New gun releases hit fast these days. This week alone we're seeing a PRS-specific precision rifle, an affordable workhorse bolt gun getting caliber expansion, and two variations of Smith & Wesson's M&P 9 M2.0 optic-ready pistol. That's the kind of lineup that matters to people actually shooting and carrying—not marketing fluff.
I've got opinions on all four. Here's what's actually worth your attention.
Bergara Premier Competition Elite
Bergara built this one with tunnel vision: Precision Rifle Series competition. The Premier Competition Elite is a 12-round magazine-fed bolt rifle starting at $2,999 MSRP and available in seven calibers—22 Creedmoor, 25 Creedmoor, 6mm Dasher, 6mm GT, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5mm Creedmoor, and 308 Winchester.
The platform matters here. You're getting an MDT ACC Elite Chassis stock—that's the same foundation serious competitors use on custom builds, but Bergara's doing the work for you. Stainless steel No. 7 taper barrel, graphite black Cerakote, three locking lugs with a 60-degree bolt throw. The free-floating design starts at 13.5 pounds.
This isn't a hunting rifle. This isn't a general-purpose gun. If you're shooting PRS matches or doing long-range precision work on a budget relative to a custom build, this fills that gap. The price is aggressive for what you're getting—a complete, competition-ready chassis rifle without the $4,500+ custom shop wait time.
Legal note: Magazine-fed rifles face bans or restrictions in California, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and a handful of other states with assault weapon definitions. Check your local laws before ordering.
Savage Arms Model 334
Savage keeps iterating on the Model 334, and this expansion makes sense. The Model 334 now ships in .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and .350 Legend at $459 MSRP. They're also releasing compact walnut variants.
The core rifle is solid: 60-degree bolt lift, three locking lugs, free-floating carbon steel barrel with an 11-degree target crown. That's entry-level precision rifle architecture at a price point that makes sense for someone building their first precision gun or stocking a second rifle for hunting season.
.350 Legend is the interesting add here. It's becoming a viable deer round in states that require straight-walled cartridges, so Savage adding it to the 334 lineup catches that growing segment. The .223 option appeals to target shooters who don't want to spend $2,999 on competition hardware but still want consistency and accuracy.
At $459, you're not buying a Bergara. You're buying something functional, accurate enough for what most hunters and recreational shooters do, and available immediately. That's legitimate value in a market where base-model rifles often cost twice this much.
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Optic Ready—No Thumb Safety
The M&P 9 M2.0 with no thumb safety is the frame-and-carry option for people who've standardized on red dots. Optics-ready slide, 15-round capacity, striker-fired, and configured for shooters who don't want manual safety controls.
Smith & Wesson's M2.0 platform is proven. Better ergonomics than the original, better trigger out of the box, better controls overall. The optics-ready cut means you're mounting a Trijicon RMR, Holosun, Deltapoint Pro, or whatever you've chosen without adapters or secondary milling. That matters when you're carrying or when accuracy counts in training.
This variant is for people carrying optics-equipped duty guns or who've made the shift to dots in their carry setup. No thumb safety means faster presentation and fewer decision points in a defensive context—you present the gun, it's ready to fire. If that matches your training, this works.
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Optic Ready—Thumb Safety
The same M&P 9 M2.0 but with a manual thumb safety is the option for 1911 shooters or people with deep habits around manual safeties. Same optics-ready slide, same 15-round capacity, same M2.0 platform. The only mechanical difference is the safety lever.
This one's for shooters transitioning from 1911s who want modern ergonomics and a red dot but aren't comfortable without a thumb safety to manipulate. Or it's for people who've carried single-action safeties their entire lives and aren't changing that habit at 50.
Both M&P variants are solid guns. The platform's been in duty holsters, police cars, and range bags long enough to prove itself. The optics-ready cut reflects where carry guns have gone in the last five years. Magazine capacity and accuracy are there.
Which One I'd Actually Buy
That depends on what I'm doing this month. If I'm running PRS matches, the Bergara is the only option here—it's built specifically for that task. If I'm looking for a general-purpose rifle for hunting or training at a sane price point, the Savage makes sense. Fifteen years into owning guns, most of my budget goes to ammunition and training anyway. A $459 rifle that shoots accurately gets me there.
On the pistol side, I carry a dot-equipped gun already, so the M&P 9 M2.0 without the thumb safety fits my setup. I manipulate a safety on my rifle, not on my handgun. That's my system. But I'm not going to tell someone who's carried a 1911 for thirty years to drop the thumb safety option. Know your own preferences and buy accordingly.
DownRange Bottom Line: This week's releases cover specific needs instead of generic appeal. The Bergara competes directly with $3,500+ custom builds and wins on lead time. The Savage 334 is a legitimate bargain for shooters building their first precision rifle. The M&P 9 M2.0 variants finally give optics-ready carry guns real mainstream distribution in both safety configurations. None of these are revolutionary. All of them are practical purchases for serious users. Buy the one that matches your actual shooting.