Springfield Armory's Kuna 9mm has been selected as Best New PCC in 2025 by Guns.com Readers' Choice Awards. The PDW-style pistol features a roller-delayed operating system, ambidextrous controls, and is available in two versions priced at $1,179 and $1,330.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced a successful settlement in Shaffer v. Quattrone, eliminating New York's non-resident firearm carry ban. The State now confirms that residency is not required for firearm licensure, with Chautauqua, Steuben, Tioga, and Orange counties agreeing to accept applications from non-residents. FPC has established a New York Carry Hotline to report any licensing denials.
Heckler & Koch USA announced its 2025 sales awards, naming Covey Sales & Marketing as Rep Group of the Year, Jack Hale of Core Line Marketing as Overall Sales Rep of the Year, and Jake Lindemann from Owen J. Brown & Associates as Premium Dealer Sales Rep of the Year. HK achieved growth despite a challenging year for the firearms industry.
Wiley X announced the appointment of Johnathan Weikum as Vice President of Sales. Weikum will lead the company's sales organization across all channels, overseeing strategic growth initiatives and key partnerships. He previously served as Director of Sales for Wiley X's Optical Division and held senior roles at Oakley and Costa Del Mar.
The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is seeking a Convention & Events Manager to oversee its annual multi-day hunting and conservation convention and year-round member events. The position requires five years of large-scale trade show and convention management experience, with responsibilities including exhibitor coordination, vendor management, and event execution.
Silent Steel USA announced a strategic partnership with Maschmedt & Associates, a sales agency with over 50 years of outdoor industry experience. The agreement expands Silent Steel USA's representation across 23 western states, strengthening dealer relationships and market presence for innovative suppressor technology.
Sticky Holsters announced an exclusive online retail partnership with EuroOptic, naming the optics and gear retailer as the sole authorized seller of Sticky Holsters products on Amazon.com. EuroOptic will manage all listings, ensuring authentic products, consistent brand experience, and reliable availability for customers.
Viridian Weapon Technologies, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of laser sights and tactical optics, has partnered with Kinsey's distributor network to expand dealer access across the U.S. market. The partnership makes Viridian's green laser sights, green dot optics, and weapon-mounted lighting solutions available through Kinsey's ordering platform, with Viridian exhibiting at the Kinsey's Dealer Show beginning February 19.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, announced it is now stocking Akkar shotguns, expanding its shotgun lineup for dealers nationwide. Akkar shotguns are known for quality craftsmanship and competitive pricing across hunting, clay shooting, and home defense applications.
FALCO Holsters announced expanded compatibility for Glock Generation 6 handguns, including the Glock 19, 17, 45, and 49 Gen 6 models. The company now supports over 3,600 handgun models across its full portfolio of leather, nylon, Kydex, and carbon fiber holsters.
Magpul now offers six GEN M3 PMAGs in Olive Drab Green, including 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem., .300 BLK, and .308 Win. variants. The new magazines feature the company's rugged polymer construction and meet strict military standards while maintaining reliability and affordability.
Bear Creek Arsenal introduced the Grizzly 102 .380 ACP handgun featuring a compact design with 15+1 capacity and ergonomic grip enhancements. The company also launched a .380 ACP Conversion Kit for existing Grizzly 102 owners, including a complete slide assembly and magazine.
Viridian Weapon Technologies, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of laser sights and tactical lights, has partnered with Bill Hicks & Co., a family-owned distributor, to expand dealer access to its green laser, green dot optic, and weapon-mounted light solutions through their dealer portal.
Davidson's and Pietta Firearms introduce the First Edition Migliore Series single-action revolver in .357 Magnum, featuring traditional color case-hardening by Parkwest Arms and hand inspection by Alessandro Pietta. Limited to 250 units with an MSRP of $1,214.99, each includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Pietta brothers and Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson's.
Galco introduces the Concealable 2.0 belt holster for the Springfield Operator AOS, featuring modern updates including red dot optics accommodation, improved sweat guard, and two-piece construction for enhanced comfort and concealment.
RETAY will unveil the Gamelander single-shot shotgun at the 2026 NWTF Convention in Nashville, featuring Deep Bore™ Drilled Barrels, AIRY™ recoil system, and adjustable cheek piece. Available in 20-gauge and .410 bore, the lightweight shotgun weighs 5lbs, 8oz and includes specialized turkey choke and brass front bead.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced the release of the Model 940-3, a 5-shot 9mm revolver featuring a stainless-steel frame, Tritium XS front night sight, and Hogue Over-Molded Rubber Bantam grip designed for everyday carry.
Magpul introduced the Sub-Compact Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG) for the Ruger RXM pistol, enabling users to convert between full-sized, compact, and sub-compact configurations. The grip features Magpul's Trapezoidal Surface Projection texture, undercut trigger guard, and compatibility with Magpul GL9 PMAGs and GLOCK magazines.
GrabAGun, Amend2, and Kinetic Development Group are launching SCARentines Day from February 13-16, offering an exclusive FN SCAR package that includes a KDG MREX rail system and Amend2 SCAR magazine. The limited-time promotion is available exclusively through GrabAGun's email newsletter.
Beretta celebrates its 500th anniversary at Safari Club International 2026 in Nashville, featuring live demonstrations by Pietro Beretta Selection artisans, an exclusive One-of-One collection, and the SO10 EELL USA 250th Anniversary Edition. The company showcases its conservation leadership and American manufacturing heritage from its Gallatin, Tennessee facility.
Liberty Ammunition will showcase its ammunition innovation at the Sports Inc show in Phoenix, AZ at Booth #1624, featuring products including Bear Country, SPIKE, OverWatch, Civil Defense, and Ultra-Light. CEO Gary Ramey expressed excitement about sharing the company's 2026 innovations with Sports Inc members.
1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group will exhibit at the Sports, Inc. 2026 February Outdoor Show (Feb 18-20) in Phoenix, showcasing new HUNT Line accessories, Tac Leather Rifle Sling, holsters, and Roni pistol-to-carbine conversion kits. VP of Sales Janette Palmer highlighted market-driven products for dealers and industry partners.
Meprolight will showcase its optics lineup at Sports Inc Show Booth #1309, featuring the Mepro MCO PRO rifle scope, green reticle pistol optics (MPO Pro F, MPO Pro S, MPO F, MPO S), MVO variable riflescopes, backup sights (Mepro CABS and Mepro CRIS), and the Mepro M22 PRO. The company emphasizes its Unilateral Price Policy and Meproguard Lifetime Warranty for dealers and customers.
Dead Air Silencers will sponsor and exhibit at the Safari Club International Convention February 18-21 in Nashville, Tennessee at booth #3054. The company will showcase new suppressor models including the Nomad Ti OTB and RXD30Ti, developed in collaboration with Ruger, along with their full hunting suppressor lineup.
Derya Arms will showcase its firearms lineup at IWA Outdoor Classics 2026 in Nürnberg, Germany from February 26 to March 1. The company will feature the MAX Shotgun, TM22 Rifles, DY9 Pistol, and new products including the DY9Z, highlighting its commitment to innovation and global accessibility across 50 countries.
EOTECH will exhibit at the 2026 Enforce Tac exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, February 23-25, at booth 7-319. The event brings together decision-makers and innovators from government, industry, and society focused on European security solutions.
Sarsilmaz, one of Europe's largest integrated firearms manufacturers, will exhibit at the 2026 Sports Inc. Outdoor Sporting Goods Show in Phoenix, February 18-20th. The company will showcase the SAR9 SOCOM series, 7/24 Series, and SAR9 Gen3 family, with Vice President of Sales Jacob Phair emphasizing the importance of direct dealer engagement and partnership building.
Taylor's & Company will exhibit at the 2026 Sports Inc. Show in Phoenix, Arizona from February 18-20, unveiling new USA-made rifle products including TC73 Rifle series additions. The company will showcase heritage-built firearms and dealer specials at booth #349.
TriStar Arms will exhibit at the Sports Inc 2026 Outdoor Show in Phoenix, Arizona, February 18–20, 2026, showcasing new firearms including the Upland Hunter Thumbhole Stock, APOC PRO pistol, and KR22 rifle in new finishes. President Ryan Bader emphasized the company's focus on delivering reliable firearms with strong value.
Legacy Sports International will showcase its 2026 lineup of firearms and accessories from brands HOWA, POINTER, CITADEL, and SCSA at the Sports Inc. Show in Phoenix, AZ, February 18-20, 2026. Featured products include the HOWA Superlite Gen 2, Fence Line Series, HOWA 25 Creedmoor, Pointer shotguns, and new Citadel models at booth #1700.
Faxon Firearms will exhibit at the Sports INC 2026 February Outdoor Show in Phoenix, Arizona, February 18–20, showcasing its expanded 2026 lineup including new AR-15 platforms, FX-7 bolt-action firearms, and HARMONIX® and CORESYNC® suppressors.
Shell Tech, the ammunition branch of Shell Shock Technologies, LLC, announces sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Legends & Heroes Shootout charity event in Florida benefiting K9 Heroes 4 Heroes and the Navy SEAL Foundation. The event features MLB legends including Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols, and Max Scherzer competing in a charity golf tournament and shooting competition.
Outdoor Channel launches Premiere Week on February 16, featuring 16 all-new episodes and 10 brand new series including Our Way of Life, Part 2 with Heather Douville, Dropped: Arctic Drift with the Keefer Brothers, and Wardens following Michigan DNR conservation officers.
We’re all victims of our own experience. – Walt Rauch
A common bit of prattle has to do with selecting a firearms instructor. There are those who tell us this –
“The only one who can teach you how to survive a gunfight has to have been in a gunfight.”
Okay, so the primary criteria for your proposed instructor is “been there, done that.”
The number of times that bit of wisdom has risen from those who are against a particular instructor – or for a particular instructor – is staggering. Like most of the gun shop gossip (and now “wisdom” from the error-net), perhaps it’s to be taken with a grain of salt.
Can a gunfight survivor be a great instructor? Hell yes – if that individual can teach. Likewise, if communication skills are lacking, the instructor has a diminutive persuasive ability, or there’s a lack of interest in understanding adult learning issues, no amount of “gunfight experience” will help.
Something exists to be learned, to be certain, but it’s on the student/inquisitor to dig it out.
An example of a superior instructor who had more on-the-job-training than he wanted was Jim Cirillo. He was unquestionably a great persuader; I’ve seen him coach students on the line and I’ve heard him lecture – it was more like animated conversation. He was first rate.
I’ve known a large number of instructors who’ve never fired a shot operationally – and were superior instructors. How do we reconcile this?
While there are those who do extensive analysis of surveillance/car/badge camera footage of shooting incidents – and patterns are discovered – the truth of it, learned over decades, is that each fight is a distinct event. It stands alone, with some aspects that are unique.
Each participant is unique, that moment in time is one during which either – or both – of the players fervently wish they could be somewhere else. An armed robbery perpetrator doesn’t want a gunfight; he wants the plunder. Just give up and, in a good many cases, you’ll be fleeced and left behind with no unsightly gunshot wounds.
A good many shootings are spur of the moment, with lost temper, drugs & alcohol-fueled rage and, often done against someone who can’t shoot back.
It seems that our internet chat types would approve of getting a youthful gang-banger with a range of “belly-buttons” and “railroad tracks,” scars providing evidence of previously being shot and knifed – because that individual is still alive.
A good many instructors come from the military side of the house. Clive Shepherd had been in Royal Marine Commando - but his teaching for NRA Law Enforcement was "geared to the customer" - law enforcement instructors. His techniques for making the square range like the street are still used today.
Without footage (and, often, with footage), we are to wonder about the circumstance. People have said “video doesn’t lie” – it doesn’t but it has one viewpoint, it’s two-dimensional, and often the resolution is such that it can’t portray what one of the participants, in the grip of “fight or flight” could see.
A problem with “someone who won a fight should teach us how to fight” is that fights aren’t the same. Citizen contacts aren’t always the same, let alone fights.
Too often, we use a successful resolution of a single event to form a procedure-policy statement to always do the same thing. That’s fighting the last war and has only a little to do with the next potential war.
We had a hit on a license plate recorded during an overnight “motel list,” a routine check of foreign plates in the event of stolen tags/autos, wanted persons, that kind of thing. NCIC – and the ORI who submitted the information to that national database– told us that the plate was entered because it was associated with a dangerous wanted felony suspect.
Plans were hatched as to how to get the occupant out of the room – we’d discovered the room number from the night clerk – and one of the plans was approved.
Without belaboring the point, it worked.
That time. It won’t work every time. Our offender was a patsy and that was good for us. The next one may not fall for it.
In fact, the next time that subterfuge was tried, it didn’t work and there was a protracted barricaded subject in the room. Fortunately for all, he got tired of the small room and surrendered.
Just because something's possible doesn't make it a good idea - Jim Lindell's statement is proved out daily on the road. A great police instructor often has a resume with a lot of street time, pulling reality into the classroom and on to the range. SGT Dan Rhyne, shown here, brought that experience to his students.
It’s that way in fights. Just because someone made it through one doesn’t mean that everyone can do it the same way in every event. That’s the “Jelly Bryce” issue. He was an outlier.
He won enough fights that his style of shooting lasted in the FBI training curriculum for almost forty years. It didn’t work well for most people, hence the reason it was finally jettisoned.
Don’t buy too much into the “been there, done that” resume. It’s not meaningless but it’s never everything you need to know.
The lesson is to have the solid skills in place, be wary, watchful and predictably unpredictable. Look and listen first, then decide whether to proceed.
And if something don’t feel “right,” it ain’t.
It’s less about those who’ve won fights and more about those who were able to avoid it.
