Kaleb Klein of Team Ruger won multiple titles at the 2026 Area 5 Steel Challenge Championship in Terre Haute, IN, claiming first place in Optical Sight Revolver, Iron Sight Revolver, Rimfire Revolver Optics, and Rimfire Revolver Iron divisions using Ruger's Super GP100 and GP100 revolvers. Abbey Clary, Ruger's Director of Media, Advertising and Public Relations, praised Klein's outstanding performance and highlighted the reliability of Ruger firearms.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), the Second Amendment Foundation, and Louisiana Shooting Association filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Reese v. ATF, challenging the district court's limited relief after prevailing against the federal age-based handgun and ammunition purchase ban.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Louisiana Shooting Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed an opening brief challenging the limited scope of an injunction in FPC v. ATF. The Fifth Circuit previously ruled the federal firearms purchase ban for adults under 21 unconstitutional, but the district court restricted relief to Fifth Circuit residents only.

Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled in Eubanks v. State that the state's ban on public carry by 18-to-20-year-old adults violates the Second Amendment, citing Firearms Policy Coalition victories in Worth, Lara, and Reese. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced his office will not appeal the ruling.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a reply brief in Roberts v. ATF, challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934. The case, supported by plaintiffs including T.J. Roberts, Zachary Cockrell, Meridian Ordnance, Buckeye Firearms Association, Center for Human Liberty, Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership, and American Suppressor Association Foundation, argues the NFA violates Second Amendment rights.

CAA USA announced new ownership under brothers Joe and Anthony Parisi, whose company Plastimold Products acquired the conversion kit brand. The consolidation unites CAA USA, Plastimold Products, and META Tactical under one facility in Delray Beach, Florida, featuring the new MCK EVO platform.

Viridian Weapon Technologies announced that Lipsey's, one of the largest independently owned firearms distributors based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has become an authorized distributor of Viridian's green dot optics. This partnership expands product availability to dealers nationwide and strengthens Viridian's distribution network.

YHM, a leading firearm suppressor manufacturer founded in 1951, announced David Workman as its new Marketing Manager, replacing retiring Tim O'brien. Workman will oversee YHM's marketing operations, brand strategy, and representation at industry events including SHOT Show and the NRA Annual Meeting.

Viridian Weapon Technologies announced that Iron Valley Supply, a Birmingham-based distributor with roots dating to 1923, has become an authorized distributor of Viridian's optics, lasers, and weapon-mounted lights. The partnership expands Viridian's distribution network and provides dealers nationwide access to the company's innovative firearm technologies.

Vortex and Hunter Constantine announced a $10,000 donation to the Second Amendment Foundation through sales of a limited-edition Vortex x Hunter Constantine Carry Belt, restricted to 250 units and supported by Vortex Nation members.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) welcomed President Trump's support for national concealed carry reciprocity legislation while cautioning that Congress must pass strong, durable legislation that protects gun owners without legal loopholes or conflicting state laws.

Remington introduced Performance Wheelgun 22, a rimfire cartridge engineered for classic 6-shooter revolvers. Featuring a 39-grain truncated cone bullet and 770 fps velocity, the ammunition delivers low noise and minimal recoil, now shipping to dealers nationwide.

One Horse, an American firearms manufacturer based in Brownstown, Indiana, announced it has joined the Second Amendment Foundation as a Silver-level corporate partner. The partnership strengthens One Horse's commitment to protecting Second Amendment rights and follows the company's recent collaboration with Atrius Development Group on the One Horse Express Rifle.

The Second Amendment Foundation announced that One Horse, an American firearms manufacturer based in Brownstown, Indiana, has joined as a Silver-level corporate partner. CEO Jeremy Hammons emphasized the company's commitment to Second Amendment rights. One Horse recently collaborated with SAF corporate partner Atrius Development Group to build the One Horse Express Rifle.

WOOX, an Italian-American gunstock manufacturer, announced the Elegante Sporter bolt action rifle stock, crafted from hand-selected Claro American Walnut with an integrated aerospace-grade aluminum mini-chassis. Available for Remington 700, Ruger 10/22, and Ruger American Gen2 platforms, the stock starts at $569.00 for standard walnut and $899.00 for high-grade walnut.

Legacy Sports International announces the 2026 Pointer ST912 Walnut over-under shotgun is now shipping. The 12-gauge features a black finish, walnut furniture, adjustable comb, jeweled receiver, ejectors, and five extended chokes at an MSRP of $979.

FALCO Holsters and Graham Baates of GBGuns unveiled the A914 IWB Holster, a hybrid Kydex and Italian leather concealed carry holster featuring a Griffin Wing for comfort and weight distribution. The tuckable holster is priced at $159.95 and available for various pistols and revolvers.

Flux Defense and Ferro Concepts announced the PLATE PACK Covert Backpack, a purpose-built backpack that converts to a front-facing plate carrier for concealed carry. Designed for PDW platforms like the Flux Raider and Sig Rattler, it accommodates Level IV armor and is priced at $349.99.

Zanders Sporting Goods, an all-women-owned distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has partnered with Pro-Shot Products to stock firearm cleaning and maintenance solutions. Pro-Shot, a USA manufacturer since 1982, offers premium cleaning rods, kits, solvents, and accessories trusted by hunters, Olympic shooters, and law enforcement.

Arcus Hunting, LLC and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. launched a new line of Smith & Wesson branded bear spray products manufactured in the USA. The lineup includes 8oz and 14oz canisters with effective ranges up to 40 and 45 feet respectively, designed for hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts in bear country.

Henry Repeating Arms is shipping the America's 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition Collection, featuring three collector-grade lever-action rifles including H1 .22 S/L/LR models and an H10 .45-70 Gov't rifle. Each features American flag Cerakote on nickel-plated receivers and Fancy-grade American walnut stocks to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary of independence.

EchoCore Suppressors' Sector Compact suppressor was featured in On Target Magazine alongside Wilson Combat's new 6ARC DMR rifle. The combination demonstrated sub-MOA accuracy and exceptional performance from 100 to 800 yards, with the Sector Compact praised as an "amazingly effective" suppressor that showcased modern low-backpressure suppressor technology.

In wing shooting, a critical aspect is the mount – bringing the comb of the stock to the cheek under the dominant eye, bringing the gun to your eye line, not ducking your head to see the bead.

In riflery, when crossing a plain in search of small varmints for example, the technique is largely the same -- as it is in combat. Bring the rifle to your eye, don’t duck down to the rifle.

When shooting a handgun, according to an aged document from the American Pistol Institute (now known as Gunsite Academy), the plan for the 250 – Defensive Pistol included students beginning range experience with the mount.

As there are less points of contact with the handgun than long guns, you could argue the mount is more critical. It’s certainly critical when learning the gun. 

Some will decry this beginning as “range world,” alleging that one can never do this operationally. Is there something to this? It seems a bit like using the sights. Walt Rauch once told me that the sights on a handgun are like the training wheels on a child’s first bicycle; once you learn the mount through extensive practice, the sights confirm your hold. 

Before he told me this, Jeff Cooper noted (in writing) that the sights “verify” your hold. We’re talking about defense use of the pistol, not ISU or the National Match. While a grounding in classic pistol competition is a good thing to have – especially to learn discipline, patience and focus – you can go from defense or action pistol games to classic target work. You don’t have to do it the other way around.

This issue arose for me because I shoot such a variety of handguns for purposes of writing features. As I don’t get to concentrate on a single make/model/type of handgun, I never seem to improve in shooting them.

That was the case with the GLOCK 45 Gen6. In spite of the contrary opinions of some who are still operational, I found the Gen6 to be enough different from previous versions, that I was addressing the piece inconsistently.

Back to basics – I took some range ammo, an outside the waist holster and an IDPA target to the range. When there, I went back to TD1 of Defensive Pistol. 

That starts with dry practice – on the range. A great place to do that, if a live round wanders into the chamber on its own, I’m geared up with eye- and ear-pro. Part of the dry practice is from a real low-ready. As I get wired into the process, I do the “eyes-off” exercise. As the gun begins to move, I close my eyes, snap on the target, then, without moving, look to see where the gun is. 

Think of a “moving natural point of aim.” 

From there, I try a three- round cloverleaf from fifteen feet. That reinforces what I’m doing with the trigger and gives me some noise. I unload the piece and holster work begins with a number of reps of Count 1 – grip. Both hands move, the non-dominant hand moves up along the body while the dominant hand gets a firing grip on the gun in the holster. 

After a dozen or so reps, I move to grip, clear, rotate – and do that for a number of reps. Finally, the completed draw – eyes off as I grip in the holster – bring the gun up and snap in blind.

If there are changes to be made, it’s like finding natural point of aim; I move my feet until the gun ends at the eye-target line when the trigger is pressed. 

From there, it’s single hits to the head box followed by singles to the center -0 using the “eyes off” procedure. 

Remarkably, all but one of the hits were in the -0. 

From there, I moved to pairs. 

There is a timer involved. I check my times to establish a baseline of performance, taking notes to compare at a later time with more practice. 

If this sounds boring, it’s not boring to have a decent target. This isn’t a precision group target, pretty for the pictures – it’s coarse accuracy at an operational pace. Still, it’s rewarding to see the results of dedicated practice. 

At the end, I slow down for some precision work before leaving the range. I want the last press in my memory to be a precision shot, perfectly performed. 

– Rich Grassi