Zanders, an all-women-owned distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, received OpticsPlanet's Distributor of the Year award for 2025. The recognition honors Zanders' commitment to outstanding service, reliable fulfillment, and industry-leading product availability across firearms, ammunition, optics, and outdoor gear.
Springfield Armory's Kuna 9mm pistol has earned an Editors' Choice Award from On Target magazine for being selected as a best new product for 2025. The PDW-style pistol features a roller-delayed operating system, ambidextrous controls, and is priced at $1,179 to $1,330 depending on configuration.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania supporting SIG SAUER's motion to protect gun owners' privacy in Hall v. Sig Sauer, Inc., opposing forced disclosure of customer identities in civil litigation discovery.
NSSF praises VA Secretary Doug Collins for eliminating a three-decade-old policy reporting veterans requiring financial fiduciaries to the FBI's NICS system. NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane commended the action, and the organization continues supporting the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act introduced by Representatives Mike Bost and Morgan Luttrell and Senators John Kennedy and Jerry Moran.
SDS Arms has ended its exclusive agreement with TİSAŞ Trabzon Silah Sanayi and will no longer import, distribute, or service Tisas firearms. Warranty support is now handled by new U.S. importer Tisas Arms Corp. SDS Arms continues offering firearms under brands MAC, Inglis, Tokarev USA, and Spandau Arms.
Walther Arms, INC. announced David Farrell's appointment as Chief Revenue Officer effective January 12, 2026. Farrell brings extensive sales management experience from Maxim Defense, Christensen Arms, and Sig Sauer, and will oversee sales, marketing, and product strategies to drive growth in commercial and professional markets.
Kinetic Development Group announced The Evans Group as its manufacturer representative to accelerate sales and marketing growth in 2026. The Evans Group brings decades of firearms and outdoor industry experience with an established national sales network to strengthen KDG's position with dealers and distributors.
ZeroTech Optics announced the launch of the Thrive 1-10x24 SFP Illuminated LPVO series, featuring true 1x magnification for rapid target acquisition and 10x magnification for mid-range engagement. Available in three illuminated reticle configurations—RAR, PHR4, and G4—the optic is designed for competition, tactical, and hunting applications.
C&H Precision released new Gen 6 MIL/LEO Optic Adapter Plates for Glock Gen 6 MOS platforms, precision machined from 6061 aluminum with MIL-SPEC Type III hard anodizing. The adapter plates support multiple optics footprints including C&H EDC, Holosun 407K/507K, SIG Romeo 0, and Vortex Defender-CCW, with pricing starting at $69.99.
Vortex® introduces the Triumph® HD 10x28 and 12x50 binoculars, expanding its popular binocular line. The new models feature HD optical systems, fully multi-coated lenses, and the Vortex® VIP® Warranty, with pricing from $89.99 to $119.99 MAP.
Henry Repeating Arms has begun shipping its new Explorer Carbine series, featuring a distinctive Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish inspired by American Southwest landscapes. Available in multiple calibers including .30-30 Winchester, .360 Buckhammer, .45-70 Gov't, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum, the carbines offer threaded barrels, adjustable sights, and American walnut furniture at an MSRP of $1,430.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. (POF-USA), in partnership with Patriot Tactical LLC and Goldberg's Garage, released the Goldberg Blade, a limited-edition folding knife featuring custom CGC Cerakote artwork and designed as a companion to POF-USA's Rogue Jackhammer Signature Series rifle. Limited to 300 units with an MSRP of $300.
Chiappa USA highlights the Honcho Pump Series, American-made 12-gauge and 20-gauge pump-action shotguns manufactured in Dayton, Ohio for home defense and tactical applications. The lineup includes three models: Honcho Tactical Pump Synthetic, Honcho Tactical Pump Walnut, and Honcho Tactical Pump California Model, all featuring aluminum receivers, steel barrels, and bird's head grips.
Real Avid launches the Smart-Torq & X3 Driver System, featuring precision torque application tools for firearm installation and maintenance. The company is shipping five purpose-built kits, including adjustable and fixed limiter configurations with MSRPs ranging from $39.99 to $164.99.
BANISH Suppressors, founded by Brandon Maddox, introduces the BANISH VRMT 223 Ti, a lightweight titanium suppressor designed for .224-caliber cartridges and smaller. The HUB-compatible suppressor achieves over 35 decibels of sound reduction and weighs 9.7 ounces, making it ideal for varmint hunting, predator control, and target shooting.
BANISH Suppressors announced the release of the BANISH 20 and BANISH 410 shotgun suppressors, expanding their hearing-safe firearm suppressor line. Both models feature interchangeable chokes, adaptive mounts, and are made from titanium using additive manufacturing, with the BANISH 20 weighing 14.7 ounces and the BANISH 410 weighing 7.2 ounces.
KI Crossbows will exhibit at the 2026 Sports, Inc. February Outdoor Show in Phoenix, Arizona, February 18th-20th, showcasing its new lineup of fully decockable Killer Instinct™ crossbows and cutting-edge technology for hunters and independent retailers.
Target Sports USA showcased its booth at the Great American Outdoor Show, featuring the Ford F-250 giveaway for AMMO+ members and unveiling an innovative ammunition vending machine with secure ID verification and inventory tracking capabilities.
Liberty Ammunition will exhibit at Enforce Tac in Nuremberg, Germany on February 23-25, showcasing its Pro Series ammunition and new developments to military and law enforcement allies. CEO Gary Ramey stated the company is excited to review the latest ammunition innovation at the event.
Avian-X and Hunters Specialties drew strong crowds at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, showcasing new 2026 product lineups including Avian-X Ridge Runner turkey vests and Muddy DV8 hunting apparel. Industry legends Mark Drury, Paul Butski, Fred Zink, and Hannah Barron participated in meet-and-greets at the GSM Outdoors brand family booth.
Kinetic Development Group will participate in the Sports, Inc. Vendor Consideration Event in Phoenix, Arizona, February 18–20, with a booth visit on Thursday, February 12, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The event provides manufacturers and retailers an opportunity to connect and explore partnership opportunities for innovative, American-made firearm accessories.
European American Armory Corporation will showcase its 2026 handgun and long-gun lineup at the Sports Inc Outdoor Show in Phoenix, AZ, February 18-20. EAA will feature new 1911 double stack models, CMX 9mm, CMXX 10mm, and Balikli firearms shotguns and rifles at Booth 205, with Sales Director Chase Duffey available to discuss show incentives.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. (POF-USA) will exhibit at IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany from February 26-March 1, showcasing its AR-type rifles and accessories. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Corey Soriano highlighted the event as an opportunity to connect with global partners and customers while expanding POF-USA's international presence.
European American Armory Corp. will exhibit at Kinsey's Dealer Show 2026 (February 19-21, Lancaster, PA) showcasing new 1911 double stack models, long-guns from Balikli Firearms, and California-compliant pistols with exclusive dealer pricing and margins.
MaxCam, owned by MaxView Optics, will exhibit at the 2026 Sports, Inc. February Outdoor Show in Phoenix, Arizona, February 18-20. The company will showcase the MaxCam7 rugged point-of-view camera and accessories, marking the first Sports, Inc. show under new ownership and branding, formerly known as Tactacam.
D&M Holding Company will showcase its ammunition, primer, and propellant manufacturing solutions at IWA Outdoor Classics 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany. The company recently announced partnerships with Ukrainian Defense Industry and DEMCO Holding Company for propellant and primer facility projects supporting defense industrialization efforts.
I took the newest of the crossover style pistols I’ve gotten -- both just this year -- to the range to shoot them one-after-the-other on a standard law enforcement qual course.
I know that police qualification tests aren’t the most stringent demonstrations of skill. They are a ritual, something that a member of service must complete satisfactorily to be able to work. Call it a baseline, call it what you want, but it’s part of the world in which we live.
I selected the Kansas C-POST course, in use for many years, as the test this time. Soon, it’ll be time for the annual retirees’ qual and some warm-up is appropriate. I didn’t use the target called for, the older FBI Q, the huge bottle. I had a lightly pre-shot IDPA target and I’d taped the holes.
The first gun fired was the Generation 6 GLOCK 45. After the G19X and the earlier G45, this gun has the Gen6 treatment which makes it feel vastly different from the earlier GLOCK products. I followed up by covering the center of the IDPA target with the NRA D-1C repair center for the NRA D-1 target. It features an 8” 10-ring, with a smaller “X” ring therein. The second gun was the new Echelon 4.0FC, with the shorter slide-barrel of the 4.0C atop the grip module of the “F” – fullsize – module. The grip module differs from the 4.5F grip module with a shorter dust cover.
Both guns were drawn from OWB holsters, the GLOCK from the Comp-Tac Warrior Holster and the Echelon from the DeSantis #195 Veiled Partner, a Kydex “pancake” with outriding belt loops.
I used an older 100-round box of Winchester-USA “White Box” 115gr. FMJ ammo for the shooting.
The results were mixed; I’m not sure if the difference in shooting was an elderly shooter losing focus or something about my interface with the Echelon grip module.
Neither was a “fail” in the qualification sense. There’s a possibility of one down on an FBI target. I don’t look at it that way.
Above, the shooting calls for shooting while moving - shown with the G45 Gen6. Below, the Echelon 4.0FC being fired with the nondominant hand, as required. The course features drawing to shoot, shooting from low ready and shooting one-handed.
The Gen6 G45 had all hits in the “-0” of the IDPA target except a sinker, low left – that’s a shooter problem.
I made it a point to shoot a picture of the target in each attempt after the fifteen-yard stage; that’s the next to the last stage of the course. Both guns were inside the -0 (the “10” ring on the repair center for the Echelon) at the end of shooting at fifteen yards. That means any hits that are out of the 8” circle came out at 25 yards.
The GLOCK with plastic sights had them all in until the 25-yard line. The one out wasn’t out far, just far enough.
With the 4.0FC, I had five hits outside the 8” 10-ring, inside that next scoring ring. Three were up and right, one was out to the right at 3 o’clock, and one low right. I had one -3, off paper on the IDPA target just below the -3 on the right side.
That’s a grip thing, allowing the gun to move during the trigger press.
Above, the group from the new-issue G45 back to fifteen yards. A single, outside the -0 at 25 yards spoiled the effort. Below, the Echelon was more scattered - less familiarity with it than with essentially the same gun carried since 2001 was likely the culprit.
So, what’s the verdict?
Essentially, they’re the same. I’d imagine that shooting the same thing tomorrow, in the same place on a similar target, the Springfield could come out on top.
As to the “crossover” type of auto-pistol – since my introduction to the Colt Commander, it’s been a favorite of mine. I know about the different in sight radius between the shorter slide and the longer one (when using iron sights). I also know that a small percentage of shooters would ever be able to take advantage of the longer sight radius.
It makes no measurable difference to me – I’m not that good a shot.
It’s more about grip and both guns have that space covered.
I’m a fan of both of these guns. As to the Gen6 GLOCK, it’s the best in terms of handling. I’m getting none of the “GLOCK-left” hits that I do with earlier versions. With the Echelon, I’m tending high and a little right – for some reason related to the interface. It’s of nearly no importance until I get on a bullseye at some distance.
