The 8th Annual Ballistic’s Best Awards was the biggest, loudest, and most chaotic (in the best way) shootout of gear and guns we’re ever hosted. Over 100 guns and gear went through the gauntlet, from sturdy EDC knives to high-tech laser range finders and everything in between, and we crowned the best across dozens of categories. We even launched a brand-new Hunting Edition, spotlighting Hunting Revolvers, Laser Range Finders, Bolt Action Rifles, Shotguns and Suppressors for hunters of all stripes.
We also expanded Ballistic’s Best to include EDC Knives and Suppressors, because let’s be honest: whether you’re gutting game or slicing jerkies, a blade matters almost as much as a boom stick.
But even with all that, we still had gear that didn’t fit any category… weird stuff, weird in a good way. That’s where the Editors’ Choice Awards come in. The editors of Bleecker Street Publications retreated to their secret bunker (seriously, we’re not totally sure where it is), drank questionable bourbon, debated with increasingly dramatic gestures… and after the sun rose we emerged with this list.
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Here are the ones we just had to honor.
2025 Editors’ Choice Awards
Best Gun Of The Year
This isn’t a participation trophy. This award is earned. Hard.
Note: This is not an award we typically give out. Only guns that push the envelope in engineering, value, performance, and that unmistakable wow factor get this honor. We’ve been stingy with it, and honestly? We might not hand another one out for eight years.
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Winner: Springfield Armory Kuna
We got our hands on the Kuna the very day it was announced, during our Rendezvous Event, and it was love at first sight. The kind of love that makes grown editors ignore budgets and start rationalizing purchases. By the end of the month, the entire company had bought one. Yes, really.
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Springfield Armory Kuna is a compact, roller-delayed 9mm beast with a 30-round capacity, ambidextrous controls, and an ergonomics package that makes it feel like an old friend at the range. The rugged monolithic upper, hybrid flip-up sights, threaded muzzle and M-LOK real estate give you the adaptability you actually use. Think PDW-meets “why didn’t someone do this sooner?” …that’s the Kuna.
Best ‘Not A Shotgun’ 12 GA — IWI Mafteah
We went hands-on with the IWI Mafteah at the same Rendezvous Event, and it didn’t take long for the conversations to get loud. With the $200 NFA tax stamp out of the picture and the Mafteah’s modular design, SBS dreams started forming immediately. The semi-auto 12-gauge won over the editors fast, and IWI’s commitment to future barrels, stocks, and grip options sealed the deal. By dinner that night, the Mafteah was the buzz.
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IWI Mafteah is a recoil-operated, magazine tube fed semi-auto 12-gauge built for modularity and control. The Mafteah delivers serious firepower in a compact platform, with future support planned for multiple barrel lengths and stock/grip configurations. Reliable, adaptable, and attention-grabbing, it’s a modern 12-gauge that breaks the traditional mold.
Best New Lever Rifle: Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm
Everybody asks the same thing whenever a pistol-caliber rifle pops up: “Is there a 10mm version?” Marlin didn’t wait for the question, they announced the answer. The 1894 Trapper 10mm is a slick-handling, compact lever rifle that feels right at home anywhere from the truck to the trail.
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The Marlin 1894 Trapper is compact, maneuverable lever-action rifle chambered in 10mm, blending classic lines with modern utility. Smooth cycling, a handy size and well-balanced feel make it a blast to shoot, whether you’re on the move or in tight quarters. Old school charm with a 10mm twist.
Best Big Bore Hunting Revolver: Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend
The Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend stopped us mid-scroll. Big bore punch, sweet price tag, and that muzzle brake that looks like it’s ready to tame a tornado. This revolver was an easy pick. Sometimes gear just gets you, and this wheelgun got us.
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Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend is a rugged, big-bore hunting revolver in .350 Legend that delivers stout performance without sticker-shock. With its beefy frame, effective muzzle brake and smooth action, it’s built for serious field work. Balanced, accurate and ready for game day, the Raging Hunter pairs power with practicality in a classic wheelgun package.
Best New 9mm Silencer: Rugged Suppressors Sub9
With the $200 NFA tax gone, 9mm subguns and PCCs are about to get really hot but quietly. Rugged Suppressors jumped on it with the Sub9, built from the ground up for fast handling and hard use. Durable, reliable, and as quiet as a field mouse on tiptoe.
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Rugged Suppressors Sub9 is purpose-built 9mm silencer optimized for subguns and pistol-caliber carbines. Rugged’s Sub9 is lightweight, tough and engineered for rapid fire without the bark, delivering smooth performance and reduced backpressure. Built to be run hard, it’s ideal for serious PCC shooters who want quiet without compromise.
Best New Race Handgun: CZ Shadow 2 Target 6″
Handle a CZ Shadow 2 and you’ll know the feeling, it just clicks. Now CZ ups the ante with the Shadow 2 Target 6”, a race-ready handgun straight out of the box. Balanced, precise and built for competition, it’s the pistol you reach for when every split-second shot matters.
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CZ Shadow 2 Target 6” is a competition-oriented 9mm pistol with a 6” barrel, tuned trigger and race-ready ergonomics. The Shadow 2 Target 6” delivers smooth, crisp shots and rock-steady control under pressure. Built for speed and precision, it’s a plug-and-play performer for serious shooters chasing every last point on the scorecard.
Best Semi-Auto Rimfire Rifle: Auto-Ordnance .22 LR Tommy Gun
When we caught our first look at Auto-Ordnance’s .22 LR Tommy Gun, we knew immediately what it was meant to be…pure, unapologetic fun. The legendary Thompson gets a rimfire revival that honors its iconic past while making it lighter, more affordable, and way more approachable. Sometimes an award goes to innovation; sometimes it goes to the gun that makes everyone smile. This one earned it.
Auto-Ordnance .22 LR TommyGun is a rimfire take on one of America’s most iconic firearms, the .22 LR Tommy Gun delivers classic Thompson style with modern practicality. Lightweight, easy-shooting and compatible with Ruger 10/22 magazines, it offers affordable fun and historic flair in a family-friendly package built for smiles, not recoil.
Best IWB Holsters: DeSantis Sof-Tuck 2.0
Holsters may not make headlines, but they make every carry better. Enter the DeSantis Sof-Tuck 2.0, a holster that gets out of the way and lets you live your day. Comfortable, secure, and compatible with a huge range of guns, it’s quietly become the editors’ go-to.
DeSantis Sof-Tuck 2.0 is a versatile IWB holster that blends comfort with everyday practicality. The Sof-Tuck 2.0 rides close, conceals well, and works with a wide range of pistols. Easy to don and comfortable all day, it turns the often-ignored holster into something you’ll actually enjoy carrying.
Best Budget Full-Size 9mm: SAR Gen3 Full-Size 9mm
At the Rendezvous, we got hands-on with the SAR Gen3 Full-Size 9mm, and honestly? For a gun you can find in the wild for about $230, it punches way above its price. “Inexpensive” doesn’t mean “cheap” here, this pistol is a reliable, do-everything striker that just won’t quit.
SAR Gen3 Full-Size 9mm proves budget doesn’t mean compromise. Rugged, reliable and ready for duty, the Gen3 delivers solid ergonomics, dependable performance and plenty of capacity at an astonishing value. Whether it’s range work, carry or defense, this pistol gets the job done without breaking the bank.
Best New LVPO Scope: EOTech Vudu 1-10×28 SR5DF
Also at the Rendezvous Event, the EOTech Vudu 1‑10 SR5DF showed exactly what a Daytime Bright reticle brings to the party. This LVPO isn’t just versatile, it’s a performance beast that makes dialing on targets from close quarters to extended range feel intuitive and fast.
EOTech Vudu 1‑10 SR5DF is a high‑performance low‑variable power optic with a bright, crisp reticle optimized for daylight clarity. The Vudu 1‑10 offers smooth magnification transitions and rock‑solid tracking, making fast shots and long‑range precision equally achievable. Built tough and engineered for serious shooters, it helps you find, engage and hit targets with confidence.
So Long 2025!
That’s a wrap on the Ballistic’s Best Editors’ Choice Awards!
Whether you’re putting together your range bag, a hunting rig, or just want bragging rights at your next range day, these are the guns and gear that got our attention and kept it. Congrats to the winners, and to everyone who made 2025 a year of great shoots and great stories.
