German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced that the GPO CENTURI 4-16x44i Super-Compact Riflescope won the 2026 NRA American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award. The riflescope features innovative Zero-Stop turrets, iCONTROL illumination, and advanced ballistic technologies designed for hunting, shooting, and competition.
Mission First Tactical's MFT Guardian Duty Holster earned OFFICER Media Group's "Tested-Field Rated" Seal of Approval. The holster features an instinctive locking system with magnetic and aerospace carbon fiber rod technology, designed for law enforcement and military professionals demanding rapid access and reliable retention.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a reply brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Grant v. Rovella, challenging Connecticut's assault weapons ban. SAF argues that AR-15-style rifles are in common use and protected by the Second Amendment, joined by the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and three private citizens.
The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners' Action League, Commonwealth Second Amendment, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Gun Owners of America filed a reply brief in Escher v. Noble, challenging Massachusetts' ban on handgun purchase and possession for 18-20-year-olds.
FastBound has launched TraceDesk, a compliance tool designed to help Federal Firearms Licensees respond to ATF firearm trace requests through FFL Direct while maintaining audit trails and limiting data collection to legal requirements. The platform modernizes trace management by replacing phone, fax, and email workflows with a centralized system that integrates with FastBound's compliance platform or operates standalone.
Vortex Optics launched the Talon HD 10K Ballistic Laser Rangefinding Binoculars, featuring 10,000-yard capability, HD optical systems, and integrated GeoBallistics solver technology. The binoculars connect via Vortex Relay network for seamless data sharing across long-range shooting devices, with pricing starting at $2,299.99.
COAST Products unveiled the BRKR PTX65R and PTX35R pistol lights featuring a patent-pending Snap-Focus Two-Beam System that transitions between a CLEAR-VIEW Flood Beam for close-quarters awareness and an ULTRA-RANGE Spot Beam for long-distance precision. Available for pre-order January 20, 2026, the PTX35R retails for $129.99 and the PTX65R for $149.99.
Galco's Hawkeye IWB holster is now available for the Springfield Echelon with a protective shroud for compact carry-style optical sights. The holster features snap-on design, premium steerhide construction, and removable belt loops with optional accessories including Appendix Carry Belt Loops.
Vortex launched the Ace Ballistic Weather Meter, a precision tool featuring real-time ballistics, weather, and wind data with an intuitive interface. The device integrates with the Vortex Relay Network, connecting seamlessly with products like the Impact® 4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser Rangefinder and Talon HD 10K Ballistic Laser Rangefinding Binocular for enhanced long-range shooting capabilities.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) is expanding its buy group strategy following successful SHOT Show engagement, with confirmed exhibiting at Nation's Best Sports show and participation in Sports, Inc. vendor consideration meetings to strengthen dealer relationships and market penetration.
TriStar Arms will exhibit at the Mid-States Winter Rendezvous on January 30-31 in Phoenix, Arizona at booth #542. The company will showcase the new APOC PRO 9mm pistol, Upland Hunter Thumbhole Stock, and KR22 rimfire option to dealers and industry partners.
Late in our last year, I ran a story about a Gen2 GLOCK 19 with Cirillo Visible Sights (designed by Jim Cirillo, NYPD). In that story, I’d found that I could feel the slide moving on the gun during firing. I did the “recoil spring check,” taught in the old days in the GLOCK Armorer course, to check it.
I’m not sure they do that anymore – I’ve not had an update since the late-Gen3 era. But it was a good test on this elderly G19.
For your interest, I cleared the (cleaned, properly lubricated) gun, put the muzzle in the safest available direction (where an unintended discharge would cause only minor property damage and NO personal injury), and pressed the trigger, pinning it back against the frame.
Directing the muzzle up, I withdrew the slide, still holding the trigger down, and gently eased the slide forward. It stopped short of battery, just a fraction of an inch. I released the trigger, muzzle up, and the slide went into battery. That’s a “fail.”
And I was out of my stock of Gen3 G19 Recoil Spring Assemblies.
Within a few weeks, colleague Mike Rafferty was taking a trip to the metro area and asked me to go along. I did and we stopped at GT Distributors, a great place for GLOCK OEM parts. I picked up a new recoil spring assembly for the G19 and a few for G17-sized guns. When I got back, I swapped the old for the new and the gun passed the test.
Thrilling, right?
Well, I took the opportunity to take two of my most carried semi-autos and field strip them. I was embarrassed at the amount of lint that had accumulated in these concealed carry pistols.
No, I didn’t take pictures. The memory of the shame is enough.
From a previous cleaning of different firearms, the Channel Cleaning Tool is in the middle – where it belongs as it’s a handy way to clean out slide-frame rails and elsewhere on those grungy firearms.
I used a can of air to blow the biggest clumps out, took a brush to them and used a Calbico Channel Cleaning Tool with a patch to get the corners cleaned out. Lubrication was done with Slip 2000 Extreme Weapons Lubricant; it’s the oil I had and it works fine.
When reloading, I marked the case head of the round I’d pulled out of the chamber. It went further down in the magazine stack. There were no other marked rounds in the magazines.
In a video from Concealed Carry Trainer, Mickey found that his daily carry GLOCK 48 was getting failures to fire. My guess it was the striker spring – he said the gun had 25,000 rounds on it, more than the majority will fire during the term of their lives.
It could also be the recoil spring assembly, could be crap in the firing pin channel – or it could be the firing pin safety plunger.
The easiest fix is to replace the RSA, striker spring and the firing pin safety plunger; after 25,000 rounds, parts replacement is mandatory, particularly springs.
He found out on the range, which is a great advantage to periodically shooting your defense handgun.
