BUL Armory does not have a booth at SHOT and so uses the IWA Outdoor Classics show to announce new models. As our viewers and readers know, we're fans of the SAS II line of pistols. I carried the SAS II UL 3.25 all summer, used it at the Guardian Conference, and have been carrying the larger SAS II TAC 4.25 in the cooler months.
For 2024 BUL Armory has updated both of those models as well as the Axe line of striker-fired, performance Glock-design-based pistols (Axe Tomahawk updated were previously covered HERE). There have been some updates to the high-end competition models, but as practical shooters we kept our focus on pistols one might use for defense.
The SAS II UL 3.25 that wowed Teya and I in our initial review has had its name simplified to just "Ultralight". Grip texture has been made more aggressive and slide serrations reshaped to provide both a deeper, better bite. While the older SAS II UL 3.25 had a smaller-circumference grip than a standard model, the new Ultralight has the same grip circumference as it's larger siblings. The dual-tone accents of the older model have been replaced with blackened parts for a more serious-looking pistol. The slide has porting on the regular model to allow for V-6 porting of the barrel on the PRO models. These pistols also use Bul Armory's new optics mounting solution which is covered later in this article. Pricing for the Ultralight is currently set at $1,750 for the Ultralight and $1,950 for the Ultarlight Pro with V-6 porting. Interestingly these new models weight in at 23.6oz while the older model we reviewed previsouly weight 23 ounces even; the difference I could see is the barrels is no longer fluted.
The SAS II TAC which I fell in love with during our initial review has also evolved. The lighter-weight aluminum frame that the SAS II TAC had is now in a model appropriately named the EDC. There is a steel frame model now called the TAC for those wanting 5.5oz more nose weight. Like the Ultralight, slide serrations have been updated Both models are available with V-8 porting in a PRO configuration. Non-ported models feature the same fiber-optic front sight I swapped to on my SAS II TAC 4.25, ported models naturally have a blacked out steel sight. Pricing for the lighter EDC model with a 4.25" barrel is set at $1,850 and $2,050 for the ported PRO model. The heavier steel-framed TAC models are available with a 4.25" or 5" barrel and priced at $2,250 for standard and $2,450 for ported. These guns include four magazines and three optics plates making them very competitively priced.
A new optics-mounting solution was also on display from BUL Armory. The BAO plate system smartly uses a champfered rectangle in the center to handle load and shock stress both side to side and fore and aft. This removes the sheer stress typically put on mounting screws. Screws and bolts are used for handling loads across their length, not diameter; this is one reason why we see optic mounting screws break from the sheer forces applied as an optic attempts to shift fore and aft with each cycling of the slide.
The BUL Armory BAO system is on the new-for 2024 handguns shown above and will be available for all major optic footprints. From my limited understanding of mechanical principles this system should make for more more solidly-mounted optics, reduced zero loss, and fewer broken screws (BUL Armory can't guarantee the screws that came with your optic were quality to begin with).
About Availability: I know some of you have been frustrated at the challenge of getting hands on a BUL Armory handgun. BUL Armory will not cut corners in manufacturing to increase output. This mantains quality, but also means some models can be scarce at times. My recommendation, as well as theirs, is to sign up for the email in-stock alerts and be ready to buy the moment you get that in-stock email. BUL Armory USA has had shipments sell out in a matter of hours. From reports I've seen online, part of this problem seems to be hawks buying them up to then resell them above MSRP on auction sites.
The best thing we as average consumers can to to fight that is to simply not buy "new" BUL Armory pistols from a flipper. If demand reduces there, so will the motivation to buy out and flip shipments. I'm just as American capitalist as the next guy, but that also means understanding how supply and demand can be manipulated by those with more greed than love of the gun. As a gun lover I will not support such greed.