Springfield Echelon Pro, pirate-style shotguns, and Ruger’s production cull

October 22, 2026
11:12 am

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https://youtu.be/rVUAR7aNLao The Gun Collective’s John Patton marked episode 500 of TGC News with a roundup of new firearms, optics, ammo, and a major Ruger lineup cut. Springfield Armory’s Echelon Pro is a 9mm striker-fired pistol that keeps the removable Cog trigger group and pin-based optics system, adding a front compensator cut, stainless guide rod, laser-engraved grip, extra slide serrations, a thumb rest, and a larger magazine. Full-size guns ship with three 20-round magazines; compact versions get 18-rounders. New sights pair a serrated black rear with an orange-ring tritium front. Patton recalled the standard Echelon scoring 21/25 in TGC’s review and said the Pro’s $900 MSRP—about $190 more—may not be worth it without a heavier grip module or similar upgrade.New long guns and accessoriesDerya launched a 12-gauge side-by-side in two flavors: a conventional 24-inch hunting gun and an 18-inch “carriage” or pirate-style coach gun with a pistol grip, Turkish walnut, and $700 MSRP. Savage added a tactical Rimfire to the two-year-old side-cocking line, with an MDT-influenced stock, cheek rest, M-LOK handguard, 18-inch threaded mid-weight barrel in .22 LR, .22 Mag, or .17 HMR, and a Picatinny rail; street prices run $630–$660. WOOX is now making American walnut 1911 grips. San Tan Tactical (under CMC Triggers) introduced 6-inch 17-4 stainless 1836 suppressors for 5.56 and .30, hub-compatible, at $600. ZeroTech’s Trace X is a 5–25x56 FFP scope with a 34mm tube and RMG3 illuminated reticle among options, MSRP $750. Hornady’s SPR Suppressed ammo targets short, suppressed barrels with ELD-M Match bullets in 5.56 (73 gr), 6.5 Grendel (108 gr), and .300 BLK/.308 (178 gr), about $33–$35 per 20.Specs, pluses, and minusesEchelon Pro: 9mm striker, Cog trigger, optics-ready, compensated slide, 18- or 20-round mags, $900 MSRP.Derya coach gun: 18-inch barrels, pistol grip, walnut, $700.Savage tactical rimfire: MDT-style stock, M-LOK, threaded 18-inch barrel, $630–$660.Pros cited: extra mags and sights on the Pro; walnut and character on the Derya; modern furniture on the Savage; cheaper FFP glass and purpose-built suppressed ammo.Cons: Patton doubts the Pro’s extras justify $190; over-under shotguns are a poor home-defense choice because of two-round capacity; Ruger is dropping a huge share of its catalog.Ruger is immediately stopping LCR, SP101, GP100, and Bearcat production and, by year-end, SR1911, LC/PC Carbine and Charger, Redhawk/Super Redhawk, Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk, Single-Six, Vaquero, No. 1, 77, Hawkeye, and Precision rifles. Remaining lines include Mini-14, 10/22, American, Harrier AR, LCP, Security-380/9, RXM, Max-9, Ruger-57, 22 Charger, and Mark IV. Patton called the trim “a good thing” after years of “boring special editions,” noting Beretta’s 25% stake could reshape the brand. In Friendly Fire he favored Magpul, Lancer, and even KCI AR mags as disposable; suggested a ~10-inch mag-fed shotgun (e.g. Fostech Origin 12) for home defense; and rejected over-unders for that role. “If we can’t learn from each other, what are we even doing?” he said of the Q&A segment.

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The Gun Collective’s John Patton marked episode 500 of TGC News with a roundup of new firearms, optics, ammo, and a major Ruger lineup cut. Springfield Armory’s Echelon Pro is a 9mm striker-fired pistol that keeps the removable Cog trigger group and pin-based optics system, adding a front compensator cut, stainless guide rod, laser-engraved grip, extra slide serrations, a thumb rest, and a larger magazine. Full-size guns ship with three 20-round magazines; compact versions get 18-rounders. New sights pair a serrated black rear with an orange-ring tritium front. Patton recalled the standard Echelon scoring 21/25 in TGC’s review and said the Pro’s $900 MSRP—about $190 more—may not be worth it without a heavier grip module or similar upgrade.

New long guns and accessories

Derya launched a 12-gauge side-by-side in two flavors: a conventional 24-inch hunting gun and an 18-inch “carriage” or pirate-style coach gun with a pistol grip, Turkish walnut, and $700 MSRP. Savage added a tactical Rimfire to the two-year-old side-cocking line, with an MDT-influenced stock, cheek rest, M-LOK handguard, 18-inch threaded mid-weight barrel in .22 LR, .22 Mag, or .17 HMR, and a Picatinny rail; street prices run $630–$660. WOOX is now making American walnut 1911 grips. San Tan Tactical (under CMC Triggers) introduced 6-inch 17-4 stainless 1836 suppressors for 5.56 and .30, hub-compatible, at $600. ZeroTech’s Trace X is a 5–25×56 FFP scope with a 34mm tube and RMG3 illuminated reticle among options, MSRP $750. Hornady’s SPR Suppressed ammo targets short, suppressed barrels with ELD-M Match bullets in 5.56 (73 gr), 6.5 Grendel (108 gr), and .300 BLK/.308 (178 gr), about $33–$35 per 20.

Specs, pluses, and minuses

Echelon Pro: 9mm striker, Cog trigger, optics-ready, compensated slide, 18- or 20-round mags, $900 MSRP.
Derya coach gun: 18-inch barrels, pistol grip, walnut, $700.
Savage tactical rimfire: MDT-style stock, M-LOK, threaded 18-inch barrel, $630–$660.
Pros cited: extra mags and sights on the Pro; walnut and character on the Derya; modern furniture on the Savage; cheaper FFP glass and purpose-built suppressed ammo.
Cons: Patton doubts the Pro’s extras justify $190; over-under shotguns are a poor home-defense choice because of two-round capacity; Ruger is dropping a huge share of its catalog.

Ruger is immediately stopping LCR, SP101, GP100, and Bearcat production and, by year-end, SR1911, LC/PC Carbine and Charger, Redhawk/Super Redhawk, Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk, Single-Six, Vaquero, No. 1, 77, Hawkeye, and Precision rifles. Remaining lines include Mini-14, 10/22, American, Harrier AR, LCP, Security-380/9, RXM, Max-9, Ruger-57, 22 Charger, and Mark IV. Patton called the trim “a good thing” after years of “boring special editions,” noting Beretta’s 25% stake could reshape the brand. In Friendly Fire he favored Magpul, Lancer, and even KCI AR mags as disposable; suggested a ~10-inch mag-fed shotgun (e.g. Fostech Origin 12) for home defense; and rejected over-unders for that role. “If we can’t learn from each other, what are we even doing?” he said of the Q&A segment.

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