Colt CZ Group SE successfully closed its acquisition of 51% stakes in Synthesia Nitrocellulose and Synthesia Power for CZK 10.0 billion, strengthening control over key ammunition production materials. Kaprain Chemical Limited became Colt CZ's third largest shareholder with a 9.86% stake.

Hornady has been named the Top Ammunition Brand by Hook & Barrel's Top Shelf Awards, which honors best-in-class outdoor industry brands. Seth Swerczek, Hornady Communications Manager, emphasized the company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Winners will be honored at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Springfield Armory's Kuna 9mm has won Ballistic's inaugural Best Gun of the Year award, marking the first time this honor has been given to any firearm. Developed in partnership with HS Produkt, the roller-delayed PDW features a monolithic aluminum upper, cold radial hammer forged barrel, and translucent 30-round magazines, with pricing starting at $1,020.

Hook & Barrel Magazine announced winners of its Second Annual Top Shelf Awards, honoring best-in-class outdoor industry brands and personalities across 21 categories. Editorial Director Nino Bosaz praised the community response, with awards to be presented at SHOT Show 2026.

Shell Tech, the ammunition branch of Shell Shock Technologies, announced the second annual Legends & Heroes Shootout for March 20-21, 2026, in South Florida. The event now includes the Navy SEAL Foundation as a beneficiary alongside K9 Heroes 4 Heroes, with a $50,000 fundraising goal and participation from MLB legends including Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols, and Max Scherzer.

Silent Steel USA announced that former U.S. Navy SEAL Justin Sheehan has joined as Vice President of Combat Capabilities & Law Enforcement Programs. Sheehan, who served with SEAL Team 2 and SEAL Team 6, brings extensive special operations and combat medicine expertise. He will lead combat capability initiatives and expand partnerships with military and law enforcement professionals.

Primary Arms announced Matt Fleming's appointment as President, effective January 5th, 2026. Fleming brings 24 years of leadership experience in shooting sports and outdoor industry. He will report to Founder and CEO Marshall Lerner and oversee operations across Primary Arms' divisions.

Charter Arms announced a partnership with BCE Marketing for sales representation across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. BCE Marketing will handle commercial sales and support for the American-made revolver manufacturer founded in 1964.

RetailBI released its December 2025 Firearm Sales Index showing a -16.4% decline for the month and -12.1% year-over-year decrease. The index, powered by Gearfire, provides retailers, distributors, and manufacturers with accurate new firearm sales data from over 2,000 U.S. retailers to guide production and inventory decisions.

The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for December 2025 was 1,587,049, representing a 3.4 percent decrease from December 2024. Annual 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS checks totaled 14,612,314, down 4.1 percent compared to 2024, with Texas, Florida, and California leading in adjusted checks.

Janette Palmer has rejoined 1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group as Vice President of Sales. Palmer brings extensive industry experience from previous roles at Rock Ridge Outdoors, Crimson Trace, HIVIZ Shooting Systems, and Michaels of Oregon. She will lead sales efforts across all channels to meet growing distributor and retailer demand.

The PW Group announced Richard F. Turner III's appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Walther Arms, effective January 1, 2026. Turner, who has led Umarex USA since 2021, brings over 28 years of experience in consumer products and outdoor recreation industries.

Kovix  announced a partnership with Silencer Shop, the nation's largest suppressor distributor. Silencer Shop will distribute Kovix's complete product lineup, including the new Badlands series suppressors debuting at the 2026 SHOT Show.

Traditions Performance Firearms, based in Old Saybrook, CT, is hiring a National Sales Manager to oversee nationwide sales strategy and revenue growth. The role requires firearms industry experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of distributor relationships. Interested candidates should submit resumes to jobs@traditionsfirearms.com.

Primary Arms Optics introduced the SLx Compact 4-16x44mm First Focal Plane Rifle Scope, featuring a compact 10.1-inch profile and three ACSS reticle options. Priced at $349.99, the scope is designed for hunters and marksmen seeking lightweight mid-power precision with a lifetime warranty.

Trijicon unveiled the AccuPoint 1-8x24 riflescope, engineered for dangerous-game hunters with a Hunter Holds MOA reticle enabling confident shot placement from close encounters to extended ranges. The scope features battery-free tritium and fiber-optic illumination, premium optical clarity, and military-grade durability tested from -20°F to 140°F.

Real Avid has launched four comprehensive Master Pistol Collections designed for pistol shooters and conceal carry users. The kits include the Master Pistol Maintenance Collection, Master Pistol Cleaning Collection, and platform-specific collections for Glock and 1911 pistols, featuring specialized tools like sight pushers and smart mats.

EchoCore Suppressors won first and second place in the 5.56mm category at the 2025 Silencer Summit with its Sector 5.56 Full Size and Sector 5.56 Compact models. Founder Chris Mudgett highlighted the company's XCR technology and precision engineering as key to their debut success in the industry's premier independent suppressor evaluation event.

Speer Ammunition announces new products for 2026, including Lawman TMJ 9mm Luger 135-grain training loads and Speer Impact component bullets in 243-caliber 95-grain and 264-caliber 156-grain. These products will be displayed at SHOT Show 2026, January 20–23 in Las Vegas at Booth No. 11838.

Kinetic Development Group has transitioned its MREX15 rail for the FN SCAR 15P into full-scale production following a successful soft launch. The compact rail, machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and weighing 2.6 ounces, is now available through KDG's distributor partners and authorized dealers, reinforcing the company's commitment to the FN SCAR platform.

TAG Precision announces the FiberLok SG Pro Shotgun Sight, a U.S.-manufactured front sight featuring patented FiberLok technology for secure fiber retention, interchangeable fiber colors, and precision CNC-machined components. Designed for competition, hunting, and tactical use, the sight offers durability and reliable performance across shotgun platforms.

Federal Ammunition announces over 20 new centerfire rifle ammunition options for 2026, including the new Federal Subsonic line and additions to Terminal Ascent, Berger Elite Hunter, and Fusion Tipped product lines. Products will debut at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20–23.

FALCO Holsters launches three new pocket holsters: the A226 leather wallet holster, A913 Kydex pocket holster, and AX93 carbon fiber pocket holster. Each model offers distinct materials and draw methods designed for minimalism and reliable everyday concealed carry performance.

KRISS USA announced the release of the KRISS Vector Gen 3 Two-Tone variant featuring a Black upper receiver and Flat Dark Earth lower receiver, available exclusively through Lipsey's. The Two-Tone configuration is offered across Carbine, Pistol, and Short-Barreled Rifle models with MSRPs ranging from $1,499.99 to $1,749.99.

Langdon Tactical Technology announces the LTT 80X Cheetah in .32 ACP, developed in partnership with Beretta. The pistol features reduced recoil compared to .380 ACP while maintaining defensive capability, with optional upgrades including trigger work and optic cuts. Available now starting at $755 MAP.

BPI Outdoors and Bergara Rifles unveiled the Cima Pro, a Premier Series rifle featuring advanced carbon technology, a TriggerTech trigger, and the ST2 Muzzle Brake. Available in multiple calibers including 22 Creedmoor and 25 Creedmoor, the rifle weighs 5.7 pounds with an MSRP starting at $3,099.

Franklin Armory will unveil the patent-pending Total Round Control (TRC) bolt action at SHOT Show 2026, featuring its innovative Prevail line of long-range precision hunting rifles. The TRC system combines push feed and controlled round feed design features, offering toolless disassembly, interchangeable bolt heads, and availability in multiple calibers including .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Taurus Holdings, Inc. launched the TX9, its first duty-grade 9mm striker-fired pistol platform built in the USA. The modular system features the Taurus T.O.R.O.™ optics-ready slide and is offered in Full Size, Compact, and Subcompact configurations with unified controls across all models.

NEXTORCH North America announced the launch of the TA30D Tactical Flashlight, delivering 2200 lumens with a 448-yard beam distance. Featuring an advanced Ultra Thermal Buffer system and patented One-Step-Strobe capability, the compact tactical light is designed for law enforcement, emergency responders, and tactical professionals, priced at $99.99.

Beretta introduces the A300 Ultima semi-automatic shotgun in two Mossy Oak camouflage patterns for waterfowl season. Available in 12-gauge and 20-gauge, the shotgun features Kick-Off recoil reduction, enlarged loading ports, and reliable gas-operated cycling, with an MSRP of $1,079.

EchoCore Suppressors announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Silencer Shop, making all five EchoCore models available through Silencer Shop's national dealer network. The partnership includes the award-winning Sector 5.56 Full Size and Sector 5.56 Compact suppressors, now in-stock and shipping.

Wolfe Publishing Company released Propellant Profiles, Seventh Edition, a comprehensive reference covering more than 650 modern smokeless powders. The guide provides burn-rate categorization, historical context, and practical performance insights for handloaders, ballistic technicians, gunsmiths, and firearms writers, available through wolfeoutdoorsports.com.

Armasight, a leader in professional-grade thermal and night vision technology, will exhibit at the 2026 SHOT Show January 20–23 in Las Vegas. The company will showcase its latest thermal and night vision solutions at booth #80707 in the Caesars Forum.

Winchester Optics and Winchester Pet announced they will attend the 2026 SHOT Show January 20–23 at the Venetian Expo + Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, joining Winchester Ammunition at booth #11827 to showcase latest products and connect with industry partners.

NSSF invites SHOT Show attendees to register for the 3rd Annual Attorneys General Forum featuring state attorneys general including Tim Griffin, James Uthmeier, Brenna Bird, Kris Kobach, Liz Murrill, Catherine Hanaway, Austin Knudsen, and J.B. McCuskey discussing Second Amendment legal battles and courtroom defense strategies.

Derya Arms, a firearms manufacturer with operations in Türkiye and the United States, will exhibit at SHOT Show 2026 at the Venetian Expo, Booth 13822. The company will highlight its dual factory expansion and unveil new product launches alongside its established lineup including the DY9Z, DY9, DY12, and TM22.

NSSF announced that South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will join six fellow governors at the 5th Annual Governors' Forum at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. The forum, moderated by Shermichael Singleton, will feature governors discussing the firearm industry's importance, Second Amendment rights, and legislative challenges on January 21, 2026.

Orchid, a leading FFL technology provider, will exhibit at the 2026 Camfour Dealer Show January 10–11 in Fort Worth, Texas. Specialists Toni Hendrickson and Cami Gemini will demonstrate Orchid's integrated POS, eCommerce, compliance, and inventory solutions. Attendees can enter to win up to $5,000 in software credits at Booth #13.

European American Armory will showcase its latest firearms at the Camfour 2026 Dealer Show in Fort Worth, Texas on January 10–11. EAA Corp. will feature new Witness2311 Series products and Balikli Firearms at Booth 18, with Chase Duffey, EAA Director of Sales, available to discuss upcoming initiatives.

We learn all kinds of lessons, from all kinds of activities – often the lessons learned have little or nothing to do with the particular activity in which it’s learned. A
strange human trait is to seek order and commonality.

I was placed, as a punishment, with a traffic unit “back in the day.” Apparently, the loser who got the joy of my company was likewise sideways with the outfit, so it was “two birds, one stone.”

The individual with whom I was placed had idiosyncrasies. Those included the notes on the back of the traffic ticket, for officer testimony in court.

This was well before personal computers, let alone Mobile Data Terminals and machine-printed summonses.

As part of his notes for moving radar tickets, he had a formula: seconds and combined speeds. I questioned it.

He’d been asked, by an attorney (yes – the defendant paid an attorney to attend a radar ticket case) how far the defendant’s car was from his car when the illegal speed was observed. He couldn’t give “even an estimate” that was credible without data.

He lost. After that, he cracked the books. Remember, this was pre-internet.

Converting miles to feet and hours to seconds allowed him to derive the factor by which he would multiply to get his distance estimate.

When he visually observed an oncoming vehicle traveling at excessive speed, he confirmed it by radar which showed his speed and the target speed. Noting those and counting until the vehicles met gave him an estimate of the seconds it took to meet. Adding his speed to the target speed and multiplying by his conversion factor gave the estimate of radar-to-target distance when the excess speed was observed.

He did the calculations in his head.

Needless to say, he didn’t need it until he did. Same attorney, different big-bucks defendant, but he had the answer. It took time to explain the process in court.

It didn’t require a precise distance to target to convince the judge that the deputy had done the homework. The attorney, bumfuzzled, lost the case.

Hard skills, it’s noted, are those one can quantify. “Soft” skills include tactics – those are subject to many variables including the fact that the opposition has a vote.

An article, posted here, included a statement about testing skills in CQB with Airsoft. Among other conclusions, the author (@HavocTwoOne) concluded “Marksmanship skills are more important than CQB shenanigans. “”Good” tactics vary. Consistent, fast hits do not.”

 The author of the piece continues – “Marksmanship is very objective and epitomizes hard skills. Good shooting can be readily measured, and improving it is consistently beneficial in every environment and situation.”

There’s a bit to unpack there. As noted in the piece, engaging in battle at whatever level may result in personally negative outcomes – no matter how good you are.

The thing that remains – though not at the level of the peace and calming environment of the shooting range – is one’s ability to make hits on a target.

What is your cold, on-demand performance level? Repeating such evaluations over time gives you data. Accumulating it and making a calculation of your on-demand ability to make a hit on a particular size of mark 100% of the time on the range gives you something that won’t go away. In particular, determine your consistency, as discussed here. The fewer extremes in precision, the better.

Making the hit is critical. Not getting hit is even better.

Demanding that every trainee gets force-on-force training runs up against the point: if they can’t shoot, the “training” won’t matter. Get them to a standard – a standard consistently attained -- then add scenario-based training. This standard doesn’t have to be the National Match Course – though there are worse.

Tactics and CQB is best considered in advance. Planning, assuming the worst, and not going in where angels fear to tread goes a long way to success. For those of us outside active service, complete avoidance is the objective.

For those still in service, consider your approach to every situation. Put the disadvantage on the opposition. Use time to your best advantage.

And get those hard skills sorted out.

— Rich Grassi