Beretta Holding, Ruger's largest shareholder with 9.95% ownership, clarified that it proposed a strategic minority investment on market terms to improve performance, not to seek control. The company criticized Ruger's board for maintaining longstanding leadership despite underperformance and nominated independent director candidates including William F. Detwiler, Mark DeYoung, Fredrick DiSanto, and Michael Christodolou.
Streamlight Inc. awarded 144th Marketing Group LLC the 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for Law Enforcement at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Peachtree City, GA-based manufacturers' representative agency was recognized for outstanding sales achievement in Southeast territories.
Streamlight Inc. recognized Odle Sales as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award recipient for the Sporting Goods Market at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Columbia, Missouri-based manufacturers' representative agency was honored for exceptional sales achievement and advancing Streamlight's presence in the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry.
Attorneys for George Peterson, represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, Jack Tucker, Cody J. Wisniewski, and Richard J. Richthofen Jr., filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in Peterson v. United States, a Firearms Policy Coalition-backed challenge to federal NFA tax and registration requirements for suppressors.
SLG2, Inc. will bring its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in League City, Texas on March 14-15, 2026. The free event features firearms training with FATS simulators, archery instruction, and product demonstrations from partners including Beretta, GLOCK, Taurus, and Vortex Optics, welcoming women, families, and outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels.
SLG2, Inc. will bring its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in League City, Texas on March 14-15, 2026. The free, family-friendly event features instructor-led firearms training using FATS by InVeris simulators, archery instruction, and product demonstrations from partner companies including optics and concealed carry brands.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, announced the relaunch of its improved Where To Shoot mobile app, helping shooters find ranges across the United States. The redesigned app features location-based search, indoor and outdoor range filters, and training opportunities for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Iron Valley Supply Co., a Birmingham-based wholesale distributor representing over 150 leading national brands in hunting and shooting sports, is expanding its sales team. The company seeks an Account Representative to manage existing accounts, develop new customer relationships, and drive revenue growth within the wholesale channel.
Outtech Sales Services, a division of Legacy1846 Outdoor Group, is hiring Regional Managers nationwide for the hunting, archery, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation industries. Candidates must have 4+ years of territory sales experience and willingness to travel weekly. Interested applicants should send resumes to HR@outtech-online.com.
The ZeroTech x Shoot2Hunt / Rokslide 3-18×44 FFP riflescope sold out in 90 minutes following its launch, with customers placing $100 deposits to secure units. Developed through a two-year collaboration between ZeroTech engineers, Shoot2Hunt, and the Rokslide community, the scope is engineered for backcountry hunting at a $999 retail price.
Vortex Optics unveiled the Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP riflescope, a compact tactical scope featuring 1-10x magnification, illuminated EBR-8 BDC reticle, and motion activation. Designed for AR platforms, it delivers versatility from close-quarters to 600+ yard distances at $699.99 MAP.
ZeroTech Optics announces the launch of the Thrive HD Micro Prism 1x in FDE, a compact prism optic featuring a ZT Prism Dot Reticle, 6061 T6 aluminum construction, and 13 adjustable brightness settings including night-vision compatible levels for rapid target acquisition and precision shooting.
Kinsey's, a leading outdoor and shooting sports distributor, announced a partnership with Hodgdon Powder Company to distribute smokeless powder, with shipments beginning in Q2 2026. The expansion strengthens Kinsey's reloading category and provides retailers access to Hodgdon's trusted, industry-leading propellant products.
Otis Technology announced a private label partnership with Bud's Gun Shop to offer specially branded firearm cleaning kits by Shooter's Choice. The collaboration brings caliber-specific cleaning kits designed for everyday firearm maintenance directly to Bud's customers through their online catalog.
Target Sports USA announces its upcoming AMMO+ Day 2 event starting April 23, 2026, featuring exclusive ammo deals, free shipping, and automatic entry to win a Ford F-250 for AMMO+ members in Cheshire, CT.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Mule Deer Days hosted by Muley Fanatic Foundation, March 13–15 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The company will showcase its new Nomad Ti OTB Suppressor, a lightweight titanium silencer designed for western hunting applications.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the Louisiana Outdoor Expo, March 13–15, 2026, at Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana. The company will showcase hunting suppressors including the new Nomad Ti OTB, Sandman, Nomad LTi XC, Mojave 45, Wolfman series, and Sandman X at Booth #2300.
Liberty Ammunition will exhibit at the Georgia Tactical Officers and Alabama Tactical Officers Association event in March in Columbus, Georgia, featuring their new Law Enforcement and Military only "Pro Series" ammunition. CEO Gary Ramey noted the product has been well-received at range days and has replaced outdated ammunition at some departments. Free product samples and ballistic range days will be available.
In 2024, I took a little drive down to Louisiana to see the folks at Lipsey’s. I found they wanted to show off their new collaboration with S&W on the Ultimate Carry J-frame revolvers and reintroduction of a 32 H&R Magnum to the S&W line.
The new S&W Black Rubber UC High Horn stocks above as they appear on the S&W M&P340. Below, a pair of UC revolvers with the harder, less forgiving VZ Grips high horn stocks.
The guns were fitted with “high horn” stocks – not the original “Magna” type nor a remake of the justifiably famous Craig Spegel High Horn Boot Grips, but an original design from VZ Grips.
They were great to hold, but shooting experience varied with the load (regardless of the caliber). It was a great step forward and most of the shooters in attendance had no problems with them.
Since then, the “high horn” movement has picked up steam. So what are they and why do they matter?
When Smith & Wesson created the Centennial, they did so to answer a call to return to a gun that had some of the advantages of the old “Safety Hammerless” (sic) revolver, a small gun with a hammer hidden inside the frame, inaccessible to the shooter, and with a grip safety. Without the exposed hammer, the shooter could get his hand up higher on the gun, effectively lowering the bore axis. With no hammer to snag on the draw or for the shooting hand to get in the way of, it was quick and follow-up shots were relatively fast.
In Mexico one time, the story goes, Rex Applegate found out how fast he could shoot the Safety Hammerless during a contact weapon attack. Sadly, it took all five rounds of 38 S&W ammo to put the attacker down.
In another rendition of the tale, the Mexican Army officer accompanying Applegate put the machete-wielding attacker down with a 45 Auto after Rex emptied the revolver.
Regardless, Applegate told S&W they needed a modern Safety Hammerless in 38 S&W Special, a more powerful cartridge. They agreed and we got the Centennial.
With the increase in power, the higher available grip on the gun gets the best use of the weapon. Sadly, when the Centennial line was brought back after having been discontinued, the only “grips” issued with them were “hip huggers.”
That didn’t kill the utility of the little personal protection gun, but a number of us knew we could do better.
One response to "hip-hugger" Centennial stocks like the Crimson Trace Lasergrips on the M&P340 was the Hogue TAMER. While having an odd attachment method, the stocks reach the top of the 'recoil hump' of the frame and allow a high hold on the Centennial revolver.
S&W listened to the concerns of some about the relative lack of comfort with the hard VZ product. While the guns were likely to be carried a lot and shot only periodically, they could have ignored it.
Black Rubber UC High Horn - ULTIMATE CARRY/RUBBER UC GRIPS
They’re also available on guns like the 642UC 38SPL 1-7/8" 5RD NS SS The Lipsey’s/S&W Ultimate Carry line – 642/442, 432 – are now available with “Black Rubber UC High Horn” stocks, SKU: 14692.
Seeing this activity, I wondered, is the rubber vastly different from the excellent VZ Grips High Horns?
The only way to find out was to find out. The stocks are available from Shop Smith & Wesson, online here. The cost? $35.
According to the factory, the stock “Fits Hammerless (sic) J Frame round butt S&W revolvers. (642 / 442 / 632 / 432 , 940, 640 style). Will not fit revolvers with exposed hammer. S&W ECOMM Exclusive."
I attached them to the latest M&P340 I’d gotten to back up the older, with-lock original. Smaller than the Crimson Trace Lasergrips I’d had on it, it took some getting used to in just handling.
Craig Spegel’s boot grips, nice and round, made in high horn format for Centennials, were ideal, scarce and pricey. A small maker, Hamre Forge, makes a Spegel approved analog – the American Fighting Revolver UnderCover grip.
The S&W product is available.
I have the Hamre Forge stocks, they’re good. Hogue OverMolded Rubber Tamer Grip for the J-frame Centennial are also good. In this enlightened age, now we add the S&W product.
Shorter than the Hogues, I have to curl my small finger under the frame with the UC High Horns. The acid test is to shoot them with defense ammo.
I took the gun to Integrity Elite Firearms’ range with Speer Personal Protection “Short Barrel” Gold Dot 135gr. +P ammo. This is not recently obtained ammo.
I fired on ½ sheet of copy paper at 21 feet, five rounds right-handed and five rounds left-handed. All hits were on the sheet, producing a group just under the sights (“ball” buried in the “bucket”), measuring 2 7/8”.
The recoil wasn’t brutal – but it was only ten rounds. With the covered backstrap, I was concerned that I’d have trouble reaching the trigger. The stocks are small enough that it’s not an issue.
As an internet commenter noted, “… good level of ‘grippiness,’ while not tacky, snagging the fabric of your pocket.
There’s good friction in the right place and, surprisingly, there’s some “give” to the rubber.
We’re blessed to live in the age of revolver resurgence and that includes accessories.
