The Michigan Department of Natural Resources honored Conservation Officer Luke Robare with a Medal of Valor and Lifesaving Award for his heroic response to a violent attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on September 28, 2025. Robare neutralized the threat within minutes of arriving on scene, working alongside Grand Blanc Township Police Officer Jason Carpentier.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources honors 17 fallen conservation officers during National Police Week (May 11-17). The Michigan Conservation Officers Association and DNR dedicated a memorial at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon, recently adding Conservation Officer Paul Durham as the 17th officer after historians discovered records of his 1972 death.

Primary Arms Optics has launched the PLx Compact 1.5-12x36 FFP RDB Rifle Scope, featuring Japanese ED glass, Red Dot Bright diffractive reticle technology, and two ACSS reticle options. The scope offers 1.5-12x magnification on a compact 30mm chassis and is available for $1,999.99.

EOTECH has partnered with Walk The Talk America, a national nonprofit focused on mental health and responsible firearm ownership, for Mental Health Awareness Month. EOTECH will donate funds and include specially designed flyers in consumer shipments directing users to WTTA's mental health resources.

Live Free Armory announced a partnership with Walk the Talk America (WTTA), a nonprofit focused on reducing suicide and promoting mental health awareness within firearm-owning communities. Live Free Armory will include WTTA mental health resource cards in product packaging to connect firearm owners with free mental health support resources.

Engaged Industries designed suppressors specifically for The Tactical Games competition, focusing on reduced recoil, minimized gas blowback, and cleaner operation. The suppressors help competitors maintain control and accuracy under pressure while keeping rifles cooler and more reliable throughout extended match days.

MDT announced two new carbon fiber components for hunters: the HNT Fixed Buttstock at 13 oz with adjustable length of pull and cheekpiece height, and the LSS GEN3 Hunting Forend at 5.9 oz featuring M-LOK attachment and mirage-reducing enclosed design. Both products are available May 12, 2026 through MDT dealers and mdttac.com.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced the Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894, a premium lever-action rifle developed with Mad Pig Customs and Midwest Industries. Chambered in 357 Magnum, it features Cerakote finishing and factory-installed custom upgrades for enhanced durability and ergonomics.

Taurus celebrates the 20th anniversary of its iconic Judge® revolver with refined enhancements and updated features. The legendary firearm, which redefined the revolver market and earned iconic status among shooters, returns with upgraded looks while maintaining the versatility and performance that made it an industry leader.

Safariland, a brand of The Safariland Group and key brand of Cadre Holdings, Inc., has launched the innovative HOLLE Duty Belt system. This next-generation lightweight load-carrying platform features precision-mounted accessories, multiple buckle options, and broad compatibility with existing Safariland tactical accessories for enhanced operational flexibility.

Shell Shock Technologies, LLC announced the commercial release of its .338 Lapua NAS3 cartridge cases featuring innovative two-piece construction that is 30 percent lighter than traditional brass with 11 percent more internal capacity. The cases deliver higher velocities and improved precision for civilian, military, and law enforcement marksmen.

Beretta announced the expansion of its refreshed 686 Silver Pigeon I lineup with updated 28-gauge and .410 bore field models and new sub-gauge sporting configurations. The refresh includes a redesigned top lever, refined engraving, and premium features like cold hammer-forged Steelium barrels and select European walnut stocks.

Beretta unveils the Beretta Titan, a one-off modern sporting rifle celebrating the company's 500-year anniversary. The rifle features innovative materials including titanium, magnesium, and carbon fiber, chambered in 6.5 Grendel with advanced engineering and aesthetic details honoring Beretta's heritage.

PROOF Research announced shorter barrel configurations for the PROOF Elevation 2.0 and Elevation MTR 2.0 rifles, now available in Tactical Flat Dark Earth and Midnight colors. Both models feature carbon fiber technology, Zermatt Arms Origin actions, and TriggerTech triggers, with MSRPs ranging from $3,199 to $3,899.

Firearms News releases its May 2026 WWII Special Issue featuring Dr. Will Dabbs' cover review of Auto-Ordnance's M1 Thompson Short-Barreled Rifle. The issue includes articles on Springfield Armory's Iwo Jima Commemorative Garand, historical WWII firearms, and expanded product showcase celebrating the magazine's 80th anniversary.

The Armory Life has released its 20th edition digital magazine focused on the SA-35 9mm pistol family, featuring a cover story review by Julie Golob and in-depth articles on customized variants, holsters, and EDC tactics. Editor-in-Chief Mike Humphries highlights the magazine as part of the publication's expanding series of themed digital editions covering firearms topics.

Maxim Defense will exhibit at SOF Week 2026 (May 18-21) in Tampa, Florida, showcasing firearm systems, suppressors, and accessories at booth #851. The company is also title sponsor of the Green Beret Foundation's HALO Happy Hour on May 21st.

Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at SHOOTAH 2026 on May 16, 2026, at Soldier Pass Shooting Range in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Attendees can experience new suppressor releases including the Ruger RXD910Ti, Nomad Ti OTB, and CT5P, plus established models like the Sandman X, Mojave 45, Nomad LTi XC, and Wolfman.

FirstSpear will exhibit at SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida, showcasing its full platform lineup and newly integrated Recon K9 brand. The company will host live demonstrations featuring Recon K9's DT Alpha modular vest system led by founder Jason Watson, and maritime capabilities including the AAC Frog Kit with patented CTAF technology supported by Prime Hall and Deep End Fitness.

WE Knife, alongside sister brands CIVIVI and SENCUT, will showcase adventure-ready and everyday carry knives at Overland Expo West 2026, taking place May 15–17 at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Arizona. Attendees can test models engineered for rugged outdoor conditions at Booth #B23.

Liberty Ammunition will showcase its new Pro Series military ammunition at SOF Week in Tampa, Florida. CEO Gary Ramey highlights that the Pro Series delivers 53% more stopping power than current military ammunition while preventing over-penetration, a critical safety feature for tactical operations.

Wiley X served as an official sponsor and partner of Boot'n & Shoot'n, the 15th annual patriotic fundraising event hosted by Valor Mission Project at Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, Texas. The event has raised over $10 million to date, with proceeds benefiting Valor Mission Project and organizations including Brain Treatment Foundation and Third Option Foundation.

Even though one of my first service handguns was a Colt National Match, I was late to the ‘modern’ semi-auto pistol party. The second major agency I served with went to semi-autos early, 1986, selecting a double action .45 ACP. It wasn’t long past that time that the first GLOCK showed up in the neighborhood.

Made of plastic, it wasn’t like the HK VP-70 or P9S. It had a new trigger and was very low cost. It held 17 rounds of 9mm in the magazine. I’d been carrying back up .38 Specials and already had some appreciation for the 9mm Parabellum, found in an association with a Browning High Power.

Others had these Austrian pistols and I looked on, disinterested. As the format gained in number of calibers, people I knew started picking these guns up. Rafferty, a grand traditionalist, even went with the GLOCK when the 45 caliber G21 came out. I was surprised, but I didn’t make the leap.

I didn’t think the high caps would help much versus carrying something with more steam. 

As time passed, more and more cops – individuals and agencies -- went with GLOCK. I knew that we didn’t often go with what was “best,” so I continued to ignore it. We had some narcs take to carrying GLOCKs and the state alcohol beverage control group went with the same guns.

I began to train nationally and started a writing career. I saw more and more agencies placing faith in the plastic gun. I began to see that, if I was going to teach nationally, I’d have to be familiar with those guns.

For that reason, in 2001, I began regular carry of the GLOCK 19. A fifteen-shot “compact” striker pistol, it – like the G17 – was known for reliability, ease of maintenance and wide holster availability. Even stretching into today, unless I need to be more discreet, the G19 is most likely the gun I’ll be carrying.

A narcotics enforcement type was carrying a GLOCK 17 every day. It was an agency trade-in gun, one of the very first in the state. He sought the assistance of Mike Rafferty, a GLOCK Armorer, to do an inspection of the piece. Mike told me he was stunned by the amount of grunge in the gun. He was surprised too that the gun didn’t have the “update,” a factory replacement of many essential parts. The gun was still functional. Mike made the call, got the updated parts and finished the narc’s protection piece.

One rather large, body-builder type came into the narcotics unit. His gun was the GLOCK 21, a .45 ACP. He tried a fellow deputy’s G17 and liked it so much better than the .45, he sought one out and began carrying it.

“I can shoot it accurately faster than anything else,” he said.

Rafferty himself took to storing his issued G22 and strapping up with the G17 9mm. Like all of us, he’d gone through a period of wanting more power and moving to lots of ammo available in the gun – with each round more quickly delivered.

Of course, the gun’s maker or caliber isn’t really all that important. The point is it’s proven itself to the user. 

And that’s the only real lesson out of all of this!

– Rich Grassi