Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) filed comments with the U.S. Postal Service on proposed rule changes that would allow lawful handguns to be mailed under the same terms as rifles and shotguns, following a January OLC opinion determining the current prohibition violates the Second Amendment.
Vortex Optics released a limited-run Poppy Remember Short Sleeve T-Shirt with only 600 available, with proceeds benefiting the Wisconsin VFW. VFW State Commander Ty Letto praised the partnership, noting it strengthens their ability to serve veterans across Wisconsin and support programs for veterans and their families.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) has officially joined the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and will attend the NASGW Expo in October. The company has partnered with Sports South, Zanders Sporting Goods, AmChar Wholesale, and RSR Group to expand its distribution reach and strengthen dealer network support.
SLG2, Inc. released its Q1 2026 Report highlighting the Grand Safety Tour's impact across four states with 1,155 participants. The tour visited five premier destinations and reported that 39% of guests improved their attitude toward firearms, while 72% indicated plans to purchase a firearm following their experience.
Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has added Swampfox Optics to its wholesale catalog. The partnership expands dealer access to Swampfox's red dot sights, prism scopes, LPVOs, and precision rifle optics across the country.
SHIELD Sights highlights competition results from the EHC Warm Up Cup 2026 in Hungary, with SHIELD-equipped shooters securing multiple podium finishes including 1st place finishes by Bartosz Szczesny in Optics Division and Miroslav Zapletal in Production Optics Division, ahead of the European Handgun Championships in June.
SLG2, Inc. will bring its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in Chesterfield, Michigan on May 16-17, 2026. Led by all-women instructors, the free event features hands-on firearm and archery demonstrations, safety education, and product showcases from leading outdoor brands for participants of all experience levels.
Derya, a Jacksonville-based precision firearms manufacturer, launched an advanced AI customer service agent available during business hours, supporting over 30 languages. Vice President Dustin Jones emphasized the company remains committed to hiring and live agent support for complex inquiries.
Target Sports USA has appointed Steven Blinn as Chief Marketing Officer. Blinn brings over 20 years of digital marketing and ecommerce experience, and was recently named a 2026 Top 100 Marketer by the OnCon Icon Awards. He will oversee marketing operations across ecommerce, digital growth, brand development, and emerging AI initiatives.
NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi will appear on Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew on Fox Business May 10 to discuss Project ChildSafe secure firearm storage and the Brave Conversations initiative, a partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Tisas Arms USA, the world's largest producer of 1911-type pistols, established customer service operations in Buford, Georgia. VP Operations Tim Mulverhill and CEO Erdal Kaya emphasized the company's commitment to its limited lifetime warranty and world-class customer support for all Tisas-manufactured pistols.
Southwick Associates released its April 2026 Hunting & Shooting Market Pulse, revealing that hunters and shooters are cutting discretionary spending due to economic concerns but increasing ammunition supplies and planning to spend tax refunds on hunting and shooting products. The quarterly subscription service provides market analysis and industry trends to executives and investors.
The Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force will meet May 15 in Great Falls to discuss preliminary survey information. The public is invited to attend and participate in the feedback session.
Hook & Barrel Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for modern outdoorsmen, has tripled its in-store presence with Range USA, expanding from 5 to 15 locations across the Midwest and South. The partnership reflects shared values in shooting sports and responsible firearm ownership.
Walker's has introduced the Razor Junior Muffs, youth-sized hearing protection designed for younger shooters. The muffs feature dual Hi-Gain microphones, HD speakers, sound-activated compression, and a 23dB Noise Reduction Rating, now available online and through select retailers nationwide.
Auto-Ordnance unveiled a commemorative 1911 pistol celebrating America's 250th anniversary, featuring matte gray finish with copper-colored infill, patriotic inscriptions, custom-engraved wood grips depicting the Liberty Bell and bald eagle, TruGlo® Combat Day Sights, and .45 ACP chambering at $1,494 MSRP.
Kinetic Development Group's Kinect Series offers shooters a tool-free, spring-loaded locking mechanism for M-LOK equipped rifles. The patented system joins KDG's SideLok and BOM Series as practical solutions for modern rifle configuration and accessory mounting.
Liberty Safe, America's #1 safe manufacturer, introduces the Presidential Signature, an ultra-premium safe featuring Pro-Flex™ modular shelving for customizable organization. The safe combines robust protection with refined interior finishes, premium fabrics, and contemporary design, available in high-gloss colors and proudly made in the USA.
Galco has unveiled the Combat Master 2.0 belt holster, now available for Glock 48 with or without carry optics. The updated pancake holster features hand-molded design, optic cutaway capability, raised sweat guard, and premium steerhide construction for enhanced retention and durability.
VKTR Industries announced the release of its patented ambidextrous lower receivers as stand-alone products, previously available only with complete rifle packages. The Black VKTR Ambi lowers feature stainless steel billet controls, patented bolt lock and release, and Hiperfire triggers, available for dealers, distributors, and law enforcement.
Buck Knives announces its 2026 product lineup featuring the 110 and 112 Slim Heritage Elites with MagnaCut steel blades, the 724 Mustang mid-lock EDC knife, and three new Alpha Backcountry fixed blades. All products are available at buckknives.com and authorized retailers.
Henry Repeating Arms introduced the H23 Lever Action Supreme Rifle in .450 Bushmaster, expanding its Guns & Ammo Rifle of the Year-winning platform for big-game hunting in straight-wall cartridge states including Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The rifle features an 18" threaded barrel, match-grade trigger, and DuraMag 10-round magazine at $1,360 MSRP.
Auto-Ordnance introduced the Lightweight M1 Thompson, a modern evolution of the classic .45 ACP firearm featuring a high-strength aluminum receiver and polymer furniture that reduces weight by approximately 34.8% compared to traditional models, with an MSRP of $1,246.
The HeadHunters NW Podcast features attorney Clay Cheshire, founder of Defense Industry General Counsel, discussing outside general counsel services for firearms manufacturers and defense industry companies. Cheshire emphasizes proactive legal partnerships, regulatory compliance with the ATF and U.S. State Department, and strategic guidance on succession planning and international transactions.
20North Marketing has signed on as Platinum Sponsor for the 2026 NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit, taking place May 12–14 in Hilton Head. The digital marketing agency will support industry discussions on AI-driven search, leadership, consumer behavior, and digital marketing strategies.
If you just go to the range to turn money into noise, this feature isn’t for you. Likewise, if you just shoot in a way in which you guarantee your own success, this may be of small interest. For those seeking something in the way of self-improvement, here’s a tip.
I went to the range early one morning, arranged a (repaired) target, got the Shooters Global SG Timer GOfired up and went to work on a drill that starts easy and gets less easy.
The guns I used included the GLOCK 45 Gen6 and a GLOCK 44 (22 LR). The holster is strong side inside-the-waist worn under an unbuttoned shirt. (The shirt does not clear quickly like a “photographer’s vest,” as it clings to the hand clearing it.)
The drills I shot included the Safariland 3-second duty holster drill (at 13:23, here), as demonstrated by Scott Carnahan in the video. The distance was 7 yards, and the target an 8” bullseye target (left over from another shooter and re-faced with a Shoot-N-C 8” bullseye from Birchwood-Casey).
The target he shot was larger – but, in his defense, the cluster he shot was smaller than my efforts too. Beginning with a single hit from the holster, in the required three seconds, you repeat with a pair, then three- and so on, attempting to get six hits in three seconds from the holster.
I started with the Gen6 9mm. It was a miserable start, as my timer was showing first round hits in the vicinity of two seconds. That’s a long time, but my aim was to keep the hits in the center of the bullseye.
If you watched the video, you see the drill (conducted with a duty holster, using a larger target – that Scott used very little of ..) involves setting the timer to a par of three seconds. On the tone, draw to a single hit. The second time, you draw to a pair. You continue until you get six hits on target in three seconds.
I didn’t do that, stalling at around 3:58. There was a single hit off of the bull with the 9mm, still on paper.
I followed that with the G44. From the training effect, times to first hit hovered around 1.5 seconds. Due to a relative lack of recoil, making six hits in three seconds wasn’t a chore – but it shouldn’t have been with the 9mm either.
It’s the cold performance that counts.
For those who shoot Bill Drills (that’s what this is) in sub-2 seconds, I’m not doing this to practice for USPSA matches. I’m trying to improve draw performance for personal protection, a different thing. When the time between shots fired goes under .3 second, the ability to assess what’s happening in front of the gun – so you can stop shooting – is compromised.
That’s not a good thing on the street. The key is to find the balance between solid operational speed with the ability to see what’s happening downrange.
I find the 3-second duty holster drill to be more important when working with a new holster – or when trying to sharpen my performance when drawing from a holster. More than an assessment, it’s practice.
I followed that with walk-back drills – starting at 20 paces, checking the target after every string – to “get my steps in” – then backing up to a further shooting position if I’m successful.
Just above the trademark on the slide, a three-shot group at thirty paces, standing two-handed. That's tighter than I can see at the distance, let alone hold.
I used a target printed on an 11”x17” sheet of paper, face down, as my aiming point. Beginning at 20 long steps from the sheet, I put a pair of hits side-by-side, center, in 1 3/8” with the G44. Backing to 27 paces, I fired a 2 ¼” group, a vertical string. At forty paces, I put five hits low and left on the sheet in 5 ¾”, with three hits into 2 ¼”.
Thus far, I’d used the bottom half of the page, something that would continue with the new G45.
Changing to the 9mm, at twenty paces, I put two hits center in 1 7/8”. At 30, I put 3 hits into 5/8” – a fluke, as that is tighter than I can see, let alone hold.
Not satisfied with that, I stepped back to 54 paces and put four of five hits into 3”, with the fifth round going low for an extreme spread of seven inches.
That was a failure to concentrate on keeping still those three non-trigger fingers during the press.
