In observance of the Easter holiday, we will not be publishing any wires tomorrow, Friday, April 3. We'll be back in your inbox Monday morning, April 6. We ask that you please submit news for publication on Monday no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday, April 4.
The Kinetic Group was named Rural King's Sporting Goods Vendor of the Year at the 2026 Annual Vendor Summit in Mattoon, Illinois. The award recognizes TKG's Federal Ammunition and affiliate brands for excellence, growth, and dedication to supporting Rural King's retail operations across rural America.
The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a supplemental brief in Brown v. ATF challenging the National Firearms Act's constitutionality after the One Big Beautiful Bill eliminated taxes on silencers and short-barreled rifles.
Hook & Barrel Magazine is hosting a sweepstakes giveaway featuring the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC, a compact full-size capacity firearm with a 4-inch barrel and optics-ready interface. The sweepstakes runs through April 30, 2026, with entry available on Hook & Barrel's website.
The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for March 2026 reached 1,412,917, a 1.9 percent increase from March 2025. NFA checks surged 121.2 percent to 206,871, with Texas, Florida, and Virginia leading in NFA activity. The National Shooting Sports Foundation provides these adjusted figures to reflect market conditions.
BANISH Suppressors announced its new Service Program, offering comprehensive maintenance for all BANISH customers within the first year of ownership. The program includes professional cleaning, ultrasonic internal cleaning, inspection, repairs, and Cerakote refinishing to ensure optimal suppressor performance.
Federal Ammunition is shipping new Champion Training 9mm handgun loads designed for volume shooters seeking consistent accuracy and reliable performance at affordable prices. The loads feature quality brass and primers for dependable ignition and smooth cycling, now available to retailers nationwide in 50 and 200 round-box options.
Sightron announces the new "Snap Focus" S6 10-60x56 ED MOA Field Target riflescopes featuring a redesigned parallax adjustment system with 270º precision rotation. Developed in collaboration with Garima Design & Customization, these premium scopes include 15 Japanese optical-grade glass lenses and are optimized for airgun, small caliber field target, and benchrest shooters.
Blackout Coffee has renewed its Silver-level corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). CEO John Santos emphasized the company's commitment to defending Second Amendment freedoms, while SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut praised Blackout Coffee's support through sponsorships and donations from their special SAF roast sales.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced left-handed models of the Ruger American Rifle Generation II in Ranch configuration with six chamberings. The compact rifles feature a 16.1" cold hammer-forged threaded barrel, radial port muzzle brake, Cobalt Cerakote finish, and improved ergonomics.
Lipsey's, a major firearms distributor, announces the Lipsey's Exclusive Ruger RXM COA Edition, featuring the Ruger RXM platform paired with the Aimpoint COA Red Dot Reflex Sight. Available in 15 and 17-round models with multiple frame colors, the 9mm pistol includes a Magpul Enhanced grip and factory-mounted optic for modern defensive use.
Trijicon Inc. is celebrating the production of over one million RMR reflex sights with a $100 rebate on eligible RMR Auto LED and RMR Adjustable LED Red Dot models purchased between April 3 and May 31, 2026. The rebate program is available at MillionthRMR.com.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has expanded its inventory to include products from Kaw Valley Precision, including muzzle devices, buffers, and AR-platform components. The partnership provides Zanders dealers access to the trusted brand's high-performance firearm accessories.
Bear & Son Cutlery introduces the 4-inch Large Sheepfoot Barlow, featuring a premium high carbon stainless steel blade and three handle options: Rosewood, White Smooth Bone, or Genuine India Stag Bone™. The lightweight knife weighs 2.9 ounces and is priced at $62.99–$79.99.
Shell Shock Technologies' Shell Tech ammunition division announced the return of its 5.56x45 NATO FMJ rounds featuring proprietary NAS3 nickel-stainless steel alloy cases. Customers can save eight percent on orders over $300 using code 556ISBACK from March 31 to April 11, 2026, at www.shellshocktechnologies.com.
Magnum Research and Iron Monkey Rifle Works have unveiled the limited-edition "Dueling Katanas" Desert Eagle, a .50 AE handgun featuring Japanese-inspired engraving, hand-polished components, and black nickel finish with DLC coating. Priced at $5,999.00, each firearm includes one seven-round magazine and represents a collaboration between the two companies blending artistic craftsmanship with ballistic performance.
Magnum Research announces the Desert Eagle Zirconium Nitride Gold Series, featuring a durable gold finish available in multiple calibers and configurations. Built on the Mark XIX platform with a 6-inch barrel and Picatinny rail, each pistol includes ambidextrous safety and ergonomic grips designed for .50 AE recoil management.
Kinetic Development Group's Kinect Series mounting system continues gaining traction among retailers and shooters seeking tool-free M-LOK accessory attachment. The system uses internal locking wedges for secure, stable connections without requiring screws or tools, appealing to both novice and experienced rifle builders.
DeSantis Gunhide introduces the Ruk-Pak Holster, a rigid Kydex off-body carry solution featuring self-stick loop mounting for backpacks and everyday carry. Available for Glock, Springfield Hellcat and Echelon, and Sig P365 models at $52.99 retail.
NEXTORCH North America announces the NEXTORCH Snow Guard Winter Tactical Gloves, engineered for cold weather operations above 14°F with zoned insulation, waterproof-breathable membrane, and ten-finger touchscreen compatibility. The gloves feature CORDURA® stretch fabric and are priced at $47.99 MSRP.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. launched its Military & Law Enforcement Rebate program, offering up to $150 in prepaid cards for qualifying purchases of Smith & Wesson firearms or Gemtech suppressors. Eligible participants include active and retired military, law enforcement officers, first responders, and veterans with valid GOVX ID verification.
SHIELD Sights is offering up to 25% off its entire product line from April 1-30, 2026 at participating dealers. The UK-designed and manufactured micro red dot optics promotion aims to improve accessibility to premium sights during peak shooting season.
Liberty Ammunition completed a rollout to Bass Pro with core SKUs. CEO Gary Ramey expressed appreciation for the partnership, noting successful previous testing and anticipation for continued collaboration.
Bond Arms will exhibit at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 17–19, showcasing their compact firearms including the America 250th, Cyclops America, LVRB, and Double-Barreled Suppressed Derringer at Booth #3417.
Friends of NRA is unveiling the Wall of Guns at the 155th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston, featuring over 40 firearms. Presenting sponsors include Gallery of Guns, with supporting sponsors Canik USA, Century Arms, CZ, EAA Corp, Mossberg, Ruger, and Taurus. Tickets are $20, with proceeds benefiting the NRA Freedom Action Foundation and local shooting sports programs.
SLG2, Inc. announced Streamlight Inc. as its latest corporate partner for 2026. Streamlight products will be featured on SLG2's 2026 Grand Safety Tour at retail locations and military installations nationwide, promoting responsible gun ownership and outdoor safety education.
Winchester Life season five, an award-winning series, is now available on Waypoint TV featuring turkey hunting episodes with Long Beard Tungsten and Long Beard XR ammunition, plus shooting sports competitions and new product reviews from Winchester.
Sportsman Channel's "Hunting Camp Tuesday" lineup features hunting and outdoor adventure programming including Roger Raglin On Target, Canada in the Rough, Wardens, The Given Right, Backwoods Life, Small Town Hunting, and MeatEater with Steven Rinella, airing Tuesdays 8-11 p.m. ET.
Outdoor Sportsman Group announced GAME & FISH TV's launch on The Roku Channel, expanding its reach to 90 million streaming households. The FAST channel, featuring Major League Fishing competitions, wilderness adventures, and wild game cooking, is now available across multiple platforms including Roku, VIZIO, Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus.
Outdoor Channel launches "Wednesday Night Magazines" block featuring Outdoor Sportsman Group's iconic brands including In-Fisherman TV, North American Whitetail TV, Bowhunter TV, Guns & Ammo TV, and Handguns TV, airing weeknights with hunting, fishing, and shooting content hosted by Doug Stange, Curt Wells, and other industry experts.
"Do you carry that big pistol regularly?" - Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC shown, great for casual concealment.
I believe I got called out on social media for shooting a service-compact crossover for the annual retiree shooting soiree. The question? “– is that (gun) what you regularly carry?”
No. It’s a loaner. I normally carry the shorter service-compact, a GLOCK 19 Gen5.
But I’ve often shot smaller guns for the real, live qualification.
Getting called out for shooting a loaner service compact, like this G23 Gen5 from a few years ago, surprised me. I remember when one of our guys carried a Model 29 (similar to the 6" gun below) and shot qualifications with a M14 K-38.
The first time I recognized the idea of “cheating” at quals, I had only been in the job for 2-3 years. One of our guys – I’ve bored you with this story before – carried a 6 ½” S&W Model 29 44 Magnum. In the exposed cartridge loops on the belt-slide of the swivel duty holster, you could see his selected round, the Remington 240 grain SJHP – scalloped jacket hollow points.
Someone noticed that he shot a six-inch K-38 Masterpiece with 38 Special wadcutters loaded on the department Star Progressive loader. Someone (not me) called him out.
I’d already left the department, but heard about it later. It was one of those giving him a hard time about taking the easy way to shoot the (expensive) qual course – which was more of an endurance contest than a test.
I asked what happened. He apparently went out and got sixty rounds of his 44 Magnum “Rhino-rollers” (h/t, Richard Davis). Returning to the range, he cleaned the qual, not without some discomfort.
The jokers shut up and life went on.
I was in the group that believed that to “qual with wadcutters/38s and carry Magnums” was a bad idea. We had to make it more realistic, right?
In retrospect, I was full of crap; I eventually came to recognize that the qual was an artificial, administrative, “check the box” bit of fluff we did every year that had little to do with relevance in the fight – except for proof you could hit a target.
And that’s not nothing. It’s just not the whole story.
When I had the chance to “do my own,” just before the state imposed a “standard” qualification and we were in transition to new guns, I broke it down into two phases.
One showed you could hit a mark. The distance was fixed, the size of the target was such that you picked up a ream of targets at the copy machine in the station and you used only ten rounds.
Why 10?
Fewer meant you could “pass” with luck. More than that took ammo away from training: gun handling, cover and stoppage drills, stuff that means something.
Much later, I learned of the old Bakersfield Police Department qualification, somewhat contemporaneous with my entry into the job.
That took ten rounds total.
The transition to auto pistols – which require some level of power to operate, unlike the round guns of old – largely killed the “train with powder-puff ammo, carry howitzer ammo” concept.
I've shot the qual with smaller guns, like the Mossberg MC1sc (above) and the Ruger LCRx (below). The results were similar. The comfort level was sometimes noticeable.
But that had already died; the carry Magnums, shoot 38s carried the S&W Combat Magnum from the mid-1950s through the mid-1970s. Apparently someone found out that the newly arrived 125 grain JHP Magnums (at around 1,400 fps in four-inch service revolvers) demonstrated some issues.
One was that the empties could be hard to remove from the cylinder, an important consideration as they were in the way of incoming fresh ammo needed to stop the fight.
Apocryphal tales arose, telling of cops shocked by the blast of the Magnums stopping the fight to figure out if the gun blew up. Not incredibly, shooting fifty- and sixty round qual courses were rough on the nerves and scores dipped from those fired with the ca. 150 grain bullets at 750fps of typical training loads.
Had they only shot the Bakersfield PD 10-round course, we may not have gotten the S&W L-frame line of revolvers; those replaced the K-frame Magnums that were beaten by shooting light-bullet full-power Magnums up to four times a year.
Is it remarkably easier to shoot the state fifty-round qualification with, say, a Springfield Armory Echelon than with the same firm’s Hellcat Pro?
I’m not sure. The Hellcat Pro gave me the best group I’d fired in an agency retiree qual up to the time it arrived. I’ve beaten that, slightly, with GLOCK 19s, a Gen4 and Gen5.
There wasn’t enough difference to make a difference, pass or fail.
Shooting the Hellcat – or a SIG P365 or a GLOCK 43 – could wear you out, but they’re smaller than the “crossover”-longer grip frame micro-9mm pistols.
Honest, I wasn’t cheating this year. And I’ve shown my practice here.
