Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2026, marking the second consecutive year the publication honored Peak Alloy technology. The high-pressure cartridge delivers velocities up to 300 fps faster than conventional 6.5 Creedmoor while maintaining similar recoil and compatibility with existing rifles.
Hook & Barrel Magazine® is excited to announce the third annual Hook & Barrel Top Shelf Awards, celebrating the best-in-class brands, products and personalities in the outdoor industry. From top-tier firearms, archery equipment and fishing tackle to outdoor lifestyle brands, personalities and more, the awards celebrate the very best of the outdoor world.
Benelli's M2-G1 Tactical shotgun has been named Guns & Ammo's 2026 Shotgun of the Year, recognizing its innovative Rear Piston Operated gas system and refined design. The award follows extensive evaluation by Guns & Ammo editors and a 4.54-out-of-5 Gold Standard rating from the National Tactical Officers Association.
Hornady has been recognized as Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) for the fourth consecutive year. Vice President Jason Hornady praised the award and highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and customer service through their wholesale distribution partners.
The Double D Foundation presented its 2026 Patriot Award to Pete Brownell, Chairman of Brownells and 2nd Adventure Group, during its Annual Georgia Banquet on October 15. Brownell was recognized for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to protecting the Second Amendment and advancing shooting sports. The Brownells Foundation also joined the Foundation's Corporate Partners Program.
Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB has been named the 2026 Athlon Untamed Hunting Suppressor of the Year. The innovative over-the-barrel suppressor earned top honors for its lightweight titanium construction, compact design, and superior performance across multiple evaluation categories.
Canik USA's Prime Radian, developed in collaboration with Radian Weapons, won both Best New Handgun and Best New Overall Product awards at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Selected from over 100 entries, the Prime Radian was recognized by industry judges for its innovation, performance, value, and market impact.
Century Arms received the Importer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) at the 2026 Caliber Awards dinner in Phoenix. The recognition, voted by NASGW wholesaler members, honors the company's exceptional service, partnership, and support within the shooting sports industry's distribution channel.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. received the 2026 Firearm Manufacturer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. The recognition reflects the company's commitment to trusted products, American manufacturing, and support for distributors and retailers.
Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) presented its 2026 Premier Partner Awards to Galls (USA), Antero Lopes (Portugal), and ASCiM (Turkey), recognizing exceptional distributor partnerships. ASP also introduced its inaugural Subject Matter Expert Award to Chris Patzer of Handcuff Warehouse for outstanding product knowledge and customer service.
TriStar Arms' Viper G3 Bronze semi-auto 12ga shotgun has been named a finalist for the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Shotgun. The next-generation platform builds on the award-winning Viper G2 series and will be showcased at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) presented its 2026 Golden Bowtie Award to Don Kilmer, a constitutional law litigator and Second Amendment advocate with over 25 years of experience. Kilmer, who has represented SAF in numerous cases and co-authored a law school casebook on firearms law, was honored for his significant contributions to the organization's mission.
Hornady Manufacturing Company has been voted "Best Place to Work" and "Best Customer Service" in the Grand Island Independent's Best of Grand Island competition. The family-owned company, headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, has earned "Best Place to Work" honors consecutively since 2021.
The Benelli M2-G1 Tactical shotgun earned a 4.54 overall score in the National Tactical Officers Association's Member Tested and Recommended Program. Five NTOA members evaluated the tactical shotgun across multiple categories, praising its Rear Piston Operated gas system, reliability through 500+ rounds, and combat-ready features.
Beretta USA celebrated its 500-year milestone by honoring long-tenured employees in Italy, recognizing staff with 20 to 46 years of service. General Manager Cristian Capelli praised employees for their decades of dedication in building Beretta's U.S. manufacturing operations and shaping the company's evolution.
Morris Swarts of Professional Marketing Inc. received ZeroTech Optics' 2026 Sports Inc. Rep of the Year award for his 30+ years in the shooting sports industry and dedication to dealer relationships. The recognition was presented at ZeroTech's Dealer Appreciation Party in Nashville, where Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama was also honored as Dealer of the Year.
ZeroTech Optics honored Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama as its 2026 Sports Inc. Dealer of the Year at an event in Nashville. Owner Shane Sturdivant's retailer was recognized for product knowledge, customer presentation, and partnership strength, receiving a custom limited-edition ZeroTech Optics timepiece by Stirling Timepieces.
Burris Optics' Fullfield riflescope earned Outdoor Life's "Great Buy" award in their 2026 Best Rifle Scopes for Hunting test. The scope impressed testers with its straightforward design, simple operation, durable construction, and passed the publication's drop test, earning recognition for its trusted heritage among American hunters.
Federal Ammunition was named Vendor Partner of the Year by Los Cazadores, a Texas-based hunting retailer celebrating 40 years in business. Federal's Chairman and CEO Jason Vanderbrink accepted the award from Los Cazadores CEO Craig Harrison and Vice President Chuck Anderson at the Big Buck Bash in San Antonio.
Silencer Central presented U.S. Senator Mike Rounds with its U.S. Senator of the Year award, recognizing his leadership on firearm policy. Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox highlighted Rounds' sponsorship of the Modernizing Law Enforcement Notification Act and the Hearing Protection Act as key accomplishments for responsible gun owners.