I am not sure if it was the struggling economy or Orlando's lackluster night life, but attendance at the 2009 Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show was definitely down. Fortunately, it seems the serious buyers still came because, according to the majority of the manufacturers in attendance, orders were up significantly. That's good news for shooters and hunters because it means they'll be able to peruse all the coolest new offerings in their local gunshops. The following are some of the new-for-2009 rifles that caught my eye at this year's SHOT Show.

ArmaLite
ArmaLite's newest entries focus on more oomph for the AR platform. A new .338 Federal rifle should be perfect for hunters, and a new 6.8mm SPC carbine is aimed at the defensive market, but my pick of the new ArmaLite entries is the latest M15 A4 carbine in 7.62x39.

The carbine-length gun uses a mid-length handguard and gas system for the utmost reliability. A two-stage trigger, a collapsible buttstock, and a Picatinny-spec gas block are all standard. The forged upper receiver is a flat-top design with numbered rails. The forged lower accepts the supplied 10-round magazine or any Mil-Spec AR mag. The 16-inch, chrome-lined barrel is a stepped-down M4 design and is capped with an A2-style flash hider. MSRP is $1,107.

Barrett
Barrett's latest offering, the 98B, is a futuristic-looking, long-range tactical rifle. The 13.5-pound .338 Lapua has a 27-inch, fluted, match-grade barrel and an ergonomic buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull that allows the big boomer to fit users of all sizes. Feeding is via a 10-round, polymer magazine. The 98 Bravo's massive bolt silently glides on polymer guides. An oversized bolt knob provides enough leverage to make operation effortless and allows the user to maintain a solid cheek weld. A rear monopod and forward-mounted Harris bipod offer a solid rest, and an integral Picatinny-spec rail offers scope mounting flexibility. MSRP is $4,495.

Browning
Browning's latest introductions are extensions of the popular X-Bolt line that was introduced last year. The svelte, easy-carrying Micro Hunter is offered in .22-250, .243 Win., 7mm-08, .308 Win., .270 WSM, 7mm WSM, .300 WSM, and .325 WSM at an MSRP of $839 to $869. The heavy-barreled Varmint Stalker is every prairie dog's nightmare and is chambered for .223 Rem., .22-250, .243 Win., and .308 Win. It retails for $1,019. Of course, the new guns retain the X-Bolt's 60-degree bolt lift, detachable rotary magazine, Inflex recoil pad, Feather trigger, and X-Lock scope-mounting system.

CZ-USA
I'm proud to say that the latest long gun from CZ-USA's custom shop, the Express Rifle, is an exact copy of a rifle I had the firm build for me late last year. The new rifle is built along the lines of CZ's Magnum Express Rifle with a barrel-band front sight and sling swivel; three-leaf island rear sight; dual crossbolts; and a sleek, sexy stock of nicely figured wood. It is built on the standard 550 action and features controlled-round feed and a claw extractor. Available chamberings include .270 Win., .30-06, .300 H&H, .300 Win. Mag., .300 Ultra Mag, 9.3x62, .375 Ruger, .416 Ruger, .416 Taylor, and .425 Westley Richards. MSRP is $2,600 before options.

DPMS
The new REPR from DPMS is a 7.62x51 precision rifle. The REPR's lower is machined from a solid forging of 6061-T6 aluminum. Magpul's adjustable PRS buttstock and Hogue's pistol grip are standard. The thick-walled upper is extruded from 6066-T6 aluminum. It has an integral, A3-height Picatinny scope-mounting rail with 30 minutes of angle built in to allow the operator to dial in elevation corrections out to 1,000 yards and beyond. An 18-inch, button-rifled barrel; Gem-Tech flash suppressor/suppressor adaptor; free-floated handguard with four accessory rails; and coyote brown-colored Teflon finish are standard. MSRP was not available at press time.