem odd, but it has a significant advantage — this reduces muzzle rise very significantly. The sights are placed conventionally on the upper part of the forward frame/barrel housing. Standard are an adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. With a $1912.00 MSRP, this IS a pricey wheelgun, but it does ship with black leather holster, gun lock, and three moon clips. The grey/blue laminate ergonomic grip fits the hand well, with well-spaced finger grooves. To learn more about the Nebula Rhino 30DS visit www.chiappafirearms.com.

Howa Carbon Elevate — Carbon Stock and Carbon-Wrap Barrel

The 2022 Howa Elevate model will be offered in black carbon “natural” or a green/grey camouflage finish.

For 2022, Legacy Sports Int’l will expand its selection of light-weight Howa 1500 models. The leader is the Carbon Elevate model which features a carbon-wrapped barrel and ultralight Stocky’s full carbon fiber stock. With a listed unloaded weight of just 4.2 pounds (before optics), the Howa Elevate model should appeal to hunters. The Carbon Elevate is offered in Mini Action (6.5 Grendel), Short Action (6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win), and Long Action ( 6.5 PRC) versions. This rifle features the Accublock bed for the action, excellent H.A.C.T. 2-stage trigger, threaded muzzle, limbsaver buttpad, and removable magazine.

Springfield Armory SA-35 9mm Pistol

Springfield Armory’s new SA-35 semi-auto pistol takes advantage of modern materials and manufacturing techniques, while retaining the appeal of the J.M. Browning’s original P-35 design. The 9mm features a forged carbon steel frame and slide and a cold hammer-forged barrel.

Enhancements include subtle but significant changes to barrel feed ramp and extractor geometry to ensure the SA-35 will work with today’s defensive rounds. A factory-tuned trigger, 15-round flush-fit magazine, beveled magazine well, re-contoured “no-bite” hammer design, modern Tactical Rack sights, extended thumb safety and more round out the package. The SA-35 is compatible with the original pistol’s design, ensuring access to the broad selection of aftermarket parts and accessories available.

The modern SA-35 is based on the original Browning Hi-Power, aka the P-35. The Browning Hi-Power military pistol, considered the best 9mm handgun of all time by some collectors, is one of the most widely-used handguns in history, and is found in over fifty countries.

The initial Browning Hi-Power design came from John Moses Browning, but was then finalized by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. There have been many variants based on the Browning Hi-Power and many clones as well. See: Top Ten 9mm Handguns of All Time.