Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB suppressor has been selected as a 2026 Petersen's Hunting Editor's Choice Award recipient. The over-the-barrel design, made from 3D-printed Grade 9 titanium, offers premium suppression in a compact package weighing only 10.5 ounces.
GSM Outdoors received the 2025 Outdoor Supplier of the Year award from Academy Sports + Outdoors, recognizing exceptional partnership and category leadership. CEO Eddie Castro highlighted the company's commitment to dependable service, innovation, and reliable delivery across hunting, fishing, and outdoor categories.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, invites target shooters nationwide to participate in the 10th annual National Shooting Sports Month in August with the tagline "Let Freedom Plink." The celebration features the #RangeChallenge, participating ranges and retailers offering events and classes, and opportunities to win prizes throughout the month.
Hook & Barrel Magazine is partnering with Beretta to give away a Beretta M9A4 Overlanding 9mm pistol in Clay finish. The sweepstakes runs through September 3, 2026, with readers able to enter via the Hook & Barrel website.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) reminds industry members that registration deadlines are approaching for its 2026 Ballistics Conference, scheduled for September 15-17 in Baltimore at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court. The event will feature technical seminars, product demonstrations, and a facility tour of Element U.S. Space & Defense's testing laboratories.
Traditions Performance Firearms appointed Jason Evans as Vice President of Sales. Evans brings extensive leadership experience from executive positions at Benelli, Weatherby, and Blaser, and will oversee all sales operations and manage the company's nationwide network of independent sales representatives.
NSSF, ATF, and DOJ launched the 26th annual "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign in Indianapolis through early September to educate the public about federal penalties for illegal firearm purchases, including up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The campaign includes 18 billboards, 140+ transit displays, 1,300+ radio spots, and targeted digital impressions across the region.
CCI Ammunition and Henry Repeating Arms have partnered to introduce the Henry Golden Boy Edition 22 LR ammo, a 275-round collector's edition featuring 36-grain copper-plated hollow-point bullets at 1,260 fps. The ammunition is now shipping to retailers nationwide.
Steiner unveiled the MPS 2.0 Micro Pistol Sight, an enclosed emitter red dot designed for duty and defense with enhanced durability, longer battery life, and improved ergonomics. The optic features redesigned brightness controls, up to 90,000 hours of runtime, and compatibility with the industry-standard ACRO footprint for multiple weapon platforms.
Credova, a fintech company serving the firearms and outdoor recreation industries, has renewed its Gold-level corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). Credova will also sponsor SAF's annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas, September 25-27.
WOOX announced the Gladiatore V2 Stock & Forend, a premium upgrade for compatible Mossberg pump-action shotguns. Handcrafted from American walnut with wraparound grip technology and ventilated butt pad design, the V2 enhances performance and ergonomics. Available as stock, forend, or complete kit with MSRP of $439.
Sticky Holsters released a limited-edition Blue Holster in August, with proceeds supporting Concerns of Police Survivors, an organization aiding families of fallen law enforcement officers. The holster features Sticky Holsters' signature clip-less concealed carry technology.
Derya Arms announced the official U.S. launch of the Derya MAX, a new proprietary magazine-fed 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun manufactured at its Jacksonville, Florida facility. The shotgun, developed with competitive shooters and engineers, features advanced gas-operated systems and proprietary magazines designed for USPSA, IPSC, and 3-Gun competitions, with availability beginning in September.
One Horse announced the Express 22 Rifle and Express 22 Pistol, dedicated .22 LR firearms featuring One Horse lower receivers and Atrius Development Group's Forced Reset Selector. Both models will debut at Gun Owners of America's GOALS 2026 summit in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 1-2.
Galco unveils the Combat Master 2.0, a modernized pancake holster for Beretta M9A4 pistols with or without carry optics. The professional-grade belt holster features hand-molded construction, optic cutaway capability, raised sweat guard, and premium steerhide with double-stitched seams for durability and concealment.
SnapSafe® introduces the Trunk Safe II, a heavy-duty mobile safe designed for secure transportation of firearms and valuables in vehicles. Built by Hornady® Manufacturing Company with 13-gauge steel construction and digital lock technology, the safe offers theft protection for cars, SUVs, and RVs.
Mission First Tactical introduced the MFT AIWB WML Ambidextrous Holster, a versatile light-bearing, red dot ready holster compatible with Streamlight TLR series lights and RMR reflex sights. Handmade in the USA with adjustable retention and available for Glock, Sig Sauer, and Springfield models at $59.99.
Hornady Security introduces a fireproof keypad safe designed for secure storage of one or two handguns, ammunition, and valuables. The safe features 16-gauge steel construction, withstands temperatures up to 1400°F for 30 minutes, and includes programmable keypad access with backup keyhole entry.
EOTECH, a division of American Holoptics, announced the sale of 14,000 units of OGL systems, HWS, and compatible magnifiers to the U.S. Army through Transformation in Contact buys to support the PAE Maneuver Ground portfolio's surrogate optics project for M7, XM8 Carbine, and M250 Automatic Rifle.
Heritage Manufacturing is offering a FREE .22 WMR cylinder with the purchase of any Heritage Rough Rider, Rough Rider Rancher, or Barkeep revolver throughout August 2026. Customers can redeem the promotion through Heritage's rebate portal at HeritageMfg.com.
Q is offering complimentary Porq Chop or Short Chop suppressors with purchases of new 8.6 BLK firearms from August 6-10. The promotion rewards the community that supported the 8.6 BLK cartridge's development, including The Fix and Boombox rifle variants.
Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources is offering free and discounted shooting at Lee Kay Public Shooting Range and Cache Valley Public Shooting Range on select Saturdays in August to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month. Lee Kay Manager Blanche Smith and Cache Valley Manager Steven Bassett encourage visitors of all skill levels to visit these ranges for safe shooting opportunities.
The National Rifle Association of America will host its 2026 Range Development & Operations Conference on September 24-25 in Fairfax, Virginia. The conference educates range owners and operators on business planning, EPA lead standards, construction, sound abatement, insurance, ventilation, and funding. Registration is $525 with space limited to 70 attendees.
Umarex USA will exhibit at the Mid-States Distributing 2026 Fall Rendezvous on August 11-12 in Phoenix, AZ. Retailers can meet Umarex representatives and view 2026 products and classic items at booth No. 208, featuring Umarex Airguns, T4E, Prepared2Protect, and Elite Force Airsoft.
Chiappa USA will participate in the Bill Hicks E-Show from August 7-21, 2026, showcasing new Chiappa Firearms and Charles Daly products including Rhino revolvers, LA322 and Little Badger configurations, and tactical firearms. The exclusive online event offers dealers special pricing and merchandising programs for the fall and holiday season.
Mark Barnes & Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm specializing in firearms and explosives law, has become the Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 NSSF Annual Import/Export Conference, taking place August 4–6 at the Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C. The firm provides regulatory compliance and international trade expertise to firearm industry businesses.
Outdoor Channel presents "Night at the Range" every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, featuring firearms education and shooting sports programming including Guns & Ammo TV, Handguns, Gun Stories with Joe Mantegna, American Rifleman, Shooting USA, and Airgunner Challenge, hosted by experts from Outdoor Sportsman Group.
To return the gun to the holster while observing the crime scene, use the gun hand (along with the grip hand when needed) to clear the cover garment, use the trigger hand thumb to sweep the holster mouth before putting the gun away. The index finger remains high in register.
From Stephen Wenger’s Defensive Use of Firearms digest (available here at no charge) –
"Rules Violation: A now-former Georgia police officer has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he accidentally discharged his weapon during an arrest, fatally shooting a teenager he was attempting to handcuff, according to court filings …"
Stephen notes that this appears to be a case of an involuntary, sympathetic contraction of the gun hand, perhaps when the offender moved or while trying to apply the restraints. He also asked, “… if Harris was uncomfortable holstering his pistol to cuff a seemly compliant, proned-out suspect, why didn't he await backup?”
In response to a social media post on an earlier piece on the skill of reholstering one-handed by feel, an internet-type wrote: “If there are still potential threats you do not reholster.”
Oh, my ...
When aren’t there “potential threats?” When the director yells “cut!”?
The last thing you want to do is stow the gun that just saved your life. But when you’re not in a controlled environment, you’ll have to - and do it safely - potentially “without looking” because there are other issues demanding your attention. For one thing, the lighting may not allow “looking it back into the holster.” For another, there may be other threats ("seeded" backup) or responding law enforcement or armed citizens.
Care to guess what they do after shots fired - and they see someone with a gun in their hands?
Some skills are essential and have to be drilled. Watching it back is a critical part of learning. It’s not the end of the game.
From Dave Spaulding, we have this: “While some dispute this, I think you need to recover to the holster without looking! We are all products of our own experiences and my LE experience was...time and time again...that I was involved in another activity while I holstered whether it was fighting or rendering aid.”
To hear Army SF SNCO Pat McNamara tell it, “… in the tactical world, we must sometimes have to deescalate and go ‘Hands On’. We must do this without taking our eyes off of the threat.”
That’s hardly an administrative task.
We remember the member of the Secret Service at Butler PA caught on video, trying to find the holster while working exec protect – and finally just keeping the gun in hand until a look into the holster was possible.
That’s a no-go at this station.
With a holster equipped with a thumb break, do the same but trap the strap over the trigger finger as you return the gun - keeping it clear of the gun. Don't reach over with the grip hand to hold the holster open, sweeping it with the muzzle! Below, snapping the holster is simply accomplished with the trigger hand alone.
Another social media type noted, “I’m still not convinced that taking your eyes off of your surroundings after just having to defend your life is the best idea.”
So, you’re in a fight for your life. Ears ringing, people around the area, subject down (temporarily, perhaps; reanimation is a thing) – did someone call the constabulary? Is there someone else in the accumulating crowd who’s armed?
How do they know you’re not an “active shooter” (sic) or the bad actor in this play?
How would responding police know?
As Ayoob has noted, time and again, being able to holster, one-handed, by feel is a real survival skill to develop. One doesn’t rush development. It’s crawl-walk (I won’t be running to this part). A dummy gun, or a gun deactivated by a chamber/barrel block, can be used in dry practice.
What about concealment garments? Well, a Pat Mac thing is “reverse the draw.” So, clear the garment, then I add a sweep of the holster mouth with a flagged thumb, holster from the back, using the dust cover of the auto to guide the gun into the holster.
Safety straps complicate the matter a little. Taking the gun back to the holster – without using the other hand – use the index finger to come in behind the strap, push and hold it out of the way, while you feed the gun into the rig from the back. Once the gun is seated, the trigger hand wraps around the holster, holding the ends of the strap together and snapping it shut.
It just takes a little practice and we can all use that.
