GunBroker.com is hosting a charity auction featuring two tickets to the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, with all proceeds benefiting Project R3con, an organization dedicated to assisting veterans and first responders through outdoor-based healing initiatives. The auction begins at one penny with no reserve and closes March 29, 2026.
GunBroker.com announced a charity auction supporting the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F) featuring six custom Q platform rifles built by tactical influencers. All proceeds benefit SOC-F, a nonprofit supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces and their families with healthcare, mental health, and family support programs. Bidding runs through March 29th.
Hornady sponsored shooter Clay Blackketter won the Open Division at the Southern Iowa Showdown on March 14-15, 2026, in Diagonal, Iowa, using Hornady 25 cal. 138 gr. A-Tip Match bullets. Hornady Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen placed third in the same division with the same ammunition.
Team Ruger's Lauryl Akenhead won High Lady honors at both the 2026 Clay's Cartridge Company Classic and the NRL Woodsviking Hunter Challenge, competing with a Custom Shop Ruger RPR in 6mm GT and a Ruger American Rifle Gen II in 6.5 Creedmoor respectively.
A Texas District Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Firearms Policy Coalition, confirming that all current and future SAF members are covered by an injunction preventing enforcement of the post office carry ban. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut called it a major victory for Second Amendment rights nationwide.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that a Texas federal judge denied a DOJ motion challenging FPC's Second Amendment victory in FPC v. Bondi, which struck down the Post Office gun ban. The injunction will continue to apply to FPC members, with the case currently on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.
The Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association, and Firearm Owners Against Crime filed an amicus brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court challenging the state's firearms carry ban for 18-20-year-olds in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Kareem Mohammed Williams Jr. SAF argues the ban violates Second Amendment rights without historical precedent.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Shot Tec, and Grant Schmidt filed a reply brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Schmidt v. Paris, challenging Pennsylvania State Police regulations and Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny's policy allowing warrantless searches of licensed firearms dealers without probable cause.
Maxim Defense will participate in the 2026 Alamo Steel Challenge on March 21st at Louland Gun Club in Naples, Florida. Attendees can experience the SDX RFLX and PDX-SD integrated suppressor systems while competing on three professionally supervised steel stages.
Shell Tech, the ammunition branch of Shell Shock Technologies, announced sponsors and raffle prizes for the 2nd Annual Legends & Heroes Shootout on March 20-21, 2026 at Markham Park Shooting Range in Florida. The free public range day will feature live-fire demonstrations, Steel Challenge competition, and raffles including firearms from Dark Storm Industries and KAK Industries, with all net proceeds benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation and K9 Heroes 4 Heroes.
Beretta USA will participate as a Platinum Sponsor at The Gathering, Palmetto State Armory's annual range event on March 20-21 in Clinton, SC. The company will showcase pistols, shotguns, and sporting firearms alongside Langdon Tactical Technology, with instruction from Lead Faucet Tactical's Dan Brokos, a retired Army Special Forces Sergeant Major.
High Speed Gear has been awarded a United States Army contract to produce specialized drone pouches for unmanned aerial system operations. The modular drone case systems were developed through the XVIII Airborne Corps' Dragon's Lair innovation pipeline with support from the Airborne Innovation Lab.
Range USA, the nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, highlights its Cash for Guns online used gun evaluator service launched in October 2025. The program has generated over $1.25 million in quotes, allowing firearm owners to receive professional appraisals and choose between in-store credit or cash payment.
NSSF and Project ChildSafe launched "Project ChildSafe Tuscaloosa" in collaboration with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Office, and local organizations including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and National African American Gun Association. The initiative distributes free cable gun locks and educational resources to promote responsible firearm ownership and secure storage practices.
Lyman Products announces SONICORE Suppressors are now shipping from its Middletown, Connecticut facility. The new suppressor brand features engineered baffle systems, modular construction, and models including Skarv 22, Rekkr DT, Paradox, and Valor 9, with MSRP ranging from $199 to $299.
Kinetic Development Group's patented Kinect™ Series offers tool-free mounting for rifle accessories, allowing shooters to quickly install, remove, or reposition equipment like weapon lights and optics. The system benefits training, competition, hunting, and field use by eliminating the need for tools during configuration adjustments.
Faxon Firearms announced exclusive pistol upgrade combos available through SCHEELS featuring Faxon Match Series barrels and EXOS compensators for Glock 19 Gen 5 and Glock 43X platforms. The combos deliver improved recoil management and faster follow-up shots as part of SCHEELS' March 2026 Shooting Sports Promotion.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, announces multiple color configurations of Iver Johnson Arms Eagle Gen 2 .45 ACP handguns are in stock for dealers. The new 2026 models feature enhanced finishes, crowned barrels, and ambi-safeties, developed through Iver Johnson's partnership with Balistik Defense.
Olman Outdoors introduces the OST-100 Steady Eddie Tripod Shooting Stick, a versatile aluminum tripod weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz. with an adjustable height range of 8 to 65 inches. Designed for rifle hunting, tactical shooting, and long-range precision shooting, it features a ball head mount and inverted leg positioning for fast deployment and reliable stability across various shooting positions.
Henry Repeating Arms launched a National Forest Foundation Edition Rifle Series with four commemorative rifles to support conservation across nearly 200 million acres of national forests. Proceeds fund reforestation, wildlife habitat restoration, watershed protection, and trail improvement, with founder Anthony Imperato donating $25,000 directly to the National Forest Foundation.
Wiley X introduces the WX Zulu and WX Bravo lifestyle frames for 2026, featuring ANSI Z87.1+ rated impact protection, Triloid™ nylon frames, and Selenite™ lenses. CEO Dan Freeman highlights how these versatile styles bring trusted protection to everyday wear while maintaining the brand's performance standards.
Vortex and the Vortex Nation Podcast are hosting a contest through March 31, 2026, offering one winner a custom rifle build, two-day experience at Vortex HQ with Hunter Marksmanship Course, airfare, lodging, and meals. Entrants submit their build story via video or written format for a chance to be featured on the "Cartridge Talks" podcast with hosts Mark and Ryan.
Wilson Combat announced the release of a new hardcover book by founder Bill Wilson, featuring 234 pages of technical insights, hunting knowledge, and shooting advice drawn from over 60 years of experience. The book includes 350+ images across 12 chapters covering rifles, handguns, cartridges, and real-world hunting and shooting practices.
Bass Pro Shops celebrates its third Arizona location opening in Tucson on March 25 with an Evening for Conservation. The 100,000-square-foot store will donate 15% of sales to local conservation organizations and feature appearances by legendary anglers Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Kevin VanDam, and Josh Bertrand.
Winchester Ammunition pledges $100,000 to Folds of Honor in 2026, marking the sixth consecutive year of support. Since 2021, Winchester has contributed over $500,000 to the organization, which provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders.
Winchester and the National Wild Turkey Federation unveiled a Committed to Conservation paint scheme on the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington. Winchester has contributed over $2 million to NWTF's conservation mission since 1973, earning Corporate Achievement Award and Pinnacle Partner Status.
When preparing for an annual Old Goats’ qualification, I find it best to solidify the hard skill – precision – and worry about time limits and such later on. To do that, I use smaller targets.
I also use a gun that’s like the gun that will be shot for qual – but in a 22 rimfire chambering. That tilts more to being precise than handling service calibers at speed. Shooting the 22 on a B-8 (CP) repair center and recording the score as the target’s printed makes it tougher.
But wait, there’s more: for the centerfire gun, I’d use a smaller target (like 14” high and 10” wide) instead of an FBI-Q, with the whole “bottle” counting for score. Add the use of +P service ammo and you have the difficulty elevated.
In addition, I had a loaded magazine for the empty Taurus GX4 micro-gun in the safe. The ammo was premium defense (Hornady Critical Defense 115gr. FTX), but it was old. I elected to shoot it up as well.
So how did the experience play out? With the GLOCK 44, using Remington Golden Bullet plated round-nose, I pushed 10 out of the X-ring into the 10-ring before I left the 7-yard line.
That boded ill.
I had four 9s and an 8 at fifteen yards. I pushed one just off the repair center (hit the target stand) at 25 yards. Should be a BOLO, but I scored 461/500 with the miss.
All the hits would have been inside the FBI-Q bottle and would have “counted.”
I elected to shoot the Taurus GX4 at ten yards before getting the G45 Gen 6 out. I used the “head” of a reduced size B-27 target that was relatively unscathed as my aiming point. Shooting with two hands – including left-handed – I was able to put the hits into a 1 ¼” cluster. Having a few rounds left, I tried my hand on ca-6” paddles from the same distance.
Finally, I stapled up a bit of cardboard that’d been shipped inside a shirt (to keep it folded during shipping). As noted, it’s 14” high and 10” wide.
The original FBI-Q “bottle” scoring area is an enormous 26” high and 12” wide.
Yes, I can still miss, hence the reason I practice on smaller targets (a lot shorter and a little slimmer).
The gun was the centerfire bigger brother, a GLOCK 45 Gen6. The ammo was Hornady Critical Duty 135gr. FTX +P. Using the hotter ammo brings some difficulty, but Hornady is a bullet company. The accuracy is profound.
I started with the last stage first because I wanted the 25-yard shots fired on a clean target for accountability. All hits were inside, ten holes in a cluster measuring in a 3 ½” extreme spread.
Marked hits in the outline were from 25 yards, first rounds fired from the G45 Gen6.
At the end of the exercise, there were fifty hits on the cardboard shirt insert.
The current (and now a long-standing) state qual still has quite a bit of drawing from the holster, but less than the old more-or-less “PPC” type “draw-to-a-cylinder-dump-reload-repeat” course. The holster was the (sadly discontinued) Bianchi M135 Suppression hybrid IWB – the same rig I have been wearing every day.
The sights on both GLOCK pistols are the factory plastic ball-in-the-bucket sights. They didn’t seem to hinder the hits.
Good enough.
Depending on weather, appointments and other nonsense, I’ll be doing another practice or two before the ‘big day.’
