Every year we get the chance to call the gun, ammo and optics companies and cajole them into spilling the beans on what they have planned for the coming year. And believe us, it's not as easy as it sounds. But judging from what we got them to divulge, 2007 is going to a banner year for shooters looking to spend a few bucks. So dive in and start the New Year off right with a big 'ol wish list.

ArmaLite

ArmaLite AR-24

The well-known black-gun rifle maker is now in the pistol biz. The AR-24 is made in Turkey and is available in 9mm and .40 S&W on a compact frame. The AR-26 is available in .45 ACP. We will keep readers updated on this pistol as guns become available. www.armalite.com, 309/944-6939

Browning

Browning Muck Mark Plus UDX

The venerable Buck Mark semiauto rimfire pistol now has a UDX line, so named for a new set of stocks called Ultragrip DX. Standard features include a five-inch barrel, adjustable Pro-Target rear sight and Truglo/Marbles fiber-optic front sight. The Plus UDX has brown walnut laminate grips with matte blue finish, and there's a Plus Stainless Black UDX with stainless metal and black laminate grips. A rosewood-grip version with matte blue finish is also available through select dealers. Suggested retail ranges from $330 to $357. www.browning.com, 801/876-2711

Chaparral Arms

Chaparral Arms 1873 Peacemaker

This importer of Italian-made Cowboy Action replicas is offering an 1873 Peacemaker in .357, .44-40 and .45 Colt. Barrel lengths are 4 3/4, 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 inches. www.chaparralfirearms.com, 866/769-4867

FNH-USA

FNH-USA FNP-45

America's favorite handgun caliber is in a new platform. The FNP-45 is a traditional double-action .45 ACP auto with a polymer frame, interchangeable backstrap inserts, accessory rail and ambidextrous decocking levers and magazine release. It can be had with a matte black stainless steel or matte silver stainless slide. www.fnhusa.com, 703/288-1292

Nighthawk Custom

Vickers Tactical 1911 .45 Auto

Built in conjunction with noted pistolero Larry Vickers, the new Vickers Tactical 1911 .45 auto from Nighthawk employs Caspian components such as the integral plunger tube and tactical magazine well and a trigger developed by Hamilton Yam. It features a black finish, tan Strider Simonich grips, STI hammer and Heinie low-mount night sights. Options include Crimson Trace LaserGrips, ambidextrous safeties, Bo-Mar adjustable sights and a Coyote Tan finish. Suggested retail is $2,875. www.nighthawkcustom.com, 877/268-4867

Para-Ordnance

Para-Ordnance Tac-Forty LDA

Para-Ord's new Tac-Forty is a Light Double Action semiauto with a match-grade 4 1/2-inch-barreled 15+1-shot duty pistol in .40 S&W. It features a stainless receiver and three-dot drift-adjustable combat sights. Suggested retail is $1,047. The company also now has a full-size .45 ACP version of its Warthog ($899) and a single-stack Nite-Tac LDA ($1,124)--as well as new Tactical Duty (stainless with cocobolo grips, $1,169) and PXT 1911 Stainless (three-dot combat sights, $1,064) single-action, single-stack pistols. www.paraord.com, 416/297-7855