Even though many exhibitors in the nine exhibition halls were there for the first time (and some, such as the start-up OPOS, also showed exciting prototypes), at IWA there are many classic exhibitors, often family-owned, whose management has been passed down through generations. Of course, hardly anyone will come close to the almost 500 years that the global company Beretta will complete in 2026, but the 100 years of barrel manufacturer Lothar Walther will also be celebrated this year, as well as 75 years of Heckler & Koch.
Business relationships overseas also develop over years and decades, others in a matter of seconds: the all4shooters.com team met the manager from Chinese light manufacturer Olight in the lift, he read our press signs, briefly exchanged business cards, then visited the trade fair booth. The Asians presented an innovative automatic charger for AAA and AA format batteries: empty batteries are thrown in at the top, the direction doesn't matter, defective batteries fly into an extra drawer, the charged batteries roll out again at the bottom.
We are more into classic magazines from the firearms sector. But let's see: maybe one of the more than 1,000 exhibitors will be presenting a similar machine to make the annoying task of ammunition loading easier? In any case, you would read about it here at all4shooters.com: below you will find the first highlights directly from the trade fair. Our team is back on site (more precisely: in our own press office in the NCC Ost building) and will be roaming the exhibition halls until Sunday. By the way: if there are any more exciting products to be found by the end of the first day of the IWA, we will keep updating the report, so keep an eye on it and/or bookmark it.
IWA 2025: World premiere of the revolutionary Opos Venator, a pistol with low barrel axis, modular sighting system and optional vision add-on module for "looking into the gun"
Our first shoot on the first day of IWA OutdoorClassics 2025 in Nuremberg takes us straight to a world premiere: Opos is presenting a completely new approach to pistol construction with its 9mm Venator pistol. Over the past few years, the Austrian company has developed a completely new platform that combines state-of-the-art mechanics with innovative, optional electronics, as Opos Managing Director Florian Tripaum proudly announces. In addition to an absolutely high-quality overall design and a crisp trigger, the technical highlights include an exceptionally low barrel axis. This design is based on a rotating barrel lock with the barrel positioned under the recoil spring assembly, which is intended to reduce recoil and significantly minimise muzzle flip. The result: an extraordinarily pleasant shooting experience. The design of the slide allows the use of sights that can be flexibly mounted either on the slide or fixed on the frame. The Opos Venator pistol is fed from a modified 18-round magazine based on the tried-and-tested Beretta 92. The Venator concept is complemented by a futuristic-looking system in the form of a separately available Opos Vision module: This module provides important data in real time, such as the remaining round count, gun temperature and shots fired so far – the pistol "counts" even without a battery, so that even maintenance intervals and any warranty services can be planned precisely. Production takes place entirely in Austria: 300 units are planned for this year. The basic model of the Venator is priced at 4,250 euros. The optional vision module will be added at the beginning of next year at a price of 950 euros. You can find out everything else about the new OPOS Venator first-hand in our video and on the manufacturer's website.
IWA 2025: European premiere of the Hornady Mobilis gun safe series in three sizes with many security features
The Hornady Mobilis gun safes will be making their European debut at IWA 2025: high-security steel safes in three sizes that have been developed for the optimum storage of firearms and accessories. The safes are now certified according to EN 1143-1 in Class 2 – the highest security level according to the European standard. Despite this, the Hornady Mobilis safes can be easily assembled by one user (or two users in the case of the largest model) at the desired location – and at a favourable price, as the Hornady Mobilis safes are delivered to your home in individual parts. Special features include Hornady's extremely practical Square-Lok system, which allows customised configuration inside (for numerous guns, magazines, silencers, ammunition, thermal imaging devices and other accessories), as well as integrated elements such as lighting that is activated by a motion sensor. Dehumidification bars to ensure an optimum climate in the gun cabinet and a power connection are also built in. An external combination lock – including an emergency opening function with key – and fire-resistant components in the construction provide additional protection. The list price is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 euros for the largest model of the Hornady Mobilis safe. Further information is available directly from Hornady.
IWA 2025: 9mm Beretta APX A1 Tactical FDE
For military enthusiasts, the acronym FDE is eloquent, but for those who don't know, it is an abbreviation for Flat Dark Eart, that is a shade of earth-toned brown. The new iteration of the Beretta APX A1 semi-automatic pistol in 9mm Luger has a barrel in this color shade. The Beretta APX A1 Tactical FDE, as the name suggests has been developed for operations and incorporates technical details for those seeking maximum performance in their gun. It features a 121-millimeter barrel with muzzle thread and suppressor sights to make suppressor use easier (where permitted). In addition, the slide is optics-ready. The Beretta APX A1 Tactical's extended magazine has a capacity of 19 rounds. The grip has interchangeable backstraps that allow better fit to the user's hand.
IWA 2025: .44 Magnum Pedersoli Jackal
Pedersoli's Jackal pump-action rifle hides a highly refined technological heart behind its Western-style aesthetics. Chambered in .44 Magnum, it is inspired by the venerable Colt Lightning rifle manufactured from 1884 to 1904; 131 years later, the design has been revised and corrected, enabling the Jackal to fire the powerful .44 Magnum cartridge with great efficiency and, above, all safety. The Jackal's steel receiver is Cerakote-finished, while the Match-type barrel is 483 millimeters long and a 1:20” twist. The muzzle is 5/8x24 UNF threaded. The Pedersoli Jackal offers the user an elevation- and windage-adjustable rear sight with high-visibility inserts and a ramped front sight, also with fiber optic insert. Mechanics have been optimized to prevent cartridges getting hang up, even when using hunting ammunition with difficult bullet profiles. Indeed, this is a rifle designed primarily for hunting, but also for recreational shooting.
IWA 2025: Benelli Lupo Alpha – Ultra-light special model of the popular bolt-action rifle
Benelli is offering a particularly lightweight special model of the popular Lupo bolt-action hunting rifle. It goes by the name of Alpha and comes with obvious key features on the outside, which trim the rifle for absolute weight savings: these include, in particular, the skeletonised stock, the milled bedding block and a barrel that differs from the standard model. Despite the steel receiver, the Benelli Lupo Alpha only weighs 2.6 kilograms. Nevertheless, Benelli has placed particular emphasis on stability, as this remains completely untouched. The prices and exact availability of the limited special edition are not yet known. Further information can be found in the video, on the website of manufacturer Benelli.
IWA 2025: Beretta DT 11 Pyramide, the special model of the world's most successful sporting shotgun, limited to 300 units worldwide
With 17 out of a possible 18 Olympic medals, Beretta shotgunners achieved the (almost) maximum haul in Chateauroux last year. And all of them exclusively with the Beretta DT11 over-and-under shotgun – the "DT" stands for Detachable Trigger, but the excellent detachable trigger is just one of many success factors. The DT11 is now available as a "Pyramide" limited special edition, with only 300 units worldwide The distinctive external features are the geometric 3D pyramid texture engraved with a 5-axis laser, the DT11 logo and on the characteristic rounded surface of the receiver shoulders.The DT11 Pyramid is available with barrel lengths of 76 cm or 81 cm for the Sporting, 75 cm for the Trap and 73 cm for the Skeet version and is supplied with Beretta Optimachoke HP interchangeable chokes. There is already a detailed portrait of the DT11 Pyramid at all4hunters.com. The recommended retail prices are around 10 per cent higher than the standard version. Incidentally, these limited edition Beretta shotguns are often more expensive second-hand than when purchased new and are therefore also a good investment. Further information can be found on the Beretta website.
IWA 2025: New products from Leupold – Mark 5HD 2-10x30, VX-6HD GEN 2 and BX-4 Range HD Gen 2
US optics specialist Leupold will be presenting a whole range of new products at the IWA 2025. One of the centerpieces is certainly the Mark 5HD 2-10x30 riflescope. This is a premium scope that not only makes a name for itself with its high quality and extreme durability, but also boasts some exciting features. Above all, this includes the CMR-MIL reticle: it is located in the first focal plane and therefore also magnifies. In the higher zoom levels, it shows a downward-opening circle, allowing precise shots. However, if you now set the scope to a lower level, it looks like a luminous dot. The Mark 5HD 2-10x30 is also perfect for use as an attachment base: stable tube body, perfect magnification range and parallax compensation.
If you would like to find out more about the binoculars, the VX-6HD GEN 2 or the BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 rangefinder, it is best to watch the video or visit the Leupold website.
Further important links relating to IWA OutdoorClassics 2025
- IWA preview at all4shooters.com, part 1: Key questions about brands and new products
- IWA preview at all4shooters.com, part 2: Knives and outdoor
- IWA preview at all4shooters.com, part 3: Action sports and dynamic shooting
- IWA preview at all4shooters.com, part 4: Why it's worth visiting
- IWA supporting program
IWA website with all information for visitors, exhibitors and the trade press.
