More Firearm Winners from Our 2025 Field Tested Awards

The best shotgun, rifle, and handgun of the year are coveted titles. But, we also crown winners for value and specific firearm categories. Here are those winners form our gun tests.

Introducing The Real Grit, our retail partner for the 2025 Field Tested Awards. Buying through the links provided helps support Outdoor Life.

Christensen Arms Evoke (Great Buy)

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Pros

• Affordable
• Accurate
• Good Trigger

Cons

• No serious drawbacks

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Specs

• 
  Action: Two lug bolt action

• 
  Stock: Synthetic

• 
  Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor (3+1)

• 
  Weight: 7 pounds, 8 ounces (measured)

• 
  Trigger: User adjustable, 3 pounds, 6 ounces

• 
  Barrel: 22 inches, 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24

• 
  Price: $899

Key Features

• 
  Adjustable trigger

• 
  Comes with 0 MOA Pic rail

• 
  Recessed Pic rail on stock for bipod

• 
  Cerakote finish

The Christensen Arms Evoke is a relief to hunters on a budget who don’t want to compromise on basic functionality. It is a solidly built two-lug bolt action that runs smoothly, delivers very fine accuracy, and has attractive lines and ergonomics.

The rifle has a Remington 700 footprint, and like many actions based on that format it has a plunger ejector, spring blade extractor, bolt release tab on the action, and uses Remington style triggers with a two-position safety. These are all proven design elements and the Evoke smartly didn’t attempt to stray into uncharted territory.

As you can see from the chart above, the rifle is a shooter. Any mean radius value at .3 inches or below is excellent, especially for a big-game rifle. You wouldn’t go wrong with the Berger 135-grain Classic Hunter or Federal’s 140-grain Fusion Tipped for hunting, and for NRL Hunter matches, the Sig 140-grain OTM will be competitive.

The rifle comes with a 3-round detachable polymer magazine, but it can also run larger AICS pattern mags if you want to boost ammo capacity.

The recessed Picatinny rail is a nice feature on a rifle at this price point and the rear of the rail has a mounting point for traditional swivel stud sling hardware. Textured panels molded into the stock on either side of the fore-end and pistol grip (which is generously sized and has a comfortable hybrid angle) give the shooter good control over the rifle.

The butt stock has a raised cheek piece and a large, cushy recoil pad. The stock’s ergonomics in combination with the recoil pad and the rifle’s 7.5-pound weight make it easy to control.

The crisp adjustable trigger (which we set to 3 pounds, 6 ounces) adds to the pleasure of shooting the Evoke. The suppressor ready barrel, threaded at 5/8-24, is the cherry on top. With a can aboard, the Evoke is a rifle you could shoot all day — which is what we did.

This is a clear winner from Christensen Arms, and given its price point we had zero hesitation bestowing it with a Great Buy award.  

Tikka T3X ACE Target (Great Buy)

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Pros

• Excellent recoil management
• Slick action
• Good accuracy
• Modular chassis stock

Cons

• Takes proprietary magazine
• Magazine well is tight

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Specs

• 
  Action: Three-lug bolt

• 
  Stock: Aluminum chassis

• 
  Cartridge: .308 Win. (10+1)

• 
  Weight: 9 pounds, 12 ounces (measured)

• 
  Trigger: 2 pounds, 15 ounces (measured)

• 
  Barrel: 23.6 inches, 1:10 twist, threaded 5/8-24

• 
  Price: $1,999

Key Features

• 
  Adjustable chassis stock

• 
  Two-stage trigger

• 
  Fore-end has ARCA and M-Lok attachments

• 
  Takes proprietary magazines

• 
  Three-position safety

I can’t remember the last time we shot a Tikka we didn’t like. These rifles, baby brothers to Sako, incorporate a lot of their older sibling’s design features, but have a more attainable price.

That’s definitely the case with the Tikka T3X ACE Target, a hybrid precision rifle that is accurate enough for long range shooting but would make for a good hunting rig under many circumstances.

The action on ours ran with the smooth and unsurprising predictability Tikka is known for, though as with most three-lug designs the bolt takes some effort to cock. Tikka mitigates that somewhat by giving the rifle a large bolt handle.

The fluted stainless-steel bolt glided effortlessly in the receiver, and the double-stack 10-round magazine fed our .308 ammo flawlessly.

The rifle really liked every 168-grain load we shot through it — whether match ammo (Federal Centerstrike and Hornady A-Max) or hunting rounds (Berger Classic Hunter and Nosler’s new Whitetail line).

The aluminum chassis stock, which has an easily adjustable cheek piece, includes a plethora of M-Lok slots along the fore-end, an ARCA rail along the bottom, and a barricade stop in front of the magazine well, all of which make it competition ready.

We loved how easily we could drive the rifle.  The clever reversible thumb rest that sits above the vertical pistol grip and the hook for the shooter’s support hand on the butt stock helped with that.

One issue we had with the rifle is the snug and straight-sided mag well that made magazine changes sometimes difficult.

Other than that, we are big fans. The three-position safety that locks the bolt down is easy to use, as is the ambidextrous magazine release in front of the trigger guard. The ACE Target isn’t cheap, but in light of what it brings to the table it is one of the best values in a rifle of this type, which is why it earned a Great Buy award.

Great Buy: Ruger RXM

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Pros

• Comes with high-quality open sights
• Compatible with RMR, Delta Point, and RMSc red dots
• Good grip ergonomics

Cons

• The Magpul magazines it shipped with had trouble feeding the last round. This issue went away when other Glock magazines were employed.

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Specs

• 
  Cartridge: 9mm

• 
  Capacity: 15+1

• 
  Barrel Length: 4 inches

• 
  Weight: 23 ounces

• 
  Price: $499

Key Features

• 
  Removable fire-control system

• 
  Compatible with G19 Gen3 aftermarket parts

• 
  Uses grip modules designed by Magpul

Ruger has jumped into the Glock clone market with the RXM, done in collaboration with Magpul, which designed and manufactured the grip module. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by predicting that this G19 Gen3 knockoff will be a big hit. Whether a user keeps it in stock form or opts to modify it with any of the innumerable aftermarket parts that exist for Gen3 Glocks, it represents a tremendous value.

There isn’t a lot to say about how it operates — it shoots like a G19, with the same predictable reliability the pistol is known for. In terms of looks and feel, the Magpul grip is more attractive than the original and has improved stippling and ergonomics. The slide sports quality metal sights, a marked improvement over stock Glock sights. The front post has a tritium insert and they are tall enough to co-witness through a reflex sight. Touches like the stippled contact patch on the chassis above the trigger guard elevate it above the pistol it is patterned after.

Also, unlike the original G19, the RXM has a removable fire-control system (which is serialized) made of stainless steel that can be swapped into other grip modules. Currently, Magpul is offering their modules in different colors, but we look forward to seeing PCC modules and other designs that leverage the RXMs flexibility.

Despite this fire-control system, the RXM is compatible with aftermarket Glock triggers, as well as barrels, holsters and all the other gizmos that have been designed for the Gen3 G19s.

The slide’s optics cut has holes that accept RMR, Delta Point Pro, and RMSc red dots, another value-enhancing feature.

In short, the RXM does the G19 Gen3 better in many respects, at a better price. This pistol was a no-brainer as this year’s Great Buy in the handgun category.

Editor’s Choice, Best Concealed Carry: HK CC9

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Pros

• Light and easy to conceal
• Comfortable to shoot
• Reliable

Cons

• Long trigger pull

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Specs

• 
  Cartridge: 9mm

• 
  Capacity: 10+1 or 12+1

• 
  Barrel Length: 3.32 inches

• 
  Weight: 20 ounces

• 
  Price: $699

Key Features

• 
  Ships with two magazines (12-round and 10-rounds)

• 
  Cut for RMSc optics

• 
  DLC finished slide

Last September, Hecker & Koch announced the creation of HK-USA, based in Columbus, Georgia, with the promise to launch several new products designed and built in the United States in 2025. The HK CC9 is the first of those and I’m happy to report that it sets the bar pretty high for whatever HK-USA has next in store.

This micro 9mm, optimized for concealed carry (hence CC9) checks all the boxes we look for in a sub-compact carry gun. Its striker-fired system is easy to operate. The shape of the grip and its light texture pattern offer enough purchase for the shooter’s hands without being snaggy. The slide has an optics cut for RMSc-pattern dots and the frame incorporates a two-slot Pic rail under the dust cover for accessories. The controls, including the ambidextrous magazine release, operate in a positive manner, yet have a low profile.

The geometry of the CC9 deserves special mention. The pistol is radiused all around (other than the front of the pic rail) to minimize hanging up on holsters or clothing. The rear of the trigger guard and the beavertail are both cut high so the pistol sits low in the hand, mitigating muzzle flip. The frame is fairly narrow to enhance the pistol’s ability to be concealed. And you can customize the length of pull with interchangeable backstraps.

We felt the trigger stroke was a bit long, and every now and then the slide wouldn’t lock open on an empty magazine but, other than that, we had no serious criticisms.

We loved that the pistol handled every type of ammo we put through it and we found it to be eminently shootable even with +P ammo, which isn’t a given for this category. Considering the feature set and how it shoots, it is also a good value. It’s clear that HK-USA did its homework with the CC9 and it went home with a well-deserved Editor’s Choice as the best handgun for concealed carry.

Retay ACE (Great Buy)

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Pros

• Excellent value
• Reliable operation
• Versatile

Cons

• Harsh recoil with game loads

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Key Features

• 
  Intended use

  
  Waterfowl and general bird hunting

• 
  Included chokes

  
  Cyl, IC, MOD, IM, F, and extended IM

• 
  Shim kit included

• 
  Barrel Finish

  
  Matte black

• 
  Stock:

  
  Black composite

• 
  Airy recoil pad

• 
  Made in Turkey

Retay has a smart formula that works. The company makes Benelli clones built in Turkey at attractive prices. The quality of these shotguns — from a purely functional standpoint — has been quite good in our experience. Benelli still makes a better overall gun in terms of fit and finish, aesthetics, and workmanship — but Retay checks all the boxes when it comes to the basics.

The ACE, new for this year, is a solid 3-inch, 12-gauge, inertia gun. Even under the Sauron-like gaze of our test team we couldn’t find fault. The controls are easy to operate and intuitive. The action ran smoothly for us with no glitches. And most importantly, it points and shoots great.

We found it to be incredibly intuitive to use. Granted, all of us are experienced Benelli shooters, but even so we think this gun deserves high marks for its simplicity.

As a do-it-all bird gun few others match it for value. You can take this gun pretty much anywhere birds are hunted and not be handicapped. With that level of versatility and reliability it was an easy pick as this year’s Great Buy.

Mossberg 500 Turkey (Editor’s Choice)

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Pros

• Long history of reliability
• Ambidextrous safety
• Optics ready
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy recoil
• Has a plastic exterior feel

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• 
  Receiver is cut for an RMSc footprint red dot  

• 
  Tang-mounted safety  

• 
  Ulti Full Choke  

• 
  22-inch barrel  

• 
  Weight:

  
  6.75 pounds  

• 
  Overall Length:

  
  44.75 inches  

• 
  Mossy Oak Greenleaf camo

• 
  Made in USA

I’ve hunted turkeys with Mossberg shotguns for decades and what I love most about them is that they cycle consistently and always go bang when I squeeze the trigger. A beater 500 will get splashed with snow, rain, mud, and turkey blood every season and just keeps running. 

The 500 Turkey (available in 20 gauge and .410) feature all the reliability and accuracy of the previous models while also sporting an optic-ready receiver.

Thanks to an ingenious design from Mossberg, its receiver has a little cut-out that fits any red dot sight with a RMSc footprint. Mossberg even offers a combo version of this gun with a Holosun sight installed. The result of this design is that the optic is mounted low on the gun allowing you to make a solid cheek weld on the stock. It also makes for a slim rig. As far as out-of-the box turkey setups go, you won’t do better than this one. Considering you can get the package for about $700, it’s a heck of a deal.

While the OL team has experienced solid field performance with all the Mossberg models, they aren’t always the tightest patterning turkey guns out there. If you intend to shoot at longer distances (beyond 40 yards), it’s a good idea to invest in an aftermarket turkey choke, TSS loads, and do thorough pattern testing. —Alex Robinson

Beretta 1301 Tactical C

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Pros

• Blazing fast action
• Soft shooting
• Great feature set

Cons

• Nothing of note

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Key Features

• 
  Intended use:

  
  Tactical and personal protection

• 
  Included chokes:

  
  C Optima Choke HP

• 
  Barrel Finish:

  
  OD Green

• 
  Stock:

  
  Synthetic (OD Green)

• 
  Pic rail included

• 
  Ghost ring sights

• 
  M-Lok in forend

• 
  Adjustable comb

• 
  Capacity:

  
  7+1

• 
  Made in Italy

The Beretta 1301 series is top dog in today’s tactical shotgun market. The feature set, quality of construction, shootability, and reliability is second-to-none. The 1301 Mod 2, which we tested last year, ran away with the Editor’s Choice award. This version, the Tactical C, has the same bones but swaps the folding stock by Chisel Machine for the fixed stock and there’s a version that has  capacity knocked back to 5+1 (however the one we tested had a 7+1 capacity).

We ran this gun hard during the test, and it confirmed that our enthusiasm for the platform isn’t misplaced. It cycles wickedly fast and manages recoil like a champ. The well-shaped stock, with its aggressive texturing, helps you maintain control even during enthusiastic mag dumps.

The gun comes with sturdy and effective ghost-ring sights, has M-Lok slot on the fore-end to mount accessories, and an adjustable comb to tune cheek piece height. With its 18.5-inch barrel, the shotgun is maneuverable. For the heck of it, I ran it on flying clays where it held its own, but its sweet spot is on a flat range smacking steel and punching paper.

It is a confidence-boosting gun that is fun to shoot and is a great option for home defense, competition, and general training. Read our full review of the best shotguns for home defense.

Beretta A300 Patrol (Great Buy)

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Pros

• Excellent value
• Good feature set
• Easy to shoot fast and under control

Cons

• Nothing of note

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Key Features

• 
  Intended use:

  
  Tactical and personal protection

• 
  Included chokes:

  
  IC (Mobil system)

• 
  Barrel Finish:

  
  Matte black

• 
  Stock:

  
  Synthetic (black)

• 
  Included ghost ring sight

• 
  7-slot Picatinny rail

• 
  3 M-Lok mounting points and 3 QD sling mounting points

• 
  Includes stock spacer kit

• 
  7+1 capacity

• 
  Made in USA

The A300 Patrol is the 1301 Tactical’s baby brother at a more attainable price (the main difference is the 1301 has a rotating bolt head and Beretta’s B-Link operating system, which is to say it’s faster and softer shooting). The A300 has all the features one wants in a tactical shotgun and, provided you clean it from time to time, will give many years of reliable service.

The Patrol comes ready to accessorize with its 7-slot Picatinny rail on the receiver — though the included ghost-ring peep sights are very capable — and multiple M-Lok slots on the fore-end and on the barrel clamp — which also has QD cups to clip in a sling.

We really like the Patrol’s ergonomics. Over-sized controls and large loading port let you run the gun even with gloves on. The cross-bolt safety on the front of the trigger guard is one of our favorite designs.

Another thing we like about the Patrol is that, like other A300s, it is made in the U.S., which keeps costs down relative to Berettas made in Italy.

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