Hook & Barrel Magazine announces its third annual Top Shelf Awards, a reader-driven event celebrating top outdoor brands, products, and personalities across 23 categories. Voting runs through November 30, with winners announced in January and select category winners receiving awards at SHOT Show 2027.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a federal lawsuit, Maines v. Bethel, challenging Pennsylvania's ban on carry licenses for adults under 21. The case builds on FPC's previous victory in Lara v. Paris, where the Third Circuit affirmed that 18-to-20-year-olds are protected by the Second Amendment.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court seeking to immediately block Pennsylvania's ban on issuing firearm carry licenses to adults under 21, citing binding Third Circuit precedent from Lara v. Paris that established 18-to-20-year-old adults are protected by the Second Amendment.
Lt. Colonel Robert K. Brown, founder of Soldier of Fortune magazine, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026. His wife Marie honored his wish for privacy until November 2nd, marking what would have been his 95th birthday.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte visited PROOF Research's new Columbia Falls headquarters to celebrate the company's expansion and growth as a Montana manufacturer. The visit included a ribbon cutting, facility tour, and demonstration of PROOF Research's carbon fiber barrels, precision rifle systems, and the Elevation MTR FDX rifle.
Armanet, a programmatic advertising platform built for the firearms, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor industries, launches with eight integrated channels including programmatic display, video, Connected TV, and email. Founded by Nick Morissey, the platform uses ArmanetID and multi-touch attribution to help brands measure sales impact across all marketing channels.
SHIELD Sights marks its 40th anniversary as a British manufacturer of red dot optics, celebrating four decades of innovation since its founding on November 3, 1986. The company developed the influential RMSc mounting footprint now widely adopted by handgun manufacturers and continues manufacturing optics in Crewkerne, England.
The Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation are hiring a Regional Director for California Coast and Central Valley to lead volunteer chapters, expand fundraising, and cultivate donors. The remote position, based in California, offers $67,000–$74,500 salary plus benefits, with applications due November 13, 2026.
KDG launches the BOM Series Optic Mounts alongside its established SideLok Quick Detach system, offering shooters modular mounting solutions with adjustable heights and compatibility with Aimpoint ACRO, Aimpoint COA, Aimpoint Micro T-1/T-2, and Trijicon RMR optics. Additional configurations for 30mm and 34mm optic tubes are planned for 2027.
Trijicon, Inc. announced the availability of its RCR (Ruggedized Closed Reflex) sight in a new Flat Dark Earth anodized finish. The fully enclosed reflex optic features a 3.25 MOA red dot, 10 brightness settings, and waterproof performance to 66 feet, maintaining compatibility with existing RMR-ready slides and mounting plates.
Trijicon, Inc. announced a new Coyote Brown anodized finish for its RMR HD reflex sight, designed for law enforcement, military personnel, and serious shooters. The optic features an enlarged viewing window, advanced light sensor, and is built from forged 7075-T6 aluminum with waterproof capabilities.
ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Thrive HD 2.5-15x50 – PHR 2, a 21.7-ounce hunting riflescope featuring a 2.5-15x magnification range with an Adjustable BDC Turret offering five independently lockable reference markers for customized elevation adjustments.
SIG SAUER has renewed its Gold-level corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation. The firearms manufacturer will continue supporting SAF's legal efforts to defend Second Amendment rights, including ongoing cases before the Supreme Court, and will donate products for SAF's monthly sweepstakes program.
EOTECH made a monetary donation to the American Warrior Association, a faith-driven nonprofit dedicated to healing moral injury among service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through programs like R3, Warrior's Refuge, and Virtus Project.
Federal Ammunition has expanded its Fusion and American Eagle rifle product lines with new 22 Creedmoor loads featuring 75-grain bonded soft point and total metal jacket options, both delivering 3,300 feet-per-second muzzle velocity. The loads are now being delivered to dealers nationwide.
Ol' Man Outdoors has introduced the OST-100 Steady Eddie Tripod Shooting Stick, a field-tested rifle rest designed for deer gun season. Weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz. with an adjustable height range of 8 to 65 inches, the tripod supports multiple shooting positions and is compatible with crossbows and spotting scopes.
Hornady offers reloaders access to over 1,000 pages of verified load data through multiple formats: a hardcover Handbook, eBooks on Apple Books and Kindle, and the Hornady Reloading App for iOS and Android. The app allows users to save favorite loads, add personal notes, and purchase data by cartridge for 99¢ or unlock the full library with a $19.99 annual subscription.
UTG PRO, a brand of Leapers Inc., has launched new SD Monolithic Handguards for MP5 and MP5K platforms. The patented design features M-LOK slots and Picatinny tops for accessory versatility, with suppressor integration and improved ergonomics for modern MP5 enthusiasts.
Chiappa Firearms introduces the Hunter Rhino 60DS, a .357 Magnum revolver with a unique low bore axis design that reduces recoil and muzzle flip. The 6-inch barrel revolver, made in Italy and distributed by Chiappa USA in Dayton, Ohio, is chambered for .357 Magnum and .38 Special, offering hunters versatility for whitetail, hogs, and predators.
Remington announces the availability of the 2027 Limited Edition Bullet Knife, The Homesteader, a collector-focused folding pocketknife featuring premium multi-blade design and classic materials. The knife is 100-percent U.S.A. made with hand-finished V-Flat edge and green stag bone handles, now shipping to dealers nationwide at $147.99.
Watchtower Defense, a Tomball, Texas-based firearms manufacturer, launches the Vantage Series of double-stack 1911 pistols featuring advanced porting technology, premium materials, and two configurations: the full-size Vantage V10 at $3,899 and compact Vantage C V6 at $3,699.
NEXTORCH North America announces the P09 Multi-Function Duty Flashlight featuring white, UV, red, and blue LEDs with up to 2,000 lumens and 240-yard beam distance. Designed for law enforcement and emergency response, it includes tactical strobe, ceramic glass breaker, and IP67 durability at $79.99 MSRP.
Federal Ammunition has expanded its Fusion Tipped rifle ammunition line to include the 25 Creedmoor cartridge with a 130-grain load featuring 2,850 fps muzzle velocity. The new offering delivers improved ballistic performance with reduced drift and drop, while 125-grain American Eagle and 135-grain Sierra MatchKing loads are coming soon.
SnapSafe introduces its Modular Safe line, featuring vault-grade security in disassembled pieces that assemble on-site without welding or professional installation. The line includes three models with 2300°F fire ratings, ranging from the Titan to the Super Titan Double Door, all manufactured by Hornady Manufacturing.
SnapSafe, a Hornady Manufacturing brand, introduces modular safes that assemble on-site without welding or professional installation. The line features 2300°F fire protection and scales from single-door to double-door configurations, with the Titan model starting at $2,189 and the Super Titan Double Door at $3,269.
C&H Precision, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Georgia, offers red dot adapter plates for popular pistols and revolvers including Ruger MK IV, SIG P320, Colt Anaconda, Kimber KDS9c, and GLOCK models. The plates support optic footprints from Aimpoint, Trijicon, Holosun, Leupold, EOTech, Vortex, and Olight.
FLUX Defense launches the FLUX Redux, a completely reworked platform for Gen 4 and Gen 5 Glock pistols featuring upgraded materials, improved ergonomics, and a new shroud system. Priced at $349.99, the modular design retains the original two-piece architecture while incorporating nearly a decade of design and manufacturing experience.
High Speed Gear's GEN 2 TACO lineup has become the company's fastest-selling product line in 10 years. Designed for military operators, law enforcement professionals and shooting enthusiasts, GEN 2 features lightweight construction, uncompromising durability, true versatility and a modern aesthetic while maintaining the adaptive DNA that made the original TACO trusted by users.
Law-enforcement agencies are adopting the Blue Force Gear MTKN! Nano – ES trauma kit to provide officers with immediate access to essential medical supplies. The compact 6-by-4-inch kit includes trauma gloves, QuikClot Combat Gauze LE, compression dressing, and HyFin Vent Compact Chest Seal, deployable with one hand via the BLIP tab system.
Crow Wholesale announced an exclusive MTP Holiday promotion featuring Diamondback products with special promotional pricing for dealers from October 26-30. The limited-time offer aims to help Crow dealers prepare for the holiday selling season with access to select Diamondback products while supplies last.
Walther Arms is offering a free Vortex Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot optic valued at $290 with the purchase of qualifying PDP pistols from November 1 through December 31, 2026. The promotion applies to new Walther PDP and PDP F-Series models in various configurations, with redemptions required by January 31, 2027.
Bass Pro Shops celebrates its fifth New York location opening in Victor with an Evening for Conservation on November 12, 2026, featuring legendary anglers Jimmy Houston, Kevin VanDam, Bob Izumi, and George Poveromo. Fifteen percent of sales will benefit local conservation organizations, with festivities including live entertainment, meet-and-greets, and family activities.
Sportsman Channel's "Lock & Load Thursday" block airs weekly from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET, featuring Guns & Ammo TV, Gun Stories hosted by Joe Mantegna, Dirt Trax TV, Handguns with J. Scott Rupp and Richard Nance, and MeatEater with Steven Rinella. The 4th annual "Guns & Ammo Showcase" presented by Brownells premieres November 26.
This is Rangemaster’s “Drill of the Month” – a piece that has become a part of our feature rotation. It is part of that company’s monthly newsletter. As always, start slow before trying to progress. If you’re not familiar with use of the holster – especially from concealment – and, not familiar with the most dangerous thing you’ll do at the range, putting the gun into the holster – seek education first. You can shoot the whole thing from low ready, just to see how you do. Consider the aspect of moving with a gun in your hand. Your local range may have rules about that; needless to say, move with your finger OFF of the trigger and at high register on the gun, while keeping the muzzle directed into the backstop/target line. Don’t let the muzzle precede you as you move laterally across the range; the safe direction rule applies. Keep the muzzle directed into the backstop. And, as always, training is available: the instructors for Rangemaster travel. Check the website for information.
Throughout 2026 we will be running a Drill of the Month in each edition of the newsletter. The goal is help motivate folks to get to the range and actually shoot their defensive weapons, and to have some fun in the process. Each month we’ll post a drill or a short course of fire. You are encouraged to go to the range, shoot the drill, and then post your thoughts and a photo of your target on the Rangemaster Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/rangemaster/.
- And now to the drill of the month:
SCAT, the Short Combat Accuracy Test
Lots of shooters would like to know how their current skill level compares to an established standard. The best way to do this is with a hit factor (Comstock Count) scored test that covers a variety of useful skills.
The problem with a time limit course or drill is that it does not reward performance above the expected baseline. Let’s say two shooters have their own target at 6 yards, and the target has an 8” vital zone delineated in the chest. The shooters are told to draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds. On signal, they do just that. Both have all 3 rounds in the circle, and both beat the 3 second time limit, so they both get exactly the same score. However, one of them did the task in 1.4 seconds, the other in 2.8 seconds. The second shooter took twice as long to perform the task, so he is nowhere near as skillful as the guy who did the task in half the time.
This drill is meant to be shot on a Rangemaster Q-5 or Q-6 silhouette, scoring the chest circle and head box as 5 points, the rest of the silhouette 3 points. If you must use an IDPA target, score the A and B zones as 5 points, the C zone as 3 points, no points for the D zone.
The score sheet follows, so you can print it and use it for your run. Total target points, divided by total time, X 20 gives you your final score. At the bottom of the page, you will see a score range with a skill level shown for each. These ratings are based on literally decades of watching police patrol officers, SWAT cops, military Spec Ops guys, and trained private citizens perform the listed tasks.
For the score ratings to be relevant, please:
Shoot this cold, no warm-up.
Street gear, fully concealed. No open carry or USPSA race rigs.
Shoot as fast as you feel you can get good hits.
Note: DHO-Dominant Hand Only/ NDHO-Non-dominant hand only
Tom's score sheet.
A blank score sheet appears in the newsletter (available here.) Print it and use it to record your run.
– Tom Givens, Chief Firearms Instructor, Rangemaster Firearms Training Services
My score sheet - the accuracy is okay, but the times are marginal.
Editor’s note: I elected to try this drill of the month with the Gen6 GLOCK 45, a gun I’m still getting used to. I’ll limit excuses to the different feel of the piece (it took me 3,000 rounds to get me up to speed on the Gen3 GLOCK in 2001 – and I was younger then) as well as the relative height of the sights (optics-ready metallic). As a result, I was “looking for the sights” from the holster and from guard. Still, the accuracy was “okay,” and I’m judged “competent.” That will have to do for now. – Rich Grassi
