Gun Industry Insider

Episode 11: April 18, 2025 – Releases, Retro, and Rivalry: The Firearms Industry Update

Gun Industry Insider Episode 11

In this episode, we dive into three new firearm releases shaping the industry: the Springfield Kuna’s innovative roller-delayed blowback system, the Walther PP in .32 Auto’s blend of history and modern appeal, and the Ruger RXM’s value-driven challenge to established models. We’ll explore their features, market appeal, and how they could impact your business. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the firearms world with Gun Industry Insider!

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Welcome back to Gun Industry Insider, where we bring you the latest developments shaping the firearms industry. I’m your host, Ray Toofan, and today is April 18, 2025. In this episode, we're spotlighting three firearm releases that you may not be familiar with: the Springfield Kuna, with its cutting-edge roller-delayed blowback system; the Walther PP in .32 Auto, a historic design updated for modern shooters; and the Ruger RXM, a competitively priced striker-fired pistol challenging the status quo. We'll unpack their features, market appeal, and how they could influence your business decisions. These aren’t just headlines—they’re insights that could shape your next move. Let’s get started.

First up, the Springfield Kuna pistol. Springfield Armory released this 9mm Personal Defense Weapon recently, and it’s worth a look for anyone in the industry. It’s built for portability and performance, balancing personal defense needs with range practicality.

The key feature is its roller-delayed blowback system, similar to the HK SP5. This design uses a single vertical roller to slow the bolt, cutting down on recoil and keeping moving parts to a minimum. The result is better control for the shooter. The barrel’s 6 inches, cold hammer-forged, and threaded for suppressors, which opens up options for customization. Weight comes in at 4 pounds, 10 ounces without a brace, and it’s 15.5 inches long. Add the optional Strike Industries FSA brace, and you’re just over 5 pounds.

You get two 30-round translucent magazines with it. They’re proprietary, but the $25 MSRP per mag keeps costs reasonable for customers to purchase additional mags. Controls are fully ambidextrous—safety, magazine release, bolt release—so you can market it to left-handed users. The handguard has M-LOK slots for accessories, and a Picatinny rail up top handles optics. The sights are adjustable hybrid flip-ups: flipped up, you’ve got a precision aperture rear and ring post front; folded down, it’s a white dot front and U-notch rear, nesting into the rail, which is a neat feature.

Price-wise, the base model’s MSRP is $999, with wholesale around $800, and the braced version is $1,149, with wholesale around $900. It’s positioned competitively in the PDW market, offering solid value for the features. Reviews on social media—like The Armory Life and Shooting Illustrated—have said positive things. They’ve highlighted the precision, light build, and ambidextrous design, with more detailed reviews on the way. That kind of feedback can spark customer interest and foot traffic.

For shop owners, this could be a smart inventory pick. The roller-delayed system and 30-round capacity appeal to personal defense buyers and range shooters alike. With its pricing, you’ve got room for decent margins while giving customers a good value for their money. Sales reps can point to it as a lower priced alternative to something like the HK SP5. Gunsmiths might see potential here too. The M-LOK slots and Picatinny rail make it easy to add accessories, and since it only comes in black right now, there’s also opportunity for Cerakote jobs.

The Springfield Kuna brings a relatively strong mix of features and price to the table. It’s entering the PDW space with something to offer, and it’ll be interesting to see how it does with customers. If you’re looking to stock something fresh that’s getting attention, this might be worth considering. 

Next, let’s talk about the Walther PP in .32 Auto. This pistol first showed up in 1929, and Walther decided to bring it back for the current era. Its smaller, and arguably more famous brother, is the PPK, which was released in 1931. But the PP is the OG of the series. The PP is a SA/DA pistol that’s been known as a reliable handgun for nearly a hundred years. This modern version essentially keeps the original design but uses modern materials and manufacturing techniques. It’s chambered in .32 ACP, also known as 7.65mm Browning, which means low recoil and easy handling for certain shooters. Although the cartridge is the classic one the PP was chambered in, its popularity is not what it once was.

Some specifications about the pistol. It has a 3.9-inch barrel, holds 8 rounds, and weighs 24 ounces. Made in Germany, so you know the quality is solid. The trigger is 6 pounds in single-action, 13 pounds in double-action—nothing surprising there. You get a manual safety, two magazines, and a stainless or black finish. Price is set at $969 retail, or around $825 wholesale, so it’s aimed at the slightly higher end market.

Who’s going to be the typical buyer for this pistol? Generally, it’s geared towards collectors, they’ll like it because it’s tied to firearms history. It may also have some appeal for concealed carry, it works for people who want less kick. The .32 Auto isn’t as strong as a .380 or 9mm, but it’s simpler to shoot, especially for beginners or those with smaller hands due to its thin grip.

If you own a shop, this isn’t going to fly off the shelves like a polymer striker-fired concealed carry pistol. It’s more of a specialty item. The price gives you room for profit, and the Walther name means something. Sales reps can pitch the German build and the story—it’s a reissue of a design that’s been around forever. Gunsmiths probably won’t get much business from the PP, most owners of the pistol aren’t going to want to customize it and will probably keep it as-is.

Not much out there yet from reviewers and social media, but the chatter is positive. People who’ve tried the PPK/S in .32 Auto say it’s smooth to shoot and has that historical appeal. There’s talk about whether .32 Auto cuts it for self-defense—some say yes, some say no. That’s a discussion your customers will have. 

The Walther PP in .32 Auto mixes old-school design with new production. It’s not for every buyer, but it fits a specific crowd. If you’re looking to carry something with a background that stands out, this could be worth stocking.

 

Finally, let’s talk about the Ruger RXM pistol, a striker-fired 9mm that came out in December. It’s designed to compete with the Glock 19, and it’s got some features worth discussing for anyone in the industry. The barrel is 4 inches long, the magazine holds 15 rounds, which is Gen 3 compatible, and the whole thing weighs around 24 ounces. The slide is alloy steel with a nitride finish, which keeps it durable and resistant to corrosion. The grip module is polymer and it’s textured, but it has a stainless steel Fire Control Insert, similar to how Sig has their Fire Control Unit, which is the serialized part of the firearm. It’s ready for optics right out of the box, has a reversible magazine release, and has an accessory rail for mounting lights or lasers.

The MSRP is $499, wholesale is around $350, which puts it below Glock in terms of price point. Ruger’s aiming for value, competing more with the PSA Dagger rather than Glock, and that’s clear in the build. With the RXM, the trigger is a strong point—it’s crisp, with a short reset, and people are saying it feels better than Glock’s stock trigger. The grip angle is also different, closer to a 1911 than Glock’s steeper design, which might appeal to shooters who find Glock’s ergonomics off. Early testing shows it’s reliable too. Some have run a few thousand rounds through it without issues, so it’s holding up well so far.

That said, there are questions about long-term durability. Glock has decades of proven performance, while the RXM is still new and untested over time. Aftermarket support is another factor. Glock has endless options for holsters, sights, and upgrades, but the RXM’s ecosystem is just starting to develop. That could slow adoption for shooters who rely on customization.

For shop owners, this pistol makes sense to stock. The price is competitive, it’s made in the U.S., and it comes with a lifetime warranty—points that sell. Sales staff can highlight the trigger and ergonomics to customers, as those stand out in handling. Gunsmiths might get some work doing stippling, cerakoting, slide cuts, or porting. But don’t expect much aftermarket modification demand yet. The RXM fits a niche for buyers wanting a solid, affordable 9mm without Glock’s higher cost.

Ruger’s positioned this as a practical choice in the striker-fired market. It’s got the features and pricing to draw attention, and initial feedback is positive. Whether it can build a reputation to rival Glock will depend on how it performs over the next few years. For now, it’s a contender worth watching, especially for shops looking to offer something fresh. If you’ve handled one, you’ll notice the trigger and grip right away—those could be the deciding factors for a lot of buyers. Time will tell if Ruger’s got a real winner here, but it’s off to a solid start.

We’ve covered a lot today—the Springfield Kuna with its roller-delayed system, the Walther PP in .32 Auto blending history with modern reliability, and the Ruger RXM offering a value-driven alternative to established models. These aren’t just new products—they could shape how you stock your shelves, engage with customers, or position your business in a competitive market. Got thoughts or topics you’d like us to look into? Email us at insider@gunindustryinsider.com or reach out on X at @GunInsider. Stay tuned for the next episode—we’ll bring you more updates that matter to your shop or sales calls. Thanks for listening. Until next time!