In observance of Veterans Day we will not be distributing any of our services tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The Outdoor Wire Digital Network will resume our normal distribution schedule on Thursday, November 12.

Muddy has released a comprehensive lineup of cold-weather hunting gear including the DV8 Mammoth Jacket and Bibs, Nucleus Heated Vest, DV8 17-Inch Insulated Boots, Overshoe Foot Warmers, and a Boot and Glove Dryer to help hunters stay warm and comfortable during late-season hunts.

Beretta USA announced Hunter Zwiers as Tikka's first professional shooter ambassador. The accomplished PRS competitor and Michigan National Guard sniper will compete with Tikka T3x ACE Target and Sako TRG M10 rifles across regional and national precision rifle competitions.

Beretta will showcase its new 94X Performance pistol at the USPSA Area 2 Championship in Mesa, Arizona, November 11-15, ahead of its U.S. launch. Team Beretta athletes Cameron Templin, JJ Racaza, and Sal Luna will compete with the pistol at the premier regional event.

Team Ruger shooters David Olhasso and James McGinty earned first-place finishes in two divisions at the 2026 IDPA Liberty Match in Valley Forge, PA, competing with Ruger RXM pistols developed in collaboration with Magpul. Olhasso won the Full Size Iron division with a score of 256.6, while McGinty claimed first place in the Full Size Optic division with 207.18.

Staccato 2011 announced Range Week 2027, a four-day public live-fire event January 18–21, 2027, at Staccato Ranch Vegas in Pahrump, Nevada, featuring new product debuts, hands-on demonstrations from 35+ partner brands including Trijicon, Daniel Defense, and SilencerCo, and rare public access to signature HAVOC shooting courses led by Staccato Training Group.

Liberty Ammunition will participate in the upcoming SWAT Roundup event in Orlando, FL. CEO Gary Ramey noted that several departments already carry their patented Pro Series ammunition, and the company will support the event with raffle prizes and ammunition for the winning team.

UNIT Solutions will exhibit at SWAT Roundup International 2026 in Orlando, Florida, November 8-13, showcasing the UNIT9 Compact Training Pistol and UNIT4 Training Rifle. The Florida SWAT Association recently partnered with UNIT Solutions to support non-lethal training needs, offering special discounts to FSA member agencies.

Orchid announced its Guns.com integration now supports used inventory, allowing FFL dealers to list used firearms directly from their store inventory to one of the largest online firearm marketplaces. The integration includes serial-level accuracy, automatic inventory management, and order approval capabilities through Orchid POS, alongside existing integrations with GunBroker and GunMade.com.

The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, H.E. Marco Peronaci, hosted a celebration at Villa Firenze commemorating Beretta's 500th anniversary. Founded in 1526, Beretta has grown into an international group with significant U.S. operations including Beretta USA, Benelli USA, Burris, and Norma Precision, employing approximately 700 people across American operations.

The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms supports Amtrak's expanded firearms transportation policy allowing unloaded firearms in locked cases on certain trains. CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb stated the policy makes sense and may prevent loss or damage to valuable firearms, dismissing concerns from the Transport Workers Union as unfounded.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Thrive HD 2.5-15x50 – PHR 2 Illuminated riflescope, featuring six red brightness settings, a 2.5-15x optical system, and an Adjustable BDC Turret. The 22.3-ounce scope combines lightweight backcountry hunting performance with illuminated aiming references and is backed by ZeroTech's Triple-A Lifetime Warranty.

Blackout Coffee Co. has renewed its Silver level corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), providing monthly financial contributions to support the organization's legal and educational initiatives. Founded in 2018, Blackout Coffee continues its commitment to defending Second Amendment freedoms alongside SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut and co-owner Jared Yanis.

Meprolight USA celebrates the Marine Corps' 251st birthday and Veterans Day, honoring the service and sacrifice of military personnel. Merritt Burton, Customer Service Manager and Marine Corps veteran, emphasized the company's commitment to this legacy. Meprolight USA offers first responders 25% off at Meprolight.com.

CrossBreed Holsters and Gun Tote'n Mamas have partnered to offer bundled concealed carry solutions combining Gun Tote'n Mamas bags with CrossBreed Modular Holsters. The collaboration between the two women-owned companies expands concealed carry options available through CrossBreedHolsters.com.

Kinsey's Inc., a leading outdoor sporting goods distributor, has partnered with Bearded Butchers, founded by brothers Seth and Scott Perkins. The partnership expands Kinsey's product offerings to include premium seasonings, meat-processing supplies, and cutlery, providing dealers with products that support the complete hunting experience from field to table.

Hornady introduces the VEXIS Safe Upgrade Kit, a retrofit lock system featuring palm vein recognition technology that upgrades existing safes without full replacement. The kit is compatible with first-generation Hornady Mobilis® Safes and select SecuRam, LA GARD, and Sargent & Greenleaf locks, priced at $279.99.

Galco has introduced the Kingtuk Elite IWB Holster, an all-leather version of its popular hybrid design made from premium steerhide. The holster features a full-grain back plate, rigid lined pocket for fast draw, and adjustable metal belt clips for customizable carry height and angle.

Taurus USA announced the all-new Taurus TXM, a polymer-frame striker-fired pistol building on the award-winning TX22 platform. Available in .22 WMR and 5.7x28mm calibers, the TXM offers a dual-slide combo kit option, delivering increased power while maintaining the TX family's proven design foundation.

FALCO® Holsters launched three new Kydex light-bearing holsters: the Velcro holster A905 L, drop-leg holster E901 L, and Level 2 drop-leg holster E902 L. The expansion brings FALCO's light-bearing holster compatibility to 197 different light models, including Streamlight, SureFire, Olight, and Fenix options.

BLACKHAWK introduces the OFFICER CARRY Slide Lock Folder, a lightweight ambidextrous manual folder featuring a 2.5-inch D2 steel Wharncliffe blade, sliding crossbar lock, and black aluminum handles. Weighing 2.8 ounces with a 4.5-inch folded length, it's priced at $104.99 and available in plain or serrated edge options.

Davidson's has expanded its inventory to include EOTECH's full line of DCBL suppressors, featuring Vent-Forward Technology for sound suppression and recoil mitigation. The DCBL 9PCC, DCBL 762, and DCBL 556 models are now available in FDE or black, with prices ranging from $999 to $1,099.

Springfield Armory released the Echelon 4.0FC Comp 9mm, combining a full-size grip module with a compact slide and integral compensator. The pistol features Springfield's Central Operating Group, Variable Interface System® for optics compatibility, and ambidextrous controls, with an MSRP of $784.

Chiappa USA introduces the Little Badger Carbon, a lightweight single-shot .22LR rifle weighing just 3.2 lbs, featuring a folding wire-steel stock and carbon-fiber barrel. Available in standard and Takedown configurations, it's designed for backpackers, campers, and survival use with quad-Picatinny rails and threaded barrel for accessories.

One Horse, a veteran-owned firearms manufacturer, launches the Express Retros featuring Sarge (20-inch rifle) and Archie (11.5-inch SBR) developed with Atrius Development Group. Named after Vietnam Veterans Don Morgan and Carl J. Vondielingen's A-Gunner, the rifles support a national Welcome Home campaign and donate 5% of November 2026 sales to Columbus Indiana Huey Inc.

Warne has launched new 2.26" Picatinny Red Dot Riser Mounts designed for modern sporting rifle platforms, offering two height options compatible with EOTECH XPS and EXPS optics to provide faster target acquisition and optimized shooting positions.

Burris Optics is partnering with Backdraft Suppressors by Outlier to offer a promotional rebate through the end of 2026. Customers purchasing any new Burris Fullfield riflescope are eligible to receive a free 4-inch Backdraft Hunter suppressor by submitting proof of purchase at backdraftsuppressors.com/burris/.

Range USA, the nation's largest indoor shooting range and firearms retailer, is honoring its veteran associates this Veterans Day, November 11, featuring stories from employees like Theodore Kuchta III, William Schwartz, Victor Wendt, and Benjamin Hawk. The company is offering $1 range time to veterans and active/retired military, plus 25% off memberships.

The Kinetic Group donated nearly $42,000 to Walk the Talk America (WTTA), a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention within the firearm community, through an auction at TKG's annual sales meeting. The funds will support WTTA's mental health education, outreach, and partnership programs that respect Second Amendment rights.

I was recently treated to yet another “this old technology is bad because it’s old and I said so” opinion piece. It was in addition to a discussion about how compact double action revolvers aren’t that popular – it’s just that more companies making them are simply appealing to those of us on the fast track to final judgement. 

We may have proportionally more disposable income, but we also have more infirmities that make a snub a personal protection workaround. Besides, it seems the buying population isn’t completely from the birth of the Rock ‘n Roll era.

The latest piece was about how the 1911 handgun system is obsolete. I won’t go word-for-word as most of us know the weaknesses inherent in the system. With that in mind, there are young people in social media who are causing some resurgence of interest in the relic as a personal protection piece. 

We know the veteran is old; the model number gives you an idea and, if you can subtract (the commentator couldn’t), you can figure out the age of the design. The caliber is likewise outdated, being slightly younger than the 9x19mm, made for the Pistole 1908. 

Note the date.

Reliability has always been an issue. Part of it is people “knowing” how to “fix it” and “make it better.” Part of it was the gun show magazines that began appearing in the late 1960s and on as stocks of original GI mags were depleted. Another bit was injudicious use of the modern power hand grinder. 

Not knowing how to tune an extractor or guessing why you get the feedway stoppage or why you get lock-back on a still-loaded magazine should largely be a thing of the past in the internet age.

They take some hand-fitting. There are low-cost pistols from the Eastern Mediterranean area that seem to be quite well made and reliable. Still, changing out some springs and using appropriately applied oil makes a difference. 

Magazine capacity was originally seven rounds of 45 ACP. Those who’d come up with a six-shooter didn’t see that as a problem. In the era of “panic fire” (mischaracterized suppressive fire), you’re going to run low quick. 

In the discussion I saw, there were complaints about the military transition to the 1930s era double/single action designs, including (appropriately) the issue of trigger reach. The Para Ordnance double stack was touted as the “improved” capacity 1911; I never found a double stack version that worked – due to magazines – but their single stack design was 100% for the time I had it.

Now we have modern striker-fired pistols – guns that tend to be easily maintained, require only parts changes with no fitting, have one trigger press to learn and have larger cargo spaces.

Let’s face a few facts. 

Uncle Sam moved on a long time ago, 1985, for the biggest component of the services. A small segment of special operations clung to some pistols of the 1911 variety; but some used HK USPs of some variant, more used the SIG P226 and the GLOCK 19. 

The originally specified and A1 variants of the US service pistol aren’t and haven’t been in the running. When we move to LE, it appears that there is some movement to double-stack 1911s (that’s what they call them) in 9mm. Some are pricey and there are still some magazine issues, though it seems some vendors have finally sorted that out. They even have optics capabilities, something that may be an agency requirement.

For citizens, the 1911 is blessed with a wide selection of after-market support, a range of reputable mechanics, parts, accessories and support gear. 

The magazines are, in some ways, better now than ever. 

As to caliber, the more elderly 9x19mm is featured in a number of “otherwise-1911” pistols. Pick your poison.

• Rich Grassi