SHIELD Sights celebrated strong performances at the European Handgun Championships 2026 in Crewkerne, England. Denny Rossetto successfully defended her Ladies Open European Championship title, while Miroslav Zapletal captured the Men's Senior Production Optics European Championship, showcasing exceptional skill among Team SHIELD competitors.
Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion to supplement its federal lawsuit challenging California's handgun roster by adding a claim against the state's ban on semiautomatic handguns with cruciform trigger bars, including most Glock pistols. The coalition, represented by Benbrook Law Group, PC, argues California's expanding handgun bans violate the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent.
Bleecker Street Publications is hosting a 250th Anniversary Giveaway featuring two Smith & Wesson firearms: the Model 1854 Traditional Walnut Lever Action and the Model 19 Classic. CEO Charles Anderson states the promotion honors Smith & Wesson's 170-year legacy and American firearms heritage.
The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for June 2026 reached 1,123,006, an 11.7 percent increase compared to June 2025's 1,004,986. The National Shooting Sports Foundation introduced monthly NFA checks tracking, with Texas, Virginia, and Florida leading in NFA checks during the month.
Real Avid introduces the "Range Ready" initiative featuring a 15-part content series with world-renowned competitive shooter Doug Koenig. The program emphasizes preparation and confidence through expert guidance on firearm setup, shooting techniques, and performance mindset for shooters of all skill levels.
RCBS announces the launch of the RCBS Bench Stool, featuring a padded seat, matte-black reinforced legs, and swivel base designed for reloading rooms and workshops. The stool is now available and shipping with an MSRP of $119.99.
MDT announced the release of Rifle Control Points, ergonomic aluminum thumbshelves designed for PRS and NRL competitors. The M-Lok compatible accessories provide consistent support hand reference points with adjustable positioning, V-hull profile for recoil tracking, and textured grip for wet conditions.
Engaged Industries' Recon XL suppressor proved its capabilities on a .375 rifle during a Cape buffalo hunt in Africa, delivering significant recoil reduction and improved shot placement. The suppressor maintained zero over long distances and generated overwhelming interest from African professional hunters and international guides.
Galco has released the Masterbilt Thunderclap Belt Holster for 4" 1911s with rail, featuring premium full-grain leather, hand-molding, and a reinforced tunnel-style belt loop. The holster offers fast draw capability, easy one-handed reholstering, and is available in black or tan.
One Horse, an American firearms manufacturer based in Brownstown, Indiana, announced limited-time Cerakote editions of the One Horse Express Rifle in American and Woodland Camo patterns. The rifle features Atrius Development Group's Forced Reset Selector and is available beginning July 3, 2026, with an MSRP of $1299.99.
Staccato 2011 announced the Staccato HD P4X, a mission-ready pistol featuring a steel frame, full-size grip, and 4-inch compensated barrel designed for professional deployment. The pistol offers 18-round magazine capacity and passes federal Ballistic Research Facility standards, with availability beginning July 13, 2026.
Last summer, I got a replacement barrel, ostensibly for a GLOCK 19, from Brownells. I’d seen a video where the presenter thought the RXM pistol from Ruger (with help from Magpul) lacked accuracy.
To be fair, the 9mm pistols from GLOCK were never particular stars in the accuracy department, except for the “baby-GLOCK,” the G26. Other calibers, the accuracy was measurably superior in GLOCK pistols. When the 5th Generation of 9mm GLOCKs arrived, the accuracy came with them. I’ve had one sample of a Gen6 GLOCK, the G45, and it keeps up with Gen5 guns easily.
Why the RXM, a near-clone of a Gen3 pistol, would have superior accuracy was a question. Last August, the answer was “sort-of.”
The new barrel (Brownell’s “Gen 1-5 Fluted Black 9mm Barrel for GLOCK 19”, made from hardened 416R stainless and finished in an “extra-hard Black Nitride;” button-rifled in a 1-10” twist) delivered a point of impact noticeably below the Ruger factory barrel.
Like the last time, I used the Ransom MultiCal Steady Rest, shooting at a distance of 25 yards. The ammo – a single load as I was limited by time -- was Black Hills 115gr. EXP.
With the Brownell’s barrel installed in the Ruger RXM, the result was a five-shot group of 3 7/8” (with three hits inside 1.5”). The factory Ruger barrel with the same load gave a 5 7/8” group, with three of those hits going into 2 ¾”.
I believe these results are consistent for the factory barrel. The vertical stringing in the group for the factory barrel is clearly inconsistent grip; I’ve seen this before with other guns. It’s not the fault of the factory barrel or the barrel not working well with the projectile.
There’s some vertical aspect to the group from the Brownell’s barrel, but it’s not as pronounced. This match-up goes to the after-market barrel, but I’m unconvinced.
To follow up, I shot a pair of five-shot strings from 25 yards, one-handed, bullseye-style, on a single B-8 repair center, posted face-down. Shooting Monarch “Steel” case 115gr. FMJ, I held in the center of the sheet. I walked down to measure and mark the first string before shooting the second. The first featured a 5 ¾” extreme spread (just over the diameter of the 9-ring). The second was less consistent, with a 6 ½” extreme spread.
This wasn’t match ammunition, but the groups weren’t far off from the Ruger barrel on a rest with 115 grain ammo using high-quality Black Hills ammo.
It’s safe to say that, in hands with a better hold than I can provide, the factory set-up for this sample of the RXM is likely at or just-under 3” across a range of loads. With the after-market barrel from Brownell’s, you can expect to subtract an inch from that on average.
As to reliability, I’d had the after-market barrel in the gun for nearly 10 months. Before that – and for some shooting expeditions since – I shot the gun with the factory barrel. I’ve yet to encounter stoppages with either barrel.
This is a quality gun with great sights. If you’re new to the game, I’d get the gun and work up to its capabilities before getting another barrel.
