VIKTOS released the Limited Edition Operatus Team Shoe called "Triple Canopy Creeper." Designed by U.S. veterans, the shoe features Vietnam-era aesthetics with modern performance technology including a 4mm heel-to-toe drop, hi-grip crystal rubber outsole, and HiRebound EVA insole for enhanced comfort and traction.
Team Leapers swept the SR Team competitions at the Orange Blossom Regional using the new Integrix Service Rifle Scope, with Nick Till, Conrad Young, Roy Mitchell, and Randy Olds all finishing in the top ten individually. The scope, developed by Margaret Ding and Leapers, Inc. in collaboration with James Fox and Nick Till, is now available for retail sale at $999.97 with a price increase planned for July 2026.
SIGHTRON Ambassador Lucas Marusiak won first place at the 2026 Central Carolina Grand Prix Airgun Championship in the PCP Division using the SIGHTRON SIII 10-50x60 Field Target Riflescope. The scope's ExacTrack technology and precision optics proved reliable through extreme weather conditions at the American Airgun Field Target Association event held at Central Carolina Gun Club.
Hornady team shooters Austin Orgain, Shane Barnes, and John-Kyle Truitt won at the B&T Industries Box Canyon Showdown PRS match in Medicine Lodge, Kansas on March 28-29, 2026. Orgain secured first place overall in the Open Division and Suppressor Division using Hornady 25 cal. 138 gr. A-Tip Match bullets.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), joined by the National Rifle Association, American Suppressor Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in George Peterson v. United States, challenging the National Firearms Act's registration and taxation requirements for suppressors.
Protect Liberty PAC announced its Freedom Giveaway Sweepstakes featuring a Benelli Lupo Rifle in 300 Win Mag. and patriotic t-shirts commemorating America's 250th birthday. The initiative aims to expand grassroots engagement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with t-shirt purchases providing sweepstakes entries.
NSSF has named 2TON as its first official Affinity Partner, providing NSSF members with specialized branding, marketing, and digital development services. 2TON will be listed in the NSSF member portal and collaborate with the association to provide marketing education and resources for firearm industry businesses.
Check-Mate, a U.S.-based manufacturer of magazine systems and firearm components, is expanding its engineering team and seeking a Process Engineer to optimize PLEX ERP systems and manufacturing operations. The role focuses on process optimization, Lean methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Federal Ammunition has begun shipping its Federal X Henry Collector's Edition ammunition in partnership with Henry Repeating Arms, created for Henry's commemorative 45-70 Government Golden Boy lever-action rifle celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The limited-edition load features a 300-grain Hollow Point bullet and collectible packaging.
Kinetic Development Group remains committed to advancing optic mounting solutions, with its SideLok series serving as the flagship offering. The company is investing engineering resources into next-generation mounting concepts designed to expand compatibility and functionality for modern rifle setups.
Burris Optics announced its continued partnership with Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, supporting veterans and their families through hunting and fishing experiences. Founded by Brian L. "Sol" Soliday, the foundation provides therapeutic outdoor opportunities to help U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members reintegrate into civilian life.
Firearms Policy Coalition launched the 2026 FPC State Freedom Index, a scorecard evaluating gun rights across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Only Kansas and New Hampshire earned perfect scores, while FPC President Brandon Combs criticized Republican-led states like Florida, Ohio, and Nebraska for failing to fully protect Second Amendment rights.
Q, LLC announced the release of the LEFTY silencer, featuring Low Blow™ technology and 3D printed internal structure to reduce backpressure and gas blowback. Available through Q dealers nationwide at $800 MSRP, the LEFTY is rated for full auto use across 5.56mm and 6mm ARC platforms.
Flux Defense announced the Big Black Barrel, a 6" replacement barrel engineered for the Sig P365/Raider 365 platform. Built from 4150 CMV steel with Black Nitride finish, it delivers increased velocity, softer recoil, and superior durability while maintaining the platform's compact size.
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies (CSSI) announces Check-Mate Magazines are now available through its dealer network. Check-Mate Industries manufactures dependable handgun and rifle magazines for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters, expanding CSSI's product lineup of trusted American-made options.
Trijicon, Inc. introduced the VCOG 1-8x28 riflescope in a new Cerakote FDE finish, featuring forged 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum construction and premium glass. Available in MOA, MRAD, and SCO configurations with an LED reticle powered by AA lithium battery, the optic is fully waterproof and backed by Trijicon's Science of Brilliant testing methodology.
Springfield Armory announced the launch of the SA-35 4" 9mm semi-automatic pistol, featuring a compact barrel design based on John Moses Browning's original P-35. The pistol includes modern enhancements such as improved ergonomics, white dot front sights, and a 15-round magazine capacity, with an MSRP of $799.
Montana's State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force will meet April 10 via Zoom. The task force will hear from Colorado Parks & Wildlife and South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks on shooting facility development, with recommendations due June 30, 2027.
The Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City will host an open house on April 18, 2026, featuring clinics in rifle marksmanship, archery, trap and skeet shooting, and hunting dog training demonstrations. Manager Blanche Smith emphasizes the facility's importance as the only outdoor shooting range in the Salt Lake Valley, offering free range access and one free shotgun round on a first-come, first-served basis.
The National Friends of NRA Event on April 17th in Houston will feature rare firearms, hunts, and special guests including Henry Repeating Arms CEO Anthony Imperato, motivational speaker Vann Morris, and country artist Ben Gallaher. Highlights include a custom ACME Machine AM-10 LR .308 rifle, Smith & Wesson Collector's Set, and a five-day bull elk hunt at the NRA Whittington Center in New Mexico.
Flux Defense will exhibit at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 16-19 at Booth 534. The advanced defense technologies company will showcase its latest products and innovations while connecting with end users and industry partners.
Henry Repeating Arms will showcase over 75 firearms at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, featuring its largest display ever. Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato and trick shooter 22Plinkster will make booth appearances, and Henry is the premier sponsor of the National Friends of NRA banquet.
Brigade Tactical Corp sponsors Operation Patriots FOB's Warrior Range Day on April 11, 2026, in Ridgeland, SC, showcasing its Monocore suppressor technology. Attendees can experience Brigade Tactical's innovative single-core suppressor design, which offers improved durability, consistent alignment, and simplified cleaning compared to traditional stacked-baffle suppressors.
The age of pistol-mounted optics actually originates from an earlier era, long before microelectronics, LEDs and the broad use of tritium in sights. In the early days, tube optics – telescopes mounted on handguns, nearly all revolvers – were rarely seen.
It seems that the “wobble zone,” that natural arc of movement when trying to aim a firearm, was visually magnified through an optic – whether it’s magnified or not --limiting the appeal. The durability, weight and size were likewise problematic for handgun optics.
No more. Now electro-optics, non-magnified, are small and have some amount of durability. Loosely termed “red dots,” pistol-mounted optics are available in an array of sizes (of the sight and reticle), a couple of dot colors, and open- or closed emitter types. They feature light weight, long periods between battery changes and many don’t require removing the sight to change batteries.
It seems the military has followed law enforcement into handgun optics - or not.
Gone are the days of “equal light, equal height” referring to sights we considered good. Now it’s “float the dot, shoot the shot.” (h/t, George Harris)
It was recently reported that the USMC has gone over to the PMO in a big way. Known for marksmanship generally, the Marines now allow the use of unit-purchased, armorer-installed pistol optics for those Marines who have to use the sidearm as part of their service.
According to the article, the M17 Romeo optic can now be used in the Combat Pistol Program qualification courses. Before this admin change, they couldn’t.
The piece went on to note that “Marines are also allowed to use the optic in combat.” One would think it’d go without saying, but that’s organizations for you.
Using the PMO on the range has them training and “qualifying” with the same weapon format they’re likely to use in battle.
Most Marines don’t have a duty use for pistols; handguns are issued to those most likely to need them – and who may not always have a rifle.
It’s been years since rifle optics came into general use in the USMC. Now, the handgun wears glass.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies of any size are working through the pistol mounted optics issue. Recently, I spoke to an instructor-rangemaster of a 100+ sworn agency. He noted that state-mandated qualifications were scoring, on average, in the 90s for the agency.
That’s far better than our people did with irons. He credits the “box on the slide” for the increase. As it’s more complicated, our technologically-inclined youth are taking to “prechecking” their handguns before going on duty – virtually unheard of for many of us “in the old days.”
The predilection for video games also may be feeding into the “dot on target- shoot” handgun format. One hopes that decision-making also figures in their training.
As to pistol optics generally, two trends are strong. One is the move to improved smaller optics for the “compact micro-9” pistols. Another is the move to the enclosed optic. Both are upgrades, in my view.
They’re striving to make smaller optics durable, with some success. The enclosed optic is also about function in adverse conditions as well as durability.
While we’re talking about it, mounting solutions are involved with innovation. The Aimpoint COA system is now open to more gun makers and their production of optics is reportedly up over previous years.
Another development is the move of the double-stack 9mm 1911 into police holsters – with optics mounted. Optics ready slides are coming online from some makers in more conventional single stack 1911s – another system which is seeing some resurgence in the market.
Whether or not you regularly carry an optics-mounted pistol (or revolver, now), having some knowledge of them, their mounting issues and best use of them, is going to be required for handgun users going forward.
