Best Guns & Gear of the Year

Toward the end of each year, I survey the work R.K. Campbell, Robert Sadowski, Tracey Taylor, and Joe Woolley have done in Gun Tests, with an eye toward selecting guns, accessories, and ammunition the magazine’s testers have endorsed. From these evaluations, I pick the best from a full year’s worth of tests and distill recommendations for readers, who often use them as shopping guides. These choices are a mixture of our original tests and other information I’ve compiled during the year. After we roll high-rated test products into long-term testing, I keep tabs on how those guns do, and if the firearms and accessories continue performing well, then I have confidence including these firearms in this wrap-up. — Todd Woodard

Best In Class Revolver ‘25

Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus 164300 357 Magnum

$896

Gun Tests grade: A [OUR PICK]

BEST-IN-CLASS REVOLVER

The Model 686 Plus has a smooth double-action trigger pull, a rubber grip that absorbs recoil, large sights, and good accuracy. The 3-inch barrel is an optimal compromise between 2.5- and 4-inch-barrel revolvers. The seven-round capacity is a definite plus. This is a good choice as an EDC revolver.

 

Full Review May 2025 issue.

 

Best In Class Pistol ‘25

Springfield Armory Ronin PX9117LAOS 9mm Luger

$700

Gun Tests grade: A [OUR PICK]

 BEST-IN-CLASS PISTOL

We shot the Ronin more accurately than other test pistols. It was also the heaviest pistol in this issue, weighing almost 2 ounces more than the other test guns. The weight made a difference in the range results. The shooter will have to decide whether to carry the extra weight.

Full Review May 2025 issue.

 

Best In Class Rifle ‘25

Rossi R95 954570201 45-70 Gov’t

$645

Gun Tests grade: A [BEST BUY]

BEST-IN-CLASS RIFLE

The R95 is a rugged 45-70 at a great price.  It is accurate, comes optics ready, and can be customized. We’d buy this one for sure.

Full Review June-July 2025 issue.

 

Best In Class Shotgun ‘25

Savage 320 Tactical FDE 19468 12 Ga.

$270

Gun Tests grade: A- [best buy]

BEST-IN-CLASS SHOTGUN

Based on the old Winchester Model 1300 design. Easy to load, cycled smoothly and comfortably. The shorter 18.5-inch barrel was maneuverable. We liked the heat shield, sights, and Picatinny rail to mount a light. Recoil was tolerable.

Full Review June-July 2025 issue.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Glock 42 U14250201 380 ACP

$408

Gun Tests grade: A

The Glock offered flawless reliability and a bit of power in a compact package. This pistol is the best for pocket carry and would serve as well as most 380 ACP pistols in home defense. It has a workmanlike design.

Full Review June-July 2025 issue.

Ruger GP100 01753 357 Magnum

$1050

Gun Tests grade: A [BEST BUY]

Smooth, controllable action. Modest recoil with all loads, and good-to-excellent accuracy potential. This is a credible combat revolver well suited to any serious role.

Full Review June-July 2025 issue.

Springfield Armory Model 2020 Rimfire Classic BARC92022GAA 22 LR

$710

Gun Tests grade: A [OUR PICK]

A thoroughly modern rifle with a proven 10-round magazine. Handling cannot be faulted. Excellent optics-mounting configuration.

Full Review February 2025 issue.

Uberti El Patron Competition 4122 357 Magnum

$675

Gun Tests grade: A

The lowered and wider hammer on the El Patron Competition makes it easier to reach for and cock. Accuracy was excellent, and the revolver has an authentic look.

Full Review October-November 2025 issue.

Tikka T3x Varmint JRTXH312 223 Remington

$800

Gun Tests grade: A (OUR PICK)

A bit heavy for all-day carry in the field, the Tikka Varmint is perfect for a bench or tripod. We find their actions incredibly smooth with great factory triggers

Full Review October-November 2025 issue.

Magnum Research Desert Eagle MK XIX DE44 44 Magnum

$1565

Gun Tests grade: A- (Our Pick)

The Desert Eagle is a soft-shooting pistol that tames 44 Mag recoil. It is accurate and ready for an optic.

Full Review October-November 2025 issue.

 

2025 Optics & Accessory Picks

 

 

PIG Delta FDT Utility Gloves, $30

Full Review January 2025

PIG (Patrol Incident Gear) FDT gloves feature a suede palm and the inside of the fingers, which also rolls over the top of the finger tip. The thumb and index finger tip also have an extra layer of leather for better wear resistance. The back side is a soft nylon. A gusset at the wrist and a tab make the gloves easy to pull on and off, but the elastic in the cuff wears out with continued use. The gloves offer a tight, yet comfortable, fit along the fingers and palm. FDT stands for Full Dexterity Tactical, and we did find that dexterity was excellent with these gloves. 

Our Team Said: The PIG Delta FDT Utility Gloves offer the most dexterity while still keeping your fingers covered. The gloves did not get in the way when shooting compact pistols. They also took the edge off recoil with magnums.

Gun Test Grade: A- 

 

Vortex Radian Carbon Fiber Tripod ($659)

Radian Ball Head ($284)

Full Review February 2025

Go to a PRS or 3-Gun match, look at what gear competitors use, and you might be amazed at how often that gear is made by Vortex. If it breaks, Vortex fixes it. The Vortex Radian arrived in a carrying case well equipped with extras. One pouch held a nice multi-tool including all necessary wrenches. It also contained an Arca Swiss-sized plate with a ¼-inch through bolt that easily allows the Vortex tripod to be used for mounting cameras or spotting scopes. The Radian reminds us of a slightly more rigid version of the Leofoto and contains many of the features we liked about the other brand. The ball head is a QD type. Loosen the thumb screw, press the button, lift up the head, and the mount is ready for just about any other 55mm ball head. It also uses the two locking screws on one side of the head with the larger tension knob on the other. The Arca Swiss clamp on top is tightened with a thumb screw that was easy and fast to use. The bottom side of the ball head provides a hook onto which extra stabilizing weight can be hung, if needed. Both the center section and the Arca Swiss clamp sport bubble levels.

Our Team Said: The Vortex was very stable, very versatile, and very easy to use. Those last two terms don’t always go together. We really liked the Vortex.

Gun Test Grade: A-

 

Kestrel KST1000, $300

Full Review March 2025

In the Kestrel line of environmental meters, we’ve been using their 5500 and 5700 for years to tell us what data we should input into our ballistics solvers. The Kestrel KST1000 may cost more, but it gives you more for it.

The main screen is the largest in this test. There is a secondary screen located on top that shows the same info, so the shooter never has to pull the timer off the belt or tilt the timer up. 

The face of the KST1000 closely mimics that of the company’s environmental meters. The gear-looking button brings up all of the potential settings. The KST1000 provides instant or delayed start buzzers, and the shooter can set his own parameters on the delays. There is a microphone-sensitivity option that provides settings for rifle, pistol, 22 LR unsuppressed, suppressed 22 LR, and the pièce de résistance — a sensitivity level that records hammer fall from a pistol being dry fired. Other available options include multiple par times, buzzer volume, and the ability to record multiple strings. 

Everything is packaged in a yellow case that can be seen in the grass from 14 miles away, or close to that. 

Our Team Said: The Kestrel KST1000 is loaded with extra features. We loved the adjustable level for the start beep and a microphone sensitive enough to pick up the fall of a hammer when dry firing. 

The price cost this timer part of a grade, so if you’re not affected by what the Kestrel costs, then subtract the minus sign and give this an A grade. 

Gun Tests Grade: A- 

 

Galco Stow-N-Go, $40

Full Review April 2025

The Stow-N-Go is a leather inside-the-waistband holster intended to offer an IWB holster at a fair price. The holster welt or holster mouth is reinforced and did not collapse when the pistol is drawn. Re-holstering generally went fine; occasionally, we had to tuck the muzzle into the holster and slightly budge the holstering welt open. A plastic belt clip is well designed, anchoring the holster to the belt during movement. We think the Stow-N-Go is an affordable alternative to pricier holsters such as the company’s Summer Comfort.

Our Team Said: We rated it down a half grade on the holstering welt.

Gun TestS Grade: A-

 

Diamond D Outdoors The Denali Chest Holster, $98

Full Review Aug.-Sept. 2025

A separate entity from Diamond D Custom Leather, the Outdoors company was founded to offer a quality holster at an economical price. The holster is manufactured of 1050 nylon. The Denali addresses the only real issues with leather, and those are cost and weight. The Denali isn’t a one-size-fits-all model, but it is available for a range of sizes in both autoloader and revolver sizes, offering an accommodating fit for several handguns. The harness offers plenty of adjustment and is easily adjustable. The spine is reversed from many holsters because it runs down the section covering the barrel and frame, making for excellent rigidity when holstering or drawing. Stitching is excellent. Six cartridge loops are sewn into the shoulder harness, a good feature. The holster is thick enough that offset makes for comfortable carry. 

The raters learned a neat trick with the Denali’s adjustment advice. Bring the hand up under the strap and unsnap the safety strap as the hands move to scoop the handgun out of the holster. We still rated the holster down a half grade on draw speed, but not without discussion on all of the outdoors holsters. The Denali offers enough adjustment that the holster may be moved under the arm in a conventional shoulder-holster position when chores demand or binoculars are worn over the neck. 

Our Team Said: This holster got a lot of attention based on price, versatility, and comfort. There is nothing cheap about it, but it is affordable. Learn more at DiamondDOutdoors.com.

Gun TestS Grade: A-