Beretta USA celebrated its Gallatin, Tennessee manufacturing facility's 10th anniversary with an employee and family appreciation event. Since 2016, the facility has become a cornerstone of Beretta's American operations, producing firearms for hunters, competitive shooters, and professionals nationwide.
Federal and Remington Ammunition, both part of The Kinetic Group, were awarded a $77.4 million FBI rifle ammunition contract covering all four product categories: Duty, Training Reduced Lead, Non-Jacketed, and Jacketed Frangible ammunition. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.
Walther athlete Braden Peiser qualified 5th and finished 6th in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions final at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Munich, marking his first senior World Cup final appearance. The University of Kentucky competitor and 2026 NCAA individual smallbore champion recently joined the Walther World Team.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in United States v. Hemani that the federal ban on gun possession by marijuana users violates the Second Amendment. Firearms Policy Coalition, FPC Action Foundation, and the Center for Human Liberty filed supporting amicus briefs in the case decided June 18, 2026.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a reply brief supporting its motion for summary judgment in Morris v. Savannah, challenging a City of Savannah firearm storage ordinance. FPC member Deacon Morris and attorney John R. Monroe are pursuing the case in Chatham County Superior Court, arguing the ordinance violates Georgia's firearm preemption law.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Hemani that a lifetime firearms ban for marijuana users is unconstitutional. The Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed amicus briefs supporting the decision.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) announced a new affiliate marketing program through AvantLink, enabling content creators and influencers to earn commissions promoting KDG's firearm accessories and optic mounting solutions. The partnership strengthens KDG's connection with the shooting sports community while providing creators access to marketing assets and performance tracking.
Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a 200,000-square-foot Outdoor World location in Sayreville, New Jersey, expected to open fall 2026. The largest single-level Bass Pro Shops in the U.S. will feature a 65,000-gallon Shipwreck Aquarium, boat brands including TRACKER and RANGER, and immersive conservation education experiences designed by founder Johnny Morris.
Davidson's will broadcast a Dealer Education Seminar on June 25, 2026, featuring guests Wally Nelson and Chris Renzulli discussing public nuisance laws affecting FFL retailers, particularly Virginia's new law effective July 1, 2026. The free seminar is available to Davidson's FFL customers via invitation.
Blaser USA is hiring a Regional Sales & Account Manager for Texas and surrounding states to drive rifle sales growth, manage dealer relationships, and represent the Blaser Group portfolio. The full-time, field-based position requires firearms industry experience, extensive travel, and a proven sales track record.
The HeadHunters NW Podcast features Keith Kennedy, founder of StratellisIQ, discussing his journey from the Marine Corps to marketing and his mission to help businesses implement AI for measurable outcomes. Kennedy outlines four primary areas where AI drives business value: revenue and sales support, cost savings, customer experience, and process efficiency.
CANiK announces the Prime Radian, a 9mm micro-compact pistol developed with Radian Weapons featuring the Radian AFTERBURNER micro-compensator and RAMJET ported barrel for enhanced recoil control. The pistol ships with two 17-round magazines, holster, and accessories at $899.99 MSRP.
Bear & Son Cutlery introduces the 537L Small Locking Farmhand, a compact American-made EDC pocketknife featuring a 2.5-inch high carbon stainless steel blade and Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle. Weighing 1.1 ounces with a lockback mechanism, the knife is now available through authorized dealers nationwide at $55.99 MSRP.
Galco has released the Stow-N-Go IWB holster for the Springfield SA-35 4", featuring an open top design and reinforced mouth. Constructed from Premium Center Cut Steerhide, this concealed carry option supports strong side or appendix carry with belt compatibility up to 1 3/4".
Bear & Son Cutlery introduces the limited-edition Bear OPS Nekama™ Pin-Up Bomber Knife Series, featuring WWII-inspired artwork applied through UV printing. Manufactured in Alabama, the knife features a Sandvik 14C28N blade, aluminum handles, and is priced at $110.00.
One Horse, a Brownstown, Indiana-based firearms manufacturer, announced the launch of the One Horse Express Rifle, the first factory-built production rifle equipped with Atrius Development Group's Forced Reset Selector (FRS). The rifle features components including THRiL RTG grip, THRiL CCS stock, and Breek Arms Warhammer Mod2, and will be available beginning June 19, 2026.
Arcus Hunting, LLC and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced a new line of Smith & Wesson® branded pepper spray products manufactured in the USA. The product lineup includes jogger-style, keychain, and belt clip options designed for everyday personal protection and available through leading sporting goods and online retailers.
KDG (Kinetic Development Group) announced the Kinect Arca Rail, a tool-free Arca rail attachment for M-LOK equipped rifles featuring a 6-inch Arca rail section and patented quick-attach technology. The product allows shooters to instantly add or remove a stable Arca interface in seconds without tools or installation procedures.
From the Thursday installment – “Safety Briefing Time – Again” – I explored the phenomenon of people “practicing quick draw” using each other for targets and for someone against who to draw. This lead to serious injuries, even death.
From the time we go to the academy (in law enforcement service) there’s someone telling us to practice the draw in front of a mirror. Some wag in the basic class will note that “you pass when you beat your reflection to the draw.”
Too many times, Rule 1 goes by the wayside and another hapless mirror bites the dust. Besides, looking at yourself in real time, while you’re busy learning a motor skill, you can miss seeing legitimate problems with your draw.
Take that gun – with or without ammunition – along with one of the “action cams” or use your phone, with a tripod, and get yourself on video practicing the draw. You can examine the footage at leisure, you can set the camera to get various view and angles on your practice and, if a round somehow enters the weapon’s chamber, there’s a safe direction for the bullet to go.
Practice in drawing the gun begins with an understanding of technique. In sequence above, the shooter grips the gun in the holster while moving the nongun hand out of the way, then clearing the holster and rotating the muzzle to the threat while taking up the two-handed grip. Finally, the gun's out and in the eye line. Note the nonfiring GLOCK training gun used in the classroom.
Another method is to use a dummy gun or put a chamber block in the gun. One is example is from Mission First Tactical-- MFT. Their MFT 9mm Take Down Chamber Safety Flag Insert fills the chamber, preventing a loaded round from intruding. It also protrudes from the muzzle, giving a visual indicator that the gun’s chamber cannot be loaded.
The chamber safety flag - this one from Mission First Tactical - is for taking the gun apart, but is well used in dry practice as well. Below, the flag is shown in the Ruger RXM pistol.
Still, I’d use the video recording device, not a mirror nor another person. It’s habit and going to extremes to prevent personal injuries is no vice.
This particular “safety flag insert” is a bright yellow polymer device that protrudes from the muzzle – a chamber flag with the pistol in battery. That’s handy in a range of scenarios, including at the range or when engaging in dry practice.
It doesn’t just come out without some finessing. To reload the gun, it takes some effort which is more likely to defeat the tendency to “try one more press” after reloading the pistol from dry practice. That alone is worth the price of the unit.
Fitting any 9mm auto pistol with a barrel length as long as five inches, it’s installed without disassembly; take the magazine out (good habit), lock the slide open and thread the flag portion into the chamber and out the muzzle. Gently pull the flag to ensure the block is in the chamber.
Another consideration for practice in drawing a gun is not ending with a “click” every time you draw. If you’re in a situation where every draw results in a trigger press – that’s a problem. You’ll likely draw the gun a few thousand times with no need to shoot for each time where shooting could be appropriate – thankfully. For that reason, why not draw to low ready? That’s very relevant practice – and the muzzle is driven to the safest available direction with finger off the trigger, but the gun’s out and ready, if needed.
Work on doing a few thousand of those; you know when you get to the range, every draw will result in loud noises – unless you practice drawing to guard and verbalizing (“Get away from me! Drop the knife!” – or whatever.)
Why not work on getting the GRIP part of the draw ironed out? The longest time in the presentation is getting a firing grip on the gun while it’s in the holster. GRIP includes defeating retention aspects of the rig, and it’s followed by ensuring the gun arrived in the eye-target line. If you cut out the time taken to get the grip on the gun – and keep the gun holstered – the amount of time getting the gun out and in line to shoot has been cut way down.
As a “ready” position, the “hand on holstered handgun” is potentially the best in many situations.
If you have a couple of people to work with, the “Behind the Curve” drill is handy. I found it helpful when we did the transition course between two vastly different handgun systems, with an accompanying change in holsters.
Behind the Curve - demonstrated. Above, the "officer" turns his head to see when the "offender" moves. Below, the draw has begun. Both trainees shoot on the appropriate target downrange - NOT at each other. Note how close the "officer" is to catching up to his already-in-motion opponent.
Have a pair of trainees side-by-side on a firing line, each facing a target of their own. One of them is appointed “offender,” the other “officer.” The “officer” watches the “offender” by turning head & eyes --while keeping his body square to his target. When the “offender” moves to draw and print a round on the “offender’s” target, the “officer” draws to hit the “officer” target as quickly as possible.
This accomplishes some tasks. One is to draw and fire on a visual stimulus. Another is that it’s a single hit drill.
The first solid hit “wins.” We all know “action beats reaction,” but if the “action” was a peripheral hit or a miss, then it doesn’t count. The “reactor” may actually “win” the encounter.
More importantly, if done immediately after “singles from the holster” drills to get people used to dealing with the new equipment, the desire to “beat” the other to the hit fireforms that draw procedure and makes it solid.
Within 5 – 10 repetitions, the “officer” is catching up to the “offender.” Stop them to allow them to manage ammo and mark the targets so they can trade roles.
These are just a few ways to work on the draw. Make use of safe practice of presentation and avoid the “quick draw contest” and “mirror manslaughter.”
