FirstSpear launched its Vanguard Program, a strategic initiative to formalize feedback between engineering and operational field teams. The company named former Marine Raider and water survival expert Prime Hall as its lead maritime Vanguard to validate equipment like the AAC Frog Kit and Adaptive Cummerbund in non-permissive environments.
Henry Repeating Arms is donating 50 limited-edition "Joel's Wildfire" Golden Boy Silver rifles through its Guns For Great Causes program to support wildland firefighter Joel Eisiminger's battle against acute myeloid leukemia. The rifle series is expected to raise over $40,000, with all proceeds going directly to Eisiminger's medical expenses and ongoing care.
Maxim Defense, a premier manufacturer of precision firearms and suppressors based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, will exhibit at the 2026 "The Gathering" Firearm Range Day and Expo presented by Palmetto State Armory on March 20-21 in Clinton, SC, showcasing their latest firearms, suppressors, and accessories including the SDX RFLX and PDX-SD integrated suppressor systems.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, has opened applications for 2026 Hunting Heritage Trust Grants offering $100,000 to support recruitment, retention, and reactivation programs in hunting and shooting sports. Applications from qualified non-governmental organizations are due by April 17, 2026.
NSSF emphasizes that while gun owners can customize firearms with legal accessories, certain modifications are dangerous and illegal. Converting semiautomatic firearms to automatic using machinegun conversion devices violates the National Firearms Act and carries up to 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines.
Benelli USA pledged a $30,000 contribution to NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC to support candidates dedicated to protecting Second Amendment rights ahead of the November 2026 election. CEO Tom DeBolt encouraged other industry members and gun owners to support the super PAC's mission to elect pro-freedom candidates.
Briley Manufacturing, a leading shotgun choke tube and firearm accessories manufacturer in Houston, Texas, is hiring a Gunsmithing/Service Manager to oversee seven gunsmiths and manage repair, refinishing, and modification services at their Houston, Texas headquarters. The role requires firearm repair experience, customer service skills, and management expertise.
ZeroTech Optics has launched the Vengeance 1-4x24 SFP LPVO RAR Illuminated FDE and Vengeance 1-4x24 SFP LPVO RAR MOA, low power variable optics featuring true 1x magnification for close-range engagement and 4x magnification for extended distances. Built from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with a 30mm tube, these scopes offer durability and practical performance for defensive carbines, competition rifles, and range use.
Kinetic Development Group reaffirms its disciplined engineering philosophy for optic mount development, emphasizing real-world feedback and long-term reliability. The company's SideLok series remains its flagship offering, with internal development efforts underway as part of its 2026 product roadmap.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has added the iconic Zippo product line to its portfolio. The partnership brings Zippo's windproof lighters, utility lighters, and outdoor fire-starting accessories to dealers, with commentary from Dan Sielger, President and COO at Zanders, and Garrett Newhouse, Channel Business Manager – Outdoor at Zippo.
FirstSpear has entered a ten-year exclusive licensing agreement with Recon K9 LLC, assuming responsibility for sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of Recon K9's tactical gear for military and law enforcement working dogs. Recon K9 founder Jason Watson will join FirstSpear to continue driving the brand's vision and product development.
Field Ethos has renewed its Platinum-level corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). CEO Jason Vincent praised SAF's focused mission, while SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut highlighted Field Ethos's commitment to supporting the organization's legal and educational initiatives.
C&H Precision announced the hiring of Bryce Laemmlen as director of business development. Laemmlen brings over a decade of tactical and optics industry experience, including his previous role as Military and Law Enforcement Account Manager for Vortex Optics, and will lead strategic growth initiatives across military, law enforcement, and commercial markets.
Azimuth Technology promotes Roman Hallock to Director of Operations effective March 9th, 2026. With over eight years at the Naples, Florida-based precision manufacturer, Hallock will drive operations strategy and company growth across the defense, aerospace, and military sectors.
Galco's Summer Comfort IWB holster is now available in tan for select fits. The snap-on design features reinforced premium steerhide construction, smooth leather for comfort, and full firing grip clearance, with removable belt loops and optional Appendix IWB Belt Loop compatibility.
RCBS is expanding its MatchMaster Precision Case Trimmer lineup with a new .338 caliber pilot and a pilot-free 3-Way Cutter Head. Co-developed with Henderson Precision, the MatchMaster trimmer is now shipping and available at retailers carrying RCBS reloading equipment.
Real Avid launches the Ratchet Rest, an adjustable-height shooting bag featuring Accu-Click technology for precise elevation control and repeatable shooting performance. Available in three sizes for front and rear support, the system is designed for benchrest, long-range precision, and field shooting applications.
Springfield Armory launched a new line of Aimpoint COA-equipped pistols featuring the Aimpoint A-CUT interface and closed-emitter red dot sight. The initial Echelon 9mm variants (4.5F, 4.0FC, and 4.0C models) are priced at $1,119 MSRP, representing over $200 in savings compared to purchasing components separately.
European American Armory Corp is expanding its Blue Label shotgun series with a new Youth Model featuring an 18.5-inch barrel, 11-inch length of pull, and .410 bore designed for young shooters. The lightweight aluminum receiver weighs 4.6 lbs with minimal recoil, priced at $519 MSRP.
Viridian Weapon Technologies has introduced E Series laser sights designed specifically for the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0, available in green and red variants. The model-specific sights feature ambidextrous activation buttons, windage and elevation adjustments, and a compact design that maintains the pistol's concealability for concealed carry applications.
WOOX, an Italian-American gunstock manufacturer, announced the new Superleggera "High Grade" line of lightweight hunting stocks for bolt-action rifles. Each hand-selected walnut stock weighs 33-35 ounces and achieved .278 MOA accuracy in testing, featuring adjustable cheek risers and recoil pads with drop-in installation.
NEXTORCH announced the eStar 1,300 Lumen Ultra Bright Headlamp featuring dual white and red LEDs, proprietary Claw Optics lens technology, and dual-power compatibility. Designed for hunting, fishing, and professional work environments, the headlamp offers spot, flood, and mixed beam modes with an MSRP of $49.99.
Firearms News' March 2026 issue features a cover story by James Tarr on US Palm's CAT4 Storm Series AR-Style Rifle. The issue includes reviews of firearms from Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, and Steyr, plus articles on defensive training and ammunition reloading. The magazine celebrates its 80th anniversary and is available at major retailers.
Luth-AR serves as title sponsor for the 2026 Superstition Mystery Mountain 3-Gun Championship, scheduled March 20-22 at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club in Mesa, Arizona. The event expects 400+ competitors and features AR pioneer Randy Luth and Luth-AR Shooting Team members competing in the longest-running multi-gun match.
TriStar Arms donated a KR22 rifle to Walk the Talk America's March 24 fundraiser auction, supporting mental health awareness and resources within the firearms community. The partnership with Pot of Gold Estate Auctions aims to generate critical funding for WTTA's programs promoting responsible firearm ownership and mental wellness advocacy.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced that world champion shooter Lena Miculek has joined as a Brand Ambassador. Miculek, who has won ten world titles across rifle, shotgun, pistol caliber carbine, and multi-gun competitions, will collaborate on product development, training instruction, and media outreach to empower firearms owners and educate new shooters.
Meprolight announced its sponsorship of Precision Rifle Series competitor Garrett Tyler for the 2026 season. Tyler will represent Meprolight optics while competing in PRS events throughout the Atlantic Coast Region, using the MVO 6-36X56 scope in matches.
Last Saturday, I was at an out-of-town gun shop with a friend. It was a chance to spend a little time on the road, a little time catching up with a former coworker, and a chance to check in with a gunsmith acquaintance of long standing.
While there, we were told of a group of individuals who’d cased the place by coming in and, in violation of posted signs, began capturing images of firearms in stock.
Okay, so they were casing the place.
They figured that the actors were non-indigenous – that is the group could be related to some international issues in the current news cycle. That made the staff nervous.
It got me to thinking that the most vulnerable time would be at opening and closing. So how does one prepare?
Even residential properties out in the country find a use for video surveillance.
To start, I’d never have one person show up alone to open – or have only one person around to close. I’d want to have video countermeasures in place, inside and out, with alerts to be set in the runup to closing time and before opening.
How far in advance the alerts should be set to sound should vary, but I’d not go in – nor allow anyone in – if the video was out of service.
To open, I’d ensure I was driving in without being followed. That requires more space to discuss than we have here, but search on “counter-surveillance.” I’d set up at some distance from the store and watch for a bit.
Sitting surveillance in the store parking lot is too close to see others who may be watching the place. Below, distance is your friend.
Pulling a “cover-contact” routine is helpful. If pre-operation surveillance was quiet, one person goes to open while another watches from distance. Once that person is in, cover changes to the one in the store while the other worker approaches.
When closing time approaches, spare someone to go out and check the area. That person has to call with a prearranged code before anyone else comes out.
Don’t come back and get bottled up in the doorway.
Always assume there’s going to be trouble. These characters may be staging for a terror event, could be thieves or could simply be internet yahoos bent on showing videos and stills from your establishment on social media.
You don’t know and there’s no percentage in guessing. Consider any attempt to collect information on what you have available in the store to be a problem.
The great thing is that they tipped their hand. They may never come back, but there’s always someone who might try their luck. That gives you time to plan.
First, get your video issues in order. Have a constantly running PoE (power over ethernet) surveillance camera array. Wireless isn’t the best plan. PoE is less susceptible to jamming than consumer video surveillance units. With an appropriate network video recorder, you’ll have images of anyone you suspect of casing the place. By extending your reach of cameras outside the business, you can see what else is happening around the place – which is of some commercial concern beyond robbery and the like.
Next, brief the people working in your establishment about identifying suspicious behaviors, opening and closing procedures (not routines) and establish contacts with local law enforcement for getting images of suspicious persons loitering and taking photos around the place.
It’s all about preparation for an event that may never come.
